I. FOUNDATIONS

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched -- this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our (your) joy complete." I John 1:1-4 NIV

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs." Hebrews 1:1-4 NIV

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Colossians 1:16 NIV

Let it first be said that ALL of the attributes that are ascribed to God apply equally to His Son Jesus Christ; such as Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Omniscience, Eternality and Immutability.

Christology begins from the viewpoint that "the word became flesh", divinity took on humanity, the Logos assumed human nature; not vice versa! This means the divinity, Word, Logos is the formative and controlling agency.

II. IMPORTANT EVENTS CONCERNING
CHRIST JESUS

What do each of these four events tell us about Christ Jesus?

A. Incarnation:

John 1:1-5, 10-14; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:26-38

The incarnation is the fundamental foundation upon which our faith rests. Without the incarnation Christianity could not stand. This is God's revelation to man.

The literal meaning of the word "incarnation" is "enfleshment" (Latin). So when we speak of the incarnation of the Son of God, we mean the enfleshment of God - God manifest in the flesh.

God provides two witnesses in the Gospel of Matthew and Luke to establish this great truth, and though this is one of the doctrines most frequently attacked by the liberal church and the world, it is nevertheless God's revelation to us.

1. What Were the Purposes of the Virgin Birth?

a. To reveal the invisible God - John 1:18; 14:7-11. Jesus said, "whoever has seen me has seen the Father."

b. To provide an effective sacrifice for sin - Hebrews 10:4,5,8-10. There would be no Savior without the Incarnation. Sin requires death for its payment. God does not die. The Savior had to be human in order to die and divine to provide a perfect sacrifice, a God-man.

c. To fulfill prophecy - Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6.

d. To fulfill the Davidic Covenant - Isaiah 11:1, 10. Gabriel announced to Mary that Jesus would be given the throne of David (Luke 1:31-33). An invisible God reigning over the affairs of men does not fulfill this! Only an actual human being could occupy this throne, but to occupy it for ever requires one that does not die. The one who occupies the Davidic throne must be a God-man!

e. To destroy the works of the devil - I John 3:8. This was done by Christ's coming, not on His resurrection! The Incarnation was necessary to defeat Satan because Satan must be defeated in the area he dominates, this present age or world. Christ was sent into this world to destroy Satan's works!

f. To be able to be a sympathetic High Priest - Hebrews 4:14-16. Our High Priest can feel our weaknesses because He was tested as we are. But God is never tested, so it was necessary for God to become man in order to be tested in order to be a sympathetic Priest.

g. To be able to be a qualified Judge - John 5:22,27. All judgment will be executed by our Lord Jesus Christ "because He is the Son of Man." This is the title that links Him to the earth and His earthly mission. It is necessary for our Judge to be human so that He may put down all excuses people will try to make. He must be God so that His judgment is true and just.

h. To provide an example for our lives - I Peter 2:21; I John 2:6. Jesus has provided us a visible pattern of living to follow after. Without the Incarnation we would not have an example of how we ought to live or a proof of such a reality. As man Jesus experienced the changes of life and furnishes us an experienced example; as God He offers us the power to follow His example.

John 1:14 Showing forth the glory, manifestation of God the Father.

Jesus performed the works that only God can perform.

Matthew 10:6-8 The Mission and Ministry of Jesus Christ.

1. Seek and save that which was lost. "Go to the lost sheep of Israel." Jew and Greek - Matthew 10:6; Luke 19:10; 15:4,6,9,24,32; John 6:12.

2. The immanency of God's Kingdom. "As you go, preach: the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Mark 1:15; Luke 10:1-3,8-11; 12:23; 17:20-21.

3. To destroy the works of the devil. "Heal the sick, cleanse the leper, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." I John 3:8; Luke 4:18.

C. Death

Matthew 27:32-56; Mark 15:21-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:16-37
Hebrews 9:15, Ransom;
Romans 5:9-11, Atonement;
Hebrews 7:27; 9:26; 10:12-14, Sacrifice;
Galatians 3:13, Redeemed us from the Curse;
II Corinthians 5:21, Made to be sin with our sin, that we might become righteous with his righteousness.

D. Resurrection

Colossians 2:9-15
Hebrews 9:11-15
I Corinthians 15:14, 17

1. Importance of the Resurrection

a. The assurance of Jesus' person. Christ's prediction of his death and resurrection reflects on His person. One who could predict this event has to be greater than the sons of men. If Christ did not rise from the dead he is a liar because He predicted he would. The resurrection proves that Jesus is a prophet. Without the resurrection, all that Jesus said would be subject to doubt.

b. The assurance of our salvation. If Christ did not rise from the dead then we have no proof that our salvation is accomplished. Salvation is not something that takes place apart from the resurrection. Without the resurrection their would be no post-resurrection ministries of Jesus, we would not therefore have a High Priest, Intercessor, Advocate, or a Head of the Church. There would be no living Person to indwell and empower us.

c. The assurance of the Gospel. I Corinthians 15:3-8 shows that the death and resurrection are of crucial importance. The Gospel is based on two facts: a Savior died and He lives. The burial proves the reality of his death, He did not merely faint, He died. The list of witnesses proves the reality of His resurrection. Jesus Christ was delivered for our offenses and raised for our justification!

d. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in every believer! Romans 4:25; 8:33; Philippians 3:10; Colossians 2:12. If there is no resurrection then our witness is false, our faith has no meaningful content, and there is no future and we are hopeless (I Corinthians 15:13-19).

III. TITLES: Express relationship and function!

A. What are some titles that express relationship to man?

Relationship to man: Christ (Messiah, Savior); King; Lord; Priest; Shepherd; Lamb of God; Teacher (Rabbi, Master); Son of Man; Emmanuel; the Second Man; the Last Adam.

B. What are some titles that express relationship to the Father?

Relationship to the Father: Son of God; Son of Abraham; Son of David; Son of the Highest; the Word.

C. Titles:

1. JESUS: Corresponds to the Hebrew Joshua which means "Jehovah (Yahweh) is salvation" i.e. "is the Savior". The name of Jesus is more prominent in the Gospels, whereas Christ is more prominent in the Epistles. Jesus is the name of him born of Mary. Jesus is emphasized before Calvary and afterward it is the Christ!

2. CHRIST / MESSIAH: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye crucified, both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). Though the unbelievers see Him as just a man (Jesus), He is proclaimed by God to be both Lord and CHRIST, the Anointed One.

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent (John 17:3 KJV).

CHRIST has been anointed Prophet (Acts 3:22,23); Priest (Hebrews 4:14,15); King (Luke 1:31,33).

In the Gospels, Christ is pictured as the "King" of Israel, and in the Epistles as "Head" of the Church.

MESSIAH in the Old Testament is a term applied to the priests who were anointed with the Holy Oil, particularly the High Priest (Leviticus 4:3,5,16). The prophets are called "the anointed of God" (Psalm 105:15). The title is also applied to one king of Israel (I Samuel 2:10,35; II Samuel 1:14; Psalm 2:2; 18:50; Habakkuk 3:13). Jesus acknowledged the title of Christ three times (Matthew 16:16,17; Mark 14:61,62; John 4:25,26).

The title with the article specifies the Lord Jesus as "the Christ;" the title without the article stresses His character and His relationship with believers, to signify the One who by His Holy Spirit and power indwells believers and molds their character in conformity to His likeness (Romans 8:10; Galatians 2:20; 4:19; Ephesians 3:17).

"Christ Jesus" describes the Exalted One who emptied Himself (Philippians 2:5), and testifies to His pre-existence; "Jesus Christ" describes the despised and rejected One who was afterwards glorified (Philippians 2:11), and testifies to His resurrection. "Christ Jesus" suggests His grace; "Jesus Christ" suggests His glory.

The title "Lord" as given to the Savior, in its full significance rests upon the resurrection (Acts 2:36; Romans 10:9; 14:9) and is realized only in the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:3).

6. EMMANUEL: Means "God is with us" (Matthew 1:23).

7. GOD: "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). Simon Peter, a servant of Jesus Christ, to them who have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:1).

8. THE SECOND MAN: Indicating the beginning of a new race. "As in Adam all men die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive" (I Corinthians 15:22). "The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven" (I Corinthians 15:47).

9. THE LAST ADAM: "And so it is written, the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit (I Corinthians 15:45). Indicating that there is no one else to follow Jesus Christ.

10. THE SON OF ABRAHAM: The Messiah was to be a Jew, Christ was a Jew for He was a Son of Abraham, and thus the Christ (Matthew 1:1).

11. THE SON OF DAVID: This is a messianic royal title, God had told David his seed should never fail to rule over the House of Israel. Thus the SON OF DAVID was a recognition of kingship over Israel (Matthew 21:9; 22:41-45; John 7:42).

12. THE SON OF GOD: The Lord's title of personal glory and deity. A Christian is "A" son of God by regeneration, whereas Jesus Christ is "THE" Son of God by relation and nature.

13. THE SON OF THE HIGHEST: A title of pre-eminence (Luke 1:32).

14. THE SON OF MAN: The title most frequently used by Jesus of Himself (Luke 9:58). We are sons of men, He is "THE SON OF MAN". Used 88 times in the New Testament; most prominently when speaking of the Millennial reign.

15. THE WORD: The invisible God is revealed by the visible expressed Word (John 1:1) just as our spoken words reveal our thoughts and intents.

16. PROPHET: Moses predicted a Prophet would be raised up (Deuteronomy 18:15). Jesus claimed to be a prophet (Matthew 13:57; Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24; 13:33; John 4:44). A prophet speaks to men for God.

17. PRIEST: A Priest speaks to God for men. Jesus was appointed as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:5-6).

18. KING: Jesus is King of Kings (Revelation 17:14; 19:16).

D. The Pre-Existent Christ

1. Jesus' heavenly origin: John 3:13, 31.

2. Jesus' work as Creator: John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2. Jesus was involved in creation, all things were created for Him (Col. 1:16), and Jesus sustains his own creation, for in Him all things hold together (Col. 1:17).

3. His relationship with God: He claimed equality with God (John 10:30). He claimed equal glory with the Father before the world began (John 17:5). Paul claimed Jesus had the same nature as God (Philippians 2:6).

4. Jesus claimed full deity (Colossians 2:9).

5. The Angel of the Lord: Genesis 16:7-14; 21:17-18; 22:11-18; 31:11-13; Exodus 3:2; Judges 2:1-4; 5:23; 6:11-22; 13:3-22; II Samuel 24:16; Zechariah 1:12; 3:1; 12:8.

The Angel of the Lord is distinguished from Yahweh: Genesis 24:7; Zechariah 1:12-13. That he is a member of the Trinity is indicated by the fact that the appearances of the Angel of Yahweh cease after the incarnation. This is confirmed by the Old Testament statement that the Angel of the Lord accompanied Israel when they left Egypt (Exodus 14:19; cf. 23:20) and the New Testament statement that the Rock who followed Israel was Christ (I Corinthians 10:4).

The Angel of Yahweh 1) acted as a messenger (Genesis 16:7-14; 22:11-18; 31:11-13); 2) guided and protected Israel (Exodus 14:19; 23:20; II Kings 19:35); 3) he was the instrument of judgment on Israel when God sent a pestilence on the people (I Chronicles 21:1-27); 4) he was the agent of refreshment to Elijah (I Kings 19:5-7).

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