GOD THE SON

CHRIST: HIS PERSON AND WORK

February 11, 2014

Learning Objectives

• Understand the person of Christ

• Appreciate the mission/work of Jesus Christ

Belief Summary“God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were

created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished,

and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the

Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and

experienced temptation as a human being but perfectly exemplified the

righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God’s power and was

attested as God’s Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins

and in our place, was raised from the dead and ascended t minister in the heavenly

sanctuary on our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His

people and the restoration of all things.”

Introduction

• Jesus Christ is at the centre of the Christian religion

• Christianity is a commitment to a person: Jesus Christ

• The Scriptures are a reliable and trustworthy revelation of the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Incarnation

• Christ’s preexistence

• Christ’s incarnation

• The virgin birth

• Birth prophesied

Human & Divine

The Humanity of Christ

• He was a genuine human being

• A human way of life shaped by scriptural principles

A Sinless Human Nature

• Sinless character

• “He came “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (‘Rom. 8:3). He took human nature in its fallen condition with its infirmities and liabilities and bearing the consequences of sin; but not its sinfulness. He was truly human, one with the human race, except for sin.”

The Deity of Christ

Christ’s titles:

• Messiah/Christ (Anointed One)

• Christ as Lord

• Son of God

• Jesus as God (Heb. 1:8,9; Psalm 45:6,7;

One Person-Truly Divine, Truly Human

• The plurality associated with the triune God is not present in Christ. The Bible describes Jesus as one person not two.

• Christ’s dual nature is not composed of an abstract divine power or influence that is connected with His humanity. “The Word became flesh…”

One Person-Truly Divine, Truly Human cont’d.

E.G. White “ Was the human nature of the Son of Mary changed into the divine nature of the Son of God? No; the two natures were mysteriously blended in one person – the Man Christ Jesus” {21MR 418}. “He exhibited a perfect humanity, combined with deity;… preserving each nature distinct.” { GCB Oc. 1, 1899; 5BC 918}.

Why was the union of divinity and humanity necessary?• To reconcile humanity with God• To veil divinity with humanity• To live victoriously “Christ’s humanity alone could never have endured the deceptions of Satan. But in Him dwelt “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9). Christ’s experience in victorious living is not His exclusive privilege. He exercised no power that humanity cannot exercise. We may also be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:19)

The Offices of Christ

– Prophet

– Priest

• Earthly Priesthood

• Heavenly Priesthood

– King

• Kingdom of grace

• Kingdom of glory

Resources

• Seventh-day Adventists Believe (2005)

• Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology vol. 12 (Commentary Reference Series)

QUESTIONS?