Topical Bible: the Prophet Christ: Declared his Doctrine to be That of the Father

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The identity and mission of Jesus Christ as a prophet are deeply rooted in His declaration that His teachings and works were not of His own initiative but were given to Him by God the Father. This assertion is a cornerstone of Christian theology, emphasizing the unity and divine authority of Christ's message.

Biblical Foundation

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus consistently affirms that His doctrine originates from the Father. In the Gospel of John, Jesus states, "My teaching is not My own, but it comes from Him who sent Me" (John 7:16). This declaration underscores the divine origin of His message and His role as the faithful messenger of God's will.

In John 12:49-50, Jesus further clarifies, "I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say" . Here, Jesus emphasizes His obedience to the Father's command, highlighting the life-giving nature of His words.

Prophetic Role

Jesus' role as a prophet is consistent with the Old Testament understanding of prophecy, where prophets were seen as God's mouthpieces, delivering His messages to the people. In Deuteronomy 18:18, God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses, who will speak His words to the people. Christians believe that Jesus fulfills this prophecy, serving as the ultimate prophet who perfectly reveals the Father.

Unity with the Father

The unity between Jesus and the Father is a recurring theme in the Gospels. In John 10:30, Jesus declares, "I and the Father are one" . This statement not only affirms the divine nature of Christ but also reinforces the idea that His teachings are inseparable from the will of the Father. Jesus' unity with the Father ensures that His doctrine is a direct reflection of God's truth.

Authority and Authentication

The authority of Jesus' teachings is authenticated by His works and miracles, which He attributes to the Father. In John 5:36, Jesus says, "The works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me" . These works serve as divine validation of His prophetic mission and the authenticity of His message.

Rejection and Acceptance

Despite the divine origin of His doctrine, Jesus faced rejection from many who could not accept His claims. In John 8:42-43, Jesus confronts His opponents, saying, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message" . This rejection highlights the spiritual blindness of those who refuse to recognize the divine source of His teachings.

Conversely, those who accept Jesus' doctrine are promised a relationship with the Father. In John 14:23, Jesus assures His followers, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him" . This promise underscores the transformative power of accepting Christ's teachings, which are intrinsically linked to the Father.

Conclusion

The declaration of Jesus Christ that His doctrine is that of the Father is a profound testament to His prophetic role and divine mission. Through His teachings, works, and unity with the Father, Jesus reveals the heart and will of God, offering eternal life to those who believe and accept His message.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 8:26,28
I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 12:49,50
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
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John 14:10,24
Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak to you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works.
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John 15:15
From now on I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.
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John 17:8,16
For I have given to them the words which you gave me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from you, and they have believed that you did send me.
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Library

Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices ...
... our signs: there is no more any prophet, neither is ... the priesthood was competent
to none but Christ, because, by ... God uttered, and of which he declared he would ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 three things briefly.htm

Defense of Eusebius Pamphilus.
... as those sent by him." The prophet also [319 ... thunder, creates the Spirit, and announces
his Christ unto men ... create the Spirit, when he declared his Christ to all ...
/.../chapter xxi defense of eusebius pamphilus.htm

Christ's Advent Foretold.
... proclaimed His appearance, the above-mentioned prophet and king ... the conspiracy which
was formed against Christ by Herod ... Him His Son, and has declared that He ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter xl christs advent foretold.htm

Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled ...
... by Jeremiah in different terms, "The prophet that hath ... our minds to perceive the
truth of his doctrine. ... As Christ declared that he spoke not of himself (John 12 ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 of the power.htm

John ii. 11
... no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas." ( Matthew ... What saith
Christ? ... to be no small proof of His Godhead, when he writes, "Declared to be ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxiii john ii 11.htm

Feeding Upon Christ.
... of the words and acts of the Galilean prophet, it is ... He had declared himself to the
Samaritan woman as the ... words, how shall mortals so partake of Christ as to ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/feeding upon christ.htm

Argument. --He Proves Also that the Words Spoken to Philip Make ...
... as yet in the times of Isaiah the prophet, he said ... And when He had not yet suffered,
he declared, "He is ... if already they who were then present saw Christ as the ...
/.../chapter xxviii argument he proves also.htm

Argument. --Moreover Also, from the Fact that He who was Seen of ...
... heaven." [5155] For thus also said the prophet in the ... may be applicable to Christ,
who is declared to be ... not consent to apprehend that it was Christ who then ...
/.../chapter xviii argument moreover also from.htm

Let My Beloved Come into his Garden and Eat the Fruit of His
... The Spouse, who, as her Well-beloved has declared, is a ... that it is said of Him by
a Prophet, that He ... again, was the influx of the Divinity of Christ into His ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/1 let my beloved come.htm

The Doctrine of the Apostolic Church
... Some, perhaps, expected that Christ, as a prophet, would decide ... storm a calm;
[194:6] and He declared to man ... the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the doctrine of.htm