JOHN 1:35–42 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus (John 1:37) Today’s passage shows us how Christ began to build His church—slowly and with few disciples. The two disciples who first followed Jesus were Andrew and John. As soon as the disciples heard the proclamation that Jesus was the “Lamb of God,” … Continue reading “THE FIRST DISCIPLES”
THE SIGN OF BAPTISM
JOHN 1:24–28 I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know (John 1:26). The priests who came to question John wanted to know whether he had the right to baptize. In the Old Testament only the priests possessed the right to administer modes of purification. Because John had denied … Continue reading “THE SIGN OF BAPTISM”
FROM THE WILDERNESS
JOHN 1:19–23 He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying in the wilderness: make straight the way of the Lord” ’ (John 1:23). Returning to our study of John, we find that John the Baptist had made his first public appearance in the summer of A.D. 26. His ascetic lifestyle and fervent and effectual preaching … Continue reading “FROM THE WILDERNESS”
THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST
ISAIAH 9:1–7 He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing it with justice and righteousness (Isa. 9:7 niv). Although the kingdom of God existed in Old Testament times, everything prior to Christ’s advent was preparatory. The kingdom of Israel functioned only as a type of that which would come. The eternal king … Continue reading “THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST”
CHRIST’S PROPHETIC ROLE
LUKE 24:13–27 Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet, mighty in deed and word (Luke 24:19). A prophet speaks for another. Throughout redemptive history, God called prophets to speak to His people. Jeremiah, Elijah, Elisha, and others proclaimed judgment to the rebellious, comfort to the penitent, and promises to the children of God. In every … Continue reading “CHRIST’S PROPHETIC ROLE”
CHRIST, OUR SUBSTITUTE
GALATIANS 3:10–14 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us (Gal. 3:13). As the spotless Lamb of God, Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, to reconcile us to God, and to make intercession for us at the throne of heaven. All of this … Continue reading “CHRIST, OUR SUBSTITUTE”
THE PERSONALITY OF CHRIST
ISAIAH 9:1–7 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.… And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace Isa 9:6. We have learned from our recent studies that the Bible teaches the sinlessness of Christ, the humanity of Christ, and the divinity of … Continue reading “THE PERSONALITY OF CHRIST”
THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST
LUKE 23:56–24:5 “Are you the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am” (Luke 22:70). The most controversial issue about Jesus is His deity. Since the earliest days of the church, skeptics have hammered at this doctrine. Debate between those who maintained Christ’s divinity and those who rejected it … Continue reading “THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST”
THE SPOTLESS LAMB
HEBREWS. 7:20–28 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners (Heb. 7:26). Another common question regarding the person and work of Christ is “Why did He have to be sinless?” Some people have argued that Jesus must have been a sinner because He was birthed by … Continue reading “THE SPOTLESS LAMB”
SHARING IN OUR HUMANITY
HEBREWS 2 Therefore in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God (Heb. 2:17). As we have said, the doctrine of Christ has been fraught with controversy since the inception of the Christian church. Because of this doctrine’s … Continue reading “SHARING IN OUR HUMANITY”