In Search of the Historical Christ: Part One

Colossians 2: 8, 9

Jesus Christ was an historical figure. Competent correspondents chronicled His birth, life, and death. At least six persons who knew Him wrote their independent accounts giving diverse and distinct details of His earth-walk.

This is questioned by skeptics. The faithful have reason to believe this.

John records what made Him unique. Remember the word “unique” needs no adjective for it means “no other like it.” John said He was the “Logos.”  To understand the meaning of a word see how it was used. “Logos” was a word used in the time of Jesus by Philo which meant “all that is known and knowable about God.” 

John further identifies Him as “the only begotten Son of God.” This phrase translates “mono,” meaning “only one,” and “gensis,” meaning “kind.” Thus, He is God’s only one of a kind Son.

Matthew referred to Him as “God with us.”  (Matthew 1:23)

Luke revealed that at His birth the angel announced, “There is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

Paul noted “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ….”

Suppose you were a chess player and noticed there was one move your opponent could make that would defeat you. Then you notice a move you could make that would prevent that move and make you the winner. It is now your move. What move would you make?  Would you not instantly make that one winning move if you desired to win?  Of course you would.

Satan is no less a strategist. He sees there is one move you can make to enable you to obtain the prize of life, salvation, eternal life. That move is to trust Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, your mediator between you and God the Father. Satan knows that for him to defeat you and win He must do what is necessary to discredit Jesus Christ and cause you not to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. Satan has just made a bold move to attempt to discredit Christ and decoy persons away from Him as their Savior.

There is no record of the era in which Jesus lived, sacred or secular, written by friend or foe, that hints of Him as being anything less than these scriptures represent Him as being. The historical record disputes and refutes the fantasy of carnal and corrupt, 20th Century, depraved and deceived minds. Establish your own Christology; that is, your own beliefs about who Jesus Christ really was, and what He really is to you.  Anchor your faith in the six biblically-based, historical points about Him as noted in Scripture such as I Timothy 3:16, which follow in the next post.

Who Jesus is, is important. Who He is to you is strategically important.

Name Him and claim Him as your personal Savior and Lord to follow.