In one sense, the question in the title is silly because the answer, at least for Trinitarians, is evident, because how can you really separate Jesus from God? That said, in reading Paul’s letter to Titus, it is interesting that he switches his phraseology regarding the Saviour several times. In Titus 1:3, Paul explains that he became a preacher through “the command of God our Saviour”. However, in the next verse, Pauls says, “Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour”. In Titus 3:4, Paul again specifies God as the Savour when he writes, “But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared”, and then in 3:6 refers to “Jesus Christ our Saviour”. Making this even more interesting is back in Titus 2:3, Paul speaks about the “glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ”.
So, which is it? Is God the Saviour? Is Jesus the Saviour? Or is Jesus our Great God and Saviour? If Paul were here today, I am sure he would answer by saying, “All of the above”. You see, if God is three beings perfectly united as one, how can you separate them? In the beginning, the decision to create humans was a joint decision (Genesis 1:26). Likewise, so was the decision to save humans. So, in that sense, all members of the Trinity are our Saviours. Specifically, though, each member of the Godhead also has a unique role in the salvation of humans. For example, it was the Father’s will for Jesus to go to the cross (Matthew 26:39-42). Jesus, though, was the member of the Godhead who came to earth to suffer and die on the cross (Philippians 2:5-11). The Holy Spirit is also involved in saving humans by empowering the Apostles to spread the testimony about Jesus and to reveal the gospel to the world. He also joins us to Jesus upon baptism and will resurrected us on the day of judgement (John 16:5-16, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Titus 3:5 & Romans 8:11). So jointly and in specific ways, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all our Saviour (also see Matthew 28:18-20).
When I contemplate the various ways that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit all participate in my salvation, I am in awe at the incredible length all of these members of the Godhead have gone to in order to have a relationship with someone like me.
May we all praise and worship the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as our God and Saviour in every sense.
