10 Qualities of Jesus’ Words

I read this in Perspectives on the World Christian Movement by Ralph Winter and Steven Hawthorne.  This was written by Ajith Fernando, national director for Youth For Christ in Sri Lanka since 1976.

1. His teaching is profound, yet simple. (John 7:46)
2. He speaks with great authority. (Matt. 28:18, 24:15, 7:28-29)
3. He claims to have the authority to forgive sin. (Mark 2:10)
4. He not only tells people to “Follow my teaching,” He says, “Follow me” and demands total allegiance. (Matt 10:37-38)
5. He takes on titles given to God in the Old Testament. (Ps 27:1 vs. John 8:12; Ps 23:1 vs John 10:11)
6. He considers Himself worthy of receiving the honour that is due to God. (Isaiah 42:8, John 5:22-23)
7. He claims to have a unique Father-Son relationship with God.
8. He claims to be the judge of humankind. (John 5:27)
9. He says that He will give us things that only God can give. (John 5:21, 4:14, 14:27, 15:11)
10. His opponents, the Jewish leaders, understood the implication of His claims. (John 5:17-18)

Truly This Was the Son of God

Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

The most important decision you will ever make it concerning Jesus Christ. Will you believe as this centurion did that He is the Son of God, the Saviour of the World, the only way to Heaven, and will you trust in Him?

The centurion said, “Truly this was the Son of God” when he saw the earthquake and the things that were done. In the passage we see several things that may have led him to this decision:

• 27:11 Jesus’ acknowledgment that He is the King of the Jews, which was a direct claim to be God the Messiah, God come in the flesh. 
• 27:12-14 Jesus’ silence before His accusers. 
• 27:34 Jesus’ refusal to blunt the pains of dying by drinking vinegar mingled with gall which was a common painkiller given to those about to be crucified. 
• 27:39-44 Jesus’ enduring of the ridicule from those who passed by, the chief priests, the scribes, the elders, and the thieves who were crucified with Him. 
• 27:45 The darkness the reigned over the land from noon until three in the afternoon. 
• 27:50 Jesus’ giving up the Ghost. 
• 27:51 The renting of the temple veil in two. 
• 27:52-53 The opening of the graves of many of the saints. 
• 27:54 The earthquake. 

What does it mean to believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

• He is One who walked in the midst of the fiery furnace with the three Hebrew children. (Daniel 3:25) 
• He is more powerful than and feared by demons. (Matthew 8:29) 
• He is worthy of worship. (Matthew 14:33) 
• He is the Christ or the Messiah. (Matthew 26:63, John 20:31) 
• He was born of a virgin. (Luke 1:35) 
• He is the King of Israel. (John 1:49) 
• He is the One we must believe on to avoid condemnation. (John 3:18) 
• The dead will hear His voice and live. (John 5:25) 
• He is God. (John 10:36) 
• He is equal to God. (John 19:7) 
• He must be believed on for salvation. (Acts 8:37) 
• He was resurrected from the dead. (Romans 1:4) 
• He is our great High Priest. (Hebrews 4:14) 
• He has no beginning or end – eternal. (Hebrews 7:3) 
• He destroys the works of the Devil. (1 John 3:8) 
• He must be confessed to have God dwell in us and us to dwell in God. (1 John 4:15) 
• He causes those that believe in Him to overcome the world. (1 John 5:5) 
• He gives live. (1 John 5:12) 
• He gives eternal life. (1 John 5:13) 
• He is the eternal God. (1 John 5:20) 
• His eyes are like a flame of fire and His feet are like fine brass. (Revelation 2:18)