Old Testament Proves That Jesus is the Christ
Paul and Silas continued on their Second Missionary Journey. They had shown that faith in God, through Jesus Christ, is the foundation of Christianity.
“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews” (Acts 17:1).
Today, let’s continue with our ongoing Book of Acts Bible Study. And our reference, for today, is Acts 17:1-9.
Many “Christians” don’t attend Church or they are not affiliated to any assembly. But Paul was different. He was a Christian and a Jew so, he would seek to know the location of the local “synagogue of the Jews” (Acts 17:1).
Back then, there were no Christian assemblies. Christianity was in infancy! These men are the Fathers of Christianity.
Fathers of Christianity
Therefore, a “synagogue of the Jews” was his Church (Acts 17:1).
“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures” (Acts 17:2).
As they traveled from city to city, town to town, Paul
Therefore, from the Scriptures, he would debate the validity of his claim. And he used the Scriptures (meaning the Old Testament—O.T.) as his only support.
Thus, he “reasoned with them out of the scriptures” (Acts 17:2). The O.T. was all he had and all he used to prove to them that Jesus is the Christ.
Commentaries and Strong’s Concordance
“Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ
” (Acts 17:3).As a result, from the O.T. Scriptures, Paul proved that Jesus is the Christ. And over a period of three weeks, he debated this topic in a Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica.
Consequently, many citizens of that town believed in Jesus Christ. They weren’t all Jews, for many were “devout Greeks” and many were “chief women”. This means that they were renown and influential women.
So, today proponents of Strong’s Concordance and Bible Commentaries should realize how inadequate those resources are relative to the Word of God.
The Holy Bible alone is sufficient to reveal the Mind of God. Nothing else.!
So, many of them believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ that Apostle Paul preached.
“And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few” (Acts 17:4).
They Lack the Demonstration of Power
Below, observe who the troublemakers are! The unbelievers!! And today, the same is true, for it’s the “Unbelieving Christians” who are still the troublemakers.
They believe their own point-of-view and the opinions of others more than they do the true Word of God. And as a result, they will motivate the people to act against the true Word.
“But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people” (Acts 17:5).
What they fear the most is that which they are unable to achieve. They will possess an appearance of anointing but they will lack the demonstration of the power of God.
If Jesus is Christ to You – You Will do This Too
“And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also” (Acts 17:6).
Yes, they have come to your town to introduce the true Word of God. And it always includes that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God.
And that he died on the cross to atone for the sin of humanity. These “Unbelievers” will resort to any means to have their way. And, of course, to prevent the preaching of this message.
But, if Jesus is Christ to you, you will turn the town upside down unintentionally with your preaching of him.
If Jesus is Christ – Your Teachings Are Contrary to Politics
“Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus” (Acts 17:7).
This is a great manner to get the attention of a king or his ministers. Here is a group of people who is teaching and serving “another king, one Jesus” and not Caesar.
“And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things” (Acts 17:8).
This report would trouble anybody in their position. What people or leaders who would not be troubled by these words? Christians!!
Nevertheless, they could not hold these men for long because they had no “real” proof of their claim.
“And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go” (Acts 17:9).
Conclusion
When Jesus is Christ to you, you won’t be able to keep it a secret. And you won’t need to walk around declaring the exact thing to one and all that you meet, but everything that you do will proclaim it. People will know.
They will become aware that he is the Messiah in your life from your conversations. Can Jesus be Christ to you and you remain silent? No! For you will share it with everyone you meet. You may not say the exact words, “Jesus is Christ” to me but what you share will explain just that.
Of course, there will be times when you will explicitly tell others this. This is true especially if the audience is new to Christianity. This was exactly what Paul did in Thessalonica.
Jesus is Christ and He is King of Kings
The biblical knowledge and assurance that Jesus is Christ, to you, because you comprehend that he liberates you from sin, supply focus and purpose for your life.
Consequently, you will become focused on your mission and deliberate in your actions. You will desire all the world to know that this same Jesus Christ that was crucified on Calvary’s Cross, he is the same one that all the Prophets and the Law testified that he would come. He has come! And you can benefit from his advent.
Believe his Words and the speech of those he has sent to you with the words of eternal life. This will become your obsession. This will consume you. To the point that it becomes your focus and purpose in this life.
