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CHAPTER ONE CLAIMS OF JESUS Jesus was a man made of flesh and bone. People knew him as he grew up. He ate, breathed, got tired and bled just like we do. How could it be possible that this man could be all that was claimed of him? Wild men make wild claims. Are his claims wild and unfounded? If anyone else walked up and said he was God Almighty it would be most difficult to believe it. Can these claims be proven? The first step in proving claims is to carefully establish what the claims are. The claims about Jesus can be divided into three major categories. Jesus’ relationship to human needs, his relationship to the prophesied Messiah and his relationship to God. HIS CLAIMS IN RELATIONSHIP TO HUMAN NEEDS: 1. 1. Jesus claimed to be the bread of life -John 6:35 2. 2. Jesus claimed to be the light of life -John 8:12 3. Jesus claimed to be the way, truth and life -John 14:6 4. Jesus claimed to be the resurrection and life -John 11:25
5.
John claimed that he gives
eternal life - 6. John claimed that Jesus had power over sickness. He healed the invalid who was sick for 38 years, John 5:5. He healed the man blind from birth, John 9.
7.
John claimed that Jesus had
power over distance. 8. Luke claimed that Jesus had power over quantity. He provided enough bread to feed 5,000 families, Luke 9:14. 9. John claimed that Jesus had power over quality and time. In a few moments he provided the best wine, John 2:1-11. 10. Matthew claimed that Jesus had power over gravity. He walked on water, Matthew 14:25. 11. Mark claimed that Jesus had power over nature. He calmed the storm, Mark 4:39. 12. John claimed that Jesus had power over death. He raised Lazarus, and Jairus’ daughter, John 11:1-46; Matthew 9:18. 13. Matthew claimed that Jesus had power over dumb animals. He rode the untamed donkey, Matthew 21:2-7.
14. 14.
John claimed that Jesus had power to read 15. Matthew claimed that Jesus had power over money. He told Peter where to find all he needed, Matthew 17:27. 16. John claimed that Jesus had power over depression, John 15:11. Each of these claims are also the disciples’ testimonys that Jesus did have the power to supply all human needs. HIS CLAIMS IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE PROPHESIED MESSIAH: (Which means prophet, priest and king) 1. He is the prophet -John 15:15 2. He is the priest -Hebrews 9:11 3. He is the king -John 18:37 He confessed to be the Messiah -John 4:25, 26, and praised Peter for recognizing him as the Messiah -Matthew 16:17. PROPHECIES: There are over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament regarding Jesus that are fulfilled in the New Testament. Most of these prophecies are regarding the promised Messiah. Jesus minutely fulfilled each prophecy. Each of these prophecies is God’s testimony, and each fulfilled prophesy is proof that the New Testament Jesus is the promised Messiah.1 HIS CLAIMS IN RELATIONSHIP TO GOD: 1. He came from God - John 3:13 2. He knew God - John 10:5 3. He alone had seen God -John 6:46
4. He
is claimed to be a God -man, “Immanuel” – Jesus claimed to be God -(John 5:18; 10:30) Some people have difficulty accepting that Jesus is God. There is a denomination that teaches that Jesus is not God. We need to carefully examine the scriptures to see what they claim. JESUS IS GOD: The Bible shows that people are made of three pieces, see 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and Hebrews 4:12. We have all seen dead people. They have the same hair, ears, eyes, noses, mouths etc. as they did before they died, yet it is clear that a piece of them has left their body. Since we know that we are made of multiple pieces, we should not think it strange that God also has more than one piece. THE BIBLE SHOWS THAT GOD IS MADE OF THREE PIECES: The Old Testament shows that God is more than one piece or being. Genesis 1:1-2 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.’” The New Testament shows that God is made of three pieces. Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 3:16-17 “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” 2 Corinthians 13:14 “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Ephesians 2:18 “For through him [Jesus] we have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Jesus is one and the same as God the Father John 14:9 “Any one who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:7 “If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.” John 14:11 “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.” THINGS EQUAL TO THE SAME THING ARE EQUAL TO EACH OTHER: They both created all things 1. Isaiah 44:24 “I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself.” 2. Colossians 1:15, 16 “He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” 3. John 1:2-3, 14 “He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made... We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The only way the Father could create all things alone, by himself, and for Jesus also to create all things, is that they are one and the same being. Jesus is God! Both have all authority 1. Geneses 17:1 “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty.’” The word “almighty” means the one with all authority and power. 2. Matthew 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’” Authority means power or right to make decisions, give commands and force obedience. Jesus has it all! The only way the Father could be almighty and the son have all authority is that they are one and the same being. Jesus is God! Both are named, “I am” 1. Exodus 3:14 “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 2. John 8:58 “’I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’” Both are the first and the last 1. Isaiah 44:6 “This is what the LORD says… ‘I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.’” 2. Revelation 1:17-18 “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last... I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!” The only way the Father could be the first and the last, and Jesus could be the first and the last is that they are one and the same being. Jesus is God! Both are to be worshiped 1. Exodus 34:14 “Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” 2. Philippians 2:10-11 “...so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should confess (openly acknowledge) that Jesus Christ is Lord...” The only way the Father could be the only one we are to worship, and Jesus be the one we should worship, is that they are one and the same being. Jesus is God! The following Scriptures use the word worship in the positive sense for Jesus. The Greek word used here (Strong’s concordance 4352) is defined as “to prostrate one's self in homage, to do reverence, worship.” 1 Hebrews 1:6 “...firstborn...and let all God's angels worship him.” 2 Matthew 2:2, 11 “…and they bowed down and worshipped him…. ‘We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’” 3 Matthew 14:33 (V31 Jesus...) “Then those who were in the boat worshipped him.” 4. Matthew 28:9 “Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.” 5. John 9:38 “Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshipped him.” 6. John 5:23 “…that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.” What does the term “just as” imply? The only way the Father could be the only one we are to worship, and Jesus be the one we should worship, is that they are one and the same being. Jesus is God! 1. Worship of all but God, is condemned Exodus 34:14 “Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” 2. Peter would not allow people to worship him Acts 10:25, 26 “As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. ‘Stand up,’ he said, ‘I am only a man myself.’” 3. Paul would not allow people to worship him Acts 14:13-15 “The priest of Zeus,... brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates… because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they…shouted, ‘Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you.’” 4. Angles would not allow people to worship them Revelation 22:8, 9 “I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel… But he said to me, ‘Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!’” 5. Exodus 20:3-5 “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not bow down to them or worship them.” If Jesus is not God we sin when we worship him, yet Jesus never condemned those who worshipped him. The only way the Father could be the only one we are to worship, and Jesus be the one we should worship, is that they are one and the same being. Jesus is God! Jesus is all that God is Colossians 2:9-11 “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” Jesus is God! Matthew 1:23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him ‘Immanuel’-which means, ‘God with us.’” Luke 7:16 “They were all filled with awe and praised God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ‘God has come to help his people.’” Luke 8:39 “’Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’ So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” John 1:1, 14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 20:28 “Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!” Each of these claims is also their testimony that Jesus is God.
Summary of claims: 1. The New Testament claims that Jesus is a true historical figure. 2. The New Testament claims that Jesus performed miracles. 3. The New Testament claims that Jesus has the power to satisfy all human needs. 4. The New Testament claims that Jesus rose from the dead. 5. The New Testament claims that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah. 6. The New Testament claims that Jesus is God.
STUDY GUIDE CHAPTER ONE 1. The Gospel of John makes three major claims about Jesus. Can you list them? 2. What evidence did John offer as proof that Jesus could heal the sick? 3. What evidence did John offer as proof that Jesus had power over distance? 4. What evidence did Luke offer as proof that Jesus had power over quantity? 5. What evidence did John offer as proof that Jesus had power over quality? 6. What evidence did John offer as proof that Jesus had power over time? 7. How does the miracle in John 2:1-11 illustrate that Jesus had power over time? 8. What would you do if someone gave you a Semi load of fresh bread? 9. How would Jesus’ miracles regarding quantity have an effect on Jesus’ popularity? 10. What evidence did Matthew offer as proof that Jesus had power over gravity? 11. What evidence did Mark offer as proof that Jesus had power over nature? 12. What evidence did John offer as proof that Jesus had power over death? 13. What evidence did Matthew offer as proof that Jesus had power over dumb animals? 14. What evidence did John offer as proof that Jesus had power to read minds? 15. What evidence did Matthew offer as proof that Jesus had power over money? 16. What evidence did John offer as proof that Jesus had power over depression? 17. What are the three earmarks of the Messiah? 18. When did Jesus confess that he was the Messiah? John 4:25, 26 19. What special relationship did Jesus claim to have with God? John 5:18; 10:30 20. From Genesis 1, how do you know that God is made of more than one piece or being? 21. What does Matthew 1:23 say about Jesus’ relationship to God? 22. How many major pieces make up the complete human being? 23. What are the major pieces that make up the complete human being? 24. What are the major pieces that make up the complete God? 25. If you had seen Jesus who else would you have seen? 26. According to Isaiah 44:24 who was with God when he made all things? 27. According to Colossians 1:15, 16 who created all things? 28. How do you harmonize Isaiah 44:24 and Colossians 1:15, 16? 29. Define almighty and all authority. 30. How could God be almighty and Jesus have all authority at the same time? 31. What name did both God and Jesus have in common? 32. Who is the first and the last? 33. Are we permitted to worship anyone but God? 34. Are we permitted to worship Jesus? 35. Name two men that would not allow anyone to worship them? 36. Is it alright to worship angels? 38. According to Colossians 2:9-11 how much of God is in Jesus?
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You Can Positively know Jesus is God  TestimonyOfPagans, Jews,Christians
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