IntroductionMatthew 16:16 – “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”Defining “Son of God”Equal with deityNOT as “sons of God” in Noah’s day. Genesis 6:2NOT as “children of God” as the Israelites.NOT as “children of God” as saints in that church. Romans 8:14BUT as deity, possessing the qualities others do not have.Excellent testimony – enemies knew that “Son of God” meant deity. John 10:30-36; 19:7What evidence was in Peter’s day causing one to say Jesus is the “Son of God”?Prophecy and fulfillmentFrom the beginning. Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Galatians 4:4Abraham’s seed. Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16. Isaac, Jacob, Judah, lineage of David.Over 300 Bible prophecies made and fulfilled concerning Christ. Luke 24:44-45It is impossible for that many statements to be made, hundreds of years before Jesus was born, and none fail without God guiding the prophets.It convinced the enemy crowd on Pentecost. Acts 13:13-15, 27; 2:25-37Stephen and Paul appealed to Old Testament to confirm sermons. Acts 7, 13TestimonyGod himself, Hebrews 1:1-2, 5; Matthew 3:17; 17:5John the Baptist, John 1:29-34 (see also Matthew 3:17)Apostles, II Peter 1:16-18; (see also Matthew 17:5); John 6:69; Acts 9:20Enemies, Matthew 8:28-29; 27:50-54Jesus himself, John 9:35-37Miracles – friends and enemies testified that Jesus performed miraclesPurpose of miracles, John 5:16-23, 36; 10:37-38Apostles would perform miracles, John 14:11-12; Mark 16:15-20Enemies could not deny these testimonies, John 9:16, 29-33; Acts 2:22; 4:10, 13-17Resurrection – Romans 1:1-4; John 20:24-29; I Corinthians 15:3-8Unwritten evidence – John 20:29-31; 21:24-25Infinite testimony from thousands. GOD DOES NOT ASK US TO BELIEVE A “STORY”. HE WANTS US TO BELIEVE IN A REAL PERSON AND REAL EVENTS.Why should we arrive at the same conclusion?These facts have never been refuted. Even secular history documents these facts.Christ’s church still stands today as evidence. Matthew 16:16-19; Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:8-12What if Jesus was not the Son of God? No Rock à No Foundation à No spiritual building à No church. Yet the church is living today as proof of Jesus.What should we do with this conclusion? Matthew 28:18-20We either accept that Jesus is the Son of God and save our souls –OR—Reject the testimony and be eternally lost. John 8:18-25Conclusion: Hebrews 5:8-9