“Who Are You, Lord?” … “I Am Jesus” | 17 Awesome Ways

Summary:  A simple question, but the answer resounds through the ages as of supreme importance. An unbeliever in Jesus had a heaven-sent encounter with Him and cried out, “Who are you, Lord?” The answer he received changed his life forever. It can change yours forever too.

Acts 9:1-5 tells of Saul of Tarsus, a devoted Pharisee who was a vicious persecutor of the early Christian church. He was on the road to Damascus with the intention of taking the Christians there as prisoners. Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him and Saul fell to the ground. There he heard a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Saul replied, “Who are you, Lord?” and heard the immediate answer, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Saul was immediately converted from his violent opposition to Christianity to a now lifelong time of devoted ministry and service to the Lord Jesus Christ. He became a born-again, water baptized, Holy Spirit-filled follower of Jesus the Savior. His name was changed from Saul to Paul, and he was used by God to write 13 (perhaps 14) of the 27 books of the New Testament of the Bible. To this day Paul stands as one of the towering figures of the early Church — a great theologian and Bible teacher, a prolific soul winner and church planter, and an apostle of great importance to the early Church. And all of that after a simple dialog: “Who are you, Lord?” … “I am Jesus…”

That’s what I wish to share with you today. Many of you already know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Some reading this may still be asking the very legitimate question: “Who are you, Lord?” Please read on and see some of the remarkable truths of what it means when the Son of God says (to Saul and to you), “I am Jesus.”

Jesus is the Savior of the world, fully able to “save us from our sins”

Matthew 1:20-21  … an angel of the Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. Joseph’s intended wife Mary was found to be pregnant! Joseph understandably was very troubled at this news, since he and Mary had had no sexual relations prior to their future marriage. The angel announced that Mary, clearly said in the Bible to be a virgin (Matthew 1:22-23), was pregnant not by sexual contact but by a supernatural conception by the Holy Spirit of God. Joseph was to give the child “the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” The name Jesus, language experts tell us, translates to “the Lord is salvation” or “the Lord saves.” His very name, commanded by God through His angel to Joseph, revealed that He, Jesus, would be the Savior of mankind from our sins.

For further Bible study see: How to Be Saved and Go to Heaven (Salvation Scriptures)

Jesus is the absolute focus of the Gospel of salvation

1 Corinthians 15:2-4  By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Here is the essence of God’s glorious “Good News” (the Gospel) — Jesus the Son of God (1) “died for our sins”; (2) He was buried; and (3) was raised from the dead on the third day and some days later ascended back to heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God the Father to this day. The apostle Paul says to all who will turn in repentance and faith (Acts 20:21) to this Savior Jesus, “By this Gospel [of Christ’s death and resurrection for your sins] you are saved” (vs. 2).

For further Bible study: The Gospel of Jesus Christ in One Easy Verse

You Must Be Born Again to Go to Heaven, Not Hell

Jesus is the [only] Way, the Truth, and the Life

John 14:6  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Contrary to the popular but erroneous saying that “all roads lead to God,” Jesus said the exact opposite. He is called the Savior about two dozen times in the New Testament. And this Savior Jesus clearly said that He alone is the way to salvation — “I am the way … No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus the Son of God, Himself “being in very nature God” (Philippians 2:6), also took upon Himself humanity and came from heaven to earth “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). As both God and man, He and He alone was uniquely qualified to be the “one mediator between God and mankind” (1 Timothy 2:5). The apostle John had walked very close to Him during Jesus’ years on earth. Having witnessed Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and visible public ascension back to heaven, John wrote with absolute certainty: “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12).

For further Bible study: One Way to Heaven Only? Or Do ‘All Roads Lead to God’?

Jesus is the One who gives His followers eternal life

John 3:16, 36  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life… [36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

John 10:27-28  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

There are only two eternal options for everyone who ever lives: eternal life or God’s wrath … heaven or hell … salvation or perdition. To all who will hear and repent and believe in Him, Jesus offers and provides the glorious option: salvation, eternal life in the indescribable wonders of His presence forever. The heart of the Lord for you is this: “Choose life!”

For further Bible study: New Life in Christ, the Son of God | Live Forever!

Jesus is the “Lord of all”

Romans 10:9, 12  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved… [12] the same Lord is Lord of all…”

Acts 10:36  “…announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”

Shortly after His resurrection from the grave, Jesus met with His disciples and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). And in that authority Jesus gave the Great Commission (vss. 19-20) to reach the world, through His dedicated followers, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

There is nothing that escapes Jesus’ Lordship. God the Father has conferred upon the Son “all authority in heaven and on earth.” If you’re a born-again believer, you serve a Lord with unlimited power and authority in the universe.

For further Bible study: Jesus Christ is Lord of all, King of kings, and Lord of lords

Jesus is the One with Whom we are buried in baptism and rise to walk in newness of life

Romans 6:4  We were therefore buried with him [Jesus] through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Colossians 2:12  …having been buried with him [Christ] in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

“Buried with Him in baptism” — We were spiritually “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20) when we came to Him in faith and repentance for sins. Then the believer is “buried with Him in baptism.” When we came to Jesus for salvation, “our old self was crucified with Him” (Romans 6:6). So in baptism we bury that old man or woman of sin and, as Jesus rose from the grave to life, we too rise from the watery grave of baptism to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4, KJV).

For further, detailed Bible study, see our in-depth Teaching on Water Baptism by Immersion: Who? Why? When? How? In What Name?

For further study on the Name in water baptism: Water Baptism: “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” Is Not a Name

Jesus is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit

Matthew 3:11  [John the Baptist said, referring to Jesus:] “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Also in Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, and John 1:33, the great prophet John the Baptist specifically identified Jesus as the One who would “baptize with the Holy Spirit.” Note carefully: this is not referring to water baptism, but to a specific ministry from the Holy Spirit called in the Bible the baptism with the Holy Spirit. And John foretold that it is Jesus who would be the Baptizer with the Spirit.

This was fulfilled in the early Church, to whom Jesus had prophesied: “John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit … “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:5,8). After Jesus ascended back to heaven, His promise was fulfilled in Acts 2:1-4 — “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place… [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” This same power-imparting Spirit baptism is available to all born-again believers today.

For further in-depth Bible study: The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Power Is for You Today

For further Bible study on tongues: Speaking in Tongues Today? Yes? No? Maybe? Just for Some?

For further Bible study on tongues as evidence: Speaking in Tongues: Initial Evidence of the Baptism with the Spirit

For further Bible study on the Holy Spirit “anointing”: Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Its Purposes, Power, and Benefits

Jesus is the Healer of sick bodies

Matthew 8:16-17  When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He [Jesus] took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

Isaiah’s great prophecy (ch. 53, which some have nicknamed “The 5th Gospel”) spoke of a Savior who would die for our sins AND sicknesses. The inspired Gospel writer Matthew tells us that this was fulfilled in Jesus. And sure enough, all through His ministry on earth we saw Jesus healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, casting out demons, even raising the dead. And Jesus still heals today! How do we know that? Because God’s Word assures us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

For further in-depth Bible study: Divine Healing Today? Absolutely! YOU Can Be Healed

A faith-building collection of healing sermons: Divine Healing Sermons by Pastor Jim Feeney

Jesus is the Deliverer from all bondages and captivity

Luke 4:17-21  [In the synagogue] the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” … [20b] The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

In the synagogue Jesus read from Isaiah, chapter 61:1-2 and said clearly to them that He, Jesus, was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Drawing from both Luke’s and Isaiah’s writings, we see Jesus as the One who would proclaim good news to the poor … freedom for the prisoners … recovery of sight for the blind … set the oppressed free … bind up the brokenhearted … release people from darkness…

Jesus was then and is now the One who delivers us from all bondages and captivities. What He did in the Gospels He still does today, because as we saw above, He is “the same yesterday and today and forever.” Whatever habit, vice, or hurt has a grip on you, our wonderful Savior can and will deliver you from it. Heed the Bible’s urging and come in prayer boldly to God’s throne of grace, where our Savior is waiting with “mercy and grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus is the guarantee of all God’s promises

2 Corinthians 1:19-20, NKJV  For the Son of God, Jesus Christ … was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen…

There’s no “Hmm, I wonder … maybe … I’m not sure” when we ponder the promises of God. The Scriptures tell us that Jesus is their guarantee. There’s no uncertainty, no “Yes and No.” But rather, the apostle Paul wrote that “all the promises of God in Him [in Christ] are Yes, and in Him Amen.”

When you find in the Bible a promise of God, read it in its proper context and see if there are any conditions. Then if you see that it clearly applies to your situation, in Jesus’ Name ask God to make it real in your life. God, who cannot lie, is faithful to His promises and will not fail you, as the Scriptures prove in the link just below.

For further study of God’s faithfulness to His promises: God’s Promises Are True and God Is True to His Promises

Jesus is the Good Shepherd of His “sheep” (His people)

John 10:11, 14  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep… [14] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

One of the Bible’s touching symbols of His relationship with His followers is that of the good shepherd Jesus caring for His sheep, His faithful followers. Our “great Shepherd of the sheep” went all in for us (Hebrews 13:20), giving His very life to redeem us from our sins.

And He doesn’t just stay far off at a distance from us. Rather, He promised us, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). Although seated at the Father’s right hand in heaven, by His divine omnipresence He is able to fulfill His promise to never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus is right there “with you” for conversation, comfort, wisdom, and more. And He knows you perfectly — “I know my sheep.” And He gives us the marvelous privilege of knowing Him — “my sheep know me.”

Jesus is the glorious, spotless Church’s future Bridegroom

2 Corinthians 11:2, KJV  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

This is one of the glorious views of Jesus’ Church — as the Bride of Christ. The apostle Paul, in Ephesians 5:25-32 (KJV), speaks of this high and holy calling: “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church” (32). He speaks of the absolute purity Christ desires in His Church-Bride: “That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (27).

Theologians and commentators offer various interpretations. I am of the strong opinion that, in the last days, there will be a large group of Christians (not all Christians) who, by the Lord’s grace and help, will rise to that level of Bridal qualifications — glorious, no spot, no wrinkle, holy and without blemish. This Bridal Church will enter into the very closest spiritual relationship with Jesus and will have her (their) role to play in the end times. You may study this line of interpretation in more detail at my Bible studies:

The Bride of Christ - A Radiant, Holy Church to Marry Jesus Spiritually

The Church As the Radiant, Pure and Spotless Bride of Christ

Jesus is full Deity: “Immanuel…God with us”

Matthew 1:23  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph. Then she was found to be pregnant! An angel from God appeared to Joseph and told him that her pregnancy as a virgin woman was by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. The angel told Joseph further that the son to be born of this virgin mother Mary would be “God with us.”

Theologically, this is called the Incarnation — that is, the divine Son of God coming from heaven and taking upon Himself flesh and a human nature. The apostle John records this in His Gospel (John 1:1,14): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… [14] “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Jesus is the second divine Person of the holy trinity — classically defined as: “There is one God, eternally existent in three divine Persons — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Not only did Jesus become “flesh” (human), but He always was and always will be fully Deity, fully “God.” I have written extensively, with many Bible proofs, about the divinity of Jesus Christ at:

Is Jesus God? | The Deity of Jesus Christ

Jesus is coming back to earth (Second Coming) in power and glory

Hebrews 9:28  …so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

The Son of God Jesus came to earth some 20 centuries ago to offer Himself as a sacrifice on the cross in order to bear the sins of all mankind. Since then He has offered eternal life, through repentance for sin and faith in His sacrifice on the cross (Acts 20:21), to all who will receive Him as personal Lord and Savior.

The writer to the Hebrews (above), along with many other Bible verses, tells us that Jesus will come again to earth “a second time…to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” This is broadly known as Christ’s Second Coming. Many Christians believe that we are in the end times that will be finalized by Christ’s glorious Second Coming. I agree with that opinion. I’ve written extensively on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ at:

Ready or Not, Jesus Is Coming Back | The ‘Second Coming’

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the ‘Rapture of the Church’

Jesus is the one who will raise believers from the dead

John 6:40  For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

While on earth, Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” Every true believer in the Lord will be raised unto eternal life at the Second Coming of Jesus. All the rest, the “lost,” will be resurrected unto eternal damnation at the end of the 1,000-year Millennium. Details of these Bible truths can be seen at the following:

Resurrection of the Dead | Live Forever in a Perfect, Glorified Body!

Dying to Live | Resurrection to Life from Death

All believers raised by Him will reign with Him on earth in the Millennium of 1,000 years

1 Corinthians 15:22-23  For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

At Jesus’ Second Coming (“when He comes”) all His believing followers (“those who belong to Him”) will be resurrected and “made alive” by Him in immortal, glorified bodies for all eternity (1 Cor. 15:35-57).

Then immediately beginning with Christ’s Second Coming, according to Revelation 20:1-6, we see the “Millennium,” a period of 1,000 years. In the Millennium will be all those believers who came up to meet the Lord at His second coming — “This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years” (Rev. 20:5b-6). Then Revelation chapters 21-22 speak of further astounding events (well worth reading) that transition into the glorious reality of all the saved going on into an endless, joy-filled eternity in the indescribably glorious presence of God the Father and Jesus His Son. A brief summary of these end-time events can be found at my article:

The End Times: A One-Page Bible Summary of the End of Days

The all-important decision — What’s your answer to Jesus’ question: “Who do YOU say that I am?”

Matthew 16:15  “But what about you?” [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Jesus’ disciples were at one point still uncertain exactly who this Jesus of Nazareth was. So the Lord asked them directly, “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” And that, my reader friends, is the all-important question that the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, poses to every one of us: “What about you? Who do you say I am?” Our place in eternity depends on us coming to the right answer.

It’s likely that most of you who have read this far already know Jesus as Lord and Savior by having repented of your sins and believing sincerely in Him (Acts 20:21). My hope is that this Bible study will increase your love for and your appreciation of our wonderful Savior Jesus. Surely many of you are thinking of more things I could have written about Jesus, and that is certainly true. There is such an inexhaustible wealth of truth in the Bible about Him. Hopefully our Bible study has stimulated you to further searching of the Scriptures in a godly effort to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18, KJV). May you be blessed as you pursue an ever-closer walk with the Lord.

Perhaps our look at Jesus in the Scriptures has touched some of your hearts with the realization that you haven’t yet made a conscious, personal decision to serve the wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus. If that’s you, Jesus is waiting to receive you with open arms, right now! With all my heart I encourage you to let the late, respected evangelist Billy Graham help you into the beloved family of God. You’ll be eternally glad you did! Here’s the link: Peace with God: The Secret of Happiness

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