Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Jn.3:16) in whom and through whom God is revealed to us (Heb.1:1,2). He is the Word of God (Jn.1:1), the image of the invisible God (Col.1:15). He was not created or given birth to; He is not a “son” in that sense; He is eternal. He is God (Jn.1:1). He is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Tim.2:5) and between man and man (Eph.2:14). Whatever is finally known to us about God is known through and in Jesus Christ, because the fullness of Godhead dwells in Him bodily (Col.2:9). He is the express image of God’s person, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Col.1:16; Heb.1:3). He is not an other God but is God and one with God (Jn.17:22) who is a Trinity. God is Father, God is Son, God is Holy Spirit. But God is not three. He is one. The three are one. How can that be? It is so because God is Truth, God is Joy, and God is Love. As Truth, God is a unity of the Knower, the Known, and the Omniscient Spirit. As Love, He is the Lover, the Beloved, and the Spirit of Love. As Joy, He is the Rejoicer, the Object of Pleasure, and the Spirit of Joy. Jesus existed before Abraham existed (Jn.8:58). Jesus existed before the creation of this universe (Jn.1:1,2). Jesus is eternal.
All things were made through Jesus and for Jesus (Col.1:16). He is the Heir of God, the Firstborn of all creation (Col.1:15). He is the Redeemer of creation, the Savior of the world, for which purpose He became man (Jn.1:14) to suffer the penalty of our sins and fulfill the righteousness of God (Heb.2:9-18). He rose from the dead and became the author of a new creation so that all who receive Him by obedience of faith are made co-heirs of the Kingdom of God. He will return again in the Last Day to judge the living and the dead (2 Tim.4:1).
Notes from Outline of Theology
Offices of Christ
Prophet – Mk. 6:15; Jn. 4:19; Jn. 6:14; Jn. 9:17
Priest – Heb. 2:14-16; Heb. 8:3; Eph. 1:6
King – Gen. 14:18-19; Heb. 7:1-3; Psa. 110:1-4; Zec. 6:13
Work Mt. 1:21; Jn. 1:29; 1Co. 15:1-3
The 2nd Person
Co-Eternal, Co-Substantial, Co-Equal With Each Of The Person Of Trinity (Nicea 345 AD)
Christ’s Two Natures: Unmixed, Unchanged, Undivided, Inseparable. (Chalcedon 451 AD)
Christological Heresies (in bold, acceptable)
1. Ebionism – Denied deity and pre-existence of Christ.
2. Docetism – Denied His humanity; affirmed His deity; Jesus appeared human but was really divine.
3. Arianism – Denied deity; Christ was the first and highest created being homoiousia, not homoousia. He is subordinate to the Father.
4. Appolinarianism – Denied human spirit of Jesus. The divine Logos took the place of the human mind. Affirmed Christ’s deity and real humanness (not complete humanness).
5. Nestorianism – Denied union of natures, the unity of Christ’s person. The union was moral, not organic-thus tow persons. The human was completely controlled by the divine. Distinguished human Jesus, who died, from Divine Son, who cannot die.
6. Eutychianism – Denied distinction of natures; monophysitist; the human nature was swallowed by the divine to create a new third nature. Maintained the unity of Christ’s person.
The Person of Christ
1. Preincarnate – Pre-existence (Jn. 1:1; 1Jo. 1:1; Jn. 17:5). Participation in creation (Gen. 1:26; Prov. 8:30; Col. 1:15; Jn. 1:3;Col. 1:16; 1Co. 8:6). Christophanies (Gen.18,19; Hos.1:7; Gen.22,31; Exo. 3:2; Exo. 14:19; Num. 22:22; Judg.6).
2. Divine Nature – Divine Attributes (eternal-Jn. 1:1; Jn. 8:58; Jn. 17:5; omnipresent- Mt. 28:20; Eph. 1:23; omniscient-Jn.16:30;21:17; omnipotent- Jn.5:19; immutable- Heb. 1:12; Heb. 13:8). Divine Offices (Creator- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Sustainer- Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). Divine Prerogatives (forgives sin – Mt. 9:2; Luk. 7:47; raises dead- Jn. 5:25; Jn. 11:25; executes judgement- Jn. 5:22). Identified with OT YHWH – I AM (Jn. 8:58; Jn. 12:41; Jn. 8:24;Jn. 8:50-58). Divine Names (Alpha & Omega-Rev. 22:13; I AM –Jn. 8:58; Immanuel- Mt. 1:22; Lord-Mt. 7:21; Son of God- Jn. 10:36; God- Jn. 1:1; 2Pe. 1:1; Tit. 2:13; 1Jo. 5:20). Divine Relations (Image of God- Col. 1:15; Hb.1:3; One with Father- Jn. 10:30). Accepts Divine Worship (Mt. 14:33; Mt. 28:9; Jn. 20:28-29). Claims to be God (Jn.8:58; Jn. 10:30; Jn. 17:5 – in such case, He is either liar, lunatic, or the Lord that He claims to be, but never can be regarded as merely a good moral teacher).
3. Human Nature – Human Birth (Mt. 1:18; Mt. 2:11). Human Development (Luk. 2:50-52). Essential Elements of Human Nature(Human body – Mt. 26:12; Jn. 2:21; Reason & will – Mt. 26:38; Mk. 2:8). Human Names (Jesus -Mt. 1:21; Son of Man- Mt. 8:20; Mt. 11:18; Son of Abraham- Mt. 1:1; Son of David- Mt.1:1). Sinless Infirmities of Human Nature (weariness-Jn. 4:6; hunger- Mt. 4:2;Mt. 21:18; thirst- Jn. 19:28; temptation- Mt. 4; Heb. 2:18).Repeatedly Called a Man (Jn. 1:30; Jn. 4:9; Jn. 10:38).
4. Union of Natures – Theanthropic – The person of Christ is theanthropic; He has two natures, divine and human, in one person.Personal – Hypostatic union, constituting one personal substance: two natures but one person. Includes the Human and Divine Qualities and Acts – Both the human and divine qualities and acts may be ascribed to Christ under either of His natures. Constant Presence of Both Humanity and Divinity- His natures cannot be separated.
5. Character – Absolutely Holy (His human nature was created holy –Luk. 1:35; He committed no sin – 1Pe. 2:22; He always pleased the Father- Jn. 2:22). Possesses Genuine Love (Laid down His life – Jn. 15:13; His love surpasses all knowledge- Eph. 3:19). Truly Humble –Phil. 2:5-8. Meek- Mt. 11:29. Balanced – ‘He was grave without being melancholy. He was joyful without being frivolous.’ Prayerful– Mt. 14:23; Luk. 6:12). Incessant Worker – Jn. 5:17; Jn. 9:4). Stern(Mt. 16:33; Mt. 23:13-36). Wise (Mt. 22:19; Jn. 2:24; Jn. 7:1).Compassionate (Mt. 14:14; Mt. 15:32; Mt. 20:34).
Impeccability of Christ
Definitions: Peccability – Christ could sin; Impeccability – Christ could not sin. Questions: If Jesus could not sin, how could He be truly human? Vs. If Jesus could sin, how could He be truly divine?
Points of Agreement: Christ’s temptations were real (Heb. 4:15);Christ experienced struggle (Mt. 26:36-46); Christ did not sin (2Co. 5:21; Heb. 7:26; Jas. 5:6; 1Pe. 2:22; 1Pe. 3:18).
Conclusion – Impeccability : Temptation implies possibility of sin in general (humans) but not in specific (Christ). For instance, the testing of gold implies the possibility of things not being gold in general, but not the possibility of pure gold not being pure gold. The end of testing gold is to distinguish true gold from false gold. Thus, Christ’s not falling in sin proves He could not sin. Since, Jesus is God and sin is rebellion against God, Jesus could not sin, for it is impossible for Him to rebel against Himself, unless His omniscience and omnipotence were brought into question. Thus, being human, He was tempted, but being divine and undivided in His moral nature, He was essentially holy and so could not sin.
All things were made through Jesus and for Jesus (Col.1:16). He is the Heir of God, the Firstborn of all creation (Col.1:15). He is the Redeemer of creation, the Savior of the world, for which purpose He became man (Jn.1:14) to suffer the penalty of our sins and fulfill the righteousness of God (Heb.2:9-18). He rose from the dead and became the author of a new creation so that all who receive Him by obedience of faith are made co-heirs of the Kingdom of God. He will return again in the Last Day to judge the living and the dead (2 Tim.4:1).
Notes from Outline of Theology
Offices of Christ
Prophet – Mk. 6:15; Jn. 4:19; Jn. 6:14; Jn. 9:17
Priest – Heb. 2:14-16; Heb. 8:3; Eph. 1:6
King – Gen. 14:18-19; Heb. 7:1-3; Psa. 110:1-4; Zec. 6:13
Work Mt. 1:21; Jn. 1:29; 1Co. 15:1-3
The 2nd Person
Co-Eternal, Co-Substantial, Co-Equal With Each Of The Person Of Trinity (Nicea 345 AD)
Christ’s Two Natures: Unmixed, Unchanged, Undivided, Inseparable. (Chalcedon 451 AD)
Christological Heresies (in bold, acceptable)
1. Ebionism – Denied deity and pre-existence of Christ.
2. Docetism – Denied His humanity; affirmed His deity; Jesus appeared human but was really divine.
3. Arianism – Denied deity; Christ was the first and highest created being homoiousia, not homoousia. He is subordinate to the Father.
4. Appolinarianism – Denied human spirit of Jesus. The divine Logos took the place of the human mind. Affirmed Christ’s deity and real humanness (not complete humanness).
5. Nestorianism – Denied union of natures, the unity of Christ’s person. The union was moral, not organic-thus tow persons. The human was completely controlled by the divine. Distinguished human Jesus, who died, from Divine Son, who cannot die.
6. Eutychianism – Denied distinction of natures; monophysitist; the human nature was swallowed by the divine to create a new third nature. Maintained the unity of Christ’s person.
The Person of Christ
1. Preincarnate – Pre-existence (Jn. 1:1; 1Jo. 1:1; Jn. 17:5). Participation in creation (Gen. 1:26; Prov. 8:30; Col. 1:15; Jn. 1:3;Col. 1:16; 1Co. 8:6). Christophanies (Gen.18,19; Hos.1:7; Gen.22,31; Exo. 3:2; Exo. 14:19; Num. 22:22; Judg.6).
2. Divine Nature – Divine Attributes (eternal-Jn. 1:1; Jn. 8:58; Jn. 17:5; omnipresent- Mt. 28:20; Eph. 1:23; omniscient-Jn.16:30;21:17; omnipotent- Jn.5:19; immutable- Heb. 1:12; Heb. 13:8). Divine Offices (Creator- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Sustainer- Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). Divine Prerogatives (forgives sin – Mt. 9:2; Luk. 7:47; raises dead- Jn. 5:25; Jn. 11:25; executes judgement- Jn. 5:22). Identified with OT YHWH – I AM (Jn. 8:58; Jn. 12:41; Jn. 8:24;Jn. 8:50-58). Divine Names (Alpha & Omega-Rev. 22:13; I AM –Jn. 8:58; Immanuel- Mt. 1:22; Lord-Mt. 7:21; Son of God- Jn. 10:36; God- Jn. 1:1; 2Pe. 1:1; Tit. 2:13; 1Jo. 5:20). Divine Relations (Image of God- Col. 1:15; Hb.1:3; One with Father- Jn. 10:30). Accepts Divine Worship (Mt. 14:33; Mt. 28:9; Jn. 20:28-29). Claims to be God (Jn.8:58; Jn. 10:30; Jn. 17:5 – in such case, He is either liar, lunatic, or the Lord that He claims to be, but never can be regarded as merely a good moral teacher).
3. Human Nature – Human Birth (Mt. 1:18; Mt. 2:11). Human Development (Luk. 2:50-52). Essential Elements of Human Nature(Human body – Mt. 26:12; Jn. 2:21; Reason & will – Mt. 26:38; Mk. 2:8). Human Names (Jesus -Mt. 1:21; Son of Man- Mt. 8:20; Mt. 11:18; Son of Abraham- Mt. 1:1; Son of David- Mt.1:1). Sinless Infirmities of Human Nature (weariness-Jn. 4:6; hunger- Mt. 4:2;Mt. 21:18; thirst- Jn. 19:28; temptation- Mt. 4; Heb. 2:18).Repeatedly Called a Man (Jn. 1:30; Jn. 4:9; Jn. 10:38).
4. Union of Natures – Theanthropic – The person of Christ is theanthropic; He has two natures, divine and human, in one person.Personal – Hypostatic union, constituting one personal substance: two natures but one person. Includes the Human and Divine Qualities and Acts – Both the human and divine qualities and acts may be ascribed to Christ under either of His natures. Constant Presence of Both Humanity and Divinity- His natures cannot be separated.
5. Character – Absolutely Holy (His human nature was created holy –Luk. 1:35; He committed no sin – 1Pe. 2:22; He always pleased the Father- Jn. 2:22). Possesses Genuine Love (Laid down His life – Jn. 15:13; His love surpasses all knowledge- Eph. 3:19). Truly Humble –Phil. 2:5-8. Meek- Mt. 11:29. Balanced – ‘He was grave without being melancholy. He was joyful without being frivolous.’ Prayerful– Mt. 14:23; Luk. 6:12). Incessant Worker – Jn. 5:17; Jn. 9:4). Stern(Mt. 16:33; Mt. 23:13-36). Wise (Mt. 22:19; Jn. 2:24; Jn. 7:1).Compassionate (Mt. 14:14; Mt. 15:32; Mt. 20:34).
Impeccability of Christ
Definitions: Peccability – Christ could sin; Impeccability – Christ could not sin. Questions: If Jesus could not sin, how could He be truly human? Vs. If Jesus could sin, how could He be truly divine?
Points of Agreement: Christ’s temptations were real (Heb. 4:15);Christ experienced struggle (Mt. 26:36-46); Christ did not sin (2Co. 5:21; Heb. 7:26; Jas. 5:6; 1Pe. 2:22; 1Pe. 3:18).
Conclusion – Impeccability : Temptation implies possibility of sin in general (humans) but not in specific (Christ). For instance, the testing of gold implies the possibility of things not being gold in general, but not the possibility of pure gold not being pure gold. The end of testing gold is to distinguish true gold from false gold. Thus, Christ’s not falling in sin proves He could not sin. Since, Jesus is God and sin is rebellion against God, Jesus could not sin, for it is impossible for Him to rebel against Himself, unless His omniscience and omnipotence were brought into question. Thus, being human, He was tempted, but being divine and undivided in His moral nature, He was essentially holy and so could not sin.
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