Pillar 2, God the Son

 

  • The doctrine of Christ
    • Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the eternal God (Micah 5.2; John 1.1; 8.58).  The Word of God states this (John 1.1).  He performs the works that God performs (Matthew 9.1-6), He is worshipped (Hebrews 1.6), His names indicate that He is God (Matthew 1.23), the attributes of God are His attributes (Colossians 2.9), and He is a member of the trinity (Matthew 28.19).
    • Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became true man. He was physically born into the world (John 1.14) from a human mother (Luke 2.1-20), but He did not have a sin nature (Luke 1.35).  His humanity consisted of soul and human spirit (Matthew 26.38; Luke 23.46) and body (Hebrews 10.5).  He had human characteristics such as hunger (Matthew 4.2), physical exhaustion (John 4.6), emotion (John 11.35), and tests (Hebrews 4.15).  He has human names and titles: Jesus (Matthew 1.21), Son of David (Mark 10.47), Son of Man (Luke 19.10), Man (1 Timothy 2.5). He physically died and was physically resurrected (John 19-20).
    • While He was on earth, He never sinned (Hebrews 4.15) and He completely fulfilled the will of God the Father (John 6.38; 19.30).
    • Jesus Christ became man in order to solve the sin problem; (1 Timothy 1.15).  He defeated Satan, the source of sin (John 16.11),  He reconciled man to God (2 Corinthians 5.18-21),  He was resurrected from physical death (1 Corinthians 15.4), and He conquered the power of man’s sinful nature (Romans 6.6).
    • Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church (Colossians 1.18), King of Israel (Micah 5.2; Matthew 2.1-6), and is king over all mankind (Psalm 2; Revelation 1.5).  In the future He will come to earth to rule (Revelation 19.11-20.6).
    • During the time between the first coming and the second coming of Christ, Jesus Christ is the believer’s leader and object of faith dependence and service. (Hebrews 12.2; Galatians 2.20; Colossians 3.24).
  • Christ’s relation to believers
    • Savior: substitution for sin and victor over death
    • Author of the faith: founder and leader
    • Perfecter of the faith: completely and perfectly accomplished the faith
    • Head of church: authority, leader
    • Priest for people: go-between, mediator, intercession
    • Shepherd of the sheep: authority, leader, protector,
    •  Vine for the branches: production
  • Illustrations of Christ and the Church (From Charles Ryrie)
    • The relationships between Christ and His church are illustrated in a number of intriguing figures in the New Testament. Each one is worthy of detailed study, though we can only mention them here.
    • Christ is the Shepherd and we are His sheep (John 10). His care for us and our security in Him are the salient features of this illustration.
    • Christ is the vine and we are the branches (John 15). Fruitfulness comes only as we draw strength from the vine.
    • Christ is the cornerstone and we are the stones in the building (Ephesians 2:19–21). A cornerstone gives direction to the entire building and is, of course, laid only once.
    • Christ is the High Priest and we are a kingdom of priests (1 Peter 2). As priests we can offer ourselves, our substance, and our service (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15–16).
    • Christ is the Head and we are the members of His body (1 Corinthians 12). As Head He directs; as members we serve each other through the exercise of the spiritual gifts which He as risen Head gives.
    • Christ is the last Adam and we are the new creation (1 Corinthians 15:45). By faith we are placed in Christ, the last Adam, to partake of His resurrection life and power (Romans 5:19).
    • Christ is the Bridegroom and we are His bride (Ephesians 5:25–33; Revelation 19:7–8). Everlasting love and the intimacy of the relationship of bridegroom and bride are the obvious points of this illustration.
    • Christ is the Heir and we are joint-heirs (Hebrews 1:2; Romans 8:17). This assures us of sharing in all the glories which shall be His when the world acknowledges Him.
    • Christ is the first fruits and we are the harvest (1 Corinthians 15:23). His resurrection guarantees ours.
    • He is the Master and we are His servants (Colossians 4:1; 1 Corinthians 7:22). The servant does the will of his master, and in turn the master binds himself to take care of the servant.[1]
  • Present Ministry of Christ
    • The present ministry of our Lord is chiefly related to His people in contrast to the present work of the Spirit which includes ministries to unbelievers, like enlightening and regenerating. Among the particulars of Christ’s ministry are the following:
    • The risen and ascended Christ is praying for His people. This has several benefits: it guarantees the security of their salvation (Hebrews 7:25); it assures continued fellowship in the family of God (1 John 2:1); and it is a powerful preventive against sin in their lives (John 17:15).
    • The Lord is preparing a place for our everlasting habitation (John 14:3). He is anticipating the day when He will take us to be with Himself by preparing for our arrival in heaven.
    • Christ is now building the church which is His body (Matthew 16:18).
    • The Head of the church is engaged in various activities on behalf of the members of His body. We have already noted that as ascended Head He gives gifts to men (Ephesians 4:11). These are essential to the proper functioning of the body. Furthermore, He indwells every member of the body of Christ (Galatians 2:20). He Himself indwells us and He has sent the Spirit who also indwells us. The standard against which His indwelling power is measured is His own resurrection and ascension (Ephesians 1:18–20). The resurrection guarantees that His power can bring victory out of defeat, and His being seated at the right hand of the Father assures us that His power can bring honor in place of dishonor. Too, the Lord is nurturing and cherishing the body of Christ (Ephesians 5:29). The idea in these words is that our Lord is fostering with tender concern the growth of His people. As Head He also gives union and direction to the church (Ephesians 2:20–21).
    • The Lord is also engaged in answering our prayers (John 14:14). When we pray in His name He will answer and the result will be even greater works than He did while on earth (John 14:12). This means greater in scope (worldwide now) and greater in kind (involving all the spiritual benefits which the coming of the Spirit unleashes).
    •  He gives special help for particular needs (Hebrews 4:16). The help is promised just at the particular time that the need arises, according to this verse. This includes help (same Greek word) in times of temptation (Hebrews 2:18).
    • He is concerned with the fruitfulness of His followers (John 15:1–16).
      • Of course, none of these ministries would be operative if Christ were not alive today![2]
  • [1]Ryrie, Charles C., A Survey of Bible Doctrine, (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press) 1972.
  • [2]Ryrie, Charles C., A Survey of Bible Doctrine, (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press) 1972.