Christ’s incarnation is the most amazing event in history. God came into the world as a man, Jesus Christ, to redeem mankind and restore all things. The Bible – God’s Word – tells us about the God who made the universe and everything in it, including our planet earth, and then visited it to provide a way for man to get to heaven, to be a part of His family, and to show man how he may share in God’s kingdom and assist in bringing it to earth.
One point of evidence of Christ’s divinity, as well as the divine origin of the Bible, is fulfilled prophecy. In Luke 24:24-27, Jesus claimed Himself to be the subject of prophecy all through the Old Testament. He said Scripture must be fulfilled (Matt. 13:14; Luke 21:22, John 13:18). He claimed His own words were inspired (Mark 13:31, John 6:63). In John 10:35, He said Scripture cannot be broken. His own claims to Divine origin and the claims of the Bible stand or fall together. If He cannot be proved a liar or a lunatic, the Bible is God’s Word.
The Old Testament contains over 300 references to the Messiah that were fulfilled in Jesus and recorded in the New Testament. Some of these include:
[To learn more about Biblical infallibility see The Bible: Divine or Human? by Stephen McDowell]
Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus Christ
Jesus claimed to be the object of fulfilled prophecy (Luke 24:27; Luke 24:44; John 5:39-40, 46-47; Luke 4:20-21; Luke 22:37). The Old Testament (O.T.) contains over 300 references to the Messiah that were fulfilled in Jesus and recorded in the New Testament (N.T.). Some of these include:
Prophecy Prophecy in O.T. Fulfilled in N.T.
Born of a virgin Isaiah 7:14 Matt. 1:18, 24, 25
Born at Bethlehem Micah 5:2 Matt. 2:1
Presented with gifts Psalms 72:10 Matt. 2:1, 11
Ministry to begin in Galilee Isaiah 9:1 Matt. 4:12, 13, 17
Ministry of miracles Is. 35:5, 6a Matt. 9:35
Teacher of parables Ps. 78:2 Matt. 13:34
He was to enter Jerusalem on a donkey Zech. 9:9 Luke 19:35-37
Betrayed by a friend Ps. 42:9 Matt. 10:4
Sold for 30 pieces of silver Zech. 11:12 Matt. 26:15
Money to be thrown in God’s house Zech. 11:13 Matt. 27:5
Forsaken by His disciples Zech. 13:7 Mark 14:50
Accused by false witnesses Ps. 35:11 Matt. 26:59-60
Dumb before accusers Is. 53:7 Matt. 27:12
Wounded and bruised Is. 53:5 Matt. 27:26
Smitten and spit upon Is. 50:6 Matt. 26:67
Mocked Ps. 22:7-8 Matt. 27:31
Hands and feet pierced Ps. 22:16 Luke 23:33
Crucified with thieves Is. 53:12 Matt. 27:38
Made intercession for His persecutors Is. 53:12 Luke 23:34
Rejected by His own people Is. 53:3 John 7:5, 48
Hated without a cause Ps. 69:4 John 15:25
People shook their heads Ps. 109:25 Matt. 27:39
Stared upon Ps. 22:17 Luke 23:35
Garments parted and lots cast Ps. 22:18 John 19:23-24
To suffer thirst Ps. 69:21 John 19:28
Gall and vinegar offered him Ps. 69:21 Matt. 27:34
His forsaken cry Ps. 22:1 Matt. 27:46
Committed Himself to God Ps. 31:5 Luke 23:46
Bones not broken Ps. 34:20 John 19:33
Heart broken Ps. 22:14 John 19:34
His side pierced Zech. 12:10 John 19:34
Darkness over the land Amos 8:9 Matt. 27:45
Buried in rich man’s tomb Is. 53:9 Matt. 27:57-60
His resurrection Ps. 16:10 Acts 2:31
His ascension Ps. 68:18 Acts 1:9
These did not happen by chance!
See the original article from which this excerpt was taken at the Providence Foundation website and in the Providential Perspective e-newsletter.
Stephen McDowell is co-founder and President of the Providence Foundation, a nonprofit Christian educational organization whose mission is to spread liberty, justice, and prosperity among the nations by educating individuals in a Biblical worldview
© 2016 Used by Permission
No comments yet.