WHO IS JESUS? Part II Kay Keith Peebles 09/20/2019 19.32
“Your salvation depends on this belief!” I was in my second year of an international Bible study. Our one class alone consisted of 500 women. My discussion leader in our group of 15 stressed to the group it was imperative we believed in the virgin birth of Jesus. I was not saved at the time and it was my first opportunity to study the Bible. I was not sure why believing in the virgin birth was so critical. We were studying the book of Matthew. One year later, after I became born again, I understood the importance of the virgin birth and how critical it was to my faith in God.
The Bible is a miraculous book. It contains the infallible Word of God. It has 66 different books from Genesis to Revelation spanning 4,000 years of history from the creation of mankind, the chosen people (Jewish race/faith) and the life of Jesus. It also includes the proper character of a disciple of Christ and the prophecies of the end times. Scholars believe it was written by 35-40 men. Much of the Bible is filled with the history and the record of the spoken Word of God and ancient prophecies which have already been fulfilled or are soon to be fulfilled. There is one common thread throughout the entire Bible which is Jesus, the Son of God, the Jewish Messiah and the Savior of the world. It has been said the “Old Testament is Jesus concealed and the New Testament is Jesus revealed”. Jesus is concealed through prophecies and records of encounters with certain men during the time period of the Old Testament. All were the foreshadowing of Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection. The New Testament begins with His actual conception, advent, ministry, death and resurrection which were the fulfillment of most of those prophecies. Bible scholars have determined there are between 300-400 prophecies recorded about Jesus. Most were fulfilled during His life and are recorded in the 4 Gospels. The impossibility of that happening by accident is staggering. Others will be fulfilled when He returns. After His death and resurrection, Jesus appeared to approximately 500 people during the 40 days He remained on earth before His ascension into heaven. See 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.
“To them also He showed Himself alive after His passion (His suffering in the garden and on the cross) by [a series of] many convincing demonstrations [unquestionable evidences and infallible proofs], appearing to them during forty days and talking [to them] about the things of the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3.
WHO IS JESUS? HE IS THE SON OF GOD!
His Virgin Birth: The prophecies and the fulfillment.
“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us].” Prophesied in Isaiah 7:14.
“For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Prophesied in Isaiah 9:6.
“O you who bring good tidings to Zion, get up to the high mountain, O you who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold the Lord God will come with might, and His arm will rule for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them in His bosom and will gently lead those that have their young.” Prophesied in Isaiah 40:9-11, Testified by John 10:1-18.
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place under these circumstances: When His mother Mary had been promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be pregnant [through the power] of the Holy Spirit…an angel of the Lord appeared to him (Joseph) in a dream, saying, Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary [as] your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus.” Testified by Matthew 1:18-23.
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His forefather David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob throughout the ages; and of His reign there will be no end.” Testified by Luke 1:32-33; Prophesied in Psalm 9:7; Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:15.
“And the Word (Christ) became flesh and dwelled among us; and we saw His glory (His honor and His majesty) such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace and truth.” Testified by John 1:14, Prophesied in Isaiah 40:5.
“But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations] of the Law, to purchase the freedom of those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us.” Testified by Paul, Galatians 4:4-5.
His Baptism: The prophecy and the fulfillment.
“I will declare the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, You are My Son; this day [I declare] I have begotten you.” Prophesied in Psalm 2:7.
“And when Jesus was baptized, He went up at once out of the water and behold, the heavens were opened and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him. And behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is My Son, My Beloved in Whom I delight’!” Testified by Matthew 3:16-17.
“John gave further evidence, saying, I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven and it dwelt on Him. And I did not know Him but He Who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘Upon Him Whom you shall see the Spirit descend and remain, that One is He Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit’. And I have seen and my testimony is that this is the Son of God.” Testified by John 1:32-34.
His Ministry: The prophecy and the fulfillment.
“The SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn…I will greatly rejoice in the Lord my soul will exalt in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Prophesied in Isaiah 61:1-11; Testified by Matthew 11:2-6; Luke 4:1 8-19, 7:22.
Jesus Heals the Sick:
“And a woman suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years and had endured much at the hands of many physicians. She had spent all she had and was not helped at all, but instead became worse. She had heard reports about Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the crown and touched His outer robe. For she thought, ‘If I just touch the clothing I will get well,’ Immediately her flow of blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her suffering. Immediately Jesus, recognizing Himself that power had gone out from Him, turned around in the crown and asked, ‘Who touched My clothes?’…And the woman, though she was afraid and trembling aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. Then He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has restored you to health, go in peace and be healed from your suffering.’” Testified by Mark 5:24-34, Luke 8:43-48, Matthew 9:20-22.
Healing of Centurion’s Slave. See Luke 7:1-10, Matthew 8:5-13.
“Jesus went on from there and passed along by the Sea of Galilee. He then went up on the hillside and was sitting there. And great crowds came to Him, bringing with them the lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they put them down at His feet; and He healed them. So the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they praised and glorified God is Israel.” Testified by Matthew 15:29-31.
Space prevents me from acknowledging all the healings and deliverances that took place in Jesus’ ministry.
Jesus Delivers From Demons:
“A Canaanite woman from that district came out and began to cry out saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly possessed by a demon. But He did not say a word in answer to her. And His disciples came and asked Him, ‘Send her away, because she keeps shouting out after us.; He answered, ‘I was commissioned by God and sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.’ But she came and began to kneel down before Him saying, ‘Lord, help me!’ And He replied, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord; but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, your faith is great; it will be done for you as you wish; and her daughter was healed from that moment.” Testified by Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30.
Deliverance of Demoniac. Luke 8:26-39, Mark 5:1-20.
Jesus Raises the Dead:
“One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up; and seeing Him, fell at His feet and begged anxiously with Him, saying, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death; come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.’ And Jesus went with him; and a large crowd followed Him and pressed in around Him…While He was still speaking, some people came from the synagogue official’s house, saying, ‘Your daughter has died; why bother the Teacher any longer?’ Overhearing what was being said, said to the synagogue official, ‘Do not be afraid; only keep on believing.’ And He allowed no one to go with Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He looked at the uproar and commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. When He had gone in, He said to them, ‘Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is sleeping.’…Taking the child’s hand, He said ‘Talitha kum!’ which translated means, ‘Little girl, I say to you get up!’ The little girl immediately got up and began to walk, for she was 12 years old. And immediately they were overcome with great wonder and utter amazement. He gave strict orders that no one should know about this, and He told them to give her something to eat.” Testimony by Mark 5:21-24, 35-43; Luke 7:1-10.
He also raised Lazarus from the dead– Testimony John 11:1-44; Widow’s son—Luke 7:11-17.
Jesus Feeds the 4,000 & 5,000Men (not including women and children}:
See Testimony, Matthew 15:32-38, Mark 8:1-21
Miracle of Walking on Water:
“And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright. But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM (Exodus 3:14)! Stop being afraid! And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus. But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me! Jesus reached out His hand and caught him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat knelt and worshipped Him, saying, Truly You are the Son of God!” Testified by Matthew 14:25-33.
The Gospels all confirm through eye witnesses that Jesus healed the sick and cast out demons, setting the physical and spiritual captives free. He raised the dead and preached the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Jesus Himself was raised from the dead. “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were recorded one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25.
“For we were not following cleverly devised stories when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) but we were eyewitnesses of His Majesty (grandeur, authority of sovereign power). For when He was invested with honor and glory from God the Father and a voice was borne to Him by Majestic Glory [in the bright cloud that overshadowed Him saying] This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased and delight. We heard this voice borne out of heaven, for we were together with Him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word [made] firmer still. You will do well to pay close attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dismal place, until the day breaks through and the Morning Star rises in your hearts. First you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture is of any personal or private or special interpretation. For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it, but men spoke from God who were borne along by the Holy Spirit.” Testified by 2 Peter 1:16-21.
“But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.” Testified by John 1:12, Prophesied in Isaiah 56:5.
As I write this teaching I find myself overwhelmed with worship of the Son of God and surrounded with the Presence of God. There is not room enough to finish the Son of God so I will continue this teaching on “Who Is Jesus” His Transfiguration, Suffering, Death and Resurrection in two weeks. I pray as you meditate on these scriptures the Lord will overwhelm you with the reality of His Glory, His love, His power and His authority over every circumstance in your life. There is no other name by which man can be saved. Truly He is the Son of God!
