The authenticity of Christianity depends on one thing and one thing only. Who is Jesus Christ? Jesus asked his disciples who the people thought He was.

“And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?” (Mark 8:27)

It is also recorded in Matthew,

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” (Matthew 16:13)

Either Jesus Christ is the biggest most pompous fraud mankind has ever produced, or He is who He says He is.

Jesus said to the Jews that the Scriptures are all about Him.

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

The Apostle John said the following about Jesus:

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (1 John 1:1-4)

Everything about the Tabernacle of Moses is about Jesus. The prophets of the Old Testament gave 366 prophecies of His first coming. This one man fulfilled every one of them to the letter, an absolute impossibility.  

He healed the sick and cast out demons. He caused the blind to see, and brought life back into dead bodies. He even forgave sins.

The Apostle John said that our Bible is the very Word from the mouth of Jesus, that He created everything, that He is eternal, that He is life, and that He is God.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4)

Jesus claimed to have the power to give eternal life, to prevent anyone who comes to Him from losing his/her eternal life, and no one has the power to remove from His possession, anyone who comes to Him in faith, believing.

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)

He claimed to be the Son of God.

“My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (John 10:29)

He even claimed to be God the Father.

“I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” (John 14:9)

The high priest asked Jesus if He was the Christ (Greek name for Messiah, the Son of God). He answered affirmatively.

“But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:61-62)

He said he is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.

” I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8) “Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last …” (Revelation 1:11)

He claimed to be our high priest, and that’s not all. He also claimed that He was tempted in every way we have been tempted, but He never sinned. He was sinless.

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

He claimed to have the authority to judge sin.

“She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

He says He is the light of the world.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

He says God the Father sent Him and is His witness.

“I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.” (John 8:18)

He actually claims to have risen from the dead.

“And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.” (Matthew 17:9)

“But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.” (Matthew 26:32)

“To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God …” (Acts 1:3)

“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest …” (Acts 9:5)

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” (1 Corinthians 15:20)

What I have listed is only a small fraction of claims about this man. Is He really God? He says He is. What do you think? I’m convinced.

One of the greatest proofs of Jesus being Who He claims to be, among many others, is the change in the lives of the people He has saved, and the willingness of these same people to die for Him. People from all walks of life have had their lives completely changed for the better, simply by coming by faith to Jesus. From the Old Testament to the New Testament to today, the same holds true. This is no accident.

Read the lives of those in the Bible, and those since the time of the Apostles who have come to Jesus. Miracle after miracle has taken place in each life, millions of times over.

Do you still not believe that Jesus is God and what He says is true? Then I challenge you to at least give Him a hearing by reading His Word, the Bible. Read it with an open mind, and ask Him to speak to you from His Word. That isn’t much to ask. Don’t condemn what you don’t know.

Jesus also gave many prophecies of what will take place just before He returns to earth. He will return the second time as a terrible storm, and the clouds are already forming. He will not return the second time to give His life. He has already done that. He will soon return as judge. This world is going to be judged. If you have not come to Him by faith and put your trust in Him as your Savior, you will be judged. If you die without Him before he returns, you will be judged. Jesus is God. Those are the facts.

Grant Phillips

grantphillips@windstream.net

My articles are posted at “Pre-Rapture Commentary” http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com and many are also posted at “Rapture Ready” http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html.