Let’s look at a number of common questions about Jesus Christ. Is He real history? Can we have faith in Him? What is Christ’s Work? Who was He really? Was He really God in the flesh?
Christ is from Greek, meaning the same as Messiah from Hebrew, the Savior of all humanity. Studying Christ is called Christology.
Who is Christ? Part 1
Is Jesus Historical?
Clement of Rome, Ignatius and Polycarp wrote close to 100 AD quoting from Paul’s epistles so often that even skeptics agree that Paul wrote them, and that he and the other apostles preached the same thing.
So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed. (1 Corinthians 15:11 NLT)
Other passages also show that Paul taught the same Gospel as the other apostles (Acts 2:22-32; 3:15; 4:2; 5:29-32; 10:38-43; 13:30-31; Romans 1:3-4; 10:9; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Philippians 2:6-11).
After fourteen years, Paul again met with the apostles in Jerusalem to consult. He concluded that they did not add any missing ingredients to his message, but rather that Paul’s mission was to the gentiles, while Peter’s was to the Jews.
Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also… As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. (Galatians 2:1-7 NIV)
Medical experts who have examined Roman crucifixion accounts, testify that nobody could have survived the ordeal. With over 24,000 copies of early new testament manuscripts available, the historical evidence for Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is more conclusive than for most other ancient historic events. With over 500 witnesses of his resurrection, we are reminded that most were still alive to corroborate the facts.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NASB)
When we look at belief in Jesus, there are three views of that faith that we could consider.
From Above
When we look at the history of Jesus there are those who reason that we ought to believe in him through faith alone. This is the so-called view from above, from heaven, put forward by such people as Søren Kirkegaard, who believed that James had the answer to this.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17 ESV)
Faith is one of those gifts from above and it is a good and perfect gift.
From Below
A modern tendency is to ignore what people sarcastically call “blind” faith in search of a “reasoned” faith.
There are a couple of disadvantages to this approach. One is that it can lead us to doubt and search for historic evidence alone, evidence from here below on earth. Another disadvantage is that the historic evidence for Jesus was right in front the noses of the Pharisees and Judas, but it did not help them.
One advantage of searching for the historical Jesus “from below” is to discover his human side. If however, in making such an inquiry we ignore God’s revelation we don’t have a right balance. Thomas Aquinas concluded that “Some truths about God exceed all the ability of human reason.”
From Above and Below
Augustine put it well when he suggested that discovering Jesus starts with faith. Peter would agree.
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 16:15-17 KJV)
So, a more balanced approach to discovering Jesus, includes BOTH faith and reason regarding physical evidence.
… calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. (Luke 7:19-22 ESV)
As with many issues where there are two camps divided over issues, the real truth includes both views.
Is Jesus God?
What did Jesus say?
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9 ESV)
Jesus described the angels as His angels.
The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness (Matthew 13:41 NKJV)
Yet, in other places they are understood as being God’s angels.
I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. (Luke 12:8-9 NLT)
In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents. (Luke 15:10 NLT)
Jesus also judges the world.
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. (Matthew 25:31-33 NIV)
To know Jesus is to know the Father.
If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? (John 14:7-9 NLT)
The Pharisees accused him of saying he was the Son of God. He spoke of his future power and did not correct them.
… And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” (Matthew 26:63-66 NASB)
Jesus also said that He is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. (John 11:25 NKJV)
Jesus was accused of making himself equal with God.
For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. (John 5:18 NIV).
What did John say?
The Apostle John said that Jesus, the Word, was God.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-3, 14 KJV)
What did the author of Hebrews say?
The author of the book of Hebrews described the Son as an exact representation of God’s nature, and he names Jesus the Son as God.
… but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also 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… But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. (Hebrews 1:2-3, 8 NIV)
What did Paul say?
Paul the Apostle wrote to the Colossians that Jesus is the image of the invisible God and that in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross… For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 1:15-20; 2:9 NKJV)
Paul also said that Jesus is the judge.
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom (2 Timothy 4:1 KJV)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV)
To the Christians in Philippi Paul wrote that Jesus had the form or nature of God before his birth.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11 NIV)
Why is Jesus Lord?
When we think of the word Lord, we tend to think of the lords and ladies of merry old England, but that is not the use of the word in the Bible. The Greek Old Testament that was used at the time of Jesus was the Septuagint. It used the Greek word kyrios for the Hebrew word YHWH (or its substitute Adonai). That is the word which the Apostles used for Jesus. It is translated as Lord in English today. It means that Jesus was recognized as the Lord God of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament.
We also know that is the case because, often the New Testament uses “Lord” when quoting an Old Testament reference to God.
‘The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. ‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ (Acts 2:20-21 NASB)
… for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NASB)
… but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (1 Peter 3:15 NASB)
Thus the New Testament uses the word Lord alternately for both the Father and Jesus.
So What if Jesus is God?
Because Jesus is God, we can now know the Father through him. It also means that God suffered on a cross for us and not just a mere man. It also means that in Jesus, God and humanity are reunited. We can worship Jesus, because He is God the Son.
Who is Christ? Part 2
Is Jesus Human?
Born like any other human
Jesus had a normal gestation and a normal birth.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. (John 1:14 NLT)
Jesus faced the same temptations, ate the same food and eventually died, like all humans do. Jesus had the same normal human emotions that we all experience like sorrow, anger and joy.
Remarkable knowledge
Jesus also had knowledge that was beyond normal. He knew things about the past, present and future that most people do not know. For instance, he often knew the thoughts of others. However, he did not know everything.
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Mark 13:32 NKJV)
So What if Jesus was also Human?
It means that a real man died for us, who can sympathize with us. Yet, he revealed perfect humanity, the way a man was meant to be when the first one was created. He is also our example.
He revealed that human nature as originally created is good. Jesus also revealed that God is not so totally transcendent, so far above us that we cannot have a relationship with him. God incarnate came down to our level to save the world.
Is Jesus Fully God and Fully Human?
Christians generally agree that the incarnation, Jesus being born of a woman, was not simply the adding of humanity to God. Rather, for a time he voluntarily gave up some divine attributes.
Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain equal with God. Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us. (Philippians 2:6-7 CEV)
His nature was one of divinity-humanity or as some say so well, both divinity and humanity are most fully known in Jesus. We did not ascend to divinity, but God condescended to take on a human frame.
A Virgin Birth?
All Christianity teaches that Jesus was born of a virgin.
“A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:18-25 CEV)
Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not married!” (Luke 1:26-38 CEV)
The early church father Ignatius confessed to it and it is the confession of all Christians.
So What if Jesus was Born of a Virgin?
Because Jesus was born of a virgin then God and humanity are unified. Yet, Jesus was sinless. Salvation is a supernatural intervention from heaven above, a gift of grace. Jesus is unique in all history. His birth was possible because God is sovereign over nature.
What is Christ’s Work?
Jesus was a prophet.
And the crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee." (Matthew 21:11 NASB)
He revealed the Father and revealed the truth. He is also a King now and forever. Jesus is our high priest presiding over the atonement.
Jesus first humbled himself to become human via the incarnation. Then he died and descended to Hades, was resurrected, ascended back to heaven from where he first came and will come again in the Second Coming.
How Jesus Atoned for Sin
Jesus’ great contribution was to reconcile humanity and God, atoning for our collective faults. In English, the word comes from being “at-one-ment” or in harmony with God. However, the meaning goes deeper than that.
Among several possibilities, the atonement is seen as a sacrifice.
Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53 NIV)
… so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28 NIV)
Jesus is seen by some as a propitiation or peace offering to conciliate or appease God.
Then he must remove all the sheep’s fat, just as he does with the fat of a sheep presented as a peace offering. He will burn the fat on the altar on top of the special gifts presented to the LORD. Through this process, the priest will purify the people from their sin, making them right with the LORD, and they will be forgiven. (Leviticus 4:35 NLT)
Jesus is also a substitution for us.
… and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24 NASB)
The atonement is also seen as a means of reconciliation with God.
For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead! (Romans 11:15 NLT)
In the original Hebrew, the Day of Atonement is called Yom Kippur. Yom means day and kippur means atonement. Kippur comes from a root meaning to cover. It pictures God covering our sins and thus making peace between us.
The New Testament was written in Greek where various words are used for atonement. It carries with it meanings like reconciled, appeased, redeemed, cleansing and mercy.
Jesus’ act of atonement on the cross makes salvation possible, makes the church possible and makes eternity possible for us. Unless we have atonement nothing else matters.
Background to the Atonement
God is perfect. The law expresses God’s perfect mind on earthly matters. Humankind is unable to obey that law and to save itself. Jesus atoned for our sins. In the Old Testament, atonement symbolized the covering of sins. In the New Testament, it symbolizes a ransom, substitute and sacrifice.
Facets of the Atonement
No single concept explains the atonement completely. So, it is good to examine a variety of different views and scriptures which help us to understand a more complete picture of the Lord’s atonement for us.
1. A moral Influence
Jesus suffered for us, leaving us an example of the kind of self-sacrificial life we are to live. So, the atonement on the cross influences our morality. As the only perfect human to have ever lived, Jesus came to demonstrate the height of human love.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21 NIV)
2. Redemption of the Lost
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10 KJV)
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28 KJV)
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45 KJV)
The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life to rescue many people. (Matthew 20:28 CEV)
As mediator of a new covenant between God and humanity, he redeemed us from the sins committed under the first covenant.
For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15 NASB)
He also redeemed us from the empty traditions that we inherited from our ancestors.
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers (1 Peter 1:18 KJV)
This is powerful, as it emcompasses empty man-made Christian traditions as well as things like empty national pride, empty materialism and empty sins as other translations make clear.
For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. (1 Peter 1:18 NLT)
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors (1 Peter 1:18 NIV)
With his blood, Jesus paid the purchase price to free all humanity from slavery to sin.
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation …” (Revelation 5:9 ESV)
3. A Sacrifice for Us
The Law of the Old Testament was the basis of God’s government in Ancient Israel.
The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. (Isaiah 42:21 KJV)
The Old Testament law hung upon the higher law of love for God and love for neighbor as Jesus so clearly expounded.
“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:34-40 NLT)
Sin is the breaking of God’s law. All of us have sinned. Jesus’ death satisfied the penalty for breaking God’s law, a penalty that we should have paid.
Discussion
Who is Jesus? How is Jesus God? Why do we call Jesus Lord? How is Jesus also human? What does it mean for us that Jesus is both God and human? What is the work that Jesus did for us? What does the word atonement mean?
New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Contemporary English Version (CEV) Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society
King James Version (KJV) Public Domain
