The Importance of Sound Doctrine

Since yesterday, I have had people tell me publicly “Rachel, you are asking questions, I want to know the answers to myself.”

Yesterday, the Council of Bishops allowed Karen Oliveto a chance to preach a sermon. As many of you will remember Oliveto is the Bishop who interpreted Jesus testing the Canaanite woman’s faith as His conversion story and people sadly bought it. However, while that interpretation is a heresy, so is the fact that Oliveto is an out, loud and proud lesbian and sadly holding the office of Bishop. 

This does not negate that God’s holy word, calls all manner of sexual immorality a sin. The Bible consistently tells us that homosexual activity is a sin (Genesis 19:1-13; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). Romans 1:26-27 teaches specifically that homosexuality is a result of denying and disobeying God. When people continue in sin and unbelief, God “gives them over” to even more wicked and depraved sin in order to show them the futility and hopelessness of life apart from God. 1 Corinthians 6:9 proclaims that homosexual “offenders” will not inherit the kingdom of God. Our (Methodist) Book of Discipline states that “Sexual relations are affirmed only with the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage.” By the very definition of sexual relationships we see that Oliveto is not following even a simple statement.

One simply cannot continue in sin and serve God. Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else, he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. This brings me to my next point…if we have a Bishop within the Methodist church who serves two masters, is she capable of sound doctrine?

As Christians, sound doctrine is important. Paul charges Titus with “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1)—Sound doctrine at the time of Titus was the Old Testament scriptures. 

But why is sound doctrine so important?

• Sound doctrine is important because our faith is based on a specific message. "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures [and] . . . he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). This is the unambiguous good news, and it is “of first importance.” Change that message, and the basis of faith shifts from Christ to something else. Our eternal destiny depends upon hearing “the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Ephesians 1:3; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

• Sound doctrine is important because the gospel is a sacred trust, and we dare not tamper with God’s communication to the world.  Our duty is to deliver the message, not to change it. See Jude 1:3; Philippians 1:27. Also see Revelation 22:18-19 and 2 Timothy 1:13.

• Sound doctrine is important because what we believe affects what we do. In one of the Bible’s lists of sins, things like rebellion, murder, lying, and slave trading are mentioned. The list concludes with “whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:9-10). In other words, true teaching promotes righteousness; sin flourishes where “the sound doctrine” is opposed.

• Sound doctrine is important because we must ascertain truth in a world of falsehood. “Many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). There are tares among the wheat and wolves among the flock (Matthew 13:25; Acts 20:29). The best way to distinguish truth from falsehood is to know what the truth is.

• Sound doctrine is important because the end of sound doctrine is life. “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16). The end of unsound doctrine is destruction. “Certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only sovereign and Lord” (Jude 1:4). Changing God’s message of grace is a “godless” thing to do, and the condemnation for such a deed is severe. Preaching another gospel (“which is really no gospel at all”) carries an anathema: “let him be eternally condemned!” (see Galatians 1:6-9).

• Sound doctrine is important because it encourages believers.  (Psalm 119:165; Isaiah52:7) A pastor “must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Titus 1:9).

“Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set” (Proverbs 22:28, NKJV). If we can apply this to sound doctrine, the lesson is that we must preserve it intact. May we never stray from “the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).

Truth be told, we may not like it and we may not want to admit it, but a Bishop that is living out her sinful desires and remaining unrepentant isn’t someone we need to have serve us as a Church; we must CLING to sound doctrine and remain faithful to the Words of God.

Bullet Points from: The Moody Handbook of Theology by Paul Enns

Picking your battles...2 Timothy 2:23 and Matthew 10:14-15

I often use Paltalk, a internet program that uses rooms with an "owner" to speak to people around the world. Many times these people are kind and are just out there looking for someone to talk to on any manner of topic. Usually I speak to people in the "Christian" rooms, but one thing I have noticed about the "Christian" rooms are there are few truly Christian people.

So this week I chose to just sit back and listen to how many people actually speak the gospel; how many truly speak about the Bible with Biblical truth. Well taking my Pastor's advice, I tried to decide if I speak up, or just let people sit under false teaching. I also took the advice of my friend Melinda and worked on patience. I was doing good. I sat there for about an hour, until I couldn't take it any longer. Someone asked this person if he was a Christian and he said "Nope, I don't believe in God--I just like to teach about God." Wait what? You don't believe in God, but you think suddenly you can teach about God?

I am sorry, maybe I am missing something, but I don't think there is a text book on God. I mean I used to laugh when my friend Christine used to say "Rachel, you have a degree in God!"; to me there was nothing further from the truth. I have a degree in Biblical Studies, but that is hardly a degree in God. (I really miss our conversations.)

After about 10 minutes of listening to this man expound on God, I raised the question again, "are you a Christian?" Again the man said, "No, I am an atheist." Then he went on to say "The Bible is fallible because it was written by men." That was it! I couldn't handle it. I raised my hand and said "Sir, the Bible was inspired by God's holy spirit" and before I could finish, he started interrupting what I was saying. I finally asked him, "was I respectful while you were talking?" He said "Yes, but..." before he could finish his thought I said "Then please respect me." The owner of the room said "He's welcome here." I said "I never said he wasn't, but we've been respectful; and I am asking for the same respect." The owner said "Well you need to let him speak." I felt righteous anger rising in me and I said "If you want him here, that is fine. I will leave, I can't believe people who are saying they are Christians would rather listen to the 'truth' as told by someone who doesn't even believe the Bible." And immediately I closed the room down and my heart was broken.

So while I do agree that I could do better on picking my battles, and also do better with patience, I am reminded of the verse that says "Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels." 2 Timothy 2:23.

So to remove myself from the room was my way of having nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies. However, I will encourage Christians to always stand for their beliefs, however, as Matthew 10:14-15 says "14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town."


The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), 2 Ti 2:23.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Mt 10:14–15.

Kregel Book Review: The Mentoring Church

The Mentoring Church is a book that has been needed for the past 30 years. In the church, we have been so focused on church growth that we have forgotten to look at discipleship and mentoring new Christians to take on the yoke of ministry.

One thing that we forget is that leaders are the beginning of mentorships. The disciples were mentored by Jesus, the early churches by Paul and then the church fathers mentored new leaders. Today it seems that we are letting down the church by not providing good mentorship programs or even that we care enough to mentor our “called to ministry” or new Christians.

The early church lived within community of each other—they grew and shared their experiences with one another. This book goes through a historical survey from the birth of Christ to modern era and we see that there are different aspects to mentoring.

In the 16th Century, we read about the great reformers, John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli. They stressed training in biblical exegesis; preaching; sound doctrine; and godly pastoral examples. The 17th and 18th Centuries are shaped by the Puritans, the German Pietists; and Colonial American Baptists. We come across names like Philip Jacob Spener, John Gano, and how they manage to mentor leaders in the midst of their faithful labor. By the 19th and 20th Centuries, new leaders emerge in the form of Charles Spurgeon and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Both remained committed to the ministry of the Word and the training of disciples. Contemporary figures mentioned include Mark Dever (Capitol Hill Baptist Church); JD Great (Summit Church); Scott Patty (Grace Community Church); and Al Jackson (Lakeview Baptist Church). After surveying the historical developments of mentoring and learning pointers from each era, Newton proposes four different models for us to consider adopting.

The author concludes with five key observations.
1) Mentoring must be within a congregational framework
2) Mentors speak into the lives of their mentees
3) Mentoring focuses on relationships
4) Effective mentoring is more team based in training
5) Mentors trust their protégés

If I am honest, I think the modern church could take a lesson from the Methodists—to become more connectional and learn that when we don’t know the answers we can find it through speaking one to another.

Overall, I enjoyed this book; I handed it off to another church who also needed to hear Newton’s message. They are going to start implementing some of the strategies for ministry. I look forward to seeing where this leads. I’d give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Book was provided to me by Kregel Academic for an unbiased review.

Candidacy Retreat: Here I am Lord!

Yesterday morning when I woke up; I was nervous and a little upset because I was afraid of walking through Candidacy alone. Yes, I knew I would be getting a mentoring group but this journey has been really lonely. Most people who are candidates are married and they have someone to bounce ideas off of. Back in June, my best friend walked out of my life to date someone. But she was my friend that I bounced ideas off of and I always knew that if I needed prayer I could count on her. 

As I pulled into First UMC of Gastonia, I was scared to death. I walked into the church completely unsure what I was doing at this retreat, I mean God totally has the wrong candidate. I immediately meet Rev. Allen and Adri of the Conference Ministerial office. They welcomed me with open hearts and love. 

I got my Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and walked into a room with a group of people. I selected a seat at the back and sat nervously looking at my scores and my paperwork. A young man sitting next to me tried to make small talk, but neither of us was really into it; both a bit nervous. Little did I know he'd be in my mentoring group. 

Then came the greeting, and welcoming to Candidacy. And as if right on time, worship. Just a short devotion, but enough to remind us all why we were at this retreat. A time to prayerfully seek after what God is asking of us and where we are to be serving, what track we are to go on to; and how we'll get there. 

Our first mentor meeting was awkward. We told our call stories; how we found out that we were to be ministers, whether we felt led to be a Deacon, Elder or Licensed Local Pastor. Each call story was unique. It brought out new levels of intimacy that I didn't think could be possible with just a mentoring group. 

After an evening devotion, I was a bit more at ease; I knew that God had called me into this special time of discernment. A time when I could just seek Him and His face. I arrived at my hotel completely tired, worn out from the days activities. Probably because I had to sit in meetings all day and possibly because I am an INFP on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Being introverted I can't do "small" talk. I don't like it, and honestly I have NEVER liked it. So for me that wasn't at all a surprise. 

In my hotel room, I sleepily climbed into the shower, and took the longest, hottest shower known to man. I washed away all the grime of the day--not that I was dirty. I just needed the physical cleansing that goes along with the mental cleansing I had felt. 

Around 5:30am I woke up, I turned over thinking I still have a hour to sleep, but my body just wouldn't allow for it. So I got up, grabbed my journal and said "God what is it?" And in my heart I felt the impression of "Seek me while I may be found." And so I grabbed my Bible and immediately sought up that scripture. Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;" Then I turned in my Bible to Proverbs and read 8:17 "I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me." And finally to Psalms 63:1 "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." It finally took root in my heart that maybe God didn't have the wrong person after all; I was looking at myself as "Rachel, the person who has done stupid things and has a past;" instead of looking at myself as "Rachel, the one I have called." I was seeing myself as the world sees me and not as my Father sees me.  And when that took root in my heart, I immediately said "Fill me, God! Fill me with your spirit. Fill me with your love. Guide me, O Lord! Give me no reason for pause, empty my heart of me and fill it completely with you!" Then I sat in my room and cried. 

Arriving at our morning worship session, we sang "How Great is Our God" and when we got to the chorus that starts into "How Great Thou Art" tears again just sprang forth as I thought about 1) my grandfather laying on his death bed singing "How Great Thou Art" and 2) that God truly is great. We went back to our mentor groups; we spoke about how Methodist Theology aligned with our own and had a great time of fellowship together. 

In our final meditation, we had communion and I can tell you, there wasn't a dry eye in the room. One by one as we walked forward to take communion with our leaders and mentors, you could just feel God's holy spirit resting with each of us. Our hearts, each finely tuned to God. When we departed, we each hugged and cried, knowing that the next time we see each other it could be at one of our other 4 mentoring meetings or if we are lucky to get through the entire process at Annual Conference. 

Truly now, my prayer is (and it comes from both Isaiah and a Hymn) "Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart." 

Is Jesus Messiah?

Recently I had a person, who is Messianic, but reverting back to Orthodox Judaism ask "Did Jesus really fulfill the Messianic Prophecies?"

Is Jesus the Messiah that Israel is waiting for? Short answer "YES!" Now for the long answer.

I decided to go through the Messianic Prophecies for you; I didn't cover all 324 prophecies; but I did go from Genesis to Malachi and have given you  the fulfillment in the New Testament. Remember when we collectively look at the prophecies, and look at the New Testament, not only can we see what Messiah is to be like, but also that He has come, and we can take hope in His Second coming!

Genesis	Prophecy	Fulfillment
The Messiah would be born of the "seed" of a woman.	Genesis 3:15	Luke 1:34-35
The Messiah would defeat Satan.	above	1 John 3:8
The Messiah would suffer while reconciling men to God.	above	1 Peter 3:18
The Messiah would be a descendant of Shem.	Genesis 9:26	Luke 3:36
The Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham.	Genesis 12:3	Matthew 1:1
The Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac.	Genesis 17:19	Luke 3:34
The Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham.	Genesis 18:17-18	Matthew 1:1
The Messiah would come for all nations.	above	Acts 3:24-26
The Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac.	Genesis 21:12	Luke 3:34
Messiah to be sacrificed on the same mountain where God tested Abraham.	Genesis 22:14	Luke 23:33
The Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham.	Genesis 22:18	Galations 3:16
The Messiah would come for all nations.	above	Galatians 3:14
The Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac.	Genesis 26:4	Luke 3:34
The Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob.	Genesis 28:14	above
The Messiah would come for all people.	above	Galatians 3:26-29
The Messiah would be a descendant of Judah.	Genesis 49:10	Luke 3:33
The Messiah would be a King	above	John 1:49
The Jew's capitol punishment authority would be gone when the Messiah arrived.	above	John 18:31
Numbers
The Messiah would be a King.	Numbers 24:17	John 19:19
Deuteronomy
The Messiah would be a Prophet.	Deuteronomy 18:15-19	John 6:14
The Messiah would speak with words of authority given to Him from God.	above	John 12:48-50
Those who refused to listen to the Messiah would be judged.	above	above
The Messiah would be worshiped by angels at his birth.	Deuteronomy 32:43	Luke 2:13-14
Ruth
The Messiah would be a descendant of Boaz & Ruth.	Ruth 4:12-17	Luke 3:32
1 Samuel
The Messiah would be exalted by God with power and strength.	1 Samuel 2:10	Matthew 28:18
2 Samuel
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	2 Samuel 7:12-13	Matthew 1:1
The Messiah would be the Son of God.	above	Matthew 3:16-17
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	2 Samuel 7:16	Matthew 1:1
The Messiah would come for all people.	2 Samuel 22:50	Romans 15:8-9
The Messiah would be the "Rock."	2 Samuel 23:2-4	1 Corinthians 10:4
The Messiah would be as the "light of the morning."	above	Revelation 22:16
1 Chronicles
The Messiah would be a descendant of Judah.	1 Chronicles 5:2	Luke 3:33
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	1 Chronicles 17:11-12	Luke 3:31
The Messiah's throne would be everlasting.	above	Luke 1:32-33
The Messiah would be the Son of God.	1 Chronicles 17:13-14	Matthew 3:16-17
Psalms
The Messiah would be rejected by Gentiles.	Psalm 2:1	Acts 4:25-28
Political and religious leaders would conspire against the Messiah.	Psalm 2:2	Matthew 26:3-4
The Messiah would be a King.	Psalm 2:6	John 12:12-13
The Messiah would be the Son of God.	Psalm 2:7	Luke 1:31-35
The Messiah would declare that he was the Son of God.	above	John 9:35-37
The Messiah would be resurrected and crowned as King.	above	Acts 13:30-33
The Messiah would ask God for His inheritance.	Psalm 2:8	John 17:4-24
The Messiah would receive authority over all.	above	Matthew 28:18
The Messiah would be the Son of God.	Psalm 2:12	Matthew 17:5
The Messiah would reject those who did not believe in him.	above	John 3:36
Infants would give praise to the Messiah.	Psalm 8:2	Matthew 21:15-16
The Messiah would be given authority over all things.	Psalm 8:6	Matthew 28:18
The Messiah would be resurrected.	Psalm 16:8-10	Matthew 28:6
The Messiah's body would not be subject to decay.	above	Acts 13:35-37
The Messiah would be exalted to the presence of God.	Psalm 16:11	Acts 2:33
The Messiah would come for all people.	Psalm 18:49	Ephesians 3:4-6
The Messiah would cry out to God.	Psalm 22:1	Matthew 27:46
The Messiah would be forsaken by God.	above	Mark 15:34
The Messiah, anguished, would pray without ceasing.	Psalm 22:2	Matthew 26:38-39
The Messiah would be despised.	Psalm 22:6	Luke 23:21-23
The Messiah would be mocked by people shaking their heads.	Psalm 22:7	Matthew 27:39
Mockers would say of the Messiah, "he trusted God, let him deliver him."	Psalm 22:8	Matthew 27:41-43
The Messiah would be aware of his Father from his youth.	Psalm 22:9	Luke 2:40
The Messiah would be called to God's service from the womb.	Psalm 22:10	Luke 1:30-33
The Messiah would be abandoned by the disciples.	Psalm 22:11	Mark 14:50
The Messiah would be surrounded by evil spirits.	Psalm 22:12-13	Colossians 2:15
The Messiah's heart would burst, flowing with blood & water.	Psalm 22:14	John 19:34
The Messiah would be crucified.	above	Matthew 27:35
The Messiah would thirst.	Psalm 22:15	John 19:28
The Messiah would thirst shortly before his death.	above	John 19:30
The Messiah would be surrounded by Gentiles at his crucifixion.	Psalm 22:16	Luke 23:36
The Messiah would be surrounded by Jews at his crucifixion.	above	Matthew 27:41-43
The Messiah's hands and feet would be pierced.	above	Matthew 27:38
None of the Messiah's bones would be broken.	Psalm 22:17	John 19:32-33
People would stare at the Messiah during his crucifixion.	above	Luke 23:35
The Messiah's garments would be divided.	Psalm 22:18	John 19:23-24
Lots would be cast for the Messiah's clothes.	above	above
The Messiah's atonement would enable believers to be his brethren.	Psalm 22:22	Hebrews 2:10-12
None of the Messiah's bones would be broken.	Psalm 34:20	John 19:32-33
The Messiah's offering of himself would replace all sacrifices.	Psalm 40:6-8	Hebrews 10:10-13
The Messiah would say the scriptures were written of him.	above	Luke 24:44
The Messiah would come to do God's will.	Psalm 40:7-8	John 5:30
The Messiah would not conceal his mission from the congregation.	Psalm 40:9-10	Luke 4:16-21
The Messiah's betrayer would be a friend whom he broke bread with.	Psalm 41:9	Mark 14:17-18
The Messiah would speak with a message of grace.	Psalm 45:2	Luke 4:22
The Messiah's throne would be everlasting.	Psalm 45:6-7	Luke 1:31-33
The Messiah would be God.	above	Hebrews 1:8-9
The Messiah would act with righteousness.	above	John 5:30
The Messiah would ascend into heaven.	Psalm 68:18	Luke 24:51
The Messiah would give gifts to men.	above	Matthew 10:1
The Messiah would be hated by many without cause.	Psalm 69:4	Luke 23:13-22
The Messiah would bear reproach, for God's sake.	Psalm 69:7	Matthew 26:65-67
The Messiah would be rejected by the Jews.	Psalm 69:8	John 1:11
The Messiah's brothers would disbelieve him.	above	John 7:3-5
The Messiah would be angered by disrespect toward the temple.	Psalm 69:9	John 2:13-17
The Messiah would bear reproach, for God's sake.	Psalm 69:9	Romans 15:3
The Messiah's disciples would fail him in his time of need.	above	Mark 14:33-41
The Messiah would be offered gall and vinegar.	Psalm 69:21	Matthew 27:34
The Messiah would thirst.	above	John 19:28
The potters field would be uninhabited.	Psalm 69:25	Acts 1:16-20
The Messiah would speak in parables.	Psalm 78:2	Matthew 13:34-35
The Messiah would be at the right hand of God.	Psalm 80:17	Acts 5:31
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	Psalm 89:3-4	Matthew 1:1
The Messiah would call God his Father.	Psalm 89:26	Matthew 11:27
The Messiah would be God's "firstborn."	Psalm 89:27	Mark 16:6
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	Psalm 89:29	Matthew 1:1
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	Psalm 89:35-36	Matthew 1:1
The Messiah would be eternal.	Psalm 102:25-27	Colossians 1:17
The Messiah would be the creator of all.	above	John 1:3
The Messiah would be accused by false witnesses.	Psalm 109:2	John 18:29-30
The Messiah would pray for his enemies.	Psalm 109:4	Luke 23:34
The Messiah's betrayer would have a short life.	Psalm 109:8	Acts 1:16-18
The Messiah's betrayer would be replaced.	above	Acts 1:20-26
The Messiah would be mocked by people shaking their heads.	Psalm 109:25	Mark 15:29-30
The Messiah would be Lord.	Psalm 110:1	Matthew 22:41-45
The Messiah would be at the right hand of God.	above	Mark 16:19
The Messiah would be a Priest in the order of Melchisedec.	Psalm 110:4	Hebrews 6:17-20
The Messiah would be at the right hand of God.	Psalm 110:5	1 Peter 3:21-22
The Messiah would be the "stone" rejected by the Jews.	Psalm 118:22	Matthew 21:42-43
The Messiah would come in the name of the Lord.	Psalm 118:26	Matthew 21:9
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	Psalm 132:11	Matthew 1:1
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	Psalm 132:17	above
Proverbs
The Messiah would be from everlasting.	Proverbs 8:22-23	John 17:5
The Messiah would ascend and descend from heaven.	Proverbs 30:4	John 3:13
God would have a Son.	above	Matthew 3:16-17
Isaiah
The Jews would have a hardened heart against the Messiah.	Isaiah 6:9-10	John 12:37-40
The Messiah would speak in parables.	Isaiah 6:9-10	Matthew 13:13-15
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	Isaiah 7:13-14	Matthew 1:1
The Messiah would be born of a virgin.	Isaiah 7:14	Luke 1:34-35
The Messiah would be Immanuel, "God with us."	above	Matthew 1:21-23
The Messiah would be God.	above	John 12:45
The Messiah would be a "stumbling stone" for the Jews.	Isaiah 8:14	Matthew 21:43-44
The Messiah would minister in Galilee.	Isaiah 9:1-2	Matthew 4:12-17
The Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles.	above	Luke 2:28-32
The birth of the Messiah.	Isaiah 9:6	Luke 2:11
The Messiah would be the Son of God.	above	Luke 1:35
The Messiah would be the "Wonderful Counselor."	above	John 7:46
The Messiah would be both God and man (the "Mighty God").	above	John 10:30
The Messiah would be from everlasting (the "Everlasting Father").	above	Revelation 1:8
The Messiah would be the "Prince of Peace."	above	Colossians 1:20
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	Isaiah 9:7	Matthew 1:1
The Messiah would be a descendant of Jesse.	Isaiah 11:1	Luke 3:23-32
The Messiah would grow up in a poor family.	above	Luke 2:7
The Messiah would have the full Spirit of God upon him.	Isaiah 11:2	Matthew 3:16-17
The Messiah would have the Spirit of Wisdom.	above	Luke 2:40
The Messiah would have the Spirit of Understanding.	above	above
The Messiah would have the Spirit of Counsel.	above	Matthew 7:28-29
The Messiah would have the Spirit of Might.	above	Matthew 8:27
The Messiah would have the Spirit of the Knowledge of God.	above	John 7:29
The Messiah would have the Spirit of the Fear of God.	above	Hebrews 5:7
The Messiah would have a quick understanding in the fear of the Lord.	Isaiah 11:3	Luke 2:46-47
The Messiah would not judge on the basis of external representations.	above	John 7:24
The Messiah would judge the poor with righteousness.	Isaiah 11:4	Mark 12:41-44
The Messiah would be a descendant of Jesse.	Isaiah 11:10	Luke 3:23-32
The Messiah would come for all people.	above	Acts 13:47-48
The Messiah would have the key of David.	Isaiah 22:22	Revelation 3:7
The Messiah would defeat death.	Isaiah 25:8	Revelation 1:18
Others would rise to life at the resurrection of the Messiah.	Isaiah 26:19	Matthew 27:52-53
The Messiah would be the cornerstone.	Isaiah 28:16	1 Peter 2:4-6
The Messiah would heal the blind.	Isaiah 35:5	Mark 10:51-52
The Messiah would heal the deaf.	above	Mark 7:32-35
The Messiah would heal the lame.	Isaiah 35:6	Matthew 12:10-13
The Messiah would heal the dumb.	above	Matthew 9:32-33
The forerunner of the Messiah would live in the wilderness.	Isaiah 40:3	Matthew 3:1-4
The forerunner would prepare people for the coming of the Messiah.	above	Luke 1:17
The Messiah would be God.	above	John 10:30
The Messiah would be as a shepherd.	Isaiah 40:11	John 10:11
The Messiah would be God's servant.	Isaiah 42:1	John 4:34
The Messiah would have the Spirit of God upon him.	above	Matthew 3:16-17
The Messiah would please God.	above	Matthew 3:16-17
The Messiah would provide "justice" to the Gentiles.	above	Matthew 24:14
The Messiah would not draw attention to himself.	Isaiah 42:2	Matthew 12:15
The Messiah would have compassion for the poor and needy.	Isaiah 42:3	Matthew 11:4-5
The Messiah would receive guidance from God.	Isaiah 42:6	John 5:19-20
The Messiah would be ministered to by God.	above	John 8:29
The Messiah would be the new covenant.	above	Matthew 26:28
The Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles.	above	John 8:12
The Messiah would heal the blind.	Isaiah 42:7	Matthew 9:27-30
The Messiah would be from everlasting.	Isaiah 48:16	John 1:1-2
The Messiah would be sent from God.	above	John 7:29
The Messiah would come for all people.	Isaiah 49:1	1 Timothy 2:4-6
The Messiah would be called to God's service from the womb.	above	Matthew 1:20-21
The Messiah would be called by his name before he was born.	above	Luke 1:30-31
The Messiah's words would be as a sharp sword.	Isaiah 49:2	Revelation 2:12-16
The Messiah would be protected by God.	above	Matthew 2:13-15
The Messiah would be responsible for the judgment of mankind.	above	John 5:22-29
The Messiah would be God's servant.	Isaiah 49:3	John 17:4
The Messiah's work would glorify God.	above	Matthew 15:30-31
The Messiah would be distressed over the Jews unbelief.	Isaiah 49:4	Luke 19:41-42
The Messiah would be rejected by the Jews.	above	John 5:43
The Messiah would be God's servant.	Isaiah 49:5	John 6:38
The Messiah would come to bring Israel back to God.	above	Matthew 15:24
The Messiah would be God's servant.	Isaiah 49:6	John 12:49-50
The Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles.	above	Acts 13:47-48
The Messiah would be despised.	Isaiah 49:7	John 10:20
The Messiah would speak with knowledge given to him from God.	Isaiah 50:4	John 12:49
The Messiah would not be rebellious to God's will.	Isaiah 50:5	John 12:27
The Messiah's back would be whipped.	Isaiah 50:6	Matthew 27:26
The Messiah's face would be beaten and spit upon.	above	Matthew 26:67
The Messiah would steadfastly set his face toward his mission.	Isaiah 50:7	Luke 9:51-53
The Messiah would be justified by his righteousness.	Isaiah 50:8	1 Timothy 3:16
The Messiah would place his trust in God.	Isaiah 50:8-10	John 11:7-10
The Messiah would be God's servant.	Isaiah 52:13	John 9:4
The Messiah would be highly exalted.	above	Philippians 2:9-11
The Messiah's face would be disfigured from severe beatings.	Isaiah 52:14	Matthew 26:67-68
The Messiahs blood would be shed to make atonement for all.	Isaiah 52:15	Revelation 1:5
The Messiah's own people would not believe he was the Christ.	Isaiah 53:1	John 12:37-38
The Messiah would grow up in a poor family.	Isaiah 53:2	Luke 2:7
The Messiah would have the appearance of an ordinary man.	above	Philippians 2:7-8
The Messiah would be despised.	Isaiah 53:3	Luke 4:28-29
The Messiah would be rejected.	above	Matthew 27:21-23
The Messiah would have great sorrow and grief.	above	Luke 19:41-42
Men would hide from being associated with the Messiah.	above	Mark 14:50-52
The Messiah would have a healing ministry.	Isaiah 53:4	Luke 6:17-19
The Messiah would bear and carry upon himself the sins of the world.	above	1 Peter 2:24
The Messiah would be thought to be cursed by God.	above	Matthew 27:41-43
The Messiah would bear the penalty for mankind's transgressions.	Isaiah 53:5	Luke 23:33
The Messiah's sacrifice would provide peace between man and God.	above	Colossians 1:20
The Messiah's back would be whipped.	Isaiah 53:5	Matthew 27:26
The Messiah would be the sin-bearer for all mankind.	Isaiah 53:6	Galatians 1:4
It was God's will that the Messiah would be the sin-bearer for all mankind.	above	1 John 4:10
The Messiah would be oppressed and afflicted.	Isaiah 53:7	Matthew 27:27-31
The Messiah would be silent before his accusers.	above	Matthew 27:12-14
The Messiah would be as a sacrificial lamb.	above	John 1:29
The Messiah would be confined and persecuted.	Isaiah 53:8	Matthew 26:55
The Messiah would be judged.	above	John 18:13-22
The Messiah would be killed.	above	Matthew 27:35
The Messiah would die for the sins of the world.	above	1 John 2:2
The Messiah would be buried in a rich man's grave.	Isaiah 53:9	Matthew 27:57
The Messiah would be innocent and had done no violence.	above	Mark 15:3
The Messiah would have no deceit in his mouth.	above	John 18:38
It was God's will that the Messiah would die for all mankind.	Isaiah 53:10	John 18:11
The Messiah would be an offering for sin.	above	Matthew 20:28
The Messiah would be resurrected and live forever.	above	Mark 16:16
The Messiah would prosper.	above	John 17:1-5
God would be fully satisfied with the suffering of the Messiah.	Isaiah 53:11	John 12:27
The Messiah would be God's servant.	above	Romans 5:18-19
The Messiah would justify man before God.	above	Romans 5:8-9
The Messiah would be the sin-bearer for all mankind.	above	Hebrews 9:28
Because of his sacrifice, the Messiah would be greatly exalted by God.	Isaiah 53:12	Matthew 28:18
The Messiah would give up his life to save mankind.	above	Luke 23:46
The Messiah would be grouped with criminals.	above	Luke 23:32
The Messiah would be the sin-bearer for all mankind.	above	2 Corinthians 5:21
The Messiah would intercede to God in behalf of mankind.	above	Luke 23:34
The Messiah would be resurrected by God.	Isaiah 55:3	Acts 13:34
The Messiah would be a witness.	Isaiah 55:4	John 18:37
The Messiah would come to provide salvation.	Isaiah 59:15-16	John 6:40
The Messiah would be the intercessor between man and God.	above	Matthew 10:32-33
The Messiah would come to Zion as their Redeemer.	Isaiah 59:20	Luke 2:38
The Messiah would have the Spirit of God upon him.	Isaiah 61:1-2	Matthew 3:16-17
The Messiah would preach the good news.	above	Luke 4:17-21
The Messiah would provide freedom from the bondage of sin and death.	above	John 8:31-32
The Messiah would proclaim a period of grace.	above	John 5:24
Jeremiah
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	Jeremiah 23:5-6"	Luke 3:23-31
The Messiah would be God.	above	John 13:13
The Messiah would be both man and God.	above	1 Timothy 3:16
The Messiah would be born of a virgin.	Jeremiah 31:22	Matthew 1:18-20
The Messiah would be the new covenant.	Jeremiah 31:31	Matthew 26:28
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	Jeremiah 33:14-15	Luke 3:23-31
Ezekiel
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	Ezekiel 17:22-24	Luke 3:31
The Messiah would be a descendant of David.	Ezekiel 34:23-24	Matthew 1:1
Daniel
The Messiah would ascend into heaven.	Daniel 7:13-14	Acts 1:9-11
The Messiah would be highly exalted.	above	Ephesians 1:20-22
The Messiah's dominion would be everlasting.	above	Luke 1:31-33
The Messiah would come to make an end to sins.	Daniel 9:24	Galations 1:3-5
The Messiah would be holy.	above	Luke 1:35
The Messiah enters Jerusalem 483 years, after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem.	Daniel 9:25	John 12:12-13
The Messiah would be killed.	Daniel 9:26	Matthew 27:35
The Messiah would die for the sins of the world.	above	Hebrews 2:9
The Messiah would be killed before the destruction of the temple.	above	Matthew 27:50-51
A vision of the Messiah in a glorified state.	Daniel 10:5-6	Revelation 1:13-16
Hosea
The Messiah would defeat death.	Hosea 13:14	1 Corinthians 15:55-57
Joel
The Messiah would offer salvation to all mankind.	Joel 2:32	Romans 10:12-13
Micah
The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.	Micah 5:2	Matthew 2:1-2
The Messiah would be God's servant.	above	John 15:10
The Messiah would be from everlasting.	above	Revelation 1:8
Haggai
The Messiah would visit the second Temple.	Haggai 2:6-9	Luke 2:27
The Messiah would be a descendant of Zerubbabel.	Haggai 2:23	Luke 3:27
Zechariah
The Messiah would be God's servant.	Zechariah 3:8	John 17:4
The Messiah would be Priest and King.	Zechariah 6:12-13	Hebrews 8:1
The Messiah would be be greeted with rejoicing in Jerusalem.	Zechariah 9:9	Matthew 21:8-10
The Messiah would be beheld as King.	above	John 12:12-13
The Messiah would be just.	above	John 5:30
The Messiah would bring salvation.	above	Luke 19:10
The Messiah would be humble.	above	Matthew 11:29
The Messiah would be presented to Jerusalem riding on a donkey.	above	Matthew 21:6-9
The Messiah would be the cornerstone.	Zechariah 10:4	Ephesians 2:20
At the time of Messiah's coming, Israel would have unfit leaders.	Zechariah 11:4-6	Matthew 23:1-4
The Messiah's rejection would cause God to remove His protection of Israel.	above	Luke 19:41-44
The Messiah would be rejected in favor of another king.	above	John 19:13-15
The Messiah would have a ministry to the "poor," the believing remnant.	Zechariah 11:7	Matthew 9:35-36
The unbelief of Israel's leaders would force the Messiah to reject them.	Zechariah 11:8	Matthew 23:33
The Messiah would be despised.	above	Matthew 27:20
The Messiah would stop ministering to the those who rejected Him.	Zechariah 11:9	Matthew 13:10-11
The Messiah's rejection would cause God to remove His protection of Israel.	Zechariah 11:10-11	Luke 19:41-44
The Messiah would be God	above	John 14:7
The Messiah would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver.	Zechariah 11:12-13	Mathew 26:14-15
The Messiah would be rejected.	above	above
Thirty pieces of silver would be thrown into the house of the Lord.	above	Matthew 27:3-5
The Messiah would be God	above	John 12:45
The Messiah's body would be pierced.	Zechariah 12:10	John 19:34-37
The Messiah would be both God and man.	above	John 10:30
The Messiah would be rejected.	above	John 1:11
It was God's will that the Messiah would die for all mankind.	Zechariah 13:7	John 18:11
The Messiah would die a violent death.	above	Matthew 27:35
The Messiah would be both God and man	above	John 14:9
Israel would be scattered as a result of rejecting the Messiah	above	Matthew 26:31
Malachi
A messenger would prepare the way for the Messiah.	Malachi 3:1	Matthew 11:10
The Messiah would make a sudden appearance at the temple.	above	Mark 11:15-16
The Messiah would be the messenger of the new covenant.	above	Luke 4:43
The Messiah's forerunner would come in the spirit of Elijah.	Malachi 4:5	Matthew 3:1-2
The Messiah's forerunner would turn many to righteousness.	Malachi 4:6	Luke 1:16-17