Denial of Jesus Christ

The making of a conscious, informed decision not to accept Jesus Christ or his claims and teaching.

Jesus Christ was denied by the Jewish people

John 1:11 See also Matthew 11:16–19 parallel Luke 7:31–35; Matthew 13:54–58 parallel Mark 6:1–6; Matthew 26:63–68 parallels Mark 14:61–65, Luke 22:66–71; Luke 4:16–30; John 5:37–43; Acts 4:8–12; Psalm 118:22

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

The consequences of denying Jesus Christ

Denying Jesus Christ results in judgment

John 12:48 See also Matthew 12:38–42 parallel Luke 11:29–32

There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

Denying Jesus Christ means replacement by others

Acts 13:46 See also Matthew 21:40–41 parallels Mark 12:9, Luke 20:15–16; Acts 18:5–6

Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

To deny Christ is to be denied by Christ

2 Timothy 2:12 See also Matthew 10:32; Mark 8:38

if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;

Warnings against those who deny Jesus Christ

2 Peter 2:1 See also 1 John 2:22–23; 2 John 1:7; Jude 1:4

Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them — bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Denial, repentance and restoration: the example of Peter

Peter's denial predicted by Jesus Christ

Mark 14:29–30 parallels Matthew 26:31–34, Luke 22:31–34

Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I never will.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”

Peter declares he will never deny Jesus Christ

Mark 14:31 parallel Matthew 26:35

But Peter kept insisting, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the others said the same thing.

Peter denied that he knew Jesus Christ

Matthew 26:69–75 parallels Mark 14:66–72, Luke 22:55–62, John 18:15–18, John 18:25–27

Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said. But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.” When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!” After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.” At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter's restoration to Christ

See also John 21:15–19; Acts 1:15–22, Acts 2:14–41