13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. -Matthew 16:13-17 BSB
The revelation of who Jesus is comes from the Father. Many false religions believe Jesus to be a mere prophet. One example of this false religion is Islam. Islam believes that Jesus is only a prophet and the Messiah, but their definition of Messiah is not the same as Peter’s confession, “Son of the living God.” Muslims reject the notion of Jesus being the Son of God because God cannot have a Son, for He doesn’t have a wife.
However, they misunderstand the concept of Jesus’ title, “the Son of the Living God.” It simply means that Jesus and the Father are one (John 10:30). God exists as three separate persons, God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. A simple way to explain the Trinity within the Godhead would be…
Let’s say a person raises their right hand. Would you say that they have five hands because of their five fingers? You would say one hand has been raised, right? The hand raised contains more than one finger, yet it is still called one hand. The same concept can be applied to how God chose to exist. There is only one true God who is eternal, never had a beginning, and always existed as three persons.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. -John 1:1 BSB
The “Word” refers to Jesus Christ, see John 1:14.
Any person who teaches a theology that portrays Jesus as only a good prophet or a good teacher is teaching a false Jesus with a false gospel. Jesus is much more than that. He is God.
Jesus said in John 8:24, That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Spiritual Minefield 