Oxford Conference
WILL THE REAL ‘JESUS’ STAND UP!
The Christ of the Bible and the Other Christs We Encounter
Theme Verse: Matthew 16:15 – “But who do you say that I am?”
Purpose: To clarify the biblical identity of Jesus Christ and expose distorted versions of Him found in other religions and movements.
Session 1
The Christ of the New Testament – Key Teachings
- Who is Jesus according to the New Testament?
- The eternal Son of God (John 1:1-3).
- Fully God and fully man (Colossians 2:9).
- The only Savior (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).
- The risen Lord (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
- Major Christological Heresies Addressed:
- Arianism (denying Jesus’ divinity).
- Docetism (denying His humanity).
- Gnosticism (distorting salvation and His nature).
Why it matters: Many false versions of Jesus exist, even within Christian circles. Understanding the true Christ is essential for faith and salvation.
Session 2
The Evidence for the NT Christ – Archeology, Textual Evidence, Eyewitnesses & NT Writers
- Archaeological Evidence:
- Discoveries confirming biblical accounts (Nazareth, Capernaum, Pilate Inscription, etc.).
- Textual Evidence:
- The reliability of NT manuscripts compared to other historical documents.
- Why we can trust the Gospel accounts.
- Eyewitness Testimonies & NT Writers:
- How the apostles and early Christians testified to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
- The willingness of the eyewitnesses to die for their testimony. Why it matters: Skeptics argue that Jesus is a myth or that His story was altered over time. The evidence overwhelmingly supports the truth of the biblical Christ.
Session 3
The Christ in Islam – How He Differs from the NT Christ
- Who is Jesus in Islam?
- A prophet but not the Son of God.
- Not crucified (Quran 4:157).
- Not the Savior of the world.
- Key Differences Between Islamic and NT Christology:
- The Trinity vs. Islamic Monotheism (Tawhid).
- The necessity of the Cross for salvation.
- Jesus’ second coming in Christianity vs. Islam’s version of the return of ‘Isa’.
- How to Witness to Muslims about the True Christ:
- Using common ground (Jesus as a prophet) to introduce His true nature.
- Presenting the Gospel in a way that is understandable and compelling. Why it matters: Islam denies Jesus as the Son of God, which is central to the Gospel. Christians must be equipped to share the biblical Christ with Muslims.
Session 4
The Christ of Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the Cosmic Christ – Key Departures from Classical Christology
- The Jesus of Mormonism:
- A created being, the spirit brother of Lucifer.
- Not eternally God but became a god.
- Salvation through works and exaltation to godhood.
- The Jesus of Jehovah’s Witnesses:
- A created being, Michael the Archangel.
- Not part of the Trinity.
- Denial of His bodily resurrection.
- The Cosmic Christ (New Age & Liberal Theology):
- Jesus as a mystical figure rather than the Son of God.
- Jesus as just one of many “enlightened beings” (Buddha, Krishna, etc.).
- Universalism: All paths lead to God, contradicting John 14:6.
- How to Respond to These False Views:
- Using Scripture to affirm Jesus’ eternal deity.
- Engaging with Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and New Agers effectively. Why it matters: Many false movements use the name “Jesus” but redefine who He is. Christians must distinguish the true Christ from counterfeits.
Panel Discussion & Q&A
Who Do You Say That I Am?
Panelists: Speakers from previous sessions.
Topics:
- How to engage in respectful but firm discussions about Jesus.
- Addressing common objections skeptics raise about Christ.
- Open Q&A session.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Final Charge:
- Encouragement to stand firm in biblical Christology (Galatians 1:6-9).
- Call to action: Deepen your knowledge of Scripture, share the Gospel boldly, and defend the true Christ.
- Prayer & Benediction.