Jesus Christ the
Divine Object of Our Faith

Most paintings of the Lord’s supper present a long table with Jesus in the center and six disciples on each side. While this is not the exact arrangement, artists have understood that Christ was the center of attention. Jesus was the center of the disciples’ experience and must be the center of our experience. It is Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, who is the object of our faith. One of the first instances of the disciples worshipping Christ is given in Matthew fourteen concerning the incident of Jesus walking on the water.

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (Matthew 14:22-33)

Here we see the disciples worshipping Jesus as the “Son of God.” While their understanding of the matter was yet unclear, they began to realize this great truth and worshipped Jesus accordingly. While Peter’s great confession was yet to come, they were beginning to understand who Jesus really was and He became the divine object of their faith.

Jesus Christ worshipped as the Son of God

Jesus told Nicodemus that he was the Son of God. Indeed, we live today because God sent His Son to die for us. Jesus said, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18) Those who believe are not condemned, but those who do not worship the Son of God are judged unworthy by default because they do not believe in the Son.

John the Baptist testified, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36) Here John holds out Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as the divine object of our faith. In The Desire of Ages we read this note of interest:

When it appears that God is about to work in a special manner for His people, let them not be enticed into a controversy that will work only ruin of souls. The questions that most concern us are, Do I believe with saving faith on the Son of God? Is my life in harmony with the divine law? “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life.” “And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” John 3:36; 1 John 2:3. (Desire of Ages, p.396)

The account of the healing of the man born blind in John the ninth chapter reveals the worship of Jesus as the Son of God. After the man had been healed and later excommunicated, the record states:

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.  (John 9:35-38)

The story of Philip meeting the Ethiopian eunuch as recorded in Acts chapter eight is well known. However, there are some very important aspects of that story often not noticed. First, it must be remembered that the meeting of the two was of divine providence. Verse 26 says that “the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza.” After their meeting, verses 39 and 40 record that Philip was caught away by “the Spirit of the Lord,” and was later “found at Azotus.” Without controversy, God had arranged for this special meeting between Philip and this high ranking official from the court of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.

The center of the topic discussed was the prophecy of Isaiah 53. After an unrecorded amount of time spent discussing the death of Christ, and other Christian doctrines such as baptism, the eunuch said, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36) An important note is the confession that Philip, working under the spirit of inspiration, required of the eunuch. First, let us notice what Philip did not ask. He did not ask for the eunuch to respond to 27 Fundamentals. He did not ask the eunuch to believe that Jesus was the supreme God or the second person of a Trinity! Philip told the eunuch he could be baptized if he believed with all his heart. What did the eunuch understand this to mean? His response was: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8: 37) This proclamation was the confession that Philip found sufficient to then baptize the eunuch. The record says that the eunuch “went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:39)

The very first message that the Apostle Paul preached after his conversion was the truth that Jesus was the Son of God. “And immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Acts 9:20 margin) This continued to be the theme of Paul’s preaching: God sending His Son to die for the sins of man. (See 1 Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 1:4; Romans 5:6-11; etc.)

In his first epistle, the Apostle John presents Jesus Christ as the divine object of faith in the character of the Son of God:

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. (1 John 4:9-15)

Continuing this theme, John states that his account of the life of Jesus was written so that we might “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:31)

The High Nature of Jesus as God’s Son

Let us examine the exalted nature of our Lord as announced by the Father. Matthew 3:17 states: “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” At the Mount of Transfiguration the Father again makes known the lofty nature of our Lord. “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matthew 17:5) Commenting on this verse, the nineteenth century writer Henry Grew stated:

When the heavens are opened, that the nature and character of the Saviour may be announced by the Majesty on high to a perishing world, what do we hear? This is the second person of the adorable Trinity? This is the supreme God? No; but, “this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” And what did the blessed Ambassador of peace require? “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” [John 9:35] This great truth was indeed the dividing line between his disciples and the world. The former believed, and were saved; the latter denied, and perished. As Jesus never claimed a higher nature than this; he never required his disciples to believe that he possessed any higher nature. (An Examination of The Divine Testimony on the Nature and Character of the Son of God, p. 30. - All emphasis is in the original.)

It was the confession of Peter that Jesus was the Son of God which received the benediction of his Lord.

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 16:13-17)

Should we be dissatisfied with a confession that the Saviour approved? Have we been given license to add to the divine testimony? What right do we have to contradict the Word of God? Shall we rewrite the testimony? Satan has rewritten the testimony in the minds of many believers to read, “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God doth not dwell in him and he is not in God, unless he does confess that Jesus is not the Son of God.”

The Foundation of the Believer’s Faith

The Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is the foundation of the believer’s faith. Writing to the church at Ephesus Paul stated:

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. (Ephesians 2:19, 20)

The apostles and prophets are not the foundation of the believer. The apostle’s and prophet’s foundation is the same as ours: Jesus Christ as the chief corner stone. In both Ephesians and Romans Paul applies the prophecy of Isaiah 28:16 to Jesus, as does Peter in 1 Peter 2:6.

Therefore thus saith the Lord, even the Lord, Behold, I lay for the foundation of Sion a costly stone, a choice, a corner-stone, a precious stone, for its foundations; and he that believes on him shall by no means be ashamed. (Isaiah 28:16 Septuagint)

Two statements found in The Desire of Ages show that Ellen White strongly agreed with the statements of Scripture. Concerning Peter’s confession as recorded in Matthew 16:16 we read, “Peter had expressed the truth which is the foundation of the church’s faith.” (p. 413) We also find a parallel statement on page 412: “The truth which Peter had confessed is the foundation of the believer’s faith.”

Jesus said that it was life eternal to not only know God, but the One He sent. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Commenting upon this verse in connection with the foundation of our faith, Sister White wrote:

Now, as never before, we need to understand the true science of education. If we fail to understand this, we shall never have a place in the kingdom of God. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” If this is the price of heaven, shall not our education be conducted on these lines? Christ must be everything to us. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” What a foundation is here laid for the faith of those who shall live in all ages. (The Christian Educator, August 1, 1897)

Standing in the shadow of the cross, the Saviour here presented principles that lie at the foundation of all true Christian experience. Lifting up his eyes unto heaven, he said: “Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: as thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (R&H,  July 19, 1906)

The knowledge of this wonderful truth is no grounds for glorification in itself. We cannot obtain this knowledge apart from God. “Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?” (Job 11:7-8) We are told that God’s thoughts are much higher than our thoughts. (See Isaiah 55:9) Only God can reveal the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus told Peter, “ Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17)

Our first work is to be converted. We are individually to be born again. We are to be able to represent in character the new life in Christ. The knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom He sent is of primary importance, for Christ declares that it is eternal life to the believer. Those in positions of responsibility in our sanitariums should make sure that their lamps are trimmed and burning. Men and women who are engaged in any line of God’s work are to heed Christ’s words, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” In building up a sanitarium this is the first work to be done. The foundation is to be laid in Jesus Christ. (17 MR, p. 358)

It is only as Jesus Christ is exalted to His highest character as the Son of God that He can be truly lifted up in the fullest sense as the Saviour of man. Paul writes, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)