Faith Series: Study 2

The apostles could tell us who Jesus is because they not only saw the power of God in his earthly life, and in his being raised from the dead, but because they received that power in their own lives by the Holy Spirit and were appointed as apostles by Christ.

Acts 1:21-26; 2:22-24, 32-36; Romans 1:1-6; II Peter 1:16-18.

THE PROPHECIES

Jesus did not appear without prior announcement. God had made many promises to Israel and told them that an anointed One (Messiah or Christ) would come to fulfil them.

The anointed One would be a king and deliver God's people from their enemies, lead them in righteousness and establish peace on earth. In this way, God himself would save his people and be present amongst them. They would be forgiven and truly know their God.

Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 31:31-34

So Jesus came to a nation prepared. When the time came for this child to be born, those involved were shown that the prophecies were about to be fulfilled.

Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:30-35

When it was time for Jesus to begin his ministry, the prophet, John the Baptist, announced him. He said Jesus was God's Son, and that he was the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world.

John 1:29-34

THE LIFE OF JESUS

So began the miracles and the teaching of Jesus. So began, also, the hatred of him for being so transparently one with God in all that he did and said. Israel learned how ready God was to bless them. They also learned how unwilling they were to have God so near to them.

John 10:24-38

When disciples realised and confessed that Jesus was the Christ, he said he would have to die and rise again. This was his Father's purpose for him and absolutely necessary for us. These things happened-just as Jesus had said they would. When he rose from the dead. Jesus showed how these things had to happen to fulfil all the prophecies.

Matthew 16:15-21; Luke 24:13-32

WHAT THE APOSTLES SAY ABOUT JESUS

The apostle Peter, in a talk to a Roman officer and his household, has given us a review of the message of Jesus Christ. Through Christ, peace can come to all people because he is Lord over all people. This began with his healings, but it culminated in his being killed and then being raised from the dead by God. He is raised to the right hand of God with both power to judge and power to save.

Acts 3:22-26; 10:36-43. (Peter's summary follows the content of the Gospel of Mark.)

In Jesus' name the forgiveness of sins was announced. Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit for the renewal of God's people. Jesus would judge the world, and Jesus had came with salvation for the world. All of these things were the proper task of God alone but the apostles clearly attributed them to Jesus Christ. They knew, from Jesus' own lips and by the witness of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was at the right hand of God doing the things they saw happening amongst them.

Matthew 26:63-64; Acts 2:17, 33, 36, 38.

People called Jesus Lord when he was among them, but after the Resurrection they called him Lord in the same way they would call God Lord. He had received the name which was above every name. The Church freely confesses that Jesus is Lord and together with the Father worships him.

Acts 2:36; Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 5:6-14

The mystery of our faith is great. He whom we worship as God has been revealed in our flesh, believed on in the world and been taken into glory. Therefore we need have no doubt that we have encountered the mercy of God in the forgiveness of our sins and that we are joined forever to the eternal God in covenant relationship.

I Timothy 3:16; I John 4:9

Calling Jesus the Son of God now means, not only that he is Messiah but that he is the only Son of the Father eternally. The world was made through the Son but he came from the bosom of the Father so that we may participate in all the grace of the Father.

John 1:1-4, 9-18