The Scriptures Testify of Christ Lesson 1 Introduction: - In the religious world there is much discussion and controversy concerning the identity and nature of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 5:39, Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. -- In this verse, Jesus said the scriptures testify of Him, i.e. the scriptures reveal to the world the identity and nature of Christ. - In this series of lessons, we will look at those scriptures that testify of Christ. Next, we will put forth the scriptures that reveal the divine nature of Jesus. As we close the topic of the identity of Christ, we move into the area of what He did for us. In this study, we will see our need for a Savior. Thus, Jesus is the Savior we need. Finally, we will examine the subject what must we do for Him. Hence, we will study the importance of our response and salvation, as it is tied or attached to the cross. In our final lesson we will read those passages in God’s word that address our responsibility to Christ. - This lesson will focus on The Scriptures Testify of Christ, i.e. they provide the evidence of who He is. The scriptures testify that Jesus was born of a woman. Certain Old Testament scriptures foretell of the coming of Christ into the world. These prophecies are revealed 1000’s and 100’s of years before Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem. - Genesis 3:15, And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. -- This is the first prophecy concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is referenced as her seed. Satan is identified as thy seed. Thus, Satan will only bruise the heel of Christ, but Christ shall bruise Satan’s head. -- Jesus is of the seed of woman, i.e. He was born of a woman. For further study, look at the cross references to the word seed, in particular to her seed. - Isaiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. -- The Hebrew word for virgin is almah and this word always means virgin, never young woman. -- Isaiah speaks of a son being born of a virgin and this son’s name is Immanuel. Within the history of the world, there is only one man whose name was Immanuel and that was Jesus Christ. Notice the following verse. - Matthew 1:22-23, Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,22 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.23 -- This section of scripture or the Bible, fulfills the prophetic fact of Isaiah 7:14. -- Mary was the earthly mother of Jesus Christ. - Galatians 4:4, But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, -- The fullness of the time came during the first century, not before nor later. But, during the kings of the Roman Empire. -- c.f. Daniel 2:44, And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Jesus came from heaven itself, into our world via a woman. Hence, the scriptures testify of this fact. The scriptures testify to where Christ was born. Unlike many religious leaders, the birthplace of Jesus was foretold, i.e. it was prophesied. - Micah 5:2, But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet 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. -- The ruler in Israel is from eternity (everlasting). -- Micah recorded this prophecy a little over 700 years before Christ was born. -- Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judah. A point of interest, there are two Bethlehem’s in the Middle East. The other Bethlehem is located in Zebulum. - Matthew 2:4-6, And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.4 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,5 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a governor, that shall rule my people Israel.6 -- History reveals that a specific person was mentioned, to be born in Bethlehem. Hence, it was Christ that was born in Bethlehem. Muhammad was not born in Bethlehem, nor was Buddha, nor was any religious leader but Jesus Christ. - Luke 2:4-7, And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)4 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.5 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.6 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.7 His birth and the place of His birth was not a mystery. The Old and New Testaments give us the evidence of His birthplace. The scriptures testify to the manner of His birth. - John 1:1-3, 14, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.1 The same was in the beginning with God.2 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.3 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.14 -- The Greek word for only begotten is monogenes. This Greek word has reference to the incarnation of Christ, i.e. leaving eternity and glory to made in the likeness of man. Hence, the womb of Mary was prepared for the entrance of Christ into the world. -- In Hebrews 10:5 we read, Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: --- A physical body was prepared for Jesus. It was God’s will that He become flesh. - John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. -- Five times the word monogenes is used by John (John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; and I John 4:9). - Matthew 1:20-23, But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.20 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.21 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,22 Behold , a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.23 The manner in which Christ was born was a miracle. He was created with a fleshly body like man. The scriptures testify to the lineage of Christ. - Christ is the seed of Abraham: -- Genesis 12:2-3, And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:2 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.3 --- All the families of the earth are going to be blessed through the seed of Abraham. -- Genesis 22:17-18, That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;17 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.18 --- Again, in the seed of Abraham shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. This verse reinforces what Genesis 12:2-3 has taught. -- Matthew1:1, The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. --- In this New Testament passage, we read where Jesus is the son of Abraham, i.e. his seed. Nowhere is the Mahavira mentioned or Zoroaster as the seed of Abraham. -- Galatians 3:16, Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. --- Paul made issue with the use of one letter, the letter s. There was only one seed not seeds of Abraham. In doing so, Christ is highlighted as the only seed of promise. Pluralism in religion is not an acceptable option for people. - Christ is the son of Isaac: -- Genesis 21:12, And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. --- Through Isaac, the seed of promise will enter the world. --- According to the testimony of the scriptures, Ishmael is NOT the lineage of choice. -- Matthew 1:1-2, The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.1 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;2 --- This passage fulfills or completes Old Testament scripture. - Christ is the son of Jacob: -- Genesis 28:13-14, And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;13 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.14 --- The scriptures trace the seed of promise. It is as simple as connecting the dots or scriptures together and then realize the importance of such evidence. --- A point of interest, no other religious book known to people, documents its leaders in prophecy as does the Bible. Thus, the importance of knowing the lineage of Christ is significant, to His identity. -- Numbers 24:17, I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. -- A Sceptre has reference to authority, in particular to a governor or ruler. -- This particular Sceptre shall rise out of Israel or be a descendant of Israel or Jacob. -- The following verse identifies Jesus as this particular person of authority, who is identified as a Sceptre of righteousness. -- We read in Hebrews 1:8, But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: A Sceptre of righteousness is the Sceptre of the kingdom. --- God the Father is calling Jesus God in this verse. In addition, Jesus is on a throne and He is a Sceptre of righteousness and the Sceptre of the kingdom. -- Matthew 1:1-2, The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.1 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;2 --- This verse testifies to the fact that Jesus is a descendant of Jacob. - Christ is of the tribe of Judah: -- Genesis 49:10, The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. --- All people are gathered unto Christ. He is our Shiloh, and Prince of Peace. -- Matthew 1:2, Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;2 --- Christ is a descendent of Judah. -- Hebrews 7:14, For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. --- Moses wrote concerning the tribe of Levi being the tribe of the priesthood. But, regarding Jesus who is our High Priest, He was of the tribe of Judah and not Levi. His lineage serves as a testimony of who He is and what He means to us. His lineage testifies to His identity. Conclusion: - The many prophecies that we have considered in this lesson are specific. These are not general guesses or assumptions, but information foretold in detail that has come true. - In our first lesson we learned several truths. First of all, we learned that Jesus was born of a woman. Secondly, the scriptures testified to the place of our Lord’s birth. Furthermore, the Bible reveals the manner of Christ’s birth. Finally, the scriptures testify to the lineage of Christ. All of these points of study, provide evidence to the identity of Jesus Christ. He is more than a mere religious man and spiritual teacher. Within a couple of days, test will be graded and returned to you with a link to the next lesson. There is no pass or fail score; however, proof scripture will accompany any response that needs more review. After completing all 6 lessons, a “Certificate of Completion” will be sent to your home commemorating you finishing this Correspondence Bible Study.