© 1996, 1998 "Yes Lord" Ministries
This is the more 'in depth' Bible study to accompany the shorter topic with similar name:
The Lord Jesus Christ, Is He Really God? To find the answer to this question, let's look at some passages in the Bible and see what we can learn about Jesus Christ. And we will do this in an 'interactive' way. So, instead of just reading these passages, let's read while also doing some specific assignments. Sound interesting? Sound like fun? Want to try it? OK! Let's try it.
First we will look at a few of the MANY passages in the Old Testament which tell us about Jesus.
As you read the following verses from the Old Testament, use a blue pen, blue crayon, or a blue colored pencil and, mark every occurrence of the word, Jesus. Also mark every pronoun word or synonym word used in place of the word, Jesus.
Examples of a pronoun are he, him, his ... and a synonym is a word that means the same thing as the word it is replacing. For example, in Isaiah 7:14, which is the first verse we will read, the synonyms for Jesus are child, son, Immanuel. You can mark the word, Jesus, and the words used in place of the word, Jesus, by putting a blue circle around the word or by putting a blue cross on the word. I usually use a Blue Cross to mark Jesus words. But, if you would rather use some other color or symbol to do this marking.....feel free to do so. This is just a suggestion. The color and the symbol used are not as important as is the actual marking of the words.
Anyway, let's do the first verse together. Look at Isaiah 7:14 and mark the 'Jesus words'. I will highlight, in BOLD type, the words you would be circling or putting a cross on.
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign;
the Virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son
and will call Him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14
So, in this verse, the words you would mark with a circle or a cross are child, son, Him, Immanuel. We did not mark the words 'Lord' or 'Himself' because they refer to God the Father instead of Jesus.
Ok, let's do one more example. Look at the next scripture, Isaiah 9:6, and mark the Jesus words with a blue circle or a blue cross. When you have finished, check your results with what I marked. Ready, set, mark !
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Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Ok. Finished? Great! This is what I marked with a Blue Cross in Isaiah 9:16: child, son, His, He, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Is that what you marked? Great! I thought so! So now, you are ready to continue on your own.
So your next assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to finish reading and marking the verses in this section: What does the Old Testament Say?
Daniel 7:14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
Great ! I see that you have finished. Wasn't that fun?
Now, get out a sheet of blank paper and title it 'JESUS CHRIST', and, based on what you have just read and marked, list on that sheet of paper at least 8 names (synonyms) for Jesus.
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<>< <>< <>< <>< Pause while you do your assignment <>< <>< <>< <><
Finished? Good. These are the names I listed: child, son, Immanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, ruler over Israel. How about you? Did you get these, too? Super! Keep this "Jesus" page handy. We will add some more information to it later.
Ok! Time for another assignment. Now, based on these Old Testament Scriptures which you have just read and marked, answer the following questions:
1. In Isaiah 7:14, what was the birth of Jesus intended to be? __________________.
2. And Who is this 'sign' from? _________________________________________.
And Who IS the Lord Himself? _______________________________________.
Correct, the Lord Himself' is referring to God the Father.
3. What was so unusual about this birth that would cause it to be understood to be a 'sign' (a proof, a confirmation) that this person who was born was no ordinary person?
_________________________________________________________________.
Yes, you are correct again. This child, Immanuel (synonym for Jesus Christ), who was to be born, was to be born of a virgin! Now this is an exceedingly unusual event, to put it mildly, because this is not the way a person is born! No one before or since has EVER been born in this way! So here we see Jesus' birth being prophesied (predicted, foretold) many many centuries before it happened! (Isaiah 7:14 was written in about 740 BC !) Also, the fact that Jesus' birth was foretold (prophesied, predicted) to be that He would be born of a virgin, makes this a 'sign' (miracle) event! In a few minutes, when we study the New Testament passages, we'll find out IF this really happened or if this was a false prophecy.
Isaiah, Daniel, and Micah also spoke of this miraculously born child, Jesus Christ.
In Isaiah 9:6, 53:7, Daniel 7:14 and Micah 5:2, we are told more about who Jesus is, what He will be named, and what He will do. So, get your "JESUS CHRIST" list and add to it the information and descriptions of Jesus which are given in these passages which are prophesies of what Jesus would do, be, or be called (named).
Pause while you do this assignment
Finished again? Good! Your list is certainly growing, isn't it? Did you add the facts that Jesus will have the government on His shoulders; ...that He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; ...that all will worship Him; ...that His dominion is everlasting... ;... that His kingdom will never be destroyed;... that He was oppressed and afflicted...; He was led like a lamb to slaughter...; He ...did not open His mouth;... He will be born in Bethlehem; ...He will be ruler over Israel; ...His origins are from old, from ancient times.
Super! You already have quite a long list of information which had been predicted (prophesied, foretold) about Jesus Christ long before His birth ( from 430 to 740 years before He was born!)
Now let's look at some New Testament Scriptures and see what else we can learn in our quest to find out if Jesus is REALLY God !
So, your next assignment is to read the following verses from the New Testament, and as you did before, as you read these passages, mark every occurrence of the word, Jesus, and all words used in place of the word, Jesus, by either circling the word with a blue circle or by putting a blue cross on the word itself.
Luke 1:26-25, 38 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ... "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
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Luke 2:4-7 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
I Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
Colossians 1:16 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.
Hebrews 1:1-2 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Romans 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!
I Peter 1 18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Mark 9:2-3,7-9 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. ... Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Colossians 2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
1 Timothy 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery of Godliness is great:
He (Jesus) appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
1 Timothy 6:15 which God will bring about in his own time--God (Jesus), the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
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Finished marking already? I thought so! Ok. Now, using that same 'JESUS CHRIST' list which you have been developing, add to that list everything that these New Testament verses tell us about Jesus. For example, we learned that Jesus was born of a virgin! And, we are told that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
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Remember those prophecies in Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2 ? WOW! They came true ! Imagine that ! So, now add 'born of a Virgin' and 'born in Bethlehem' to your list.
And, in John 1:3, we are told that "through Him (Jesus Christ), all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made". So, based on that verse, you could add to your list this statement: "Jesus made (created) everything!"
Get the idea? Sure, I knew you would! So, continue on with your list and when you have finished, return here for your next assignment and to answer some more questions.
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<>< <>< <>< pause while you do your assignment <>< <>< <><
Great! I see you're back! And, wow, you are doing a super job of interacting with the Bible and discovering for yourself what it has to say! So, while we are on a 'roll', and discovering and learning, let me ask you a few questions to reinforce what you've learned so far. Ready? OK!
1. Based on what you read in John 1:3, I Cor 8;6, Col 1:16, and Hebrews 1:1-2,
Who is the creator of everything? ___________________________________.
2. What does 'everything' include? In the list below, circle everything that was created by Jesus.
.......Earth plants colors sea
sky grass animals people
atoms electrons stars the universe
fish sun moon planets
birds flowers dinosaurs oceans
Well, obviously, this list could be really long because "through Him ALL things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3). But, this brief list gives us the idea of what Jesus made/created. And, wow, how awesome!
Can a 'man', an ordinary 'man' such as you or I create such things? Or would it take a God?
Does this mean that Jesus IS God???? Hmmmm. Well, hold that thought and let's continue on.
3. In John 1:14, we are told that "The Word became flesh and lived for awhile among us." How did you mark the word,'Word'? Did you recognize it to be a Jesus Word, a synonym for Jesus, and circle it or put a cross on it? You did?! Great! That is exactly correct!
4. We have already learned that Jesus was born miraculously by a virgin birth.
In John 1:14 and Matthew 3:17, we are told where the 'Word' (Jesus) came from. Based on those verses, and, since Jesus was born of a virgin, Who was Jesus' real Father?
Give your answer by filling in the blanks in this sentence:
Jesus came from ________________; Therefore, Jesus' Father is _________;
Therefore Jesus is the ___________________________.
Amazing! Imagine that! Since Jesus' Father is God, Jesus came from the Father and is the Son of God! And, in Matthew 3:17, God also said that "He loved Jesus and is well-pleased with Him." Wow!
5. Now, look at the New Testament verses again and see if there is another scripture passage that says something similar to what we read in Matthew 3:17. When you find it, underline or highlight the sentence in BLUE or whatever color you are using to mark your "Jesus Words"
pause while you look for the scripture passage
Did you find it? Where? __________________________________________.
Now that you have found the passage, write down the direct quote on the line below:
________________________________________________________________.
Did you find the passage in Mark 9:2-3 & 7-9? You did! Great! Now, in that quote,
Who was speaking? _______________________________.
And, about Whom was God the Father speaking? _________________________.
Who is God's Son Who is being referred to here? _________________________.
What 2 things did God say about His Son, Jesus?
1. __________________________________________
2. __________________________________________
This was an awesome and dramatic event in which God the Father actually spoke with a voice and stated unequivocally that Jesus was / is His (God the Father) Son and that He (God the Father) loved Him (Jesus) and that we are to listen to Him (Jesus)!
6. In Colossians 2:9 and Hebrew 1:3, we learn even more about Jesus which confirms that Jesus is really the Son of God. Reread those scriptures and, in the space provided below, list 3 ways that Jesus is specifically described concerning Who He (Jesus) is and what His relationship is to God the Father,
1. _______________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________
Ok, finished? Did you list "In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form", "The Son is the radiance of God's Glory", and "The Son is the exact representation of His (God's) being." You did! Great! You are absolutely Correct!
7. Now, while you are still looking at Hebrews 1:3, in the space below list 3 things that Jesus did or Does.
1. _____________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________
Well, you are getting so good at this, that I assume that you wrote the following:
"Sustains all things by His powerful word," "provided purification for sins," and "sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven."
Who is the 'Majesty in heaven'? __________________________________
What does this verse tell you, then, concerning the purpose (reason) for Christ's coming to earth approximately 2000 years ago?
______________________________________________________________
Yes, you are correct! The Majesty in heaven is God the Father and the purpose of Christ coming to earth was to "provide purification for sins".
We read and marked some other verses which also talked about Christ's purpose for coming to Earth from Heaven. Look again at the following verses and give the purpose for Christ as related to each verse. Let me get you started with this list.
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Christ's PURPOSE (REASON) for coming to earth :
Heb. 1:1-2 = So God could speak to us through Him (Jesus).
John 1:14 = To become flesh and lived for awhile among us so we could see His Glory, grace, and truth .
Ok, you have the idea, now you continue filling in the rest of the spaces
Romans 5: 9 __________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
I Peter 1:18-19 ________________________________________________
Hebrews 1:3 __________________________________________________
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Finished? Great! For Romans 5:9, I assume that you wrote "so we could be be justified by His (Christ's) blood", and "so we could be saved from God's wrath through Jesus" ; And, for the I Peter passage, "so we could be redeemed by Jesus' blood"; and beside Hebrews 1:3, "to provide purification for sins". Wonderful! You get an A+
Yes, you correctly saw that Jesus came so that we could be justified by His blood and to save us from God's wrath by redeeming us and providing purification for (our) sins. Why was Christ's blood able to do this? What was so unusual about His blood that is not, was not, and never will be true about anyone else's blood? Look at I Peter 1:18-19 again and you'll find the answer. Write it here:
Jesus' blood was that of _______________________________________
Great! You got the correct answer. But, when it says that "Jesus's blood was that of a lamb without blemish or defect", what does that mean?
Circle the correct answer from the 2 choices listed below:
1. Jesus was a good and honorable and ethical and nice person, a man, not God, but a really kind and loving person who helped others. Therefore, God let him be a sacrifice because Jesus was such a good, loving, compassionate, and helpful man.
2. Jesus never ever sinned, not even once, and was perfect in every way! He was a 'lamb without blemish or defect' and, therefore, was acceptable to God as a sacrificial lamb who could be (and was) a substitute for sinners. His (Jesus, the lamb) death and blood was that of a sinless (without blemish or defect) man and therefore was acceptable to God to "provide purification for (our) sins" (Heb. 1:3) and to allow us to be "justified by His blood" (Romans 5:9).
Did you circle answer # 2? I knew you would! And that is correct!
As you were reading, you noticed a couple of 'big theological' words, Purification and Justification. Don't panic! They are really big words for an easily understandable concept. Let me explain.
You see, everyone who has ever lived or who is living now or who will live in the future (except Jesus Christ) is a sinner! Romans 3:23 confirms this. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" That means, that, because we are all sinners, we are separated from God. Romans 6:23 states "for the wages of sin is death." This death is both a physical death (which is 'why' we die instead of living for a 'gazillion' years in these 'human' bodies) and a sprititual death (being apart from God)"
The only way to be freed from the penalty of sin is for there to be a sacrifice which God will accept as a substitute on my (and your) behalf and to serve as a substitute sacrifice for my /your sin. The substitute death-sacrifice would have to be provided by a sacrifice of the life of someone that was without sin (ie., without blemish or defect) in order to pay the penalty for sin. Jesus is the ONLY 'someone' who could do this!
And that is exactly why Jesus came to earth = to die as THE sacrifice for sin and to redeem anyone who will trust in that sacrifice to redeeem (save) him.
Throughout the centuries, prior to the coming of Christ, the Jewish sacrifices of lambs without spot or defect at the annual time of Passover, served as a 'picture' of what would be fulfilled by Christ's death.
When Christ came, as Son of God, He lived a life without sin, and therefore, was able to be the 'sacrificial lamb' without 'blemish or defect' to serve as the acceptable substitute for our (yours and my) sins. The blood provided by His death was, and is, and always will be acceptable to God as a substitute to provide purification (cleansing) of my sins, and of yours, and of anyone who will accept the offer of His (Jesus Christ's) blood sacrifice as a substitute.
For those who accept His (Jesus') offer of His sacrifice, God will 'justify' them (ie, cause their sins to be just as if they had never happened). So, Christ's death and blood sacrifice paid the required death penalty and God accepts that sacrifice on my behalf, (and your behalf, too, if you accept the offer). Therefore, I (and you) can be and am 'purified' and 'justified' by the blood of Jesus, the sacrificial lamb of God without blemish or defect.
John 3:16 explains this simply: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son (Jesus Christ), that whoever believes in Him (Jesus Christ) shall not perish (die and go to eternal suffering in hell) but have eternal life.(in heaven with God)"
There are many many more New Testament verses which we could have studied, but the ones we have read and marked really summarize Who Jesus is and what His purpose was.
I Timothy 3:16 also summarizes this well. Read that scripture again and then list in the space below, 6 things that you learn about the life and work of Jesus.
1. ____________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________________
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Well, I see you have finished again. And, knowing how sharp you are, I assume that your answers were: "He (Jesus) appeared in a body, He was vindicated by the Spirit, He was seen by angels, He was preached among the nations, He was believed on in the world, and He was taken up into glory." Now, I ask you. Does this sound like an 'ordinary man'? or God? Hmmmmmmm.
Yes, you say... This does sound like Jesus is God, but, I've been told that He was just a man and never claimed to be God at all. To respond to that, let's look at some more scriptures and see what Jesus Christ actually said about Himself. Let's go straight to Jesus' own words and see what He really said.
Read the following scriptures, and, you guessed it, as you read, mark every reference to Jesus (His name and words used in place of His name) by circling the word with a blue circle or by putting a blue cross on the word.
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Luke 22:70 They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He (Jesus) replied, "You are right in saying I am."
John 8:58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
John 10:30 I (Jesus) and the Father are one."
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
John 10:37-38 Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
John 14:7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
John 14:8-10 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
John 16:15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
John 17:24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Mark 8:31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.
Luke 9:22 And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
Luke 22:37 It is written: `And he was numbered with the transgressors'{Isaiah 53:12}; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."
John 3:14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
Luke 6:5 Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
Matthew 16:13-17 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, (or Messiah) the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
John 1:51 He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man
Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
John 17:4-5 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
John 8:18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me."
Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.
Luke 24:38-39 He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
Luke 24:44-51 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
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Ok, you have now read a large number of direct quotes from Jesus own lips! Based on what you've read and marked, Who do you think Jesus Christ claimed to be?
________________________________________________
Specifically, in Luke 22:70, Who did Jesus say He was? _____________________.
And In John 10:30, What did Jesus say ? _________________________.
Well, it is pretty obvious that Jesus DID claim to be God and the Son of God. You have read direct quotes from the very mouth of Jesus, Himself. The next time someone tells you that Jesus never claimed to be God, or the Son of God, you now know that they are just wrong! Jesus DID claim to be God! There is no waffling, no wavering, no hemming and hawing in these verses.
Now, remember that sheet of paper entitled 'JESUS CHRIST.' Get it out again, and, looking at the scriptures you just read, add to your list the information that Jesus Christ said about Himself. For example, after reading Luke 22:70, you could add to your list, "Jesus said He is the Son of God". And, based on John 8:58, you could write, "Jesus tells the truth" and "Jesus lived before Abraham was born." Ok, you have the idea. Now, finish reading the scriptures and list what they tell you about Jesus Christ, Who He is, What He does, etc.
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<>< <>< <>< <>< pause while you add to your JESUS CHRIST list <>< <>< <>< <><
Ok, you have finished your 'JESUS CHRIST' list. Now, based on what you have just read and written, answer the following questions.
1. Who do you believe that Jesus claimed to be? ___________________________.
2. Who do you believe that Jesus is? ____________________________________.
3. Do you believe that Jesus is Who He claimed to be, the Son of God?
Circle your answer............ YES..................... NO
4. Do you believe that Jesus is God? Circle your answer.........YES..............NO
5. In the space below, In your own words, explain why Jesus came from heaven to earth? (What was His purpose?) Hint, before answering this question, reread Luke 9:22, Luke 22:37, and Luke 24:44-51.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Yes, Jesus Christ IS the Son of God! And Jesus IS God! Jesus IS the Creator of the world and all that is in it! He even created you and me. Psalm 139 tells us so. I have included a portion of this Psalm. As you read it, mark the references to Jesus with a blue circle or a blue cross, as you have been doing. This will make this scripture even more meaningful to you as you read it.
" For you (God/Jesus) created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake, I am still with you."
Psalm 139:13-18
So, we see that Jesus not only created us, but He desires to have fellowship with you and me forever. But sin marred His creation and broke the fellowship of God with all mankind, including that with you and me. However, God the Father, Jesus the Son, and The Holy Spirit had a plan. And this plan was that the Lord God Jesus Christ Himself would come to earth, being born of a virgin, and present Himself as an acceptable sacrifice without spot or blemish (no sin) as a substitute for me - for you- for anyone who would accept the free gift of His death as a substitute for my / our punishment.
Anyone, then, who accepts this substitutionary atoning sacrifice of Jesus' death, will be 'justified' by God. My / your sins will be 'atoned for' (forgiven) and we will be saved from the death penalty of sin. We will be 'justified' (declared sinless / righteous) and restored to eternal fellowship with God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
While you are thinking on these things, it is time for another assignment.
Based on the scriptures you have read and marked, now reread these indicated below and list the benefits that will result from this atonement, justification, and restored fellowship that comes when we (you, I, anyone) accept this free gift of salvation from God.
Let me illustrate how to do this list by doing the first three for you.
John 14:7 _____I will personally know the Father and Jesus_________
John 14:8-10___I can see the Father because I have seen Jesus._______
John 16:15_____The Holy Spirit will give what is Jesus' to me.__________
Got the idea? Great! Now you continue with the following verses.
John 17:24 ____________________________________________________
Matt 26:28 ____________________________________________________
John 1:51_____________________________________________________
Matt 19:28_____________________________________________________
Matt 16:27_____________________________________________________
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Well, I see that you have completed your assignment. And, I assume that your list include such things as... "will be with Jesus where He is; ...will see Jesus' glory; ...Jesus' blood will be for the forgiveness of my sin; ...will see heaven open and angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man;... you who have followed Me (Jesus) will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel; ...will be rewarded."
And, there is much much more that we will receive when we accept Jesus' offer of the free gift of Salvation (Atonement /Justification / being declared Righteous / etc). Yes, we will receive not only the things you have listed, but also, eternal life in heaven with Jesus and God the Father and with the Holy Spirit and with all the 'believers' -- and oh, so much more! But, the purpose of this Bible Study really doesn't include time to go into that. Perhaps in another study at another time.
For now, the Question is -- and let me ask it again -- based on the scriptures we've read and marked and on the lists you've made and the questions you've answered,
WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?
1. Is Jesus Christ just a man, a prophet, a wise person?
Or
2. Is Jesus Christ Who He claimed to be: The Son of God, the "I AM:" (God), One with the Father, The One to whom all authority on heaven and earth has been given, The One sent by God, the One Whose sinless blood is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins, the Lord of the Sabbath, the Creator, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End?
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Answer carefully ! Your eternal destiny DOES depend upon your answer!
If you DO believe that Jesus Christ IS Really God and If you have never accepted His offer of salvation and If you would like to be saved and let Him be your Savior, Lord, and Master, you CAN do this right now, this very minute. You can accept this offer of salvation and be saved this very minute by praying this prayer:
"Lord Jesus, I need you. I turn my life over to you and accept You as my God and Lord and Savior. I invite You to come into and take control of my life. Thank You, Father God, for forgiving my sins --past, present and future-- and for sending your Son, your only Son, Jesus, to die for my sins and to give me eternal life. Thank you Jesus for dying in my place to redeem me from the penalty of sin and to restore me to fellowship with you and the Father and the Holy Spirit. I accept your gift of salvation. Thank YOU. And Thank You, Father and Jesus and Holy Spirit, that You have promised that You will never leave me or forsake me now that I have asked you to come into my life. Amen."
If you prayed that prayer, or a prayer like that, you are now a child of God, you are a member of His family! You will have eternal life with Him forever!
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Scriptures unless otherwise indicated are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright C 1973,1978,1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishers.
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