“What does The Bible say about
JESUS OF NAZARETH?”
Firstly, The Bible Teaches The Real Humanity Of Jesus:
He is not an angel - “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” (Hebrews 1:5-6)
His birth as a child was prophesied centuries before the event - “For the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14), “... which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:23) (This is one of many prophecies).
The main events of his life, death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven were recorded by four evangelists - Read their testimonies in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts. (“The four gospels are the best authenticated ancient writings in the world; so clear, weighty, and extensive is the mass of testimony in favour of them.” - Cruden)
His death and resurrection were real and verified by many witnesses - “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures ... was buried .. and ... rose again the third day ... was seen of Cephas (i.e. Peter) then of the twelve .. after that ... of above five hundred brethren at once ...” (1 Corinthians 15:1-10)
His humanity was confirmed after He rose from the dead - “.. a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” (Luke 24:39), “... reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless but believing.” (John 20:27)
(Nanango Christian Faith Centre Inc., 5 Kimlin Street (PO Box 297), Nanango 4615 - Minister: Trevor Sullivan)
“What does The Bible say about
JESUS OF NAZARETH?”
Secondly, The Bible Teaches The Real Divinity Of Jesus, i.e. His Eternal Existance As God Almighty:
The Prophets Declared His Eternal Existance: “But thou, Bethlehem ... out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2) (Written over 700 BC)
The main events of his life, teachings, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven were recorded by four evangelists - Read their testimonies in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts. (“The four gospels are the best authenticated ancient writings in the world; so clear, weighty, and extensive is the mass of testimony in favour of them.” - Cruden) The Bible is unique among books, stamped all over from Genesis to Revelation with the divine image, which can be proven beyond any doubt to all who care to look at the evidence. (God willing, we will offer some such evidence in a later article.) Those who brush the Bible aside or cast sweeping aspersions upon it have either never read it or are unwilling to in case they are proven wrong. The Bible - God’s Word - makes its reader conscious of his accountability to its Author, Who is also the Creator of the world!
The Bible Commands All To Worship Jesus As The Lord (Jehovah) - “And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” (Hebrews 1:5-6) “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus (This literally means to confess that Jesus is Jehovah), and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9) As both God and man, Jesus qualifies as the “one mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5), the only Saviour of sinners.
(Nanango Christian Faith Centre Inc., 5 Kimlin Street (PO Box 297), Nanango 4615 - Minister: Trevor Sullivan)
“What does The Bible say about
JESUS OF NAZARETH?”
Further Aspects Of The Real Humanity And The Real Divinity Of Jesus Christ
HIS OMNIPRESENCE
(i.e. as Almighty God, He is everywhere at once)
“And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” (John 3:13) - Jesus declares plainly here that while he stood on earth talking to Nicodemus (and had come from heaven before, to be born as a child), at the same time He was also in heaven. This is humanly impossible, but for Him who is “God .. manifest in the flesh..” (1 Timothy 3:16), all things are possible!
This is the Saviour in whom we believe:
not a mad ‘prophet’ who has claimed all sorts of visions and mystical experiences,
not a wild fanatic who promises his followers an orgy in ‘paradise’ for suicide and the brutal murder of their enemies,
not a pompous pontiff who arrogates the right to rule the armies and nations of the world in Christ’s name,
but none other than,“.. the Lord from heaven...” (1 Corinthians 15:47), the Lord who is also now in heaven upon His throne of glory, “.. Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. (Acts 2:34-35 & Psalm 110:1), who also, because of His omnipresence, sees all that we do and hears every conversation, for which we will give account to Him at His return, “... for it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of the quick (living) and dead. (Acts 10:42) - Death is no escape!
(Certain critics will dispute some A.V./King James Version quotes . The AV and its underlying original Text is vindicated by sound Christian scholars, and such Text has been received as authentic by the Christian Church throughout all the world for 2000 years. Spurious Texts and heretics have always existed. Since 1881 misguided Textual Critics have revived and popularized them. This has given rise to many new Versions whose gross corruptions attack the very central doctrines of Christ. Helpful articles on this subject are available from the address below or at the Trinitarian Bible Society, GPO Box 777, Sydney 2001 - Ph 1300 303 827 .)
(Nanango Christian Faith Centre Inc., 5 Kimlin Street (PO Box 297), Nanango 4615 - Minister: Trevor Sullivan)
“What does The Bible say about
JESUS OF NAZARETH?”
Further Aspects Of The Real Humanity And The Real Divinity Of Jesus Christ
HIS SOVEREIGNTY AS LORD OF ALL CREATION
He gave His life willingly as a ransom for sinners and took it back again by the resurrection, and He predicted this before the event! — “… no man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself …” (John 10:18). On the cross “..he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:30)
Even while He walked as a man, earthly authorities (e.g. Pilate) had no real power over him.— “… I have power to crucify the ...Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above …” (John 19:10-11)
Before He became a man, He existed as the eternal God.— “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…. All things were made by him …( John 1:1-3). “Let us make man in our image.” (Genesis 1:26)
Though He humbled Himself for a time as man, He took back His full glory after the resurrection and ascension to heaven.— “.. O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” (John 17:5)
He reigns now, as He did before, from heaven’s throne, ordering all things including “natural disasters”, according to His own will.— “..the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away.” (Job 1:21) “..she repented not....I (Jesus) will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts…” (Revelation 2:23).
He is absolutely sovereign and all-powerful in saving His own elect people.— “… ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep … My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish…” (John 10:26-28) Never fear that Jesus will not save you if only you put your faith solely in Him who said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest!”
(Nanango Christian Faith Centre Inc., 5 Kimlin Street (PO Box 297), Nanango 4615 - Minister: Trevor Sullivan)
“What does The Bible say about
JESUS OF NAZARETH?”
Further Aspects Of The Real Humanity And The Real Divinity Of Jesus Christ
HE IS REIGNING NOW AS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
There are many who think that Jesus will come back to earth soon and will reign upon the earth from Jerusalem. One religious group even has a public sign which says so. But such a bold statement, when weighed in the balance of Scripture, is found sadly wanting and positively misleading!
What does the Bible say?
Yes, He will return – but when? – “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44) “But of that day and hour knoweth no man …” (Matthew 24:36) (He gave no indication of the time of His return at the end of the world.)
He did return soon to the generation He spoke to 2000 years ago! – “This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled.” (The context of this statement is Matthew 24:1-34). Jesus did return to that generation. He returned as judge to execute vengeance on Jerusalem in 70AD through the instrumentality of the Roman armies. The historian Josephus records the awful events of that time.
He will not return to reign over an earthly kingdom for He is reigning now on David’s throne! - “… David … being a prophet … knowing that God … would raise up Christ to sit on his throne … He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ…” (Acts 2:29-36) “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall, be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:14-26).
The Glorious Implication: - Christ is ruling now, ordering all events on earth according to His sovereign will. His enemies are fools for it is written, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) Christ is taking down His enemies one by one – no man can escape death! All these things are implied in the call, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31)
(Nanango Christian Faith Centre Inc., 5 Kimlin Street (PO Box 297), Nanango 4615 - Minister: Trevor Sullivan)
“What does The Bible say about
JESUS OF NAZARETH?”
Further Aspects Of The Real Humanity And The Real Divinity Of Jesus Christ
HE WILL COME AGAIN TO JUDGE THE QUICK AND THE DEAD
Acts 1:10-11 “… while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up ….. this same Jesus … shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Acts 10:38-43 “.. he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he (Jesus of Nazareth) which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick (living) and dead.”
Revelation 20:10-15 “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne …. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body …. whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men ….”
Luke 12:4-5 “Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. …. Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; Yea I say unto you, Fear him.”
Dear readers, let the terror of the Lord Jesus Christ, the unchanging truth of His kingdom, glory, almighty power, and judgment move you to consider, and to “seek the Lord while he may be found”! Multitudes every day are slipping away into heaven or hell. This should help us to endeavour to do all that we do daily in view of our enthroned, reigning Lord Jesus and the issues of eternity. Do you see Jesus as the Scriptures present Him, as He presented Himself? If not you are not ready for His judgment.
(Nanango Christian Faith Centre Inc., 5 Kimlin Street (PO Box 297), Nanango 4615 - Minister: Trevor Sullivan)
“What does The Bible say about JESUS OF NAZARETH?”
Summarizing The Real Humanity And The Real Divinity Of Jesus Christ
JESUS CLAIMS ABSOLUTE EQUALITY WITH GOD THE FATHER
Equality with God in Power – Many recorded miracles, including the raising of a dead and decaying body, witnessed in public, demonstrate His power to create. John declared, “But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:31) “by whom also he made the worlds; … and upholding all things by the word of his power..” (Hebrews 1:2-3)
Equality with God in Purity – For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) – Redemption is by His substitution for sinners. If you are a sinner then Christ alone is your hope and help for eternity!
Equality with God in Judgment – “… the Father …. hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” (John 5:22) “… we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Equality with God in Honour – “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” (John 5:23) – Do you?
Equality with God in Glory – “Let all the angels of God worship him.” (Hebrews 1:6), “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” (John 17:5)
Equality with God in Authority – Mere men who were prophets said, “Thus saith the Lord …”, but twenty times in the Gospel of John Jesus used the words, “verily, verily, I say unto you..” One of His early miracles was to heal a crippled man as a deliberate and public demonstration “that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins.” (Mark 2:10) – The scribes were right in saying, “Who can forgive sins but God only?”, but terribly wrong about their conclusions as to Who Jesus was!
Equality with God in Sovereignty – “ as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” (John 5:21) “ unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.” (Hebrews 1:8)
Equality with the Father and the Holy Ghost as a Member of the Eternal Godhead – “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… all things were made by him… and the Word was made flesh…” (John 1:1-14) “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost…” (Matthew 28:19)
Jesus said to the Jews, Ye are from beneath; I am from above; ye are of this world; I am not of this world. …if ye believe not that I am he (literally- “I am”), ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:23-24)
May the Lord give you humble hearts to receive these wonderful things!
(Nanango Christian Faith Centre Inc., 5 Kimlin Street (PO Box 297), Nanango 4615 - Minister: Trevor Sullivan)