What does the Bible say about the identity of Jesus Christ?

The Bible emphasizes Jesus' identity as the Christ, the anointed one of God, who fulfills all Old Testament prophecies. When Jesus asked His disciples, 'But whom say ye that I am?', Peter declared Him to be 'the Christ of God.' This identification is pivotal because it distinguishes true believers from those who do not know Him. According to John 17:3, knowing Jesus Christ is equated with eternal life. Hence, understanding His nature and work is foundational to salvation.

The recognition of Christ as both fully God and fully man is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment; rather, it is a spiritual revelation from God. As Jesus revealed to Peter, such knowledge cannot be attained through human intellect but is given by 'my Father which is in heaven.' Therefore, the essence of knowing Christ entails understanding His divine nature, His sacrificial death, and the meaning behind His resurrection, which all play a critical role in the salvation plan for humanity.