As Christians, we don’t just believe in Jesus. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, and that he is our Lord.

What do each of those titles/descriptions mean to you?

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” —Matthew 16:13–16 (NLT)

The location for this discussion is in the region of Caesarea Philippi. This is significant for a couple reasons. (1) This city was overtly Roman and was an honor to Caesar and (2) the pagan worship at the “Gate of Hades” was well known.

Why would Jesus choose to have this conversation in this location?

Jesus (as the son of God) means he is co-eternal with God.

What does this mean?

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. —John 1:1–3 (NLT)

What is John telling us about Jesus?

Jesus (as the son of God) means he has God’s authority.

What does this mean?
Why is this important to understand?

Jesus (as the son of God) means he is part of the God-head.

What does this mean?
Why is this important to understand?

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. —Colossians 1:15–20 (NLT)

What do you notice in this passage?