Doctrine of Christ Pt. 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wj7RJe8uag

Lecture Notes:

Divinity of Jesus

I.  Self-reports of divinity

II.  Reports from others

A. Confessions

III. Character of Christ

IV. Scriptural comparisons of Jehovah and Jesus

V.   Things only God can do

A. Create

B. Receive Glory

C. Worship

D. Salvation

E. Forgiveness of sin

F. Greatest lover

VI. Mystery of God

A. Kenosis

B. Hypostatic Union

I. Claims made by Jesus Himself:

·  John 14:8-10 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 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’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?

· John 10:30- “I and the Father are one.”

· Jesus never said "Thus saith the Lord" only "I say unto you" This indicates he was not a profit speak God’s words. Rather he was God speaking his own word, for God only had the authority to command such ultimatums.

Jesus the "I AM"

The name "I AM" refers to God as ever existent in the past, present, and future, all-powerful and all-knowing; otherwise, omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. When Moses was at the burning bush receiving instructions, he questioned God on what name he should use to give the children of Israel when they ask. God’s reply in Exodus 3:14 was, "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. " So we understand that the name "I AM" can only refer to God himself, this is extremely true because no one else qualifies as the "I AM". In John 8:58, Jesus makes an astonishing statement in answer to the Jews that were debating with him, the scripture reads, "Jesus said unto them. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. " Here we have it, Jesus referring to himself as "I AM!" Again, and again Jesus is Lord. There is also an account in verse 24 which reads, "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24). Here the word "he" was added for clarity and was not part of Christ's original statement; thus, his original statement would have read: "...for if ye believe not that I am. ye shall die in your sins." Similar statements can also be found in John 18:5, 6. 

II. Reports by Others:

·  Philippians 2:5-7- Christ’s Deity

·  Matthew 1:23 Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us)

·  John 1:18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

·  Colossians 2:9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.

·  John 1:1-3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

· Thomas' confession: John 20:28 "And Thomas answered and said unto him,  Mv LORD and my God."

· Peter’s confession that Jesus was God and Savior. 2 Peter 1:1 “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

III.  The Character of Jesus

The following concepts could be read about more in The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell.

The "Trilemma" is as followed:

A. Lunatic- Jesus was deceived about who he was.

B. Liar- Jesus was lying about who he was.

C. Lord- Jesus was telling the truth about who he was.

A. Lunatic- was Jesus deceived about who he was? 

If Jesus was deceived about who he was, then we have no choice but to discard all that he has taught and spoke about. It would be the equivalent to following a person of today who makes outrageous claims about his identity and what he was able to do. Would you follow or even teach the doctrines of someone that claimed divinity, promised eternal life, or eternal damnation if you did or did not believe in them?

Jesus could not have been deceived about whom he was; he was fully aware at all times of the seriousness of his claims. Jesus even predicted his own death and the way in which he would die; he predicted his betrayal by Judas and his denial by Peter; he predicted his resurrection and persecution of those that believed in him. There is too much evidence that suggests Jesus was in fact (1) in control of his life and death, (2) perfectly sound in his mind, (3) absolutely aware of his claims. Jesus could not have been a lunatic.

B. Liar- did Jesus lie about who he was.

If Jesus was aware of what he was claiming, is it possible that he knew he was stretching the truth? Could Jesus have let power and popularity go to his head, thus making these claims? Well, if it is indeed true and Jesus did lie that would disqualify his from being any type "great leader." This would mean that Christ not only put his own life in jeopardy but knowingly jeopardized the lives of others as well. It also implies deliberate intent to confuse and mislead; claiming that no one can reach God but by believing in him, that he can forgive any and all sins, that he has power over sin, death and hell, that he is the only way to heaven and most of all that those that fail to believe in him will not make it to heaven but hell will be their destination.

If Jesus was a liar then we need not to follow any of what he taught and remove him from being a moral leader or any of the similitude. Was Jesus a liar? Impossible! He backed up all his claims; he claimed to have the power of life and death...so he resurrected Lazarus and Himself; he claimed divinity, so he controlled nature and walked on water; he claimed to be present at the time of creation, so he turned water to wine, multiplied fishes and bread feeding hundreds and gave a blind man sight who was blind since birth; he claimed that belief on him was the only way to heaven...I do not think we want to wager this one, and not believe in him.

C. Lord- was Jesus who claimed to be?

Finally, we have the last option, if Jesus was not delusional or a liar the only solution is that he was telling the truth. If he was telling the truth, then all of humanity will stand before him one day in Judgment. Jesus is the only one to ever claim that you must believe in him and him alone to get to heaven; Jesus is the only one to ever promise eternal life in heaven, contingent upon belief in him and him alone. Jesus is the only one to guarantee eternal death in hell, for those that do not believe in him. These are very hefty claims; thus, one is presented with a choice, choice of hoping that Jesus is wrong and none of what he says is true, but you will not find out until you die. The gamble on your life is not worth the risk. The trilemma is yours to decide: was Jesus confused about who he was, was he a liar, or was he fully conscious and Lord God.

IV. Scriptural Comparisons of Jehovah and Jesus

Jesus Is...

TITLE	Scriptural Reference
God	John 1:1
One With God	John 10:30
Eternal	Revelation 1:17b
Omnipresent	Ephesians 1:22,23
Omniscient	John 21:17
Life Giving	John 1:4
EI Olam "The Eternal God"	Revelation 22:13
Jehovah-Jirah "The Lord Will Provide"	John 6:35
Jehovah-Rohi "The Lord Is My Shepherd"	John 10:11
Jehovah-Tsidkenu "The Lord Is Righteous"	2 Corinthians 5:21
Jehovah-Rapha "The Lord Who Heals"	1 Peter 2:24
Jehovah-Shalom  "The God Of Peace"	John 14:27
El Shaddai "The All Sufficient One, God Almighty"	2 Corinthians 12:9
Immanuel "God With Us"	Matthew 1:23

Jesus as Jehovah (God)

Of Jehovah	Mutual Title or Act	Of Jesus
Isaiah 40:28	Creator	John 1:3
Isaiah 45: 22; 43:11	Savior	John 4:42
1 Samuel 2:6	Raise Dead	John 5:21
Joel 3:12	Judge	John 5:7/[Matthew 25:31
Isaiah 60:19-20	Light	John 8:12
Exodus 3:14	I Am	John 8:24, 58; 18:5,6
Psalms 23:1	Shepard	John 10:11
Isaiah 42:8; 48:11	Glory of God	John 17:1,5
Isaiah 41:4; 44:6	First and Last	Revelation 1:17; 2:8
Hosea 13:14	Redeemer	Revelation 5:9
Isaiah 62:5/Hosea 2:16	Bridegroom	Revelation 21:2/ Matt. 25:1
Psalms 18:2	Rock	1 Corinthians 10:4
Jeremiah 31:34	Forgiver of Sins	Mark 2:7, 10
Psalms 148:2	Worshiped by Angles	Hebrews 1:6
Throughout Old Testament	Addressed in Prayer	Acts 7:59
Psalms 148:5	Creator of Angles	Colossians 1:16
Isaiah 45:5	Confessed As Lord	Philippians 2:11

Names of God, Rose Publishing, INC., 2033.

Josh Mcdowell, Evidence That Demands A Verdict Vol. 1: Historical Evidences For The Christian Faith, Here's Life Publishers, INC., 1979, p. 97

God The Father. God The Son. God The Holv Spirit

There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. To help you better understand consider these examples: One Human = mind-body-spirit, One family = father-mother-child, One Egg = shell- egg white -egg yolk, One Government = judicial branch-executive branch-legislative branch, In mathematics and physics describes our world = length – width – height, All three but one in essence and nature.

We will now take a look at another fact that points to Jesus as Lord. Genesis 1:1-3 reads, "In the beginning God [God the Father] created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God [God the Holy Spirit] moved upon the face of the waters. And God said [the Word/God the Son], Let there be light: and there was light." Here we see the activity of God in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but present as one.

Taking a look at another scripture reveals more of this truth, 1 John 5:7 reads

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. " Here we are told the plain truth about the very nature of God; though it may seem simple enough said it is still a very deep truth.

We have to remember that we are just humans with finite minds and understanding. How then can we fully comprehend God, whom by nature is infinite in all things?

1 Timothy 3:16 reads, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh [Jesus/God the Son], justified in the Spirit [God the Holy Spirit], seen of angels [God the Father], preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

The first three details in the mystery of Godliness are:

1. "God was manifest in the flesh"- Jesus (God the Son) 

2. "Justified in the Spirit"- the Spirit of God (God the Holy Spirit)

3. "Seen of angels"- eternally existent in Heaven (God the Father) 

Though this may be a mystery to our limited thinking, its truth still tells of the deity of Jesus and oneness of God. Deuteronomy 6:4 - "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD. "

V.  Things Only God Can Do

Jesus As Creator

We will start at the very beginning, Genesis 1:1 reads, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. " Here, stated at the very beginning of God’s word, God is saying "God created/ The LORD created./I created!" This was said so that there would be absolutely no confusion "who' was the creator. God made it completely and unmistakably clear that it was him in the beginning, it was him that created everything, it was him that was to be recognized and worshiped as the creator.

Now let's take a look at John 1:1-3, it reads, "In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word [Jesus] was with God, and the Word [Jesus] was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him [Jesus]; and without him [Jesus] was not any thing made that was made.

This scripture is referring to Jesus and his identity as God. When you compare Gen l:l and John 1:1-3 it becomes clear that Jesus is God, "the word was God." Thus, since the beginning Jesus was there as the Creator; as there is only one Creator, God!

Jesus Receiver Of Glory

Who is the "ONLY" one that can receive glory? God! Isaiah 42:8 reads, "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. " This and other scriptures proclaim that God alone is due glory and worship, and he will absolutely not give it to any other. Now keeping in mind what we just read,

Colossians 1:15-18 reads, "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by 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 might have the preeminence." Again, we see that Jesus is exalted above all things, having "preeminence", there is absolutely nothing above or equal to him.

We also read about when Jesus rode into Jerusalem receiving praises and glory, 

Luke 19:38-40 reads, "Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him. Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. " Jesus declared that if the people stopped their praises, that the stones would right away begin praising him! This is indicative of numerous psalms that also declare that nature itself glorifies and praises God.

Jesus Receiver Of Worship

Another indication that Jesus is God is the fact that he received worship, which just as glory, is only given to God.

Exodus 20:3-5 reads, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of than that hate me."

Here we have the first and second commandments, to put God first and to worship him only. So if Jesus were not God, he would not have received worship, though in Matthew 28:9 we read. "And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. " Not only was Jesus worshiped but he also commanded worship! There are also other examples throughout the gospel where Jesus received worship. (Matthew 2:11, Matthew 8:2, Matthew 9:18, Mark 5:6, Luke 24:52, John 9:38, and more).

Another very important truth that reveals Jesus is God is in Matthew 4:8-10, it reads "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him. All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him. Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. " Why did Satan want Jesus to worship him? Simple, if Jesus worshipped Satan that would make Satan,

God; because Satan wanted God to worship him! From the very time of Satan's fall, he wanted to be God and worshiped as such; though, the only way this could happen is if God himself transferred his glory to Satan and worshiped him. This is why Satan wanted Jesus to worship him -he wanted God to worship him.

We see in other places in scripture where worship was rejected by humans (Peter rejects worship Acts 10:25-26; Barnabas and Paul reject worship 14:11-15).

Jesus As The Only Savior

The only one able and fully qualified to save is God and only God! Isaiah 43:11 reads, "I. even I, am the LORD; and beside me is no saviour. " There is no one else that exists, existed or will exist that is a savior, other than God himself. This is yet more indication and truth that Jesus is God, as God is the only one capable of being a savior. Referring to Jesus, Acts 4:12 reads, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. "

Yet another perfect match in scripture; God proclaims the solitariness of who the savior is, himself! The second part of this scripture mentions there is but a single name that brings about salivation, this can be referenced with Joel 2:32 "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered.... " Who is the Lord that we must call upon to be saved? Jesus is his name!

Jesus. Forgiver Of Sins

It is known that only God can forgive sins due to his perfect and blameless nature. It would be impossible for someone to forgive the entire record of a person’s sins, unless they were God. Mark 2:7 reads, "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? "

Reading further we read Jesus" own statement of himself Mark 2:10 "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath  power on earth to forgive sins, (lie saith to the sick of the palsy,) " We also read Jesus forgiving sins in Luke 7:47-50 and again his authority is questioned to forgive sins, the only consistent answer is that Jesus is Lord, the only forgiver of sins!

Jesus the Greatest Lover

What is the greatest act of love? Well, according to scripture, the greatest act of love is for someone to give their life for another, in John 15:13 Jesus states, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. " So, who is the greatest lover? Also, according to scripture, we read that God is the greatest lover because God is love! 1 John 4:16 reads, "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love.... "

If Jesus gave up his life for humanity, and the greatest act of love is laying down one's life for another, and God is the greatest lover, then Jesus is God! IF Jesus were not indeed God then ultimately God does not have the greatest love for humanity and if this were true how much does God truly love us? So once again, we see that Jesus is God, committing the greatest act of love for humanity.

VI.  Mystery of God

Philippians 2:6-8 – Kenosis

Philippians 2:6-8 reads, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

The Greek term in verse 7 is ekenosen (or kenosis), which is translated into the English word “emptied.” Ekenosen means to pour out. God “poured out” his nature into the human form we know as Jesus. Here we are told that Jesus is God! He was in the 'form' of God, that is to say, he was completely 100% God in every sense. Then he ‘poured out’ his 'form" as God and made himself in the form and likeness of men, which is to say, God became flesh and bones. It is important to understand that God did not abandon his position as God—he poured his nature into human form and took on 100% humanity. This scripture points to the mystery of Godliness, simply because our minds cannot imagine nor understand the dynamics of how 100% God became a man. However, we again are told plainly that Jesus was in the form of God; thus, Jesus is God!

Hypostatic Union

Hypostatic union is from the Greek word hypostasis. Hypostasis means substance, person, or divine essence. Hypostatic union refers to the two natures of Christ, fully human and fully God. The hypostatic doctrine is simple, yet of grave importance.

As God (John 8:58; 10:30), Jesus is able to serve as our sacrifice once and for all time (Hebrews 10:1-18). As a human, he is able to qualify as a propitiation for our sins and empathize with our struggles (Hebrew 2:17-18).