Investigating the Man who claimed to be God: Jesus of Nazareth

It is no secret that the Philippines is cited as one of the world’s most “Christian” countries. A US-based Pew Research Center has recently found in its study that there are about 86.8 million Filipinos—or 93 percent of a total population of 93.3 million—adhering to the teachings of Jesus Christ. This country is the largest “Christian” country in Asia and the 5^th largest in the world following the United States (246.8 million), Brazil (175.8 mil) It is no secret that the Philippines is cited as one of the world’s most “Christian” countries.).

Many people in this country, especially in our culture and age, profess to follow Jesus; yet there is a stark contrast to what they profess and what is actually being lived out in their lives. Many claim to know God but what is observed from their lives is actually the absence thereof—no God.

Jesus of Nazareth has become one of the most infamous figures in all of history, an iconoclast in his popularity, influence, work, and teachings. Still, much of who he is and what he did is still incredibly unknown, foregone, and misunderstood.

The point of the matter is… we need to go back to who this Jesus of Nazareth really is and what he did to prove his claims. There is a need to adhere to the scriptures to examine data and apparent evidence in order to come to a final conclusion and decision as to whether or not we believe in this man who claimed to be God or dismiss him as another infamous character in myth or history.

This five-week series is a 2000 year old ‘investigation’ into the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth, one who claimed to be God-incarnate and the appointed Messiah of the world. For those of us who know of Jesus, this would be a great opportunity for you to bolster your knowledge of him and as Dr. Tim Keller would put it, “to doubt your doubts” and healthily question your beliefs and convictions.

All throughout the gospel accounts you will find Jesus’ recurring question: “WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?” (Mark 8:29/ Matthew16:13/ Luke9:18). I guess the only question that remains to be answered is,

“Who do YOU say that JESUS IS?”

*Drop by @FridayNightLight starting this October 18, 8pm onwards at the third floor of A.Venue Mall in Makati Avenue and join us for this momentous five-week series that will strive to get straight answers from both the scriptures by way of exegesis and historical accounts of Jesus’ person, teachings, and works. See you then!

References:

(http://globalnation.inquirer.net/21233/philippines-still-top-christian-country-in-asia-5th-in-world#ixzz2hy7EyaKU)