These Are They Which Testify of Me
Over 300 Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in the life of Jesus.
Jesus believed the Old Testament prophets spoke of him.
- Matthew 5:17.
- Luke 24:27.
- Luke 24:44.
- John 5:39.
The New Testament writers believed that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies.
- Acts 3:18.
- Acts 17:2-3.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3.
This evening, we want to examine some of the prophecies of Jesus and see that they were fulfilled.
Examination of the Prophecies
- Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
- Micah 5:2.
- Matthew 2:1.
- Matthew 2:5.
- Jesus’ ministry began in Galilee.
- Isaiah 9:1-2.
- Matthew 4:13-17.
- Jesus had a ministry of miracles.
- Isaiah 33:5-6.
- Matthew 9:35.
- Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey.
- Zechariah 9:9.
- Luke 19:35-37.
- Jesus was resurrected.
- Psalm 16:10.
- Acts 2:31.
- Jesus sat down at God’s right hand.
- Psalm 110:1.
- Hebrews 1:3.
- Jesus was accused by false witnesses.
- Psalm 35:11.
- Matthew 26:59-60.
- Jesus was smitten and spat upon.
- Isaiah 50:6.
- Matthew 26:67.
- Jesus was mocked.
- Psalm 22:17-18.
- Matthew 27:42-43.
- Jesus’ hands and feet were pierced.
- Psalm 22:16.
- Luke 23:33.
- During a crucifixion, spikes were driven through the wrists [considered part of the hand in the ancient world] and feet of individuals to place them on the cross.
- Jesus was crucified with thieves.
- Isaiah 53:12.
- Matthew 27:38.
- People shook their heads at Jesus.
- Psalm 109:25.
- Matthew 27:39.
- Shaking the head was a gesture which implied there was no hope for the sufferer.
Objections
Scholars give many objections to accepting these as genuine prophecies.
Some claim that the Old Testament was doctored to add these predictions. This theory claims that the Old Testament was doctored by Jesus’ followers to make it appear as though Jesus was the Messiah. However, the Old Testament as we now have it was translated into Greek around 250 B.C. Even the latest dating of the Old Testament books have them written at least 300 years before Jesus was born.
Some claim that Jesus and his disciples faked his fulfillment of these prophecies. This would be contrary to Jesus’ moral character.
- The disciples claimed that lying was sinful (Col 3:9; Rev 21:8).
- Jesus was sinless (Jn 8:46-The question implies that none would be able to convict Jesus of sin; 1 Pet 2:22).
There is no way that Jesus could have controlled every event to fulfill prophesy–He had no control over where he was born, He could not have caused the virgin birth, he could not control who his ancestors would be.
Many claim that others have made prophecies that have come true. Jeane Dixon supposedly foretold the assassination of John Kennedy. In the May 13, 1956 issue of Parade Magazine, Jeane Dixon said, “As to the 1960 election, Mrs. Dixon thinks it will be dominated by labor and won by a Democrat. But he will be assassinated or die in office, though not necessarily in his first term.” However, we need to understand:
- The election was not dominated by labor as Mrs. Dixon predicted.
- She did not name the Democrat who would be elected.
- She did not give the date for the Presidents death.
- Three presidents had died during their terms earlier in the 20th century—William McKinley was assassinated; Warren G. Harding and Franklin Roosevelt died while in office.
- An attempt was made on the life of Harry Truman.
- Woodrow Wilson and Dwight Eisenhower were seriously ill during their tenure in office.
- She did not state how the President would die.
- She did not know in which term the President would die.
The prophecies made about Jesus are concise and to the point.
This sermon was originally preached by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Owingsville church of Christ in Owingsville, Kentucky.