Is Yeshua Really The Father?

Is Yeshua God?

ACCORDING to reliable history, a man named Yeshua was born over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, a small town in the land of Judea. Herod the Great was king in Jerusalem then, and Caesar Augustus was emperor in Rome. (Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:1-7) Roman historians of the first two centuries generally avoided mentioning Yeshua, since Roman rulers at that time were trying to suppress Christianity.

On the other hand, The Historians’ History of the World observes: “The historical result of [Yeshua’] activities was more momentous, even from a strictly secular standpoint than the deeds of any other character of history. A new era, recognized by the chief civilizations of the world, dates from [Yeshua’] birth.”

Time magazine reported that more books have been written about Yeshua than any other person in history. Many of these books focus on the question of Yeshua’s identity, that is, who he really is. There has perhaps been more controversy about this matter than about any other subject in human history.

Early Questions About Identity

When Mary was told that she would have a child and that she was to name him Yeshua, she asked: “How is this to be, since I am having no intercourse with a man?” Yahuah’s angel Gabriel replied: “Power of the Highest will overshadow you. For that reason also what is born will be called holy, God’s Son.”—Luke 1:30-35.

Later, Yeshua performed miracles that caused his apostles to marvel. When a mighty windstorm threatened to sink their boat on the Sea of Galilee, Yeshua calmed the waters with the rebuke “Hush! Be quiet!” In astonishment, his apostles exclaimed: “Who really is this?”—Mark 4:35-41; Matthew 8:23-27.

Questions about Yeshua’s real identity became common among people of his day, so Yeshua asked his apostles who people were saying he was. “Some say John the Baptist,” they replied, “others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets”—all of whom were then dead. Afterward, Yeshua asked: “‘You, though, who do you say I am?’ In answer Simon Peter said: ‘You are the Yeshua, the Son of the living God.’” Even the demons—wicked angels—said of Yeshua: “You are the Son of Yahuah.”—Matthew 16:13-16; Luke 4:41.

Who Yeshua Said He Was

Although Yeshua rarely spoke of himself as Yahuah’s Son, he did acknowledge that he was. (Mark 14:61, 62; John 3:18;5:25, 26; 11:4) Almost invariably, however, he said that he was “the Son of man.” By identifying himself this way, he highlighted his human birth—the fact that he was truly a man. Thus he also revealed himself to be that “son of man” whom Daniel had seen in vision appearing before Almighty Yahuah—“the Ancient of Days.”—Matthew 20:28; Daniel 7:13.

Rather than proclaim himself to be Yahuah’s Son, Yeshua allowed others to reach that conclusion. And even people besides his apostles did so, including John the Baptist and Yeshua’s friend Martha. (John 1:29-34; 11:27) These believed that Yeshua was the promised Messiah. They learned that he had lived in heaven as a mighty spirit person and that his life had been miraculously transferred by Yahuah to the womb of the virgin Mary.—Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:20-23.

Similar to the First Man, Adam

In many respects, Yeshua was similar to the first man, Adam. For example, both were perfect men who did not have a human father. (Genesis 2:7, 15) So the Bible calls Yeshua “the last Adam”—a perfect man who could serve as “a corresponding ransom.” Yeshua’ life corresponded to that of “the first man Adam,” whom Yahuah created as a perfect human.—1 Corinthians 15:45; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6.

No One Better Known

The account of Yeshua’s life was recorded by four of his contemporaries—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—two of whom were intimate associates. Their books, named after them, are commonly called the Gospels, parts of which can be read in over two thousand languages. These small books are usually incorporated with others that make up the Bible. The circulation of the Gospels—either as individual books or as part of the Bible—is greater by far than that of any other writings in history. No wonder that Yeshua is better known than any man who has ever lived!

The first Adam is called in the Bible “son of Yahuah.” (Luke 3:38) However, Adam lost his precious relationship as Yahuah’s son by willfully disobeying Him. On the other hand, Yeshua was always faithful to his heavenly Father, and he remained Yahuah’s approved Son. (Matthew 3:17; 17:5) The Bible says that all who exercise faith in Yeshua, accepting him as their Savior, can receive everlasting life.—John 3:16, 36; Acts 5:31; Romans 5:12, 17-19.

Yet, some argue that Yeshua is not simply the Son of Yahuah but that he is actually God himself. They say that he and his Father are both Almighty God. Are they correct? Is Yeshua somehow part of Yahuah? Is that what Yeshua, or any of the Bible writers, said? Really, who is the only true God? Who did Yeshua say He is? Let us see.

“Who really is this?”

the apostles asked