XIII. The Life of ChristScripture: the four Gospels Historical Era: ca. 5 B.C. to 30 A.D.
The Prophesied Forerunner, John the Baptizer
The prophet Isaiah 40:1-11 predicted "a voice calling in the wilderness" and Jesus said that John was the one Isaiah predicted (cf. Matthew 3:1-3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4-6; John 1:23). The prophet Malachi (3:1) predicted that God would send a forerunner before the Messiah - "I send my messenger before your face" and Jesus said that John was the one foretold (Matthew 11:7,10; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:24,27). Through Malachi (4:5-6), God also foretold that the forerunner would resemble the prophet Elijah - "I will send you Elijah the prophet" and both the angel Gabriel and Jesus identified John as the one predicted (Luke 1:13-17; Matthew 11:11-15; 17:10-13; Mark 9:11-13). The Apostle John's Gospel (John 1:29-34) tells us that John the baptizer's main function was to officially announce and present the Messiah to Israel through water baptism and the Holy Spirit
Jesus, the Messiah
(1) Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) at the proper time (Daniel 9:25f) to a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) of the proper lineage (Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-28)
(2) Presented by the forerunner and authenticated by heaven (John 1:29-34; 12:28,29; Matthew 17:5)
(3) Jesus was credentialed (Acts 2:22,23) by miracles of power and mercy (Matthew 9:35,36), authority over nature (Mark 4:36-41; John 2:1-11; 6:11-14), authority over disease and death (Matthew 4:23,24; Luke 7:11-15), and authority over the demons (Mark 1:23-27). He also claimed the authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:2-7).
(5) As foretold, Jesus was rejected and suffered (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53)
(6) In His death, Jesus inaugurated a new covenant & provides atonement (Isaiah 42:6; 55:3; 61:8; Jeremiah 31:31-34; 32:40; Daniel 9:27; Ezekiel 34:23-25; 37:26; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 26:28; Luke 22:20; 1Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 8:6-13; 9:15-17; 12:24; 13:20)
(7) In His resurrection, Jesus fulfilled Old Testament promises (Acts 2:24-31; 13:30-41; Luke 24:25,26,45-47), His own promises (Matthew 16:21; 17:9; 26:32), and destroyed Satan's main weapon - the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14,15)
(8) Between His resurrection and return to heaven, Jesus convincingly presented Himself alive to His apostles and explained the New Covenant to them (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:25-51; John 20 & 21; Acts 1:1-8).
- the promised Holy Spirit sent (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:1-21,38) - the resurrected Christ preached (Acts 2:22-36) - the divinely-given terms of salvation announced (Acts 2:37-40) - the growing and functioning body of Christ (Acts 2:41-47)
The Christ Promised to Come Again
(1) to save, change, and transport to heaven those awaiting Him (John 14:1-3; Philippians 3:20-21; 1Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:28)
(2) to destroy those who reject/ignore their Creator (Luke 19:11-27; 2Thessalonians 1:7,8)
(3) So, what do you believe about Jesus? (John 3:16-21)
Unless otherwise noted, all material produced by Charles E. McCoy All Scripture citations/quotations from the New American Standard Bible To send a question to Chuck: chuck@severnchristian.org
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(4) Jesus taught God's truth with authority (Matthew 7:28,29; John 7:46) and in
parables (Matthew 13:34,35). His words fed the spiritually hungry (Luke 19:48;
21:38).
(9) the Day of
Pentecost saw the New Covenant instituted (Acts 2)
