Introduction

A. Considering that Jesus did not parade Himself as the Messiah, how is it that Peter (Matthew 16:16) and so many others—even today—have arrived at the same conclusion about this man of Galilee?

B. Let’s listen to the witnesses that testified before Peter and the rest of the world that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of the living God.

I. Jesus first calls John the Baptizer to the stand (John 5:32-35).

A. This was a man of excellent reputation (Matthew 11:11; 21:26).

B. His coming was prophesied (Malachi 4:5; Matthew 17:10-13).

C. He testified of Jesus to his own disciples and to “all men” (John 1:6-9, 34-37; 3:30).

II. Jesus now calls His own works to the stand (John 5:36).

A. Many have found these to be a compelling witness for Jesus (John 9:16; 7:31; 3:2).

B. They spoke for themselves (Luke 7:19-23; John 15:24).

C. The most convincing thing about them is that Jesus did not profit from them in any way (John 7:16-18).

III. Jesus next calls the Father to the stand (John 5:37-38).

A. The first confirmation took place at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34).

B. The second took place on the “holy mountain” (Matthew 17:1-6; 2 Peter 1:16-18).

C. The third came in Jerusalem (John 12:20-30).

IV. Jesus calls the Scriptures as His next witness (John 5:39).

A. Peter calls this “the prophetic word confirmed” (2 Peter 1:19-21).

B. The apostles often used the Scriptures to identify Jesus as the Christ (Acts 2; 8:35; 17:2-3; 26:27).

C. Jesus used them to the same end (Luke 4:16-21).

D. The Spirit bears witness of Jesus still through the eternal Word (John 15:26).

V. Jesus calls Moses to the stand next (John 5:45-47).

A. Peter appealed to this witness in attempt to convince the Jews of Jerusalem that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 3:22-23).

B. Stephen appealed to this witness in his defense of Jesus, making comparison of the two (Acts 7:34-53).

C. Paul preached from the writings of this witness to the Jews of Rome (Acts 28:23-24).

VI. Jesus later calls on the apostles to testify as well (Acts 1:8).

A. These were eye witnesses of the resurrected Lord (Acts 2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 10:41; 13:31).

B. Their testimony was authenticated by great miracles (Acts 2:4; 3:6-8; 8:6-7).

C. Their testimony is strengthened by their tremendous faith (Philippians 3:4-8; 2 Corinthians 11:22-28; 2 Timothy 4:6).

Conclusion

A. Can we call our works as a witness that we are Christians?

B. Are you making the great confession that Peter made?

C. We cannot put our faith in men, but we can put our faith in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God (Hebrews 12:1-2)!