ALL REFERENCES TO MESSIAH IN THE OT

Joseph Luna said:

[one] the way to find [nearly]every old testament reference whether direct or indirect that points to Jesus Christ as the Messiah.

I used the Sermon Starter Guide on Jesus, and under the section of Thematic Outlines, and then under the heading "the Coming of Messiah", and also the heading "Jesus, the Christ".

 

   Jesus the Christ

Synopsis

“Christ” means “Messiah” or “anointed one”. As the Christ, Jesus is the one who fulfils all OT expectations. Paul’s phrase “in Christ” indicates the intimate relationship between Jesus Christ and his people.

The Christ as the anointed one

The act of anointing in the OT

1 Sa 16:13 Anointing symbolises God’s calling and being equipped by his Spirit.

1 Samuel 16:13 (ESV) — 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

See also Ex 40:15; Le 8:12; 1 Sa 10:1; 1 Ki 1:39

Exodus 40:15 (ESV) — 15 and anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may serve me as priests. And their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.”

Leviticus 8:12 (ESV) — 12 And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.

1 Samuel 10:1 (ESV) — 1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you to be prince over his heritage.

1 Kings 1:39 (ESV) — 39 There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”

Anointed OT leaders

Priests:

Ex 29:7; Le 4:3; Le 4:5; Le 6:20; Le 16:32

Exodus 29:7 (ESV) — 7 You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him.

Leviticus 4:3 (ESV) — 3 if it is the anointed priest who sins, thus bringing guilt on the people, then he shall offer for the sin that he has committed a bull from the herd without blemish to the Lord for a sin offering.

Leviticus 4:5 (ESV) — 5 And the anointed priest shall take some of the blood of the bull and bring it into the tent of meeting,

Leviticus 6:20 (ESV) — 20 “This is the offering that Aaron and his sons shall offer to the Lord on the day when he is anointed: a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a regular grain offering, half of it in the morning and half in the evening.

Leviticus 16:32 (ESV) — 32 And the priest who is anointed and consecrated as priest in his father’s place shall make atonement, wearing the holy linen garments.

Kings:

1 Sa 24:6; 1 Sa 24:10; 1 Sa 26:9; 1 Sa 26:11; 1 Sa 26:16; 1 Sa 26:23; Ps 18:50; Ps 20:6; Ps 132:10

1 Samuel 24:6 (ESV) — 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed.”

1 Samuel 24:10 (ESV) — 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’

1 Samuel 26:9 (ESV) — 9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?”

1 Samuel 26:11 (ESV) — 11 The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go.”

1 Samuel 26:16 (ESV) — 16 This thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the Lord’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is and the jar of water that was at his head.”

1 Samuel 26:23 (ESV) — 23 The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.

Psalm 18:50 (ESV) — 50 Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.

Psalm 20:6 (ESV) — 6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.

Psalm 132:10 (ESV) — 10 For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed one.

The OT promise of a future anointed leader

Is 11:1–2

Isaiah 11:1–2 (ESV) — 1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

See also Is 42:1; Je 23:5–6

Isaiah 42:1 (ESV) — 1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.

Jeremiah 23:5–6 (ESV) — 5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

Jesus’ own claims to be the Christ

Jn 4:25–26

John 4:25–26 (ESV) — 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

See also Mt 23:10; Mt 26:63–64; Jn 10:24–25

Matthew 23:10 (ESV) — 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.

Matthew 26:63–64 (ESV) — 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

John 10:24–25 (ESV) — 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me,

Jesus recognised as the Christ

Mt 16:16

Matthew 16:16 (ESV) — 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

See also Lk 2:26–32; Lk 4:41; Jn 1:41–42; Jn 11:27

Luke 2:26–32 (ESV) — 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Luke 4:41 (ESV) — 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

John 1:41–42 (ESV) — 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

John 11:27 (ESV) — 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Jesus’ demand that his identity as the Christ should not be publicised

Mt 16:20 Jesus’ reluctance to be known as the Christ is probably due to Jewish misunderstandings of the Messiah’s true role.

Matthew 16:20 (ESV) — 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

See also Mt 12:16; Lk 4:41

Matthew 12:16 (ESV) — 16 and ordered them not to make him known.

Luke 4:41 (ESV) — 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

Grounds for affirming Jesus as the Christ

Jesus Christ’s birth in Bethlehem

Mt 2:4–6

Matthew 2:4–6 (ESV) — 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

See also Mic 5:2; Lk 2:4–7

Micah 5:2 (ESV) — 2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Luke 2:4–7 (ESV) — 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Jesus Christ’s spiritual anointing from God

Ac 10:38

Acts 10:38 (ESV) — 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

See also Mt 3:16; Jn 3:34; Ac 4:27

Matthew 3:16 (ESV) — 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;

John 3:34 (ESV) — 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.

Acts 4:27 (ESV) — 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,

Jesus Christ’s proclamation of Jubilee

Lk 4:17–21

Luke 4:17–21 (ESV) — 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

See also Is 61:1–2 Isaiah’s words are borrowed from the language of the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus chapter 25), which was to be a time when true freedom was restored.

Isaiah 61:1–2 (ESV) — 1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

Jesus Christ’s healing ministry

Mt 8:16–17

Matthew 8:16–17 (ESV) — 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

See also Is 53:4; Mt 11:2–5; Jn 7:31

Isaiah 53:4 (ESV) — 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

Matthew 11:2–5 (ESV) — 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

John 7:31 (ESV) — 31 Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”

Jesus Christ’s prophetic ministry

Jn 4:29

John 4:29 (ESV) — 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”

See also Mt 21:45–46; Mt 26:67–68; Jn 4:19; Jn 7:26

Matthew 21:45–46 (ESV) — 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

Matthew 26:67–68 (ESV) — 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

John 4:19 (ESV) — 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.

John 7:26 (ESV) — 26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ?

Jesus Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection

Lk 24:26

Luke 24:26 (ESV) — 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

See also Lk 24:46; Ac 3:18; Ac 17:3; Ac 26:23; 1 Pe 1:11

Luke 24:46 (ESV) — 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,

Acts 3:18 (ESV) — 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.

Acts 17:3 (ESV) — 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”

Acts 26:23 (ESV) — 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

1 Peter 1:11 (ESV) — 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.

Jesus Christ’s fulfilment of prophecy

2 Co 1:20

2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV) — 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

See also Mt 1:22–23; Is 7:14; Mt 26:21–24; Ps 41:9; Mt 21:4–7; Zec 9:9; Mt 21:8–9; Ps 118:26; Ac 2:22–36

Matthew 1:22–23 (ESV) — 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV) — 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 26:21–24 (ESV) — 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

Psalm 41:9 (ESV) — 9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

Matthew 21:4–7 (ESV) — 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them.

Zechariah 9:9 (ESV) — 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Matthew 21:8–9 (ESV) — 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Psalm 118:26 (ESV) — 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.

Acts 2:22–36 (ESV) — 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

God’s establishment of Jesus Christ as king

Lk 1:32–33

Luke 1:32–33 (ESV) — 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

See also Ps 2:6–7; Is 9:6; Lk 22:29

Psalm 2:6–7 (ESV) — 6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) — 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 22:29 (ESV) — 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom,

Messianic titles used of Jesus

Son of David

Mt 1:1; Mt 15:22; Mt 21:9; Mt 20:30–31; 2 Ti 2:8

Matthew 1:1 (ESV) — 1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Matthew 15:22 (ESV) — 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”

Matthew 21:9 (ESV) — 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Matthew 20:30–31 (ESV) — 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

2 Timothy 2:8 (ESV) — 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,

Son of God

Mt 14:33; Mt 27:54; Jn 1:34

Matthew 14:33 (ESV) — 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 27:54 (ESV) — 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

John 1:34 (ESV) — 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

The Prophet

Mt 21:11; Jn 6:14; Jn 7:40

Matthew 21:11 (ESV) — 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

John 6:14 (ESV) — 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

John 7:40 (ESV) — 40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.”

King of the Jews

Mt 2:2; Mt 27:37; Mk 15:32; Jn 12:13

Matthew 2:2 (ESV) — 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 27:37 (ESV) — 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

Mark 15:32 (ESV) — 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

John 12:13 (ESV) — 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”

High priest

Heb 2:17; Heb 4:14–15; Heb 5:5; Heb 6:20; Heb 7:26; Heb 8:1

Hebrews 2:17 (ESV) — 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 4:14–15 (ESV) — 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 5:5 (ESV) — 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”;

Hebrews 6:20 (ESV) — 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:26 (ESV) — 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

Hebrews 8:1 (ESV) — 1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Israel’s rejection of Jesus as the Christ

Jesus’ messiahship was largely rejected by the Jews

Mt 27:22

Matthew 27:22 (ESV) — 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!”

See also Jn 1:11; Jn 8:13; Jn 11:37; Ac 7:52–53; Ac 17:3–5

John 1:11 (ESV) — 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

John 8:13 (ESV) — 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.”

John 11:37 (ESV) — 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”

Acts 7:52–53 (ESV) — 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

Acts 17:3–5 (ESV) — 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.

Jesus was accused of blasphemy because of his claims to be the Christ

Mk 14:61–64

Mark 14:61–64 (ESV) — 61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death.

That Jesus is the Christ is a central Christian belief

Jn 20:31

John 20:31 (ESV) — 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

See also Jn 11:27; 1 Jn 5:1

John 11:27 (ESV) — 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

1 John 5:1 (ESV) — 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

The apostles’ message was that Jesus is the Christ

Ac 5:42

Acts 5:42 (ESV) — 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

See also Ac 2:36; Ac 9:22; Ac 10:38; Ac 18:5; Ac 18:28

Acts 2:36 (ESV) — 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Acts 9:22 (ESV) — 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

Acts 10:38 (ESV) — 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Acts 18:5 (ESV) — 5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.

Acts 18:28 (ESV) — 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

Jesus Christ is the representative head of the church

Baptism is into Christ

Ga 3:27

Galatians 3:27 (ESV) — 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

See also Ac 2:38; Ac 10:48; Ro 6:3

Acts 2:38 (ESV) — 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:48 (ESV) — 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Romans 6:3 (ESV) — 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Jesus Christ lives within believers

Ga 2:20

Galatians 2:20 (ESV) — 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

See also Ro 6:8; Ro 8:1; Ro 16:7; 1 Co 1:30; Eph 1:13; Col 3:1

Romans 6:8 (ESV) — 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Romans 8:1 (ESV) — 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 16:7 (ESV) — 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV) — 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

Ephesians 1:13 (ESV) — 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

Colossians 3:1 (ESV) — 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.