When someone expects our trust, we look for credentials. What entitles that person to our trust? What testimony is there that this person should be believed? This applies to our faith in Jesus. He has credentials. He is not without testimony that he is truly whom he claims to be. In this lesson we look at seven testimonies that are among the credentials of Jesus.

The Prophets' Testimony

Over the centuries, prophets had been speaking and writing about the Messiah who was to come. They foresaw many aspects of his life.

Example 1, Place Names Specified

For example, the naming of places where he would be born and raised is remarkable. Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth, and Galilee are named in the prophets. These are the places where Jesus was born, taken for refuge, raised as a boy, and where he took the gospel. When you think about the chances of getting these four places right by guesswork, you may well conclude that the prophets were indeed moved to speak or write by the Holy Spirit, and that Jesus is able to place this remarkable fulfillment of prophecy among his credentials of Messiahship.

Example 2, References to his death

When considering the books of prophecy, it's amazing to see the coincidence between statements in these books, and in the records of Jesus's death: His betrayal price, the words used to taunt him, the disposal of his garment by casting lots, the offering of vinegar and gall to drink, the fact that he would be wounded by piercing but not by breaking of bones, his burial in a rich man's tomb --these and other details link Jesus's death with the prophetic message of God. What a strongly forged link it is! The way in which the dying Jesus fulfilled the word of prophecy, adds much weight to his credentials.

A complete chart of Prophecies Jesus Fulfilled is available in a separate window.

The Angel's Testimony

The birth of Jesus was unique among humankind, in that his mother was a virgin who conceived him by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was a human being begotten not by a human father, but by God. Jesus was the only begotten of God among human beings. He was born of woman and truly human, but begotten of God and truly God. "The Word was God... The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." (Jhn 1:1,14, 1Jn 5:20). This made him like us, yet unique among us. Joseph, accepted these facts because he was told them by an angel who said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins". So Joseph did not proceed with divorcing Mary (Mtt 1:18-25). This uniqueness of Jesus and the angel's testimony, is one of his convincing credentials.

John the Baptizer's Testimony

Jesus did not appoint himself a preacher, or announce himself to the world. He was announced by no less a personage than John the Baptizer "a prophet of the Most High" (Lke 1:76). John was the last of the Old Testament prophets who came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Lke 16:16, Mtt 17:11-13, Mal 4:5-6), and was the "voice crying in the wilderness" (Mrk 1:2-4, Isa 40:3-5). John's prophethood was fully attested. His testimony about Jesus was clear and specific. "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who is preferred above me because he existed before me'" (Lke 3:15-18, Jhn 1:6-8,19-36). So, to the credentials of Jesus is added the fact that the prophet of God in Jesus's own time bore witness of him.

The Father's Testimony

When Jesus was baptized, God's own personal testimony was heard from heaven: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Mtt 3:16-17 Mrk 1:9-11, Lke 3:21-22). This was repeated at his transfiguration (Mtt 17:5, Mark 9:7, Lke 9:34-35 2Pe 1:17-18). This testimony from the Father means that we do not have to examine public opinion about Jesus. Public opinion can be manipulated by vested interest, ignorance, superstition, and prejudice, producing a variety of viewpoints. However we have the witness of God himself confirming the claims Jesus made. Add this testimony to the credentials of Jesus.

Satan's Testimony

At the outset of his public life, Jesus underwent a lonely ordeal, in which he was tested by Satan (Mtt 4:1-11, Mrk 1:12-13, Lke 4:1-13). This ordeal pushed body and spirit to the outer limits of endurance. Jesus passed through this trial the victor, and continued to pass the test throughout his life (Heb 4:15, 1Pe 2:21-23). . That he graduated from this test ought also to be added to his credentials.

Moreover, Satan himself has here inadvertently and indirectly testified that Jesus is the Son of God. Since he is a liar and a deceiver, himself without credentials, we would not believe any direct claim he made. However the fact that he troubled himself to try to cast doubt on the truth by saying, "If you are the Son of God..." (Mtt 4:6) shows that he knew Jesus to be the Son of God. His demons also revealed that they knew this. The legion, speaking through the man they possessed, cried out, "What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" (Mrk 5:2-9, cf Acts 16:16-18, 19:13-16). Satan saw Jesus as his enemy, but he knew who his enemy was, and stupidly let it out that he knew. This intelligence from the enemy's camp is obviously not disinformation. It should therefore be added to the credentials of Jesus.

The Soldier's Testimony

If a sane man is ready to die for his cause, and is faithful to it in the face of death, then the genuineness of that man, and his total conviction about his cause, can hardly be questioned. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see such a man a man who adds to his credentials that he was prepared to die for the truth he came to tell.(Mtt 26:38-39,53-54 Php 2:8).

Of course, it is possible to be genuinely mistaken. But when Jesus died, the sun was darkened, and the earth quaked, and the temple veil was torn in two, and many bodies of the saints arose from the dead. (Mtt 27:45,50-54). There was a Roman centurion who witnessed these things, whose credibility we have no right to doubt. He, and those with him, could come to no other conclusion than to say, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Mtt 27:54).

So in the events at the cross and following his death, it became clear that Jesus had not been mistaken. On the contrary, he presented his finest credential of all when he conquered death and was seen alive "by many infallible proofs" (Acts 1:3 1Co 15:3-8). After that, he ascended victorious over death to God's eternal throne. (Acts 1:9-11; 2:34-36).

The Apostles' Testimony

Finally we have the testimony of several apostles who propogated the facts about Jesus throughout the whole world. They devoted their lives to this task for no personal gain. Peter was convinced (Mtt 16:13-17, Jhn 6:66-69). Thomas was convinced (Jhn 20:24-29). John was convinced (1Jn 1:1-4). Paul was convinced (Acts 9:17-22). The records and letters that some of the apostles left behind, provide us with the sound basis for their conviction, and are a major support to the credentials of Jesus.

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