Page 268 - Bible Writers Theology Original

252 ♦ Bble Writers'Theology Chapter Eight
Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:30-32). John the Baptist recognized Christ coming to the River Jordein and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said. After me cometh a man which is preferred before me for he was before me"
Gohn 1:29-30).
The apostle John also testified of him saying, "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came
unto his own (the people of the promise), and his own received him not. But as many as received him (even the Gentiles), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" Qohn 1:9- 12).
This is what Christ declared: "And the Father himself, which hath sent me,hathbornewitnessofme. Yehaveneitherheardhisvoiceatanytime, not seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hathsent,himyebelievenot. Searchthescriptures;forinthemyethinkye haveeternallifeandtheyaretheywhichtestifyofme. Andyewillnotcome to me, that ye might have life" Qohn 5:37-40).
His first followers exclaimed, "We have found the Messias...of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth" Qohn 1:41- 45). TheSamaritanwomanatthewellsaid,"IknowthatMessiascometh, which is cedled Christ; when he is come, he will tell us all things." Jesus answered, "I that speak unto thee am he" Qohn 4:25-26). Jesus also told the Jews, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad," and he explained, "Verily, verily, I say unto you. Before Abraham was, I am" Gohn 8:56-58).
He was the object of faith of the fathers of the Israelites. This is made clear by such statements of Christ as: "It is written in the prophets", "And they shall be all taught of God", and "Every man therefore that hath heard, andhathleeunedoftheFather,comethimtome" Gobn6:45). Attheclosing of His ministry on eeirth, Jesus declared, "These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me...And said unto them. Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things" (Luke 24:44-48). Not only were the apostles entrusted with the great commission to bring to the whole world the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but they were also the
living witnesses of the fulfillment of the promises in the coming of the Messiah.