Messianic Credentials Of Jesus The Christ

Entering the fray of a hotly debated issue, Michael Bird argues that the title and role of "Messiah" ascribed to Jesus is not a late addition to the four Gospels but their structural and semantic foundation. Stressing that Christianity is itself a messianic movement, Bird argues that the messianic testimony is the "mother of all Christology."

In this accessible introduction to Jesus Christ, Robert Stein draws together the results of a career of research and writing on Jesus and the Gospels. Now in paperback, this classic textbook treats every episode in the life of Jesus with historical care and attention to its significance for understanding the life and ministry of Jesus. Clearly written, ably argued, and geared to the needs of students, Jesus the Messiah will give probing minds a sure grounding in the life and ministry of Jesus.

This book serves as a documentation of what a recipient of the mercy and grace of Elohim has found convincing from His written Word. God is love. I have the utmost respect for the gift of free choice from the loving Father God. This is the fourth of five-volume series on "The Messianic Credentials". It is not about what the right choice should be. It would be ludicrously futile to debate over such a thing as it is a matter of perception. In the process of putting this series together, I realized that God (Elohim) did not write what we like to hear. He wrote what we need to hear. This is because love corrects (Proverbs 3:12 and Hebrews 12:6). And God is love (1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16). He wrote the Bible out of His Spirit of love. In view of the above, I have written this series to relay that same Spirit. It is an appeal to consider reunion with God the loving Father from the perspective of the salvation wrought through Christ crucified. The love of God will bring about a change in perspective. In the words of Romans 2:4, it is the kindness of God that leads to repentance. As a caveat, this series is to be read with an open mind. It is meant to present the state of things from a Biblical perspective with no malicious and derogative intent. Any perception to the contrary is highly unfortunate and/or regrettable. In the fourth volume which deals with Isaiah 50:4-9, you will get to see the iron resolve of Jesus of Nazareth to accomplish His Messianic mission despite the intense opposition. You will soon realize that even Iron Man and The Iron Lady pale in comparison.

Who do the Gospels say Jesus is? The title and role of "Messiah" ascribed to Jesus in the Gospels has long been regarded as a late add on, a fabricated claim or an insignificant feature. Michael Bird, however, argues that the Gospels' messianic claims are the most significant feature of their portrayal of Jesus. Bird describes how each Evangelist portrays Jesus as the Messiah of Israel, what they think is at stake in that claim, and how the claim that "Jesus is the Messiah" drives the purpose and shape of the Gospels. Emphasizing that Christianity was a messianic movement rooted in its Jewish context, Bird points toward the profound theological implication of Jesus' identity: that Jesus' messiahship is the "mother of all Christology."

Messianic prophecies are found in the Old Testament and they are thousands of years old. The ancient Jewish rabbis identified these prophecies as being Messianic in nature long before the birth of Jesus Christ. When Christ came, there was controversy among the Jews regarding whether He fulfilled Messianic prophecies or not. Unbelieving Jews did not accept that Jesus fulfilled these prophecies. However, Christianity soundly agreed that these ancient prophecies were fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ. This uniformity regarding the Messianic prophecies lasted until the time of the Enlightenment in the 18th century. The atheistic leaders of the Enlightenment soundly rejected the vast majority of the Holy Scriptures and especially anything that was miraculous in nature. They completely rejected the concept that something could be foretold such as a prophecy. Since that time, there has been a decline in Christendom regarding belief in the Messianic prophecies. Liberal, critical theologians have followed the Enlightenment icons and have rejected the Messianic prophecies. Many Christian groups do not believe or teach the Messianic prophecies as being fulfilled in Jesus Christ now. However, Jesus said that Moses ..".wrote about Me" and that the Scriptures ..".testify about Me" (John 5:39, 46). Jesus Christ performed many mighty miracles that were witnessed by thousands of people. He Himself prophesied that He would die and be resurrected from the dead. Over 500 people saw Him after His resurrection. Could such a man be so wrong regarding the Messianic prophecies? Come and weigh the evidence for yourself.

When the ancients talked about "messiah", what did they picture? Did that term refer to a stately figure who would rule, to a militant who would rescue, or to a variety of roles held by many? While Christians have traditionally equated the word "messiah" with Jesus, the discussion is far more complex. This volume contributes significantly to that discussion. Ten expert scholars here address questions surrounding the concept of "messiah" and clarify what it means to call Jesus "messiah." The book comprises two main parts, first treating those writers who preceded or surrounded the New Testament (two essays on the Old Testament and two on extrabiblical literature) and then discussing the writers of the New Testament. Concluding the volume is a critical response by Craig Evans to both sections. This volume will be helpful to pastors and laypersons wanting to explore the nature and identity of the Messiah in the Old and New Testament in order to better understand Jesus as Messiah.