The Uniqueness of Christ
Christ was unlike any other prophet or religious teacher that ever lived. His authority, His deeds and power demonstrated his uniqueness. His powerful teaching challenged his hearers which brought him into conflict with the religious leaders of his day.
From the very outset His words and actions had a controversial effect and often they clashed with actions being practiced by the Jews. He mixed with the common people, and sinners. He challenged religious beliefs, he liberated the Sabbath. Finally he provoked a collision between himself and the Jewish hierarchy on the question of who He really was..
Yet His compassion and deep concern for the individual demonstrated the fact that he was different.
They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee. (Mark 1: 27-28)
The crowds soon recognised the high values he placed on the common folk that they came to him in large numbers. This also brought him unto conflict. The Jewish leaders soon became concerned that their position and authority was being challenged and they were jealous of his popularity
When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. (Matt 7:28-29)
The Uniqueness of Christ’s Teaching
Many of His statements were so contrary to the Jew’s teaching and traditions that they opposed Him and eventually succeeded in having Him put to death. Likewise the Roman authorities also saw Him as a threat and became complicit in His death, being those who actually carried it out.
The followers of Jesus and the Church throughout history has suffered the same opposition and persecution. During the early years of the New Testament Church the religions of the day opposed the growth of His teaching and used unlawful and violent means to try to destroy the Church.
Two thousand years later the Church remains strong despite the intense persecution levelled against it. The record of Jesus’ life as recorded in the Gospels is constantly brought into question. His humanity is often distorted and inaccurate portrayals of His life are given. They cannot or will not accept the deity of the Lord Jesus, as did also the Jews of that first century, and led to His ultimate death. He was the perfect God man and the Gospels give a fourfold portrait of that perfect life.
The Gospel of Grace
is found - in the atonement and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, these doctrines are the two great foundational stones of the Gospel, and if either of them were denied, then the Gospel ceases to exist because the Gospel of God's grace concerns
A person - The Christ of scripture and of history
His death For our sins according to the Scriptures
His resurrection He was buried and was raised again on the
third day according to the Scriptures.
He reveals to them the Certainty of the Gospel
For if Christ did not die as an atoning sacrifice for sins, then sin has never been put away, nor God's eternal claims satisfied, and, consequently, there is no deliverance from its power and doom. And if the Resurrection were denied, then Christ failed to accomplish what He purposed to perform, for He came to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself as a Sin-offering (Heb. 9:26).
He reveals to them the “Two Great Foundational Truths of the Gospel”
These two great foundation doctrines are based upon the Scriptures of the Old Testament; and those writings being from God their testimony silenced all discussion and controversy.
Opposition to God’s Kingdom
The true Christian of the Kingdom of God living out its principles will invariably come into controversy. What issues need to be faced in our Christian life in the name of Christ?
Bible Study and Bible Outlines
Pilgrim Way Resource
Analysis of God’s Kingdom