001 - Jesús Proved to be the Messiah
PART 1
CHRIST; OR JESUS OF NAZARETH PROVED TO BE THE MESSIAH INTRODUCTORY REMARKS IF it be admitted, that, as a transgressor, man needs a Savior, and that one has been provided for him; then, all the evidence which establishes the personal identity of such a Savior, must be considered as invested with fearful interest. Who is he? When did he appear? What is his character?
What has he done? How is an interest in him to be secured? These, and similar questions, a serious and reflecting mind will not only propose, but desire to them all satisfactory answers. The more knowledge of the fact, that we need a Savior, however deeply felt, cannot save us: nor can any reliance, however strong, we repose in a pretended deliverer, secure our everlasting peace. In the former state of mind, we only perceive the ruin in which sin has involved us, without being rescued from such ruin. In the latter, our reliance being placed upon a false foundation, must, of course, disappoint us when the time of trial comes.
Besides, one who undertakes to rescue us from sin and death, must demand our confidence, and ought to receive both our homage and our obedience. But how can that confidence be demanded by one unknown? And how can such homage and obedience be rendered to one, whose merits and character are concealed? The very existence therefore, of spiritual character, and of a well founded hope for eternity, must depend upon a proper knowledge of Him, whom God hath sent “to destroy the works of the devil,” and “to bring in everlasting righteousness.”
What then is the nature and strength of the evidence, upon which Christians have so uniformly regarded Jesus of Nazareth, and none other, as their great Deliverer and Hope? It is known, that the Jews as a race, do not agree with Christians in this faith. It is known, that the larger portion of the world are altogether ignorant of such a person as Jesus. It is also lamentably true, that many, who are familiar with his name and history, yet reject him as a Savior. Why is it, that in distinction from all these, Christians repose their trust in Jesus, and make him, and him only, the foundation of their hope for eternity? The ground upon which such confidence is reposed in Jesus can of course be none other, than the firm conviction, that he is in truth the great Deliverer, promised to mankind from even the earliest ages. If deceived on this point, all Christians are in a dreadful delusion; and, notwithstanding their most sanguine hopes, must still be under the power of sin and the displeasure of God. On the contrary, if Christians be not deceived in their faith, and if indeed, Jesus of Nazareth be the promised Messiah, and “the only name given under heaven whereby men must be saved;” then are the rest of mankind in a most perilous and dreadful condition. Whether therefore the one or the other be in error, the evidence, which substantiates the claims of Jesus of Nazareth to Messiahship, can be considered only with the deepest interest. It is that evidence which we now proceed to exhibit.