Of all Christian beliefs, none may cause as much controversy as the belief that Jesus is the only way to God. Living in an age when tolerance is a virtue and acceptance of diverse opinions is a cultural norm, this belief seems archaic and exclusive. The following is presented to show that not only do Christian have good reasons to hold this view, but it is not something they could change if they so chose. As Paul Little wrote, “If we should say we would like to change this truth and vote in something more inclusive, here is our dilemma. We would be changing something that is not humanly changeable. It is fixed and is either completely true or completely false.”[1]
The belief that Jesus is the only way to God, or that Jesus is the only means of salvation, originates with the first Christians, Jesus’ original disciples. When Christians state that Jesus is the only way to God, they are holding to the teachings of the Apostles. When responding to questions put to them by the Jewish council, Peter proclaimed, “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12 (ESV)
The Apostles taught that it is through Jesus that we are reconciled with God. We need this reconciliation since, by following our own desires, we have rebelled against God and have become separated from Him. Such is the condition of the human race. We are imperfect, fallen, and unable to restore the relationship between us and God that God desires. No one has lived up to God’s standard and few live up to their own standard. Because of God’s great love, He took upon Himself the task of restoring us to Himself. As Isaiah prophesied, “I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.” Isaiah 43:11 (ESV)
Since no human can live a divine life, The Divine chose to live a human life. In Jesus, God stepped into human history and did for us what we were unable to do for ourselves. Through Jesus, God offers us forgiveness and a restored relationship. As Paul said to the Jews in Antioch, “Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man [Jesus] forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses.” Acts 13:38-39 (ESV) This is why Christians can be assured of their salvation. A Christian does not have to be “good enough” or “holy enough” or “whatever enough” to come to God because Jesus was good enough and holy enough and it is through His righteousness that we are reconciled with God. (ref 2 Corinthians 5:21)
How did the Apostles come by this exalted notion about Jesus? They were primarily Jews. A fiercely monotheistic people who regarded the Roman gods as false and would rather die than allow the presence of the Roman Standard in the Holy City.
So deep was the feeling on this point, that even the attempt of Pilate to introduce by night into Jerusalem the effigies of Cæsar on the top of the Roman standards led to scenes in which the Jews showed themselves willing to die for their convictions (Jos. Ant. 18. 3, 1); while the palace of Herod Antipas at Tiberias was burned by the mob because it was decorated with figures of animals (Jos. Life, 12). [2]
Into this culture came Jesus, proclaiming a message of forgiveness and reconciliation with God. More than that, he made some very controversial statements. His Apostle John, records that, when the Jews in the Temple questioned him, demanding that he tell them plainly if he was the Christ. At the conclusion of his reply, Jesus states, “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30 (ESV) To understand the full meaning of what Jesus was saying, one only needs to look at how the Jew’s responded.
The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?" The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God." John 10:31-33 (ESV)
Nor was this an isolated incident. All of the witnesses to Jesus’ teachings make various statements that Jesus regarded himself as uniquely divine. He was not another prophet. He was not another in a great line of teachers. Jesus claimed the authority to forgive sins (which was only God’s prerogative), he claimed to be greater than the prophet Jonah, greater than Solomon and greater than the Temple. (Matt 12) He claimed that he would judge the nations. (Mat 25:31ff; Luke 21:27) Even at his trial before the chief priests, when “the high priest said to him, ‘I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.’” Matthew 26:63 (ESV) The result of Jesus’ response was that “the high priest tore his robes and said, ‘He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy.’” Matthew 26:65 (ESV) With statements like these, how is it that Jesus managed to retain any of his followers? When Jesus declared himself to be “the bread of life”, many of his disciples turned away. When Jesus asked the Apostles if they also wanted to leave, “Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."” John 6:68-69 (ESV) And to those who were skeptical of what he said, Jesus replied, “even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." John 10:38 (ESV)
It is evident from the record that Jesus held a high view of himself and offered his activities and miracles as proof of his claim. His disciples, impressed by his teaching, his character and his miraculous works were further convinced by Jesus’ physical appearances following his resurrection. Their conviction can be measured by the persecution they received from those trying to suppress this new message. A modern day follower can be sincere, yet sincerely wrong. These first disciples were in a unique position to know the truth and they proclaimed it to their deaths.
The Christian message of salvation, of God becoming one of us to reconcile us to Him, is a statement of reality and, as such, is a testable claim. Simply dismissing it because it sounds harsh and exclusive ignores the real question: “Is it true?” If Jesus is God, then no one can come to God without coming to Jesus. Simply put: to come to God, you must come to God.
There are many paths to The Father and they all go through Jesus.
[1] Paul E. Little, Know Why You Believe: Connecting Faith and Reason, (Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 124.
[2] Edersheim, A. (2003). Sketches of Jewish social life in the days of Christ. (90). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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