Welcome to the World
of Jim R. Sibley

Hi, this is my online home, and I want you to feel welcome. My wife and I live in the Dallas area and also spend some time in Colorado. Summers are usually occupied with reading, hiking, exploring new trails, and woodworking. The rest of the year is mostly taken up with research, writing, speaking at conferences, and teaching Bible at First Baptist Church of Dallas.

Having lived for 16 years in Israel and having led dozens of tours to Israel, the Bible has come alive for my wife, Kathy, and me. Consequently, we share a passion for learning and teaching the riches of God’s Word.

By clicking on the following link or the tab above, you can access articles and papers I have written. I welcome questions and dialogue about the topics I’ve addressed.

By February, Wipf & Stock Publishers should be releasing a new book I have written: The Undercover Messiah and His Coming  Kingdom: Messiah as Prophet, Priest, and King. In it, I trace the messianic offices of Prophet, Priest, and King through the Bible for the purpose of gaining a better understanding, not only of Jesus’ ministry in the New Testament, but also of His coming Kingdom. If you want a better understanding of Jesus, the Hero of the Bible and a greater perspective on what the Lord is doing in our lives now, this is essential reading. Dr. Mark Yarbrough, president of Dallas Theological Seminary, has graciously written the Foreword.

A sequel may soon be in the works, that deals with the central role of Israel in the plan of God. I am also working on material for a book on the history of Jewish believers in Jesus from the 1st Century to the present. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to let me know.

Acutely aware of my need for prayer support, I would be honored if you would sign up for updates and include these projects in your prayers. I can’t wait to hear from you.

Yeshua the Prophet like Moses is Born

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For some, the Christmas narrative has become trite, something to be toyed with, but the story of the infant in the manager is not some fairy tale. It is the revelation of the King-Like-David, the Redeemer of Israel and the Nations.

The Lesson of the Loaves

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When Jesus feeds the multitude by multiplying bread, it is not lost on the people that he is the Prophet Moses predicted. Yet, the people - and even the disciples - fail to understand what this prophetic role would entail.

Here comes the Judge

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Moses served as a judge for Israel. His judging was not a condemning or critical type of judging but making decisions regarding disputes or disagreements. If Moses is presented as a judge, the Messianic Prophet of whom he spoke is the ultimate judge.

A Journey of Discovery

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Following the Resurrection, two disciples of Jesus left Jerusalem, walking to the townof Emmaus about seven miles away. As they walked together, a stranger joined themand intruded into their conversation. The stranger was the Prophet Like Moses.

Water for an Israelite

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The Samaritans, who only acknowledge the Pentateuch as inspired, were looking for Moses\' successor, the giver of water. It\'s the woman at the well who first puts the pieces together and recognizes the long-awaited Restorer.

The Storm of Revelation

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Why does the text say that Jesus intended to pass by his frightened disciples on the lake, and how does that have to do with Moses’ divine encounter on Sinai? Part of our ongoing series \"Jesus, the Prophet Like Moses.\"

Ascending the Moutain of God

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Jesus’s transfiguration looks back to Moses’ transforming encounter with the God of Israel and points forward to the Son of Man, the Prophet-Like-Moses, ruling and reigning at the right hand of the Father

Moses and the Last Supper

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Only one character in the Tanakh can truly be said to be the One prophesied to succeed Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15–19: The Servant of the Lord depicted in Isaiah 40–55. Fourth in a year-long series.

The Temptation in the Wilderness

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Jesus fasts 40 days in the wilderness as Moses does. This and other parallels with Israel are expressions of Jesus’ ministry as the ultimate, prophesied Prophet—the One to whom Israel must harken. Third in a year-long series.

Sinai and the Sermon on the Mount

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The Gospel of Matthew’s account of Jesus’ extended teaching sitting on a high place sketches out an image of the Prophet-Like-Moses promised by God in Deuteronomy 18. Second in a year-long series.

Meet Jesus the Prophet like Moses

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In this first of a series of articles, we will discover the Jesus we may scarcely know—Jesus, the Prophet-like-Moses. We begin with his baptism in the Jordan and his anointing.

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NEW BOOK FORTHCOMING!

The Undercover Messiah and His Coming Kingdom: Messiah as Prophet, Priest, and King

Amazing! When Jesus explained Himself to His confused disciples following the Resurrection, He began with Moses! How strange! Why not review the miracles and teachings of the previous three years? Why not unfold for them the significance of the things they had only partially understood? Why begin with Moses?

He knew His ministry with them could not be understood apart from an understanding of the Prophet God had promised to “raise up” (Deut 18:15). In the Epistles, and especially in Hebrews, Jesus is presented as the faithful Priest God had promised to “raise up” (1 Sam 2:35). In Revelation, when the Lord returns, He will come as the King God has promised to “raise up” (Jer 30:9). While He is preparing His disciples as citizens of the Kingdom, the Kingdom itself is yet our future inheritance.

This book is about Jesus the Messiah as prophet, priest, and king, and the kingdom He will establish. This book brings the insights and the results of current academic study and research to the average Christian in a way that is relevant to their lives in a world that seems increasingly to be spinning out of control. It provides a unique, though biblical, perspective on the ministry of the Messiah and presents a case for the Messianic Kingdom as future. Every believer needs a deeper understanding of our Savior and of the coming kingdom to which we belong.

Coming Soon to...

Endorsement: Dr. Robert Jeffress

In The Undercover Messiah, Dr. Jim Sibley helps us understand who Jesus is and what He does at a deeper level, taking readers on a guided tour through the biblical story. Jim has always been known in our church for combining the mind of a scholar with the heart of a teacher. I am so glad that his excellent biblical interpretation—on such a vitally important topic—will now be available for everyone!"

Dr. Robert Jeffress

Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas

Endorsement: David L. Allen

Since the Reformation it has been common in theology to speak about the three offices of Christ (Prophet, Priest, and King) as aspects of His ministry to believers of all times. Enter Jim Sibley’s The Undercover Messiah and His Kingdom. Sibley argues that these offices are discrete and mark three stages in the work of the Messiah. The office of prophet corresponds to the past ministry of Jesus, that of priest to His present ministry, and that of king to His future coming to establish His Kingdom. He takes us on a biblical journey identifying these three offices of Christ in Scripture and demonstrating what they mean to Christians today. He maintains that we cannot adequately understand what the Kingdom of God is and what it is about if we do not recognize the significance of the three offices of Jesus and their connection to Israel in the Old Testament. I find Sibley’s treatment to be solidly biblical, clearly articulated, and easily readable. Don’t miss this excellent work!

 

David L. Allen

Distinguished Professor of Practical Theology, Dean, Adrian Rogers Center for Preaching, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary

Endorsement: Dan Coe

I cannot overstate how valuable the ministry of Dr. Jim Sibley has been to me, and doubtless to many others. Whether it was in past years while I was in the throes of overseas ministry among Jewish people (where, incidentally, Dr. Sibley served as my mentor), or presently as I serve as pastor of a rural church in Tennessee, Dr. Sibley's materials continue to be a go-to resource. I have found Dr. Sibley's work on "Yeshua (Jesus) as our Prophet, Priest, & King" to be of immense help as I've prepared preaching material on these "Offices of Christ." Dr. Sibley is versed like few others in Jewish and Hebrew culture.  He is a scholar through-and-through.  Yet, he writes and teaches in such a way that the everyday Bible student -- not only those working on dissertations! -- can understand, appreciate, and apply to his or her life and ministry. I gladly commend any lover of God's Word to the work of my friend, Dr. Jim Sibley!

Dan Coe

Pastor, First Baptist Church, Alexandria, Tennessee

Endorsement: Gloria Zapffe

Deuteronomy 18:15–19 is just the springboard to the many Old Testament verses that Dr. Sibley uses as proof to demonstrate Jesus as the Messiah in the roles of prophet, priest and king in the New Testament. This is a fascinating study of Jesus in the New Testament as prophet then, now our priest and future king.

Gloria Zapffe

Endorsement: Kevin Kurtz

The Undercover Messiah explores the many references scattered throughout the Old Testament, both explicit and veiled, alluding to Israel’s prophesied prophet, priest, and king. With thorough precision, Jim Sibley, weaves together the threads of ancient biblical history, divine law and prophetic expressions to reveal a captivating tapestry of mysterious terminology, long-observed customs, and prophetic utterances, ultimately shedding light on the figure of Jesus, described as the “prophet like Moses.”

This well-organized and meticulously researched work reveals a message of profound significance, planned ages ago—the divine assurance of a promised future, foreordained for the chosen people of God; a future that climaxes in the revelation of Israel's Messiah-King. As the modern world stands on the precipice of what some interpret as 'the last days,' this work is an illuminating reminder that God has always been working His plan for His people to know His only begotten Son, the ‘son of man’, the coming King of Israel, the Judge of all the earth.

Kevin Kurtz

Dallas Seminary Foundation

Endorsement: S. Reed Ashwill, CLU, CFP

This fascinating study of Jesus, the Messiah, shows the timeless and detailed plan of God through the ages as Jesus fills the roles of Prophet, Priest and King for all of mankind.  The insight from the understanding of the Jewish culture and their relationship with God helped give me a perspective that I would not have known otherwise.  I am very grateful to have been able to sit under the teaching of Jim Sibley as he presented these insights.

 

Reed Ashwill, CLU, CFP

Chairman, Borden Hamman Agency

Endorsement: Marian C. Ashwill

I am so grateful for the study “Messiah:  Prophet, Priest and King.”  It opened up a new understanding of how the Old Testament and New Testament perfectly connect the dots regarding Jesus, our Messiah, and His role as Prophet, Priest and King.  Many times during the study I felt like the disciples must have felt on the road to Emmaus as Jesus walked along and opened up the Scriptures to them regarding Himself.  It is a great study!

Marian C. Ashwill

About the author

Jim R. Sibley, PhD

Jim R. Sibley, PhD, is a research Professor at Israel College of the Bible in Netanya, Israel. He and his wife, Kathy, lived in Israel for 16 years and have served in Jewish ministry for many years.

Jim has taught courses relating to Israel in seminaries and colleges across the US and in Canada. As an author, he has contributed to books and theological journals, and he has presented academic papers at conferences.

He has been actively involved with the Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism for many years, having served on the International Coordinating Committee and as the North America Coordinator. Retired in January 2019, he is now engaged in writing projects, serving on the Steering Committee for the Messianic Jewish Study Group of the Evangelical Theological Society, and teaching at his home church, First Baptist Church of Dallas.

Learn More

Dr. Robert Jeffress, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas

Dr. Sibley is a recognized leader in Jewish ministry. He has served as the North America Coordinator for the major international network of Jewish mission organizations and has led Southern Baptist Jewish ministries in North America. With degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Dallas Theological Seminary and a lifetime of experience in Jewish ministry, including sixteen years in Israel, he has become a major voice in issues related to Israel and the Jewish people. He has contributed chapters to a number of books, articles in academic journals, and many other articles and papers. Having grown up in our church, he and his wife continue to contribute to the life and ministry of our church.

Articles

Welcome to our collection of insightful articles! Here, you’ll find a diverse range of topics crafted  to inform, inspire, and educate. Whether you’re looking for the  in-depth analyses, or practical application, our articles are designed to provide valuable perspectives and engage your curiosity. 

The Undercover Messiah: Messiah as Prophet, Priest and King.

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Abstract: Our Destination Have you ever wondered about the Messianic Kingdom we hear so much about? I have too. In some of our churches, we hear people speaking about “the growth of the kingdom,” of “kingdom authority,” and of “doing kingdom business.” What’s behind this lingo? In the course of…

Yeshua the Prophet like Moses is Born

|

For some, the Christmas narrative has become trite, something to be toyed with, but the story of the infant in the manager is not some fairy tale. It is the revelation of the King-Like-David, the Redeemer of Israel and the Nations.

The Lesson of the Loaves

|

When Jesus feeds the multitude by multiplying bread, it is not lost on the people that he is the Prophet Moses predicted. Yet, the people - and even the disciples - fail to understand what this prophetic role would entail.

Here comes the Judge

|

Moses served as a judge for Israel. His judging was not a condemning or critical type of judging but making decisions regarding disputes or disagreements. If Moses is presented as a judge, the Messianic Prophet of whom he spoke is the ultimate judge.

A Journey of Discovery

|

Following the Resurrection, two disciples of Jesus left Jerusalem, walking to the townof Emmaus about seven miles away. As they walked together, a stranger joined themand intruded into their conversation. The stranger was the Prophet Like Moses.

Water for an Israelite

|

The Samaritans, who only acknowledge the Pentateuch as inspired, were looking for Moses\' successor, the giver of water. It\'s the woman at the well who first puts the pieces together and recognizes the long-awaited Restorer.

The Storm of Revelation

|

Why does the text say that Jesus intended to pass by his frightened disciples on the lake, and how does that have to do with Moses’ divine encounter on Sinai? Part of our ongoing series \"Jesus, the Prophet Like Moses.\"

Ascending the Moutain of God

|

Jesus’s transfiguration looks back to Moses’ transforming encounter with the God of Israel and points forward to the Son of Man, the Prophet-Like-Moses, ruling and reigning at the right hand of the Father

Moses and the Last Supper

|

Only one character in the Tanakh can truly be said to be the One prophesied to succeed Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15–19: The Servant of the Lord depicted in Isaiah 40–55. Fourth in a year-long series.