The Doctrine of Christ
Christology deals with Christ as a person and His work.
By David K. Irwin
All the facts contained within this document were discovered in:
Nelson's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Bible Facts
By
J.I. Packer
Merrill C. Tenney
William White, Jr.
A personal message:
This book was given to me by a lifetime friend, Gary Hammer…my thanks cannot convey what this meant to me on those long, lonely days in jail. God has surely blessed you and Andrea both…love you always.
Table of Contents
The Five Titles of Jesus Reflect His Person
Today's Christians believe he is both God and man. The bible says there is only one God and no lesser gods (Exodus 20:3-5). Yet, it says Jesus is God (John 1:1). It also says He was worshiped at God's command (Hebrews 1:6) while lesser spiritual beings refused to be worshiped (Revelations 22:8-9) because worship was to be given only to God. Since Jesus is co-creator with His Father (John 1:3 and Hebrews 1:2), both must be worshiped.
Although the bible well establishes that Jesus was human, He did not partake of sin that is characteristic of all humans! (Luke 1:35).
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Jesus had two distinct natures…
The Triune (3 in 1) God, or Jesus, showed us the relationship between Father, Son, and Spirit or Holy Ghost. He assumed human nature in such a way that it did not change His divine nature.
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He humbles Himself before the law, therefore God exalted Him over it. He suffered all of man's sufferings, including death, to redeem man from sin. He was surrounded by sin. The devil repeatedly attacked Him. His own people turned away from Him. His enemies persecuted Him. Finally, He suffered all the wrath of God against sin. No other has suffered as intensely as Jesus…or ever will.
God raised Christ from the dead taking Him to heaven to sit on His right hand so that one day He may return to judge the living and the dead.
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Prophet - One who is given God's word, or revelations, to pass on.
God used the mouth of Jesus Christ to communicate what He wished to say. The Old Testament promised a great prophet (Deuteronomy 18:18). Jesus was that prophet (Acts 3:22-24). He spoke prophetically before being born through the writers of the Old Testament (1 Peter 1:11). During His life He taught the word of God. Even now, he continues his prophetic work through the Holy Spirit in believers of the Word.
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A priest must be appointed by God, act on man's behalf, make sacrifices and offerings for sins, and, finally, intercede for people and bless them. Jesus presented Himself as a priestly sacrifice and it gained, for His people, eternal salvation. Christ reconciles the sinner to God. He redeems us from our sins (John 3:16).
When Christ came into the world, there was no change in God Himself…only a change in His relation to sinners. Christ's sacrifice covered the guilt that stood between sinners and God.
Christ intercedes for His people. He entered Heaven by the perfect sacrifice that he offered to the Father (Himself). In the presence of God, Christ now answers the constant accusations of the devil against believers. Our prayers are often impure or tainted. Christ is constantly praying to the Father in our behalf. Finally, He prays for believers. He pleads for the needs we do not mention in our prayers…things we ignore, underestimate, or do not see. He also prays for those who do not believe as of yet.
As the second person of the Trinity, co-creator with the Father, He is eternal King over all things. As Savior, He is head of the Spiritual Kingdom - the "head" of the church (Ephesians 1:22).
He received Kingship when God exalted to His place I heaven. He will deliver this Kingdom to the Father when He accomplishes the final victory over evil (1 Corinthians 15:24-28)…i.e., when He destroys this world-order once and for all and makes it new. Then the universe as we know it will cease to exist. Only Christ and His Kingdom shall remain.