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How do we know Jesus was the Messiah?


Introduction. Our question is crucial because it goes to the very essence of Christianity – the Messiahship of Jesus.

Jesus was acknowledged as being the Messiah. The Hebrew word messiah means anointed or anointed one. Andrew said to Peter, "...we have found the Messiah which is, being interpreted, the Christ" (John 1: 41). The reference to "the Messiah" is to Jesus (John 1: 42). The word "Christ" (Messiah) is used 569 times in the Greek New Testament and applied to Jesus. Peter in answering Jesus' question, "whom say ye that I am" replied, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16: 16).

Jesus claimed to be the Messiah. When Peter acknowledged Jesus' Messiahship, Jesus did not correct Peter, but accepted Peter's answer (Matt. 16: 17-19). The woman from Samaria stated her belief that the Messiah was coming (John 4: 25). "Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he" (John 4: 26). Jesus' teaching and miracles were proof of his Messiahship. Jesus' teaching was different from others in his day (Matt. 7: 28, 29). Nicodemus said to Jesus: "...we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him" (John 3: 1-2, see also 20: 30, 31).

Prophesy confirmed Jesus' Messiahship. There are numerous, detailed Hebrew prophesies concerning the Messiah, his birth, life, death, and his resurrection which were vividly fulfilled in Jesus (Matt. 1: 18-25, Acts 3: 20-23). Jesus said "all things must be fulfilled...concerning me" (Luke 24: 44).

Conclusion. Belief in Jesus Christ (the Messiah who saves) was essential in the First Century to becoming and remaining saved (Acts 8: 37, 1 John 5: 1). One is antichrist who denies Jesus is the Christ or Messiah (1 John 2: 22).

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