JESUS CHRIST

The names "Jesus Christ" mean "savior" and "anointed," suggesting that this noble person was "anointed" of God (Acts 10:38) to be prophet, priest, and king, and indeed, the Savior of the world (Mt. 1:21). The following facts about Jesus are paramount: (a) He existed eternally as the divine Word, before his incarnation (Mic. 5:2; Jn. 1:1ff; 8:58). In the O.T. era, he operated on behalf of the Lord's people as the ANGEL or MESSENGER OF JEHOVAH (see this reference) in a preliminary capacity before entering the world as a human being. (b) He was conceived miraculously by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born to Mary, a virgin (Lk. 1:35; Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:22-23). He thus is the Son of God, being both divine and human in nature (Jn. 1:14). (c) He performed numerous miracles that validated his claim of having come from heaven (Jn. 6:48-50; 20:30-31). (d) He committed no sin (Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22) and therefore was qualified to die as an atonement for the sins of humanity (Rom. 3:21ff; 2 Cor. 5:21). (e) He was raised from the dead, which act declared him to be the Son of God with power (Rom. 1:4). (f) He ascended back to his Father where he presently reigns as king (Acts 2:29ff). (g) At an appointed time, Christ will return to claim his own and render judgment upon all (Acts 17:31; 1 Thes. 4:13ff). (h) Jesus is the exclusive means of salvation (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:11-12), the only hope of mankind for heaven (Col. 1:27). The historical evidence for Jesus' existence is overwhelming. It is established by the N.T. documents -- all of which date within the first century. Jewish writings also contain references to Christ (e.g., the Talmud and Josephus). Even pagan writings (e.g., Tacitus and Seutonius) mention him. The testimony of early Christian documents concerning Christ (e.g., Polycarp, Ignatius, etc.) are profuse. There is no reasonable explanation for Jesus and his amazing influence, save for the fact that he lived, and was actually who he claimed to be, the Christ -- Son of God (Mk. 14:62).