Joshua Bennett
Catholics believe that Jesus is the Son of God and is also God. This is known as the doctrine of the Trinity, which states that God is one being with three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is a central teaching of the Catholic Church, and any community that denies it is not considered Christian. Catholics also believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man, and that he is the savior who will return. While some Catholics may not be aware of these teachings, they are fundamental to the faith.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Son of God | Yes |
| God | Yes |
| Man | Yes |
| Lord over the universe | Yes |
| Saviour | Yes |
| Judge of the living and the dead | Yes |
| Lamb of God | Yes |
| Only way to God | Yes |
| Second Person of the Trinity | Yes |
| Centre of salvation | Yes |
| Ascension into Heaven | Yes |
| Resurrection | Yes |
| Virgin birth | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
The Son of God
Catholics believe that Jesus is the Son of God. This is a core belief in Catholicism. The Nicene Creed, a prayer recited during religious functions, states: "We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father."
The belief that Jesus is the Son of God is also supported by the New Testament. For example, in Matthew 3:17, John the Baptist was a witness when God the Father Himself testified that Jesus was His Son. Additionally, in Matthew 16:16, St. Peter said, "You are the Christ, the son of the Living God."
The title "Son of God" is not unique to Jesus and appears in the Old Testament, where it is given to angels, the Chosen People, the children of Israel, and their kings. In the Old Testament, the title signifies an adoptive sonship that establishes a relationship of intimacy between God and his creatures. However, when Jesus refers to himself as the "only Son of God," he is affirming his eternal preexistence and equality with God the Father.
Catholics believe that Jesus is both fully God and fully man, a concept known as the hypostatic union. This belief is supported by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which teaches that Jesus Christ is the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, possessing the same divine nature as His Father. The Church also teaches that Jesus proved his divinity by performing miracles and fulfilling prophecies.
The belief in Jesus as the Son of God is intimately connected to the concept of salvation in Catholicism. By becoming man, Jesus saves humanity from sin and reopens the gates of heaven. Catholics believe that through Jesus's sacrifice, they can be protected from Satan's attacks and receive eternal life.
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Fully God, fully man
Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Messiah, and Lord over the universe. He is the Second Person of the Trinity, which consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is a fundamental aspect of Catholic doctrine, or theology, which is based on canonical scripture and sacred tradition. The belief in the Holy Trinity is not explicitly found in the Bible but was defined by the Catholic Church and is considered a prerequisite for Christian baptism.
The concept of the Messiah in Christianity differs significantly from the contemporary Jewish concept. The core Christian belief is that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, sinful humans can be reconciled to God and thereby be offered salvation and the promise of eternal life in heaven. Catholics believe in the resurrection of Jesus, as detailed in the New Testament, and his Ascension into heaven.
The Gospels explain that Jesus was present at the creation of the world: "He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him" (John 1:2-3, RSV). The Second Person of the Trinity took on flesh and became man: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). God became one of us so that he might redeem us from our sins.
Catholics regard the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life. They believe that the bread and wine brought to the altar during Mass are changed into the true body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is known as transubstantiation.
In conclusion, Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. This belief is central to the Catholic faith and is affirmed in the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed, which are professed during Sunday Mass.
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Lord over the universe
Catholicism is a broad church, and there is no single Catholic belief about whether Jesus was Lord over the universe. Some Catholics believe that Jesus is God, a member of the Trinity, and thus Lord over the universe. Others believe that Jesus was a creature subordinate to God, and therefore not truly Lord over the universe.
The official teaching of the Catholic Church is that Jesus is God, a member of the Trinity. This is supported by the Nicene Creed, which is common to the Christian churches of the East and West and is prayed at every Catholic Mass. The Nicene Creed states:
> "I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father."
The Apostles' Creed, a statement of Christian faith developed from the baptismal creed of the ancient Church of Rome, also supports this teaching:
> "I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary."
The Gospel of John also explains that Jesus was present at the creation of the world:
> "He was in the beginning with God."
The Catholic Church believes that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and that the living transmission of the Word of God is called tradition, which is distinct from Scripture but closely tied to it. The Church also teaches that each person will appear before the judgment seat of Christ after death and that Jesus will sit in universal judgment of all humankind.
However, it's important to note that not all Catholics adhere strictly to the official teachings of the Church. Some Catholics may be ignorant of their faith or hold different beliefs. Additionally, some former Catholics may still hold beliefs influenced by their Catholic upbringing, even if they no longer actively practice the religion.
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The saviour
Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is the saviour. This is because they believe that salvation comes through Jesus alone, as he is the "one mediator between God and man".
The Catholic Church teaches that people are inheritors of original sin and its consequences, and that actual sin further distances people from God. However, Catholics also believe that salvation is offered as a free gift from Jesus, which can be accessed through repentance, faith, and baptism. Repentance demonstrates a willingness to turn away from sin and towards God, while baptism is a renewal process that fills people with grace, enabling them to have faith and live by it.
Some argue that the Catholic teaching on salvation differs from what is taught in the Bible. They claim that the official Roman Catholic understanding of salvation is not by grace through faith alone. However, it is important to note that not all Catholics adhere to the Roman Catholic interpretation of salvation. Many Catholics believe in the biblical doctrine of salvation and view the sacraments as a means of spiritual growth and intimacy with God, rather than a way to earn salvation.
Catholics believe in the Trinity, which is one God in three distinct persons. They believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man, coexisting with God for all eternity. This belief is a fundamental part of Catholic teaching, distinguishing it from heresies like Arianism, which asserts that God created Jesus, making him subordinate to God and neither truly human nor truly divine.
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The second person of the Trinity
The Trinity is a core Christian belief that there is one God in three Persons. The three Persons of the Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—are distinct, yet only constitute one name and share one essence. This belief is not the same as polytheism, which is the belief in multiple gods.
The concept of the Trinity is derived from the Bible, which teaches three coexistent, co-eternal Persons who comprise the one God. In the "Trinitarian formula" used in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, Jesus, the Son, is mentioned second: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Using the terms first, second, and third in relation to the Persons of the Trinity does not imply varying levels of importance. The Athanasian Creed, an early summary of Christian doctrine, states: "We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity."
Jesus is referred to as the second Person in the Trinity because, although coexistent and co-eternal with the Father, he voluntarily submitted himself to take on human nature. In his human existence, the Son lived in total obedience to God the Father. This is reflected in Philippians 2:6–8: " [Christ Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
The concept of the Trinity was formalized in AD 325 at the Council of Nicaea, and further defined at the Councils of Constantinople in 360 and Ephesus in 431. However, the idea of the Trinity was present in early Christianity, as seen in the writings of Justin Martyr (AD 100–c. 165), who described the Son as distinguishable from yet deriving from the Father.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Catholic Church insists that Jesus was not married. The New Testament, including the Gospels, the book of Acts, and the writings of Paul, does not mention Jesus having a wife.
Yes, Catholics believe that Jesus is both God and man. This belief is called the Incarnation, where the Son of God took on a human nature, or body and soul.
Yes, Catholics believe that Jesus is God. This is supported by various biblical texts, such as Titus 2:13, which refers to Jesus as "our great God and Savior."
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