Introduction
Paraphrasing
C.S.
Lewis
in
his
book
Mere
Christianity
,
based
upon
the
words
Jesus
spoke
and
who
He
claimed
to
be,
Jesus
Christ
was
either
a
lunatic
or
the
Son
of
God.
This
is
a
very
bold
and
provocative
statement.
But
when
you
think
about
it…C.S.
Lewis
was
right:
it
is
one
or
the
other.
There’s
no
middle-of-the-road
statement
such
as
“Well, he was simply a prophet, or a good teacher, or a godly man.”
The
timeless
words
Jesus
Christ
spoke
(approximately
2,000
years
ago…and
to
this
day)
will
pierce
the
heart
and
soul.
What’s
more,
His
words
will
cause
one
to
experience
changes
in
their
life…or
will
cause
one
to
create
internal
protective walls to deflect truth.
What’s
more,
His
works
and
resurrection
validated
His
words
and
divine
appointment.
As
such,
each
person
must
make
a
decision:
Is
Jesus
Christ
the
Son
of
God,
the
Messiah,
the
Anointed
One,
and
Lord—or
was
he
a
fraud?
Making
a
choice
is
not
an
option;
it
was
not
His
intent;
and
each
person’s
decision
has
life-changing
eternal
consequences.
Therefore, it is prudent to take a deeper look about what was foretold about Him
(messianic prophecies), what He said and what He did.
Messianic Prophecies
Messianic
prophecies
are
predictions
in
the
Old
Testament
regarding
the
Messiah:
God’s
promised
King
and
Anointed
One
who
would
save
and
deliver
the
Jewish
nation.
Messianic
prophecies
were
recorded
during
a
1,000-
year
period
before
Jesus
Christ
was
born.
Some
Bible
scholars
suggest
there
are
more
than
300
prophetic
scriptures regarding the Messiah in the Old Testament. Forty-four are listed below.
However,
there
is
a
very
important
point
to
consider
as
you
read
the
prophecies.
Peter
Stoner
approached
messianic
prophesy
from
a
very
unique
perspective
in
his
book
Science
Speaks
(1958
Moody
Press).
Peter
stoner
was
Chairman
of
the
Departments
of
Mathematics
and
Astronomy
at
Pasadena
City
College;
Chairman
of
the
science
division,
Westmont
College;
Professor
Emeritus
of
Science,
Westmont
College;
and
Professor
Emeritus
of
Mathematics and Astronomy, Pasadena City College.
Peter
Stoner
applied
a
mathematical
analysis
of
messianic
prophecies
based
upon
probabilities
of
occurrence.
His
findings
were
astounding.
He
selected
eight
of
the
best-known
prophecies
about
the
Messiah
and
calculated
the
odds of fulfillment by one person as being 1 in 1017, or 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000, or 1 in 100 quadrillion.
Peter
used
an
interesting
analogy
to
enhance
our
understanding.
The
probability
of
occurrence
with
eight
prophecies—fulfilled
by
one
person—is
the
same
as
covering
the
state
of
Texas
2
ft.
deep
in
silver
dollars;
writing
a
check
mark
on
one
silver
dollar;
hiding
it
somewhere
in
the
vastness
of
Texas;
then
blindfolding
a
person
and
asking
them to find the marked silver dollar…and they find it their first try.
Source:
http://sciencespeaks.dstoner.net/Christ_of_Prophecy.html#c9
The
8
messianic
prophecies
used
by
Peter
Stoner
in
his
probability
analysis
are
highlighted
in
bold
red
.
When
you
consider
the
chance
of
all
44
prophecies
being
fulfilled
by
one
person…the
probability
is
beyond
incomprehensible…and to the point where only God exists.
Click on scripture references to read on
BibleGateway.com
.
Jesus Christ said:
“You
search
the
Scriptures,
for
in
them
you
think
you
have
eternal
life;
and
these
are
they
which
testify
of
Me.”
John
5:39
“These
are
the
words
which
I
spoke
to
you
while
I
was
still
with
you,
that
all
things
must
be
fulfilled
which
were
written
in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’” Luke 24:44
His Declarative Words
“Then
Jesus
cried
out
and
said,
‘He
who
believes
in
Me,
believes
not
in
Me
but
in
Him
who
sent
Me.
And
he
who
sees
Me
sees
Him
who
sent
Me.
I
have
come
as
a
light
into
the
world,
that
whoever
believes
in
Me
should
not
abide
in
darkness.
And
if
anyone
hears
My
words
and
does
not
believe,
I
do
not
judge
him;
for
I
did
not
come
to
judge
the
world
but
to
save
the
world.
He
who
rejects
Me,
and
does
not
receive
My
words,
has
that
which
judges
him—the
word
that
I
have
spoken
will
judge
him
in
the
last
day.
For
I
have
not
spoken
on
My
own
authority;
but
the
Father
who
sent
Me
gave
Me
a
command,
what
I
should
say
and
what
I
should
speak.
And
I
know
that
His
command
is
everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.’
” John 12:44-50
Jesus said,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
These
are
life-changing
radical
words!
These
are
not
words
from
a
prophet!
These
are
not
words
from
a
good
teacher! These are not words from a “godly” man! Jesus Christ said:
•
Whoever believes in Him is equivalent to believing in God.
•
To see Him is the same as seeing God.
•
He came to save the world.
•
Those who believe in Him will not live in darkness.
•
Those who do not believe in Him will be judged by the words He has spoken.
•
The words that He speaks are from God…and not Him.
•
He is the Way.
•
He is the Truth.
•
He is Life.
•
He is the only way to reach God.
Jesus Christ also said:
“I and my Father are one.” John 10:30
“Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8:58
Based upon His two declarations above and His revelation below, Jesus Christ was God in the flesh.
“Jesus
said
to
him,
‘Have
I
been
with
you
so
long,
and
yet
you
have
not
known
Me,
Philip?
He
who
has
seen
Me
has
seen
the
Father;
so
how
can
you
say,
'Show
us
the
Father'?
Do
you
not
believe
that
I
am
in
the
Father,
and
the
Father
in
Me?
The
words
that
I
speak
to
you
I
do
not
speak
on
My
own
authority;
but
the
Father
who
dwells
in
Me
does the works.’
” John 14:9-10
However,
due
to
human
nature…words
alone
are
insufficient
proof.
Anyone
can
make
similar
messianic
claims;
have throughout the ages; and will during the last days. Humans require a demonstration of divine power as proof.
Miracles of Jesus
“Believe
Me
that
I
am
in
the
Father
and
the
Father
in
Me,
or
else
believe
Me
for
the
sake
of
the
works
themselves.”
John 14:11
Click on scripture references to read on
BibleGateway.com
. As conclusive proof of His deity He:
Thirty-seven
miracles
are
recorded
in
the
four
Gospels.
The
closing
words
of
John’s
Gospel
say
the
following:
“This
is
the
disciple
who
testifies
of
these
things
and
wrote
these
things;
and
we
know
that
his
testimony
is
true.
And
there
are
also
many
other
things
that
Jesus
did,
which
if
they
were
written
one
by
one,
I
suppose
that
even
the
world
itself
could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” John 21:24-25
Jesus and the Jewish Leaders
Throughout
time,
man
has
a
tendency
to
digress
to
religious
forms
based
upon
legalistic
works—which
creates
a
yoke
of
slavery
to
whatever
rules
have
been
defined,
will
harden
the
heart,
and
will
solidify
sin
in
the
soul.
For
those
who
attain
the
human-defined
standards
of
religious
behavior,
they
will
receive
their
earthly
reward
in
the
form
of
social
recognition
and
respect.
However,
on
the
inside
they
will
be
full
of
pride,
self-importance,
and
arrogance.
This
scenario
defines
the
overall
darkened
spiritual
state
of
Jewish
leaders
during
the
time
and
ministry
of
Jesus.
The
Pharisees, the scribes and the Sadducees had driven Judaism far from God’s desire for His people.
God
holds
those
who
attain
leadership
in
the
body
to
a
higher
standard.
Those
who
are
called
should
become
a
living
representative
of
His
nature;
and
not
a
mirror
of
the
darkened
world.
This
is
why
Jesus
confronted
and
rebuked
the
Jewish
leaders.
Their
pseudo
self-aggrandized
wisdom
was
illuminated
from
darkness
by
the
words
of
Jesus—for the power of God’s grace abolishes religious attitudes and practices.
For
example,
Jesus
entered
the
temple
and
expressed
God’s
displeasure
in
the
misuse
of
religious
authority
for
personal
gain
(greed).
He
drove
out
all
who
bought
and
sold
in
the
temple,
overturned
the
tables
of
the
money
changers,
and
declared
“My
house
shall
be
called
a
house
of
prayer,
but
you
have
made
it
a
den
of
thieves.”
(Matthew
21:13)
What’s
more,
even
when
He
began
to
heal
the
blind
and
the
lame
who
came
to
him
in
the
temple,
the chief priests and scribes were indignant as to what He was doing.
The
words
spoken
by
Jesus,
His
miracles,
and
His
demonstrated
displeasure
with
Jewish
leaders
created
deep
animosity
and
chaotic
disruption
among
the
controlling
religious
elite;
who
misinterpreted
the
Messiah
prophesied
in
the
Old
Testament:
The
Anointed
King.
They
were
looking
for
someone
who
would
defeat
their
enemies;
and
not
a
perfect
sacrificial
lamb
who
would
cover
their
sins.
They
wanted
great
and
miraculous
signs;
and
not
a
humble
servant;
who’s
wondrous
miracles
were
disapproved
and
discounted
by
their
deceptive
lies.
They
wanted
a
person
who
would
take
a
position
of
absolute
power;
and
not
someone
who
would
associate
with
those
who
were
considered
socially
repulsive
and
sinners.
Their
perception
was
based
upon
the
physical
realm,
and
not
the
spiritual
realm.
They
missed
the
point
of
the
law
thinking
strict
adherence
equated
to
salvation.
But
in
reality,
their
self-
centered
behavior
did
nothing
but
deepen
their
sin
and
harden
their
hearts.
As
such,
they
became
willing
vessels
for
Satan
to
fulfill
his
darkened,
clueless
and
oblivious
desires—and
yet,
a
means
to
fulfill
prophesy—for
it
was
God’s
plan for His Son to die on the cross—exactly as it occurred almost 2,000 years ago.
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus
of
Nazareth
is
a
1977
miniseries
that
wonderfully
depicts
the
life,
ministry,
crucifixion,
an
d
resurrection
of
Jesus
Christ.
This
9-minute
segment
demonstrates
Christ’s
passion
for
the
lost;
his
disdain
for
the
religious
leaders
who
don’t
think
they
are
lost;
and
the
power
of
His
words.
Click
on
the
graphic to view the video.
Jesus Declared He Would Die and Rise Again
Regardless
of
the
radical
nature
of
what
He
said
and
every
miracle
he
performed…there
was
one
proclamation
He
made
that
transcends
everything
ever
said
by
every
person
throughout
all
time:
He
said
He
would
die
and
rise
from
the
dead.
The
fulfillment
of
His
promise
affirms
His
deity…but
much
more…it
gives
all
who
have
accepted
Jesus
Christ as their Savior and Lord hope in His promise we will be in His presence after we die.
“Let
not
your
heart
be
troubled;
you
believe
in
God,
believe
also
in
Me.
In
My
Father’s
house
are
many
mansions;
if
it
were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:1-2
Three times Jesus warned His disciples of His pending suffering, death and resurrection.
“From
that
time
Jesus
began
to
show
to
His
disciples
that
He
must
go
to
Jerusalem,
and
suffer
many
things
from
the
elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” Matthew 16:21
“Now
while
they
were
staying
in
Galilee,
Jesus
said
to
them,
‘The
Son
of
Man
is
about
to
be
betrayed
into
the
hands
of
men,
and
they
will
kill
Him,
and
the
third
day
He
will
be
raised
up.’
And
they
were
exceedingly
sorrowful.”
Matthew
17:22-23
“Now
Jesus,
going
up
to
Jerusalem,
took
the
twelve
disciples
aside
on
the
road
and
said
to
them,
‘Behold,
we
are
going
up
to
Jerusalem,
and
the
Son
of
Man
will
be
betrayed
to
the
chief
priests
and
to
the
scribes;
and
they
will
condemn
Him
to
death,
and
deliver
Him
to
the
Gentiles
to
mock
and
to
scourge
and
to
crucify.
And
the
third
day
He
will rise again.’
” Matthew 20:17-19
After Jesus cast out the money changers from the Temple, He declared His resurrection to the world.
“‘What
sign
do
You
show
to
us,
since
You
do
these
things?’
Jesus
answered
and
said
to
them,
‘Destroy
this
temple,
and
in
three
days
I
will
raise
it
up.’
Then
the
Jews
said,
‘It
has
taken
forty-six
years
to
build
this
temple,
and
will
You
raise
it
up
in
three
days?’
But
He
was
speaking
of
the
temple
of
His
body.
Therefore,
when
He
had
risen
from
the
dead,
His
disciples
remembered
that
He
had
said
this
to
them;
and
they
believed
the
Scripture
and
the
word
which
Jesus had said.” John 2:18-22
Jesus Stated the Temple Would Be Destroyed
“Then
Jesus
went
out
and
departed
from
the
temple,
and
His
disciples
came
up
to
show
Him
the
buildings
of
the
temple.
And
Jesus
said
to
them,
‘Do
you
not
see
all
these
things?
Assuredly,
I
say
to
you,
not
one
stone
shall
be
left
here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’
” Matthew 24:1-2; Luke 21:5-6
The Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. and has not been rebuilt to this day.
Jesus Tried and Condemned for His Words
“And
those
who
had
laid
hold
of
Jesus
led
Him
away
to
Caiaphas
the
high
priest,
where
the
scribes
and
the
elders
were assembled.”
“Now
the
chief
priests,
the
elders,
and
all
the
council
sought
false
testimony
against
Jesus
to
put
Him
to
death,
but
found
none.
Even
though
many
false
witnesses
came
forward,
they
found
none.
But
at
last
two
false
witnesses
came
forward
and
said,
‘This
fellow
said,
‘I
am
able
to
destroy
the
temple
of
God
and
to
build
it
in
three
days.’
And
the
high
priest
arose
and
said
to
Him,
‘Do
You
answer
nothing?
What
is
it
these
men
testify
against
You?’
But
Jesus
kept
silent.
And
the
high
priest
answered
and
said
to
Him,
‘I
put
You
under
oath
by
the
living
God:
Tell
us
if
You
are
the
Christ, the Son of God!’”
“Jesus
said
to
him,
‘It
is
as
you
said.
Nevertheless,
I
say
to
you,
hereafter
you
will
see
the
Son
of
Man
sitting
at
the
right
hand
of
the
Power,
and
coming
on
the
clouds
of
heaven.’
Then
the
high
priest
tore
his
clothes,
saying,
‘He
has
spoken
blasphemy!
What
further
need
do
we
have
of
witnesses?
Look,
now
you
have
heard
His
blasphemy!
What
do
you think?’ They answered and said, ‘He is deserving of death.’” Matthew 26:57, 59-66
The Death of Jesus Christ
Jesus
Christ
willingly
(and
obediently)
gave
his
life
as
the
perfect
and
complete
sacrifice
for
sin—to
all
who
believe—including Jew and Gentile (Christians).
“He
who
does
not
love
does
not
know
God,
for
God
is
love.
In
this
the
love
of
God
was
manifested
toward
us,
that
God
has
sent
His
only
begotten
Son
into
the
world,
that
we
might
live
through
Him.
In
this
is
love,
not
that
we
loved
God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:8-10
Jesus
said,
“As
the
Father
knows
Me,
even
so
I
know
the
Father;
and
I
lay
down
My
life
for
the
sheep.
And
other
sheep
I
have
which
are
not
of
this
fold;
them
also
I
must
bring,
and
they
will
hear
My
voice;
and
there
will
be
one
flock
and
one
shepherd.
Therefore,
My
Father
loves
Me,
because
I
lay
down
My
life
that
I
may
take
it
again.
No
one
takes
it
from
Me,
but
I
lay
it
down
of
Myself.
I
have
power
to
lay
it
down,
and
I
have
power
to
take
it
again.
This
command I have received from My Father.” John 10:15-18
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The
resurrection
of
Jesus
from
the
dead
was
confirmed
by
the
testimony
of
Mary,
Peter,
the
other
Apostles,
and
more
than
five
hundred
people
at
one
time.
The
majority
of
these
witnesses
were
violently
killed
for
the
Gospel
of
Jesus
Christ
and
their
testimony—and
none
recanted—though
doing
so
would
have
spared
their
lives.
(Click
here
to
read Fox’s Book of Martyrs for more information.)
“To
whom
He
also
presented
Himself
alive
after
His
suffering
by
many
infallible
proofs,
being
seen
by
them
during
forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3
“For
I
delivered
to
you
first
of
all
that
which
I
also
received:
that
Christ
died
for
our
sins
according
to
the
Scriptures,
and
that
He
was
buried,
and
that
He
rose
again
the
third
day
according
to
the
Scriptures,
and
that
He
was
seen
by
Cephas,
then
by
the
twelve.
After
that
He
was
seen
by
over
five
hundred
brethren
at
once,
of
whom
the
greater
part
remain
to
the
present,
but
some
have
fallen
asleep.
After
that
He
was
seen
by
James,
then
by
all
the
apostles.
Then
last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
The Return of Jesus Christ
God’s
promise
to
the
Jews—His
chosen
people—will
be
fulfilled.
Jesus
Christ—the
Messiah
and
The
Anointed
King—will
complete
the
messianic
prophecies
in
the
Old
Testament.
The
King
of
kings
and
Lord
of
lords
will
lead
the
armies
of
heaven
into
battle
and
will
destroy
all
enemies
of
the
Jews
by
the
absolute
power
of
His
spoken
word—including the beast, the false prophet, and those who worshiped the beast and accepted his mark.
“In
that
day
the
Lord
will
defend
the
inhabitants
of
Jerusalem;
the
one
who
is
feeble
among
them
in
that
day
shall
be
like
David,
and
the
house
of
David
shall
be
like
God,
like
the
Angel
of
the
Lord
before
them.
It
shall
be
in
that
day
that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.” Zechariah 12:8-9
“Now
I
saw
heaven
opened,
and
behold,
a
white
horse.
And
He
who
sat
on
him
was
called
Faithful
and
True,
and
in
righteousness
He
judges
and
makes
war.
His
eyes
were
like
a
flame
of
fire,
and
on
His
head
were
many
crowns.
He
had
a
name
written
that
no
one
knew
except
Himself.
He
was
clothed
with
a
robe
dipped
in
blood,
and
His
name
is
called
The
Word
of
God.
And
the
armies
in
heaven,
clothed
in
fine
linen,
white
and
clean,
followed
Him
on
white
horses.
Now
out
of
His
mouth
goes
a
sharp
sword,
that
with
it
He
should
strike
the
nations.
And
He
Himself
will
rule
them
with
a
rod
of
iron.
He
Himself
treads
the
winepress
of
the
fierceness
and
wrath
of
Almighty
God.
And
He
has
on
His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
“Then
I
saw
an
angel
standing
in
the
sun;
and
he
cried
with
a
loud
voice,
saying
to
all
the
birds
that
fly
in
the
midst
of
heaven,
‘Come
and
gather
together
for
the
supper
of
the
great
God,
that
you
may
eat
the
flesh
of
kings,
the
flesh
of
captains,
the
flesh
of
mighty
men,
the
flesh
of
horses
and
of
those
who
sit
on
them,
and
the
flesh
of
all
people,
free
and slave, both small and great.’”
“And
I
saw
the
beast,
the
kings
of
the
earth,
and
their
armies,
gathered
together
to
make
war
against
Him
who
sat
on
the
horse
and
against
His
army.
Then
the
beast
was
captured,
and
with
him
the
false
prophet
who
worked
signs
in
his
presence,
by
which
he
deceived
those
who
received
the
mark
of
the
beast
and
those
who
worshiped
his
image.
These
two
were
cast
alive
into
the
lake
of
fire
burning
with
brimstone.
And
the
rest
were
killed
with
the
sword
which
proceeded
from
the
mouth
of
Him
who
sat
on
the
horse.
And
all
the
birds
were
filled
with
their
flesh.”
Revelation
19:11-21
He will lead the nations from His throne in Jerusalem.
Jesus
declared,
“When
the
Son
of
Man
comes
in
His
glory,
and
all
the
holy
angels
with
Him,
then
He
will
sit
on
the
throne
of
His
glory.
All
the
nations
will
be
gathered
before
Him,
and
He
will
separate
them
one
from
another,
as
a
shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” Matthew 25:31-32
“He
will
reign
on
David’s
throne
and
over
his
kingdom,
establishing
and
upholding
it
with
justice
and
righteousness
from
that
time
on
and
forever.
The
zeal
of
the
Lord
Almighty
will
accomplish
this.”
Isaiah
9:7
(also
see
Jer
23:5-6;
Matt 19:28; Dan 7:13-14, 27; Isaiah 9:6-7, 24:23; Zech 14:9; Mic 4:3)
The eyes of Israel will open and realize Jesus Christ was and is the Messiah.
“For
I
do
not
desire,
brethren,
that
you
should
be
ignorant
of
this
mystery,
lest
you
should
be
wise
in
your
own
opinion,
that
blindness
in
part
has
happened
to
Israel
until
the
fullness
of
the
Gentiles
has
come
in.
And
so
all
Israel
will
be
saved,
as
it
is
written:
“The
Deliverer
will
come
out
of
Zion,
And
He
will
turn
away
ungodliness
from
Jacob;
For
this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” Romans 11:25-27
Israelites will look upon Him whom they pierced and they will mourn.
“And
I
will
pour
on
the
house
of
David
and
on
the
inhabitants
of
Jerusalem
the
Spirit
of
grace
and
supplication;
then
they
will
look
on
Me
whom
they
pierced.
Yes,
they
will
mourn
for
Him
as
one
mourns
for
his
only
son
and
grieve
for
Him as one grieves for a firstborn. In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem.” Zechariah 12:1-11
The Words of Jesus Christ Created Two Choices
When
confronted
with
the
words
of
Jesus,
each
person
has
a
choice:
believe
Jesus
Christ
is
the
Messiah
or
disbelieve.
One
decision
can
lead
to
eternal
life.
The
other
requires
delusional
justification—for
the
long-term
risks
and consequences are monumental.
“I
have
come
that
they
may
have
life,
and
that
they
may
have
it
more
abundantly.
My
sheep
hear
My
voice,
and
I
know
them,
and
they
follow
Me.
And
I
give
them
eternal
life,
and
they
shall
never
perish;
neither
shall
anyone
snatch
them out of My hand.” John 10:10, 27-28
“If
you
confess
with
your
mouth
the
Lord
Jesus
and
believe
in
your
heart
that
God
has
raised
Him
from
the
dead,
you
will
be
saved.
For
with
the
heart
one
believes
unto
righteousness,
and
with
the
mouth
confession
is
made
unto
salvation.
For
the
Scripture
says,
‘Whoever
believes
on
Him
will
not
be
put
to
shame.’
For
there
is
no
distinction
between
Jew
and
Greek,
for
the
same
Lord
over
all
is
rich
to
all
who
call
upon
Him.
For
‘whoever
calls
on
the
name
of the Lord shall be saved.’” Romans 10:9-13
If
God
is
knocking
on
the
door
to
your
heart—your
life,
your
sin,
and
your
relationship
with
Him
is
being
revealed
to
you
by
the
Holy
Spirit.
What’s
more,
you
are
likely
feeling
a
struggle
(and
even
a
fight)
between
accepting
Jesus
Christ and holding onto your sin. But be assured, this is more than a struggle between “your ears.”
“For
we
wrestle
not
against
flesh
and
blood,
but
against
principalities,
against
powers,
against
the
rulers
of
the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12
“If
we
confess
our
sins,
he
is
faithful
and
just
to
forgive
us
our
sins,
and
to
cleanse
us
from
all
unrighteousness.”
I
John 1:9
If you desire to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, simply confess your sins to God in prayer. An example is:
Heavenly
Father,
in
the
name
of
Jesus
Christ,
forgive
me
for
my
sins.
Thank
you
for
sending
your
Son
into
the
world,
allowing
Him
to
be
crucified
for
my
sins
and
raising
Him
from
the
dead
so
that
I
may
ask
for,
and
receive
Your
forgiveness. Jesus, take control of my life and change me into the type of person you want me to be. Amen.
“The
Lord
is
merciful
and
gracious,
slow
to
anger,
and
plenteous
in
mercy.
He
will
not
always
chide:
neither
will
he
keep
his
anger
forever.
He
hath
not
dealt
with
us
after
our
sins;
nor
rewarded
us
according
to
our
iniquities.
For
as
the
heaven
is
high
above
the
earth,
so
great
is
his
mercy
toward
them
that
fear
him.
As
far
as
the
east
is
from
the
west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:8-12
How
far
is
the
east
from
the
west?
It
is
easy
to
determine
the
distance
from
the
north
to
the
south
(n
o
more
than
½
around
the
world
or
12,430
miles).
But,
how
far
is
the
east
from
west?
There
is
no
definable
distance because it is infinite. And so is God’s forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ.
You
must
then
repent
or
turn
away
from
your
sin.
Jesus
preached
repentance
as
soon
as
He
began
His
ministry.
"Repent
for
the
kingdom
of
heaven
is
near."
(Matthew
4:17).
It
involves
a
change
in
your
heart
from
your
sin
toward
God. Simply stated, there are four different aspects of repentance:
•
A genuine sorrow toward God because of your sin
•
An inward hatred toward the sin
•
A realization of the depth of your sin and the magnitude of God's compassion and grace
•
An actual forsaking of the sin
Finally,
you
must
humbly
surrender
your
life
to
the
Lordship
of
Jesus
Christ.
For
every
step
that
you
make
toward
God,
He
will
make
10
toward
you.
For
every
area
in
your
life
that
you
yield
to
God,
He
will
keep
his
promise
in
that
you may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
Over
time
you
will
continue
to
grow
and
mature
in
Christ
as
you
increasingly
seek
the
Holy
Spirit’s
guidance
and
direction
in
all
that
you
do.
You
must
also
continue
to
pray
(talk
to
God)
and
read
His
Word
(the
Bible)
daily.
In
addition, seek fellowship and worship with like-minded believers.
If
you
do
not
attend
a
Christian
church
you
may
consider
listening
to
the
recordings
of
Pastor
Chuck
Smith.
Chuck
Smith
(who
is
now
with
Jesus)
was
a
highly-regarded
expository
teacher
of
the
Bible
(verse-by-verse,
Genesis
to
Revelation). Chuck’s teachings may be listened to on the following lin
k:
https://calvarychapel.com/posts/c2000/
I highly recommend starting with 1st John 1-2:11.
All for His Glory,
Harold D. Thomas
Thought-Provoking Questions
The
purpose
of
the
questions
is
to
facilitate
a
deeper
understanding
of
the
Bible,
this
Bible
study
topic
and
ourselves.
The
questions
may
be
answered
by
each
reader,
or
used
by
a
Bible
study
group
leader
or
church
pastor.
The
following questions should be answered or discussed after reading the lesson.
The
following
questions
are
designed
to
enhance
learning
via
imaginative/interactive
discussion
and
formation
of
opinions. As such, no answers are provided. In addition, these questions facilitate group discussions.
C.S.
Lewis
was
born
in
1898,
died
in
1963,
and
lived
in
Belfast,
Ireland.
He
was
a
scholar,
novelist
and
author
of
numerous
books,
many
of
them
on
Christian
apologetics
(defense
of
Christianity
against
objections).
Two
of
his
works included
The Screwtape Letters
and
Mere Christianity
.
O
C.S. Lewis stated Jesus Christ was either a lunatic (a mad man, crazy, etc.), or the Son of God.
•
Can you discuss/reason/argue both sides of the equation?
•
What evidence would you use to support both sides?
•
Why do you think C.S. Lewis would make this declaration?
O
C.S.
Lewis
also
said
there
is
no
middle-of-the-road
statement
such
as
“Jesus
was
simply
a
prophet,
or
a
good
teacher, or a godly man.”
•
Why do you think C.S. Lewis would make this statement?
•
What
are
some
of
the
consequences
of
believing
Jesus
was
only
a
prophet,
or
just
a
good
teacher,
or
simply
a godly man?
O
Multiple types of evidence were presented in the lesson that supports the claim that Jesus is the Messiah.
•
Can you categorize the different types of evidence?
•
Which one do you think is most important? Explain.
•
Did you learn anything new? Explain.
The questions may be viewed and downloaded as a PDF file by clicking on this button.
Can you think of someone who could benefit from reading this lesson? If yes,
CLICK HERE
for more info.
The Messiah…
Born of a woman
Born of a virgin
Born in Bethlehem
Descendant of Abraham
Descendant of Isaac
Descendant of Jacob
From the tribe of Judah
Heir to King David's throne
Throne will be anointed and eternal
Called Immanuel
Spend a season in Egypt
Massacre of children at birthplace
A messenger would prepare the way
Rejected by his own people
A prophet
Preceded by Elijah
Declared the Son of God
Called a Nazarene
Bring light to Galilee
Speak in parables
Heal the brokenhearted
A priest after the order of Melchizedek
Called King
Enter Jerusalem on a donkey
Betrayal causes wounds in His hands
Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver
Falsely accused
Silent before his accusers
Spat upon and struck
Hated without cause
Crucified with criminals
Given vinegar to drink
Hands and feet would be pierced
Mocked and ridiculed
Soldiers gamble for His garments
Bones would not be broken
Forsaken by God
Pray for his enemies
Soldiers pierce Messiah's side
Buried with the rich
Resurrect from the dead
Betrayal money buys potter’s field
Seated at God's right hand
A sacrifice for sin
Miracle
Turned water into wine.
Walked on water.
Calmed a raging storm by His word.
Demonstrated power over disease when touched.
Cleansed persons with leprosy.
Caused lame to walk and blind persons to see.
Fed thousands with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.
Raised the dead.
Cast out demons.
The words of Jesus Christ are in
red text.