Why do you accept Jesus as Messiah?

[loverofhumanity]

You missed the "I don't" option.

Apologies. It’s my first poll. How should I have done it?

 

[loverofhumanity]

Christ appeared to me

How did you know it was Christ?

 

[ppp]

How did you know it was Christ?

He wore a t-shirt with WWID printed on it.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Thats what I’m attempting to explore because we all believe our belief is true but how do we verify it? Science has tools to verify discoveries but what internally is it within us that tells us something is true and how do we know it’s correct? It’s intuitive I suppose?

Yeah, it’s intuitive certainly. We are all children of God and we are born, I believe, with a spiritual compass that will lead us back to God, if we let it. But rarely do we learn to use or trust it.

 

[Eyes to See]

What made you believe in Christ? No one has met Him. All we have are reported, unverified Biblical records of His earthly ministry. We cannot prove the authenticity of those records.

So what made you a devout Christian? Something you believe Jesus said or taught? How do we know what Jesus actually said when we have no written words in His handwriting? How do you authentic that Jesus spoke those words in the Gospels as He didn’t confirm His sayings in writing anywhere?

So are Christians believing in Jesus on ‘reported’ sayings and here say? If you believe in the Bible, how do you know it’s true? Evidence? Or do you just trust that it is from God and that’s that?

I voted. Haha Seem to be the only one. Jesus himself rarely revealed he was the Messiah. But someone did. It was Jehovah God. He spoke from the heaven when Jesus was baptized and said:

“This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.”-Matthew 3:17.

Never in the holy scriptures do you read Jehovah directly communicating with humankind except on three occasions this is the first. There were two other times when Jesus was on earth that Jehovah's voice thundered from heaven confirming that Jesus was his son:

Just to point out the other two times, the next was at the transfiguration, where Jesus' three closest apostles, James, John, and Peter saw a vision of Jesus in his kingdom glory, we are told that at that time: "Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying: “This is my Son, the one who has been chosen. Listen to him.”-Luke 9:35.

The third time was when Jesus was praying aloud near the end of his earthly ministry and he was shortly to die. Jehovah himself replied to his son from heaven: "Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”-John 12:28.

Now there were a lot of people around to hear this this was there reaction:

"The crowd that was standing there heard it and began to say that it had thundered. Others said: “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered: “This voice has occurred, not for my sake, but for your sakes."-John 12:29-30.

Jesus was glorified by his heavenly Father Jehovah. I believe the gospel accounts. There are many reasons to do so. Never has such a man been invented by any humans. Jesus was everything this world does not glorify. He was kind, patient, humble, unassuming, loving, humble, he said of himself:

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves.  For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.”-Matthew 11:29-30.

The message of the Bible and the gospel is all in harmony. Genesis 3:15 talks of the coming of the Messiah, or Christ, the entire Hebrew Aramaic scriptures have to do with God preparing the way for the Messiah, including hundreds of prophecies about him. He fulfilled all of them.

Think about this, even today writers cannot remain in agreement on things, you look at fictional universes, such as the Marvel Universe, Star Trek, Star Wars, no one can keep canon in their writings even within a few years of decades. The Bible canon is kept over a period of over 1,500 years by over 40 different writers of all types and none of them conflict with each other. Sure you have critics and skeptics that scour the scriptures and then twist them or misinterpret them to show a conflict, but if you study their so-called errors, you find they really didn't do as much reasoning as they should have.

Jesus did ask the question, when he returned would he really find the faith on the earth:

"Nevertheless, when the Son of man arrives, will he really find this faith on the earth?”-Luke 18:8. The answer is yes. There are millions of true Christian witnesses of Jehovah and Jesus Christ!.


I can share something with you. Not everyone believed in Jesus while he was on earth performing miracles. Even one of his own apostles, Thomas, doubted he was really resurrected. Jesus had to materialize a human body and show Thomas holes in his hands and Thomas exclaimed: "My Lord and my God!" Jesus replied: “Because you have seen me, have you believed? Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.”-John 20:28-29.

Jesus said that no one could come to him unless the Father first draws that person:

“This is why I have said to you, no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”-John 6:65.

So really faith in Jesus is only allowed by Jehovah God. Everyone whom Jehovah draws as his witnesses he has personally selected from among humankind. How does he draw a person? By opening their hearts to listen and understand the truths found in God's word by means of his holy spirit. The holy spirit is the most powerful force in existence, it comes from Jehovah God, nothing can defy it, there is no will or power that can withstand it.

So the real answer to your question, why does a servant of the true God believe in his word and have faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world? It is simply the fact that Jehovah opens that person's eyes, his heart and mind wide open to discern the truths from his word. And when this happens it is a most beautiful and wonderful thing to experience and to witness.

Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ are alive in heaven. They are very active in earth's affairs. Jehovah answers prayers, he moves mountains for those searching for him. I have had powerful prayers answered, I have seen the good hand of God demonstrated in powerful ways in my life. And I have also had the witness of the holy spirit bear witness with my spirit by means of Christ Jesus. He is my friend and leader, and Jehovah God is my friend and God.

From my personal experience I can bear witness, and give testimony of truth that Jehovah does exist and is the hearer of prayer, and that Jesus Christ is the head of the Christian congregation. And he looks upon us with his eyes, ever guiding us as a good shepherd:

"“I will give you insight and instruct you in the way you should go.
I will give you advice with my eye upon you."
-Psalm 32:8.

There are many many scriptures that are being fulfilled, so many prophecies in our days, and many more are soon to be fulfilled!

Jesus Christ says to his chosen anointed and adopted brothers and sisters who are alive on earth:

"Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’"-Revelation 2:7.

"Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life.  Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: The one who conquers will by no means be harmed by the second death.’"-Revelation 2:10-11.

“‘Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white pebble, and written on the pebble is a new name that no one knows except the one receiving it.’"-Revelation 2:17.

"And to the one who conquers and observes my deeds down to the end, I will give authority over the nations,  and he will shepherd the people with an iron rod so that they will be broken to pieces like clay vessels, just as I have received from my Father.  And I will give him the morning star.  Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations.’"-Revelation 2:26-29.

 

[Colt]

What made you believe in Christ? No one has met Him. All we have are reported, unverified Biblical records of His earthly ministry. We cannot prove the authenticity of those records.

So what made you a devout Christian? Something you believe Jesus said or taught? How do we know what Jesus actually said when we have no written words in His handwriting? How do you authentic that Jesus spoke those words in the Gospels as He didn’t confirm His sayings in writing anywhere?

So are Christians believing in Jesus on ‘reported’ sayings and here say? If you believe in the Bible, how do you know it’s true? Evidence? Or do you just trust that it is from God and that’s that?

Jesus was the Son of God not the Jewish Messiah. The problem wasn't Jesus, the problem was that false expectations developed within Judaism about what a Messiah was going to do. Jesus did not fulfill the requirements of the Messiah.

 

[Hermit Philosopher]

I accept Jesus because when I read his teachings and put them to test by trying to live by them, my life - and perspective on life - changed, just as it said in NT that it would.

“Proof” is not in the title or name of a teacher, but in the fruits of the actions they teach.


Humbly
Hermit

 

[ppp]

I accept Jesus because when I read his teachings and put them to test by trying to live by them, my life - and perspective on life - changed, just as it said in NT that it would.

“Proof” is not in the title or name of a teacher, but in the fruits of the actions they teach.


Humbly
Hermit

But that is only evidence that you read something that made your life better/ Not that the words came from a god.

 

[Hermit Philosopher]

But that is only evidence that you read something that made your life better/ Not that the words came from a god.

You are not wrong there, but I read the question to be about why I believe that Jesus (and not other biblical/non-biblical figures) is the Messiah.


Humbly
Hermit

 

[ppp]

You are not wrong there, but I read the question to be about why I believe that Jesus (and not other biblical/non-biblical figures) is the Messiah.


Humbly
Hermit

Yep. That is how I read the question, too. I was basically asking why you would read a book, get some helpful advice, and from that conclude that the guy the writer is talking about is a supernatural being. I've read a lot of books with some good advise sprinkled through them, including the Bible. I don't see the connection between good advice and "he's a god"

 

[Hermit Philosopher]

Yep. That is how I read the question, too. I was basically asking why you would read a book, get some helpful advice, and from that conclude that the guy the writer is talking about is a supernatural being. I've read a lot of books with some good advise sprinkled through them, including the Bible. I don't see the connection between good advice and "he's a god"

Yes, I see how you mean. My answer would be a long one though… I’ll try to put it into words and if it does not make for too boring a read, I’ll post it for you later.


Humbly
Hermit

 

[Kenny]

What made you believe in Christ? No one has met Him. All we have are reported, unverified Biblical records of His earthly ministry. We cannot prove the authenticity of those records.

So what made you a devout Christian? Something you believe Jesus said or taught? How do we know what Jesus actually said when we have no written words in His handwriting? How do you authentic that Jesus spoke those words in the Gospels as He didn’t confirm His sayings in writing anywhere?

So are Christians believing in Jesus on ‘reported’ sayings and here say? If you believe in the Bible, how do you know it’s true? Evidence? Or do you just trust that it is from God and that’s that?

I like the other side of the coin of questions:

Why shouldn't I believe that He is the Christ? With those who did meet him, why shouldn't I believe their report? We believe in Shakespeare's writings but have less info that that of scriptures, why should we not believe in the scriptures? If His word never returns void and we find His words prospering wherein it is sent, why doubt it?

So when I said "Either the Bible is false or it is true, I will start with it is true and test the sucker. I will find out if it is false soon enough", and I haven't found it to be false, why should I stop believing?

So, I am happy with what I believe although I am fine with others deciding to believe differently.

 

[loverofhumanity]

Yeah, it’s intuitive certainly. We are all children of God and we are born, I believe, with a spiritual compass that will lead us back to God, if we let it. But rarely do we learn to use or trust it.

I agree that there must be an inbuilt mechanism, antenna, instinct which can lead us to God, but I’m thinking that we need to use it in conjunction with reason otherwise it could lead us to superstition instead of reality.

 

[loverofhumanity]

I voted. Haha Seem to be the only one. Jesus himself rarely revealed he was the Messiah. But someone did. It was Jehovah God. He spoke from the heaven when Jesus was baptized and said:

“This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.”-Matthew 3:17.

Never in the holy scriptures do you read Jehovah directly communicating with humankind except on three occasions this is the first. There were two other times when Jesus was on earth that Jehovah's voice thundered from heaven confirming that Jesus was his son:

Just to point out the other two times, the next was at the transfiguration, where Jesus' three closest apostles, James, John, and Peter saw a vision of Jesus in his kingdom glory, we are told that at that time: "Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying: “This is my Son, the one who has been chosen. Listen to him.”-Luke 9:35.

The third time was when Jesus was praying aloud near the end of his earthly ministry and he was shortly to die. Jehovah himself replied to his son from heaven: "Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”-John 12:28.

Now there were a lot of people around to hear this this was there reaction:

"The crowd that was standing there heard it and began to say that it had thundered. Others said: “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered: “This voice has occurred, not for my sake, but for your sakes."-John 12:29-30.

Jesus was glorified by his heavenly Father Jehovah. I believe the gospel accounts. There are many reasons to do so. Never has such a man been invented by any humans. Jesus was everything this world does not glorify. He was kind, patient, humble, unassuming, loving, humble, he said of himself:

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves.  For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.”-Matthew 11:29-30.

The message of the Bible and the gospel is all in harmony. Genesis 3:15 talks of the coming of the Messiah, or Christ, the entire Hebrew Aramaic scriptures have to do with God preparing the way for the Messiah, including hundreds of prophecies about him. He fulfilled all of them.

Think about this, even today writers cannot remain in agreement on things, you look at fictional universes, such as the Marvel Universe, Star Trek, Star Wars, no one can keep canon in their writings even within a few years of decades. The Bible canon is kept over a period of over 1,500 years by over 40 different writers of all types and none of them conflict with each other. Sure you have critics and skeptics that scour the scriptures and then twist them or misinterpret them to show a conflict, but if you study their so-called errors, you find they really didn't do as much reasoning as they should have.

Jesus did ask the question, when he returned would he really find the faith on the earth:

"Nevertheless, when the Son of man arrives, will he really find this faith on the earth?”-Luke 18:8. The answer is yes. There are millions of true Christian witnesses of Jehovah and Jesus Christ!.


I can share something with you. Not everyone believed in Jesus while he was on earth performing miracles. Even one of his own apostles, Thomas, doubted he was really resurrected. Jesus had to materialize a human body and show Thomas holes in his hands and Thomas exclaimed: "My Lord and my God!" Jesus replied: “Because you have seen me, have you believed? Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.”-John 20:28-29.

Jesus said that no one could come to him unless the Father first draws that person:

“This is why I have said to you, no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”-John 6:65.

So really faith in Jesus is only allowed by Jehovah God. Everyone whom Jehovah draws as his witnesses he has personally selected from among humankind. How does he draw a person? By opening their hearts to listen and understand the truths found in God's word by means of his holy spirit. The holy spirit is the most powerful force in existence, it comes from Jehovah God, nothing can defy it, there is no will or power that can withstand it.

So the real answer to your question, why does a servant of the true God believe in his word and have faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world? It is simply the fact that Jehovah opens that person's eyes, his heart and mind wide open to discern the truths from his word. And when this happens it is a most beautiful and wonderful thing to experience and to witness.

Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ are alive in heaven. They are very active in earth's affairs. Jehovah answers prayers, he moves mountains for those searching for him. I have had powerful prayers answered, I have seen the good hand of God demonstrated in powerful ways in my life. And I have also had the witness of the holy spirit bear witness with my spirit by means of Christ Jesus. He is my friend and leader, and Jehovah God is my friend and God.

From my personal experience I can bear witness, and give testimony of truth that Jehovah does exist and is the hearer of prayer, and that Jesus Christ is the head of the Christian congregation. And he looks upon us with his eyes, ever guiding us as a good shepherd:

"“I will give you insight and instruct you in the way you should go.
I will give you advice with my eye upon you."
-Psalm 32:8.

There are many many scriptures that are being fulfilled, so many prophecies in our days, and many more are soon to be fulfilled!

Jesus Christ says to his chosen anointed and adopted brothers and sisters who are alive on earth:

"Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’"-Revelation 2:7.

"Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life.  Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: The one who conquers will by no means be harmed by the second death.’"-Revelation 2:10-11.

“‘Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white pebble, and written on the pebble is a new name that no one knows except the one receiving it.’"-Revelation 2:17.

"And to the one who conquers and observes my deeds down to the end, I will give authority over the nations,  and he will shepherd the people with an iron rod so that they will be broken to pieces like clay vessels, just as I have received from my Father.  And I will give him the morning star.  Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations.’"-Revelation 2:26-29.

Thanks for your explanations and for voting. Just one question. How do you know that what you read in the Bible is true or accurate or what really happened?

What tells you that the Bible is true? Is it a feeling or thought?

 

[loverofhumanity]

Jesus was the Son of God not the Jewish Messiah. The problem wasn't Jesus, the problem was that false expectations developed within Judaism about what a Messiah was going to do. Jesus did not fulfill the requirements of the Messiah.

How do you know this based on which facts?

 

[Colt]

How do you know this based on which facts?

From the Jewish perspective:

The concept of the Messiah has its foundation in our Jewish Bible, the Tanach, which teaches that all of the following criteria must be fulfilled before any person can be acknowledged as the Messiah:

Reason #1 – The Messiah must be from the Tribe of Judah and a Descendant of King David AND King Solomon – Jesus did not qualify.

The Messiah must be a member of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10) and a direct descendant of King David & King Solomon (2 Samuel 7:12-14; 1 Chronicles 22:9-10). Genealogy in the Bible is only passed down from father to son (Numbers 1:1-18).

There is no evidence that Jesus really had this pedigree, and the Christian Bible actually claims that he did not have a “birth-father” from the tribe of Judah descending from King David and King Solomon (Matt. 1:18-20).

Reason #2 – Ingathering of the Jewish Exiles – Jesus did not do this.

When the Messiah is reigning as King of Israel, the Jews will be ingathered from their exile and will return to Israel, their homeland (Deut. 30:3; Isaiah 11:11-12; Jeremiah 30:3, 32:37; Ezekiel 11:17, 36:24).
This has clearly not yet happened and we still await its fulfillment.

Reason #3– Rebuilding of the Holy Temple – Jesus failed to achieve this.

The Temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt (Isaiah 2:2-3, 56:6-7, 60:7, 66:20; Ezekiel 37:26–27; Malachi 3:4; Zech. 14:20-21).

The Temple was still standing in Jesus’ day. It was destroyed 38 years after Jesus’ crucifixion and it has not yet been rebuilt.

Reason #4– Worldwide Reign of Peace – Jesus did not accomplish this.

There will be universal disarmament and worldwide peace with a complete end to war (Micah 4:1-4; Hoseah 2:20; Isaiah 2:1-4, 60:18).

Wars have increased dramatically in the world since the start of Christianity.

Reason #5 – Observance of the Torah Embraced by All Jews – Jesus didn’t bring this about.

The Messiah will reign as King at a time when all the Jewish people will observe G-d’s commandments (Ezekiel 37:24; Deut. 30:8,10; Jeremiah 31:32; Ezekiel 11:19-20, 36:26-27).

Jesus never ruled as King, nor have all Jews embraced the commandments of G-d’s Torah.

Reason #6 – Universal Knowledge of G-d – Jesus clearly failed here also.

The Messiah will rule at a time when all the people of the world will come to acknowledge and serve the one true G-d (Zechariah 3:9, 8:23,14:9,16; Isaiah 45:23, 66:23; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 38:23; Psalm 86:9; Zeph. 3:9).

This, as well, has not yet taken place and we await its fulfillment.

No matter how many unusual & miraculous things Jesus seems to accomplish in the New Testament, he doesn't fulfill even one of the 6 criteria by which the Nation of Israel can recognize him as the true Jewish Messiah.

 

[loverofhumanity]

I like the other side of the coin of questions:

Why shouldn't I believe that He is the Christ? With those who did meet him, why shouldn't I believe their report? We believe in Shakespeare's writings but have less info that that of scriptures, why should we not believe in the scriptures? If His word never returns void and we find His words prospering wherein it is sent, why doubt it?

So when I said "Either the Bible is false or it is true, I will start with it is true and test the sucker. I will find out if it is false soon enough", and I haven't found it to be false, why should I stop believing?

So, I am happy with what I believe although I am fine with others deciding to believe differently.

So you test it to find out about it’s validity? That sounds very reasonable as well as scientific. Good job. I think if we don’t investigate something then we could miss out.

 

[MyM]

What made you believe in Christ? No one has met Him. All we have are reported, unverified Biblical records of His earthly ministry. We cannot prove the authenticity of those records.

So what made you a devout Christian? Something you believe Jesus said or taught? How do we know what Jesus actually said when we have no written words in His handwriting? How do you authentic that Jesus spoke those words in the Gospels as He didn’t confirm His sayings in writing anywhere?

So are Christians believing in Jesus on ‘reported’ sayings and here say? If you believe in the Bible, how do you know it’s true? Evidence? Or do you just trust that it is from God and that’s that?

In Islam, we believe he is the Messeeh because Allah says so in the Quran and Muslims believe the Quran to be the last and final message to mankind from Allah.

I was also born and raised in a Christian household so it kinda was easy for me to believe in Jesus as the Messiah first. Then when I came to Islam, I totally believed he was a mighty messenger of Allah (pbuh) and all things were good

 

[Eyes to See]

Thanks for your explanations and for voting. Just one question. How do you know that what you read in the Bible is true or accurate or what really happened?

What tells you that the Bible is true? Is it a feeling or thought?

You can study history, archeology, and the Bible itself. It's teachings benefit you no matter who you are, they make you a better person. It's prophecies are reliable and accurate, they come true 100% of the time. It speaks of real events and real people in real places in specifics which archaeology has time and again proven to be accurate. It is all canon and in agreement. It claims to be from a superhuman source, Jehovah God claims to be its author, and it has proven itself to be more than just human wisdom. It's words apply as well today as they did in the past. It has survived the test of time, and extreme enemies who have tried to snuff it out of existence. And it has survived unchanged over that time period.

 

[ppp]

It's prophecies are reliable and accurate, they come true 100% of the time.

Tyre