466 – Jesus’ Open Declaration of His Identity

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY V LESSON # 66

JESUS’ OPEN DECLARATION OF HIS IDENTITY

INTRODUCTION:

NOTE: In the remaining lessons of this course, the study plan will run parallel to the lessons in Major Bible Events in the New Testament. The lessons will not be the same, but will be complimentary enough that you will profit by consulting Major Bible Events. I will, therefore, refer you, in most cases, to one or more of those lessons. In this case see Major Bible Events in the New Testament, lesson number 17.

1. Our Lord did not come on the scene shouting His identity. (Isa. 42:1-4

)
2. God sent a man to bear witness of His identity. (Jn. 1:1-9

I.THE EARLY ISSUE OF CHRIST’S IDENTITY

1. He was announced at birth by angels and prophets. (Luke 2:8-14

and 25-38

)
2. He was announced immediately before His ministry began by John the Baptist. (Luke 3:2-6

and Jn. 1:5-34

)
3. No doubt, His disciples, who forsook all to follow Him, believed He was the Messiah. (Luke 9:1-6

, Matt. 10:1

and 16:16

)

i. His identity was openly declared by Peter apparently with the other apostles’ agreement in Matthew 16:13-20

.
ii. Even the skeptics obviously suspected He was the Christ. (Jn. 6:13-14

and 9:30-38

)

II.JESUS DID NOT SEEK THIS RECOGNITION

1. He constantly performed miracles which surely should have identified Him to any honest and sensible inquirer.
2. Nevertheless, He often charged believers not to state His identity to others. (Matt. 16:20

, Mk. 8:30

, Luke 9:21

, Matt. 12:14-21

)
3. It was God’s purpose that in His early ministry He should be of no reputation. (Isa. 53:1-3

)

III.THE TIME OF OPEN DECLARATION

1. The time has come that His crucifixion is at hand and the public must be aware of the decision before them.

i. Is this famous man truly the Messiah?
ii. Does He so declare Himself, or is He just so acclaimed by others?

2. A great number are now persuaded of His identity. (Matt. 20:30

,31

)
3. The time that He chose for this declaration, was when the masses went up to Jerusalem for the Passover feast.
4. He then, deliberately, and publicly fulfilled Zechariah’s prophecy. (Zec. 9:9

, Matt. 21:1-9

)
5. He then purged the temple fulfilling corresponding prophecies. (Matt. 21:12-13

, Isa. 56:7

, Jer. 7:11

)

1. The religious leaders at this point well knew what He was saying of Himself. (Matt. 21:15-16

)

IV.THE EFFECT OF THIS DECLARATION

1. The multitudes recognized the claim and confessed His identity. (Matt. 21:9

,15

,16

and Luke 19:33-40