The New Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Student Workbook, SW13

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T H E N E W T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

The Messiah Vindicated

Welcome in the strong name of Jesus Christ! After your reading, study, discussion, and application of the materials in this lesson, you will be able to: • Recite the basic facts related to the significance of the resurrection of Messiah Jesus, and how the entire credibility of our theology, faith, and ministry is based on the historical certainty of Jesus having been raised from the dead. • Provide a listing of the various appearances of Jesus, beginning with his resurrection at the tomb up until his appearance to the Apostles at the Sea of Galilee. • Cite biblical evidence to show the vindication of the Messianic identity of Jesus Christ through the apostolic testimony that he has been raised from the dead. • State briefly how the Great Commission serves as a continuing vindication of Jesus’ identity as Messiah, and the importance of this commission as it relates both to the fulfillment of prophecy as well as to global mission. • Show how the Great Commission was repeated in Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances, and how Jesus demonstrated his resurrection to the Apostles during a forty-day period of manifestation. • Argue for the importance and relevance of the ascension of Christ as the final historical sign which gives evidence that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah of God.

Lesson Objectives

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He Is Not Here. He Is Risen

Devotion

Read Mark 16.1-8 . Can you imagine the level of brokenness and shattered spirits of the apostolic party following the crucifixion of Jesus? All their hopes and dreams, all their expectations for a new Kingdom, the restoration of Israel, the transformation of the earth, and the establishment of God’s Kingdom–in a single weekend was brought down in a massive pile of unjust, murderous hatred poured out on Jesus. The one they were convinced would change it all, for good, forever, was tragically