Condensed Theology Lecture 22

8/6/2019 Condensed Theology Lecture 22

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Condensed Theology

A Primer in Systematic Theology



Christology:

The Doctrine of Christ

What does the Bible teach about

Jesus Christ?



The Person of Christ



The Person of Christ: Defined

• Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man inone person, and will be so forever.



The Humanity of Jesus

Jesus Is Fully Man




• He was born and grew just like we do

– Luke 2:7: And [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son;and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a

manger, because there was no room for them in theinn.

– Luke 2:40: The Child continued to grow and becomestrong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of Godwas upon Him.

– Luke 2:52: And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom andstature, and in favor with God and men.




• He became tired and slept as we do

– Matt 8:24: And behold, there arose a greatstorm on the sea, so that the boat was beingcovered with the waves; but Jesus Himselfwas asleep.

– John 4:6: …and Jacob's well was there. So

Jesus, being wearied from His journey, wassitting thus by the well. It was about the sixthhour.




• He became hungry and thirsty, eating anddrinking as we do

– John 19:28: After this, Jesus, knowing that all things

had already been accomplished, to fulfill theScripture, said, "I am thirsty.“

– Matt 4:2: And after He had fasted forty days and fortynights, He then became hungry.

– Matt 11:19: The Son of Man came eating anddrinking, and they say, “Behold, a gluttonous man anda drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” Yetwisdom is vindicated by her deeds.




• He had a human mind

– Luke 2:40: The Child continued to grow andbecome strong, increasing in wisdom; and thegrace of God was upon Him.

– Luke 2:52: And Jesus kept increasing inwisdom and stature, and in favor with God

and men.




• He learned obedience through hissuffering

– Heb 5:7-8: In the days of His flesh, He offeredup both prayers and supplications with loudcrying and tears to the One able to save Himfrom death, and He was heard because of Hispiety. Although He was a Son, He learnedobedience from the things which He suffered.




• He had a human soul – Matt 26:38: Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply

grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keepwatch with Me."

– John 12:27: "Now My soul has become troubled; andwhat shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour '?But for this purpose I came to this hour.

– John 13:21: When Jesus had said this, He became

troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Truly, truly, Isay to you, that one of you will betray Me.“

– The significance of this point will become apparentwhen we address the history of Christology




• He had the full range of human emotions – Matt 8:10: Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled

and said to those who were following, "Truly I say toyou, I have not found such great faith with anyone in

Israel.” – John 11:33, 35: When Jesus therefore saw [Mary,

the sister of Lazarus] weeping, and the Jews whocame with her also weeping, He was deeply moved inspirit and was troubled….35Jesus wept.

– Heb 5:7: In the days of His flesh, He offered up bothprayers and supplications with loud crying and tearsto the One able to save Him from death, and He washeard because of His piety.




• The people closest to Jesus saw him asmerely a man

– Matt 8:27: The men were amazed, and said,"What kind of a man is this, that even thewinds and the sea obey Him?"

– Matt 9:8: But when the crowds saw this, they

were awestruck, and glorified God, who hadgiven such authority to men.




• The people closest to Jesus saw him as merely a man

– Matt 13:53-58: When Jesus had finished these parables,He departed from there. He came to His hometown andbegan teaching them in their synagogue, so that they wereastonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdomand these miraculous powers? Is not this the carpenter'sson? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers,James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And Hissisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man

get all these things?" And they took offense at Him. ButJesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor exceptin his hometown and in his own household.“ And He didnot do many miracles there because of their unbelief.




• Jesus was sinless

– Now you might see this characteristic assomething that would indicate that Jesus wasnot fully human

– But this would be to forget the condition inwhich man was created

– Eccl 7:29: Behold, I have found only this, thatGod made men upright, but they have soughtout many devices.





– Heb 4:15: For we do not have a high priestwho cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,but One who has been tempted in all thingsas we are, yet without sin.

– 2 Cor 5:21: He made Him who knew no sin tobe sin on our behalf, so that we might becomethe righteousness of God in Him.




• Jesus was sinless – Heb 7:26: For it was fitting for us to have such

a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled,

separated from sinners and exalted above theheavens.

– 1 Pet 1:19: …but with precious blood, as of alamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of

Christ. – 1 Pet 2:22: …who committed no sin, nor was

any deceit found in his mouth.





– 1 Pet 3:18: For Christ also died for sins once for all,the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to

God, having been put to death in the flesh, but madealive in the spirit.

– 1 John 2:1: My little children, I am writing thesethings to you so that you may not sin. And if anyonesins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus

Christ the righteous.

– 1 John 3:5: You know that He appeared in order totake away sins; and in Him there is no sin.




Its Necessity



The Humanity of Jesus:

Its Necessity• To be the successful representative for a

new humanity

– 1 Cor 15:45:

So also it is written, “The firstMAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” Thelast Adam became a life-giving spirit.

– 1 Cor 15:47: The first man is from the earth,

earthy; the second man is from heaven.





new humanity – Rom 5:18-19: So then as through one

transgression there resulted condemnation toall men, even so through one act ofrighteousness there resulted justification oflife to all men. For as through the one man's

disobedience the many were made sinners,even so through the obedience of the One themany will be made righteous.





new humanity

– Phil 3:21:

…who will transform the body ofour humble state into conformity with the bodyof His glory, by the exertion of the power thatHe has even to subject all things to Himself.




Its Necessity• To be the successful representative for a new

humanity

– 1 Cor 15:23: But each in his own order: Christ the

first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at Hiscoming.

– 1 Cor 15:42-44: So also is the resurrection of thedead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised animperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raisedin glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; itis sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. Ifthere is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.




Its Necessity• To be the successful representative for a new humanity

– Heb 2:6-10: But one has testified somewhere, saying, "What isman, that you remember him? Or the son of man, that you areconcerned about him? You have made him for a little while lower

than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor,and have appointed him over the works of your hands; you haveput all things in subjection under his feet." For in subjecting allthings to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But nowwe do not yet see all things subjected to him. But we do see Himwho was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely,Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and

honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death foreveryone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, andthrough whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, toperfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.




Its Necessity• To sympathize with our weaknesses

– Heb 2:18: For since He Himself was temptedin that which He has suffered, He is able tocome to the aid of those who are tempted.

– Heb 4:15: For we do not have a high priestwho cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,but One who has been tempted in all thingsas we are, yet without sin.




Its Necessity• To be a substitute sacrifice

– Heb 2:16-17: For assuredly He does not givehelp to angels, but He gives help to thedescendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had tobe made like His brethren in all things, so thatHe might become a merciful and faithful highpriest in things pertaining to God, to make

propitiation for the sins of the people.




Its Necessity• To be the one mediator between God and

men

– 1 Tim 2:5:

For there is one God, and onemediator also between God and men, theman Christ Jesus.




Its Necessity• To be our example and pattern for living

– 1 John 2:6: …the one who says he abides in Himought himself to walk in the same manner as He

walked. – 1 John 3:2: Beloved, now we are children of God,

and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. Weknow that when He appears, we will be like Him,because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone

who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, justas He is pure.





– 1 Pet 2:21-22: For you have been called forthis purpose, since Christ also suffered foryou, leaving you an example for you to followin His steps, who committed no sin, nor wasany deceit found in his mouth.




Was Jesus able to sin?




Impeccability• The Bible does not answer this question

directly

• What we do know directly is that Jesus, infact, never sinned…

• And that Jesus was tempted in all ways aswe are




Impeccability• The Bible does, however, seem to suggest that it

was impossible for Jesus to sin

– Jas 1:13: Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am

being tempted by God"; for God cannot be temptedby evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

– Since Jesus is also fully God even as he is fully man,it seems that we must conclude this about the God-man as well.

– The union of Jesus’ two natures in one personprevents him from doing any unrighteousness.




Impeccability• How, then, can we say that his

temptations were real?

– Jesus never relied on his divine nature toperform any act of righteousness;

– He relied as a man solely on theempowerment of the Holy Spirit.

– This is what makes his being tempted as weare, temptation as we are.

– The classic example of this is Matthew 4




Impeccability• How, then, can we say that his temptations were

real?

– “Imagine a strong man who performs at a state fair by

bending bars of steel. The first bar he picks up is ahalf inch in diameter. He bends it to a ninety degreeangle and it breaks. Then he picks up an inch-thickbar and bends it until the ends of the bar touch, butstill it does not break. Which bar endured the most

pressure? The obvious answer is the second bar. Itabsorbed the full force of the man’s strength and didnot break.




Impeccability• How, then, can we say that his temptations were

real?

– “On earth, Christ was like that second bar. Because

he never gave in, because he did not run away,because he never went where temptation would lead,but stood strong until that moment of temptation wasover, he endured the full power of temptation. Christendured stress, pain, suffering, and sacrifice of an

intensity that we will never face because he did notbreak. He stood strong against sin for us. Heendured everything the world could throw at him.”



The Deity of Jesus

Jesus Is Fully God



The Deity of Jesus

• John 5:18: For this reason therefore theJews were seeking all the more to kill Him,because He not only was breaking theSabbath, but also was calling God His ownFather, making Himself equal with God.

• John 10:30: "I and the Father are one."



The Deity of Jesus

• John 8:57-58: So the Jews said to Him, "Youare not yet fifty years old, and have You seenAbraham?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, Isay to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”

• Exod 3:14: God said to Moses, "I AM WHO IAM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to thesons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

• Isa 43:10: "You are My witnesses," declares theLORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen,So that you may know and believe Me Andunderstand that I am He. Before Me there wasno God formed, And there will be none after Me.



The Deity of Jesus

• Isa 9:6-7: For a child will be born to us, a sonwill be given to us; And the government will reston His shoulders; And His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, EternalFather, Prince of Peace. There will be no end tothe increase of His government or of peace, Onthe throne of David and over his kingdom, Toestablish it and to uphold it with justice and

righteousness From then on and forevermore.The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplishthis.



The Deity of Jesus

• Col 2:9: For in Him all the fullness of Deitydwells in bodily form,

• Col 1:19: For it was the Father's goodpleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him.

• Matt 1:23: "BEHOLD, THE VIRGINSHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALLBEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALLHIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translatedmeans, "GOD WITH US."



The Deity of Jesus

• Heb 1:1-3: God, after He spoke long ago to thefathers in the prophets in many portions and inmany ways, in these last days has spoken to us

in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things,through whom also He made the world. And Heis the radiance of His glory and the exactrepresentation of His nature, and upholds all

things by the word of His power. When He hadmade purification of sins, He sat down at theright hand of the Majesty on high.



The Deity of Jesus

Lexical Indicators



The Deity of Jesus:

Lexical Indicators• The word qe,oj (théos ) is used of him

– John 1:1, 18: In the beginning was the Word,and the Word was with God, and the Word

was God. 18No one has seen God at any time;the only begotten God who is in the bosom ofthe Father, He has explained Him.

– John 20:28: Thomas answered and said to[Jesus], "My Lord and my God!"



The Deity of Jesus:


– Rom 9:5: ...whose are the fathers, and fromwhom is the Christ according to the flesh, who

is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

– Heb 1:8: But of the Son He says, "Yourthrone, O God, is forever and ever, and therighteous scepter is the scepter of hiskingdom.



The Deity of Jesus:


– Titus 2:13: ...looking for the blessed hopeand the appearing of the glory of our great

God and Savior, Christ Jesus.

– 2 Pet 1:1: Simon Peter, a bond-servant andapostle of Jesus Christ, To those who havereceived a faith of the same kind as ours, bythe righteousness of our God and Savior,Jesus Christ.



The Deity of Jesus:

Lexical Indicators• The word ku,r i oj (kurios ) is used of him

– Matt 3:3: For this is the one referred to byIsaiah the prophet when he said, "THE VOICE

OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS,'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD,MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!'”

– Matt 22:44: 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD,"SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUTYOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET.”’



The Deity of Jesus:

Lexical Indicators• The word ku,r i oj (kurios ) is used of him

– Luke 1:43: And how has it happened to me,that the mother of my Lord would come to

me? – Luke 2:11: ...for today in the city of David

there has been born for you a Savior, who isChrist the Lord.

– Phil 2:11: ...and that every tongue willconfess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the gloryof God the Father.



The Deity of Jesus

Indirect Indicators



The Deity of Jesus:

Indirect Indicators• Jesus possessed attributes of deity

– Eternity

• John 8:58: Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say

to you, before Abraham was born, I am."

• Rev 22:13: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, thefirst and the last, the beginning and the end."



The Deity of Jesus:

Indirect Indicators• Jesus possessed attributes of deity

– Immutability

• Heb 13:8: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and

today and forever.



The Deity of Jesus:

Indirect Indicators• Jesus is considered worthy of worship

– Heb 1:6: And when He again brings thefirstborn into the world, He says, "AND LET

ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM.”



The Deity of Jesus:

Indirect Indicators• Jesus is considered worthy of worship

– Rev 5:12-13: …saying with a loud voice,"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive

power and riches and wisdom and might andhonor and glory and blessing." And everycreated thing which is in heaven and on theearth and under the earth and on the sea, andall things in them, I heard saying, "To Him

who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominionforever and ever."



The Deity of Jesus

Did the eternal Son lose some ofhis divinity when he became a

man?



The Deity of Jesus:

The “Emptying” of the Son• Phil 2:6-7: …who, although He existed in

the form of God, did not regard equalitywith God a thing to be grasped, butemptied Himself, taking the form of abond-servant, and being made in thelikeness of men.



The Deity of Jesus

Its Necessity



The Deity of Jesus:

Its Necessity• 1 John 4:2-3: By this you know the Spirit

of God: every spirit that confesses thatJesus Christ has come in the flesh is fromGod; and every spirit that does notconfess Jesus is not from God; this is thespirit of the antichrist, of which you have

heard that it is coming, and now it isalready in the world.



The Deity of Jesus:

Its Necessity• 1 John 2:23: Whoever denies the Son

does not have the Father; the one whoconfesses the Son has the Father also.

• 2 John 9: Anyone who goes too far anddoes not abide in the teaching of Christ,does not have God; the one who abides in

the teaching, he has both the Father andthe Son.



The Deity of Jesus:

Its Necessity• Salvation is from the Lord, and the whole

message of Scripture is designed to showthat no creature could ever save man—only God himself could.

• In order to be the fulfillment of promiseslike Isa 9:6-7 and Isa 7:14, the savior of

God’s people had to be God himself.

Condensed Theology Lecture 22

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