Claims Others Made About Jesus No one has made claims for himself like Jesus did. When we understand what He said about Himself, we are left only with three alternatives. He is Lord, Liar, or Lunatic. This lesson will examine the claims others made about Jesus. With claims like these, there can be no middle ground with Christianity. Either the teachings of the early Christians make up the biggest hoax in history or the words of Peter are true: Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven among men by which we must be saved. Jesus Is God The teaching of the Jews for over 1,000 years: Deuteronomy 32:39 Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; Isaiah 43:10 Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. Isaiah 44:6 Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God. (44:8) Isaiah Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. John John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 2:24-25 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. What would this mean to the Jews first reading the book of John? They knew only God can know the hearts of men: 1 Kings 8:39 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You, only You, know the hearts of all the sons of men) John claimed Isaiah saw Jesus in his vision in Isaiah 6 a. John 12:37-41 b. Isaiah 6:1-10 Thomas - John 20:24-28 Thomas has been raised in the Jewish religion all of his life, yet when he sees Jesus after the crucifixion, he calls Him God. Paul Colossians 2:8-9 In Jesus dwells the fullness of the Godhead Godhead" is from "Theotetos". It literally means Deity. Thayer's - theotetos means the state of being God, Godhead. Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Romans 9:5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. Jesus Is Savior Paul was a highly trained Pharisee trained under Gamaliel who would be very familiar with O.T. Scriptures. He would have read Isaiah many times. Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no savior. Yet, with this knowledge, he wrote that we should be: Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. All Will Bow Before Jesus - Phil 2:9-11 Why would Paul make a statement like this concerning Jesus when he would know what the O.T. said? Isaiah 45:22-23 Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS Paul was guilty of blasphemy if Jesus is not who he claimed. 1 Timothy 6:13-14 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus appearing, hich He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Deuteronomy 10:17 For Jehovah your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty, and the terrible... Angel - Rev 17:14 John - Rev 19:16 PETER 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: DEMONS Habbakkuk 1:12 Art not thou from everlasting, O Jehovah my God, my Holy One? ("Holy One" is a title used many times in O.T.) Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. Mark 1:24 ...What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? know who You are - the Holy One of God! Demons are not the most trustworthy character witnesses to call on. However, Peter said the same thing they did: Acts 3:14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be to you. (Acts 2:27 - Psalm 16:10) GOD THE FATHER CALLS THE SON "GOD" It is impossible to get greater testimony than this. Hebrews 1:8 But to the Son He says: Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. (quote of Psalms 45:6) Why would God do this after all His claims of there being no other God? Jesus Created All This would be true if Jesus is God. Isaiah 44:24 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: "I am the Lord, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself; John 1:3 ...without Him [Jesus] nothing was made that was made. Colossians 1:16-17 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities orpowers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Jesus Was Sinless All the N.T. writers admitted their sin. They taught all men sin. They lived with Jesus for three years. Had plenty of opportunities to observe him in every situation. After being with Him, they all claimed He was perfect. Peter 1 Peter 2:21-22 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth; John 1 John 1:8, 10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. Yet, John wrote: 1 John 3:5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Paul Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Yet: 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Thief Luke 23:40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong. Pilate Luke 23:22 And he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go." Centurion Luke 23:47 Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!" No True Witnesses Could Be Found Mark 14:55-56 And the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and found none. For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. Jesus Is The One Mediator Between God And Men 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. We can not mediate for ourselves, there are not several mediators available, there is only one. Webster's "Mediate" 1: to interpose between parties in order to reconcile them. 2: to reconcile differences. Jesus Is Sitting On The Right Hand of God, Exalted over All - Ephesians 1:20-22 Phillippians2:9-10 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 1 Peter3:22 [Christ] who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. He Is Coming Back In Judgment - 1 Thess. 4:14-17, 2 Thess. 1:6-7 There Is No Message Like the Message Of Christianity God has come in the flesh, died for the sins of all, gone in heaven, sitting on right hand of God ruling over all. Coming back in judgment to reward those who follow Him & punish forever those who refuse. There us no teaching like this concerning any other man who ever lived. Philippians 2:5-8 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Jesus was not just a good man. He is either the worst deception or Lord of All. Matthew 16:15-16 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." If He Is The Christ As Peter Was Convinced, Then: Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. 1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. Are You: Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc