A number of years ago I went to a weeklong workshop on teaching an in-depth yearlong study through the Bible. I can remember the instructor saying that as some lay people went through this study, their view of Jesus did not match Jesus of the Bible. They may have been in church on a regular basis, but they had never studied the Bible in depth. In a figurative sense it was like a friendship whereas you grew to know a friend better, he was different from your first impression. This leads to an important question for each of us. Is my view of Jesus Biblical?
Paul Explained that Jesus was the Messiah
This is the very question Paul was asking the Jews from Thessalonica. Acts 17:1Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. 3 He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” 4 Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women. [1]
There were Jews and God-fearing Greek men and women who, when confronted with the truth about Jesus, believed because they were teachable. Paul was an excellent teacher who used the existing Scripture (our Old Testament) to show that Jesus was the Messiah.
When Paul spoke in the synagogues, he wisely began by talking about Old Testament writings and explaining how the Messiah fulfilled them, moving from the known to the unknown (17:2–3). This was a good strategy. When we witness for Christ, we should begin where people are, affirming the truth they do know, and ultimately move toward presenting Christ, the one who is truth.[2]
What is Your View of Jesus?
Getting to know Jesus of the Bible is really about developing our relationship with Him. The more time we spend with the Lord in His word and in prayer the better we get to know Jesus of the Bible. As we begin to know Jesus better and better, it gives us hope in our difficult times. To hear more about Paul teaching about Jesus, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/hope-in-persecution
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 17:1–4). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts (p. 293). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.