Introduction

Have you really ever considered the incredible claims that the Bible makes about this man Jesus of Nazareth? What makes Him different from Buddha or Mohammed? Is He different or is He just one of many "good" religious men throughout history?

In this lesson you will discover what the Bible claims about this man so that you will be better prepared to make an objective decision of whether or not to be one of His followers.

I. Jesus was an actual historical figure

A. Luke 3:1-2; 21
    1. Jesus is placed in an actual historical setting along with Roman officials like Herod, Pontius Pilate, and Caesar. Can you think of any mythological or fairy tale characters who have actual historical settings (like Cinderella...once upon a time in a far far away land...)? ____________

II. Jesus existed in the beginning

A. John 1:1-2; 14-18
    1. Did the "Word" exist in the beginning (Genesis 1:1)?___________
    2. Who is the "Word" in John 1:14-18?____________
    3. If Jesus is the "Word" and the Word was in the beginning, does the Bible then claim that Jesus (The Word) was in the beginning when the world began?__________
B. John 8:56-59
    1. When Jesus made this statement, Abraham had been dead for over 1,000 years already. Did Jesus claim that he was before Abraham?_______________
    2. Can you think of any other religious leaders who claim to have existed from before the beginning of time and the creation?________________
    3. NOTE: Jesus either lied, or was a lunatic, or made a true statement. However, He can't be a good man and be a liar or a crazy man at the same time.

III. Jesus is the God of the universe who became flesh

A. John 1:1, 14
    1. Does the Bible claim that Jesus (the Word) is God?_______________
    2. Does the Bible claim that God (the Word) became flesh (a man)?____________
B. John 5:18
    1. Did the Jews understand that Jesus claimed to be God?______________
    2. What was their reaction to His claim?__________________________________
C. John 10:30-33
    1. What did the Jews want to do to Jesus for claiming to be God? _________________
D. Hebrews 1:4-8
    1. Did God ever call an angel His son?____________
    2. In verse 8, what does God the Father call Jesus? "Thy throne O ____________ is forever..."

IV. Jesus is the only one who knows God

A. Matthew 11:27
    1. Did Jesus say that only He knew the Father?_____________
B. John 7:29
    1. Why did Jesus claim that He knew the Father?____________
C. John 8:23; 16:28
    1. Did Jesus claim to be from another realm?_____________

V. Jesus came to reveal the Father to mankind

A. John 1:1-4; 14-18
    1. Jesus, the Word, became flesh. From verse 18, why did He become a man? __________________________________________
B. Hebrews 1:1-3
    1. Does this passage teach that Jesus is the EXACT replica of God?____________
C. John 14:6-9
    1. Jesus said that he who has seen Him has seen whom?______________

VI. Jesus created and sustains the universe

A. Colossians 1:16-18
    1. Does this passage teach that Jesus created both the visible and invisible things?____________
    2. Does this passage teach that all things were created FOR Jesus?_____________
    3. Does this passage teach that Jesus holds all things together (consist)?___________
B. Mark 1:27; 5:1-13
    1. As the Creator of the spirit world, does Jesus have authority over demons?___________
    2. What did the demons call Jesus?_________________________________
C. Matthew 8:23-27
    1. Does this passage teach that Jesus has authority over the physical elements?________    

VII. Jesus' death can pay for all sin

A. Romans 3:23; 6:23
    1. How many people have sinned?____________ Have you?__________ (see 1John 1:8)
    2. What penalty does a single sin have?____________ (death = capital punishment)
B. Let's assume that you started knowingly sinning at age 10. Could you do three small sins a day?_______
    1. Over a period of one year, how many sins would you commit at three per day?_________
    2. How many sins have you committed since you were ten? (approximately) ____________
    3. How many people would you have to not kill to pay for one that you did kill? _________
    4. How many sins would you have to "not commit" in order to pay for the thousands you have?________

      NOTE: this shows that you cannot earn your salvation by being good enough (Ephesians 2:8-9)

C. Assume a person killed millions of people like Hitler did. A trial is held and the judge says "guilty, $50 fine. Next case please."
    1. Did that judge do an injustice to the dignity of the law?____________
    2. If God is a just God, can He overlook thousands of capital crimes that you have committed against His law without Himself becoming unjust? (Romans 1:18)?_________
D. Romans 5:8-10
    1. Does this passage teach that Jesus died FOR sinners?______________
    2. Did Jesus death give us the opportunity for pardon for our crimes (sins)?_____________

      (Note: justified means "just-as-if-I'd never sinned." Reconciled means "to become friends again")

E. 1 Timothy 2:5
    1. A mediator is a "go between", a reconciler. How many mediators does God accept?____________
    2. Who is the one mediator? The ________, __________________ ________________
    3. If God only accepts one mediator, are Buddha, Mohammed, Mary, the Pope, the saints, Joseph Smith, or the apostles acceptable mediators according to this verse? (see John 14:6; Acts 4:12)_______  

VIII. Jesus rose from the dead and is alive today

A. Matthew 28:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
    1. Do these passages claim that Jesus rose from the dead?_____________
    2. Was he seen by many people after he rose?_______________
    3. Can you think of any other religious leaders who claim to rise from the dead?_________
B. 1 Corinthians 15:17-19
    1. What are the consequences if Jesus really did not rise from the dead?

      (NOTE: we'll look at some evidences for the resurrection in our next study)

IX. Jesus will be the judge of the entire world

A. John 12:48
    1. Did Jesus say that those who reject Him and do not receive his word would be judged (condemned)?________
B. 2 Corinthians 5:10
    1. Does this passage teach that we must all stand before Christ's judgment throne?________
C. Revelation 20:11-15
    1. Who will be at the judgment?________________
    2. What will happen to those whose names are not written in the book of life? _____________________________________________

      NOTE: We’ll study how to be in the book of life in lesson 5.

X. Conclusion

A. As you can see, the Bible makes some incredible claims about Jesus. It claims that He is eternal (from before the beginning of time), that He is God in the flesh, that He created and holds the universe together, and that His death is able to pay for the sins of all men for all time. The Bible also claims that He will be the judge of the world and that every human being will stand before Him and give account of their lives and the sins for which they are guilty.

B. There are "terms of pardon" or certain conditions that must be met in order to receive the forgiveness of sins and the free gift of God. We will examine those terms of pardon in a later study.

C. The Bible claims that Jesus rose from the dead after having been dead for three days. This event, as you will see, is the crux of the matter. Did he really rise again, or is He like other religious leaders of the past - still dead in the grave?

D. If He is still in the grave, then all of His claims, and all of the Bible are false. If, however, there is sufficient evidence to show that He is alive and did rise from the dead, then His claims are true.