His Birth
What does the "incarnation" refer to in Christian teaching?
Incarnation means "in the flesh." Refers to when Jesus took on flesh to come to earth. Jesus is fully God and fully man.
Why did Jesus and his family go to Jerusalem each year during the Passover?
It was required by the law of Moses (Deut. 16:16; Exodus 23:17) and it was the custom of the day.
How long was Jesus' ministry during the incarnation?
No one knows for sure, but it's likely that He ministered for about three years.
How did Apostle Paul explain the gospel in I Corinthians 15:3-4?
Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day. There is no mention of additional "good works" that one must do to be saved. Instead, the gospel is that Christ has done the work on our behalf.
Why did so many Jews in the first century expect their Messiah to overthrow their enemies rather than die as the suffering servant.
They focused on OT passages that they understood as teaching that their Messiah would reign over Israel and the rest of the world (e.g., Dan 2:44; Micah 4:7; Zech 14:8-9, 16-21). They overlooked passages that spoke of the Messiah dying in the place of others (Dan 9:26; Isaiah 53:8-11).
What do John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:15-20 tell us about Jesus prior to his first coming?
Jesus is the creator of the universe. He is not a created being; He is God!
What unusual thing happened during the family's trip to Jerusalem when Jesus was 12?
Mary and Joseph unknowingly left Jerusalem without Jesus and began the return journey home without him.
Why did Jesus confine His ministry almost completely to Israel?
It was His mission to be sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24). His apostles would be sent to other areas.
What crime did the Jewish leaders charge Jesus with committing? Was he guilt of it?
They charged Him with blasphemy--claiming to be God without being God. No, He was not guilty of that because Jesus is God the Son.
Did Jesus fulfil every OT prophecy about the Messiah? Explain.
He fulfilled every messianic prophecy related to His first coming. The other messianic prophecies are in the process of fulfillment or will be fulfilled when he returns.
What is a theophany, and what can we learn about Jesus from them?
A theophany is an appearance of God in human form prior to the incarnation.
How did Jesus demonstrate at age 12 that He knew about His divine purpose?
He referenced His "father's hour," showing that He knew God is His father.
How did miracles validate Jesus' teaching?
According to John 3:2, the miracles show that Jesus is from God. No one could do the miracles He did without the power of God.
Who is responsible for the death of Jesus?
The Father's plan and will (Isaiah 53:10). Jesus willingly laid down His life (John 10:15). Satan inspired Judas' betrayal (John 13:27). Jewish leaders condemned Him (John 18:28-31). Gentiles crucified Him (Mark 15:15-24). Further, Jesus went to the cross to pay for our sin--we are all responsible for Jesus' death.
How can we have complete confidence that Jesus will return?
Scripture promises that He will return--John 14:1-3; Acts 1:1-8; Revelation 19:11-16.
What does "Messiah" mean? How could there be many "messiahs" but only one "Messiah"?
Messiah means "anointed one." God called people to speak for Him throughout the Bible, but there was only one Messiah who came to save His people from their sins.
What are two reasons Jesus and His parents ended up in Nazareth instead of going back to Bethlehem?
Joseph was warned in a dream not to return to Bethlehem.
How did miracles validate Jesus as the Messiah?
According to Matthew 11:4-5, Jesus' miracles fulfill the prophecies about what the Messiah would do, showing that He is the Messiah.
What are some of the many evidences of Christ’s resurrection?
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to over 500 people in at least 10 situations. The disciples’ lives changed. James and Paul were converted. The church exists. The tomb is empty.
What did Jesus command His followers to do until His return?
Be witnesses for Him in all the earth and live a godly life (Titus 2:11-13). We should long for His return.
How do messianic prophecies confirm the identity of Jesus as Messiah?
He fulfilled the prophecies made about the Messiah. As the anointed one from God, he Brought or will bring to fruition all the messianic promises.
How can we be sure that the magi arrived sometime after Jesus was 40 days old but before his second birthday?
The magi arrived after Joseph and Mary had already taken Jesus to the temple--they were fleeing to Egypt after this, not going to the temple. That had already happened. Herod wanted to kill the children who were less that two years old.
How did Jesus demonstrate His authority to forgive sins?
5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7 “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” 8 Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Mark 2:5-8 (NLT)
How did Jesus' resurrection confirm that He is the Son of God?
Jesus claimed to be one with the Father, and He prophesied that He would rise from the dead. If He were lying, God wouldn't have raised Him from the dead. The resurrection is God's stamp of approval on what Jesus said and did.
According to Acts 1, how and where will Jesus return, and how does this match the prophecy of Zechariah 14:4?
Jesus will return the same way He departed--in the clouds on the Mount of Olives.