Matthew 16:13-17 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? ” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am? ” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven.
If we’re talking about revelation, then we have to begin with the source of the revelation. It’s reasonable to ask: is this man-made or from God?
1 John 1:1-4 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us — what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Luke 1:1-4 Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.
Why is revelation so important? Why is it so important that we receive a knowledge of Jesus? It’s because of the promises attached to our belief.
Romans 10:13-14 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him?
Acts 16:31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Ephesians 1:13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.
Romans 16:25-26 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles…
What has been revealed about Jesus? Do we have enough to make a decision about Jesus and how our lives should be informed?
Nicene Creed (Contemporary; Jesus portion)
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, (2 Cor 1:3; 1 Thess 1:1; Rom 13:14)
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, (John 3:16; Heb 1:6; Matt 14:33; Rev 1:8)
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, (1 John 1:5, John 1:1, 8:12, 14:9, 20:28; 1 John 5:20; Heb 1:5)
of one Being with the Father. (John 10:30; Is 44:6; Rev 1:8; Phil 2:6; John 10:38; Col 2:9)
Through him all things were made. (John 1:1-3, 10, 14; 1 Cor 8:6; Col 1:15-17)
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: (1 Thess 5:9; Acts 4:12; 2 Tim 3:15; John 6:38, 51; Matt 1:18, Luke 1:27, 35; Phil 2:6,7; Rom 1:3)
by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. (Matt 1:20-23; John 1:14, 6:38)
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; (Acts 2:36; Matt 27:2, 26; Mark 15:15)
he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; (Matt 16:21; Mark 15:46; Luke 24:5-7, 1 Cor 15:3-4)
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. (John 20:17; 1 Tim 3:16; 1 Peter 3:21, 22; Acts 1:9; Mark 16:19)
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. (Acts 1:10, 11; Rev 1:7; John 5:22; Acts 10:42; Luke 1:33)