THE WITNESS OF THE FATHER

“And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.” John 5:37

Christ spoke the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai for all of Israel to hear! The Heavenly Father never appeared visibly --or spoke audibly to the Old Testament saints. He spoke to them through CHRIST who appeared to them and spoke through the prophets.

“Searching what, or what manner of time the SPIRIT OF CHRIST which was in them [the prophets] did signify, when it testified beforehand the SUFFERINGS of Christ, and THE GLORY that should follow.” 1 Peter 1:11

The voice of The Father was silent until after Jesus’ submission to fulfill all righteousness and John the Baptist’s announcement that Jesus was the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Then, the Father in Heaven gave a greater witness. He presented Jesus as His beloved Son and voiced His approval of Him. The prophesied Lamb of God is provided and approved by the Father for the sacrificial work of redemption and reconciliation.

THE WITNESS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

At the baptism of Jesus, John the Baptist said:

"Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29

THE WITNESS OF THE FATHER

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the SPIRIT OF GOD descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17

From the testimony of Jesus and the Father, we learn that the ministry of John the Baptist was a pivotal point in time. Jesus said:

“The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.” Luke 16:16

Adam Clarke writes about these words of Jesus:

Matthew 11:13
All the prophets and the law prophesied until John - I believe προεφητευσαν means here, they taught, or continued to instruct. They were the instructors concerning the Christ who was to come, till John came and showed that all the predictions of the one, and the types and ceremonies of the other were now about to be fully and finally accomplished; for Christ was now revealed.”

THE FATHER’S WITNESS OF THE SON’S AUTHORITY

When Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John, and there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him, Peter said unto Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; HEAR YE HIM.” (See Matthew 17:1-5)

From the scriptures, we learn that the Father in Heaven did not speak in the Old Testament. That after the baptism of Jesus, The Father’s Voice declared His approval of His beloved Son as the Saviour and King of the Israel of God.

THE KING OF ISRAEL HAS SPOKEN:

" ... If you would enter life, keep the Commandments." When Jesus was asked "Which?". He referred directly to the Ten Commandments* and added: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." See Matt 19:17-19

Harold and Donna Kupp

* "Remember the Sabbath day , to keep it holy ..." Exodus 20:8-11 is the fourth Commandment of God.