The Gospel accounts give relevant events, actions, statements, and teachings of Jesus while He lived on this earth. They ought to be considered in this historical light. Not every gospel account stresses the same actions and teachings of Jesus. Each account was written for an intended purpose and audience. Nevertheless, they contain the reasons for believing and accepting Jesus as the Son of God. The nature of these things is also the reason why I am arguing that one cannot be neutral about Jesus. Consider, for example:

1. The claims of Jesus. Jesus made claims that identified Himself with God. Notice some of these claims: a unique relationship with the Father (John 10:30; 5:17-18); authority to forgive sins (Mark 2); sinlessness (John 8:29, 46; 18:23); authority to judge the world (John 5:25-27; 12:48); a message that would never pass away (Matt. 24:35); the only way to salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12); the author and giver of life (John 5:21; 6:48; 11:25). He claimed the highest loyalty from mankind (Luke 9:23), telling His followers that they must love Him above all else (Luke 14:26; Matt. 10:34-39). He claimed to fulfill all of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah (Luke 24:44).

Jesus had a Messianic and Divine consciousness. To dismiss all of these as being superimposed upon Jesus by later disciples (as did Bultmann and many other modernists) is not consistent with the evidence, and portrays later disciples as being more clever and deceitful than would be difficult to imagine. Evidence for such deceitfulness is lacking. The historical Jesus made spectacular claims. And these claims, in turn, make it so that one cannot be neutral about it. If we don't accept it, then we are rejecting Him. But can one honestly reject Jesus before considering the evidence?

2. The works of Jesus. It was not enough for Jesus to make these claims. He backed up what He said with His works. Jesus recognized that His own testimony, all by itself, would not be enough. He defended himself by referring to other witnesses, one of which was His works (John 5:36). Nicodemus confessed, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him" (John 3:2). Later, Jesus told the Jews: "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father." John 20:30-31 states that the works Jesus did were intended to spark faith in those who know of them. Peter told some Jews on Pentecost that Jesus was "attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know" (Acts 2:22). The miracles and works Jesus did are inseparably connected to his life on earth; and they cannot be dismissed just because they are miraculous. But these, also, make it impossible to be neutral about Jesus. We cannot reject the miracles without rejecting Him.

Jesus performed different kinds of miracles, but they can typically be classed under three categories: miracles over nature (e.g., calming the storm), miracles of physical healing (e.g., healing the paralyzed man), and miracles of resurrection (e.g., Lazarus). There were many witnesses to most of these miracles. Even the enemies of Jesus admitted them, which provides strong evidence on His behalf.

3. The acceptance of worship. Another important biblical proof of the identity of Jesus, and why one cannot be neutral about Him, is His acceptance of worship. The Bible teaches that the only one who is to be worshiped is God, as Jesus Himself recognized(Matt. 4:10). While it is possible for someone to accept worship who is not God, Jesus’ acceptance of worship shows, at the least, that He thought He was divine. Several examples of this are given in the gospel accounts (e.g., Matt. 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 28:9, 17). Note these three New Testament passages in this connection:

a. John 5:23. Jesus stated that all should honor the Son (Jesus) just as they honor the Father. For one to claim that he deserves the same honor as the Father, he would either have to be God, or he would have to be a liar. If one denies Jesus' claim here, He is calling Him a liar. One cannot be neutral about that.

b. John 20:28. After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples. Thomas was not present at the first appearance, and he doubted whether Jesus had really been seen. When Jesus appeared again, Thomas saw and stated to Jesus: "My Lord and my God." There is no indication that Jesus tried to correct this. Jesus accepted this worship, as well as the reference to His Godhood. In fact, He responded to Thomas, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed?" (vs. 29)

c. Hebrews 1:6. Referring to Jesus, the text says, "Let all the angels of God worship Him." The angels knew that the only one they could properly worship was God (Rev. 19:10). If they are told, by God, to worship Jesus, then this is clear teaching that Jesus is God.

The claims and works of Jesus are inseparable from the historical framework concerning Him. If we will give evidence of the historical Jesus, then these must be taken into account. Further, the implications are that neutrality about Jesus is not an option. Either we will accept the evidence and embrace Him, or we will reject Him for one reason or another. Jesus is not just another man who started a new religion. He is not just another way to God. He is the way.