John 14:7

"If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also: from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." (ASV)

A popular misconception that is currently floating around some of the more liberal churches (and some non-Christian religions as well) is that Jesus was just a good man, a good teacher, or a prophet. The problem with this is that on multiple occasions, Jesus Himself stated that He is the Son of God. So it stands to reason that either He was in fact the Christ, or He was a liar and a blasphemer.

Who would listen to a teacher or prophet who was so often wrong about his own identity? Who would pay heed to someone who claims to be that which he is not? Many times throughout Christ's teachings here on earth, He made reference to Himself as the Son of God. If a prophet speaks falsely, he is no prophet of God, but a deceiver. A prophet’s teachings must be 100% correct, 100% of the time.

In Matthew 16, Jesus nails down all the rumors and whisperings that were going about concerning Him. He asked His disciples who they think He is. They start out by telling Him all the names that others have given to Him, but eventually Peter is brave enough to speak truth. "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16 ASV) This would have been a perfect moment for Jesus to set the record straight if He had been only a man. Instead, He confirmed what Peter had said, "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 16:17 ASV)

What’s more, others recognized Jesus as the Christ. At His baptism, God announced Christ’s deity, “and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 ASV) Even the demons knew who He was and trembled, “And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:29 ASV)

So now, the same question asked of those disciples is posed to each of us. "He saith unto them, But who say ye that I am?" (Matthew 16:15 ASV) This is a question none of us can avoid because it has eternal ramifications. "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24 ASV) Who do you believe Christ is?