THEOLOGY LESSON 13

THE INCARNATION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Hebrews 1:1-6
Isaiah 9:6,7
John 1:1-5, 14-18 Virgin Birth
Firstborn – Jesus as
Christ – Testimonies re

INTRODUCTION

Hebrews 1:1-6 shows the person and work of Christ as Messiah and Saviour of mankind. Christology is a most important subject. The message of Hebrews is that God has stepped into history with the Creator becoming a creature. It is quite clear that we are talking about the Lord Jesus Christ,

His victory at the Cross showed His superiority over everything including the angels. In the first six verses we have the summary of the subject. This passage is very profound. The most important thing is that God became man and dwelt amongst us.

Isaiah 9:6, 7 looks forward to the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here it should be noted that the child is born and the Son is given. The humanity of Christ was born of Mary as the Son, the 'pre-incarnate' deity known as the WORD (Logos in Greek) always existed. Here we have the deity and humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ brought together to form the hypostatic union. The full meaning of this is hidden from us even yet.

The term 'pre-incarnate Christ' means the appearances of the Lord before the incarnation, before He was born of the Virgin Mary. Before you talk about the virgin birth you have to talk about the person who is being virgin born, the person who is God and man, and that He was God before he became man.

The Lord Jesus Christ is unique in the history of the universe - Christ is unique - Emmanuel - God with us. What was He doing before He was born? The doctrine of the person of Christ is crucial to the Christian faith. It is basic to Soteriology [saviour-hood] because if He was not what He claimed to be then His atonement was deficient and therefore not sufficient.

This is why an incorrect view of the Lord Jesus Christ will give an incorrect view of salvation, sanctification and eschatology. Because of the pre existence of Christ He was there to be given, before He was given, being eternally with the Father, He is God. John 1:1

Because of His eternality He did not come into existence and was therefore not a created person. John 8:58 - there is no point in human history, there is no time in the future when He will not be able to say "I AM" because He is from eternity to eternity. If that is incorrect you have no Saviour.

Looking at the character of God, He is eternal life, Christ is eternal life. What was the Lord doing before he was born as a member of humanity? He was the Creator - Hebrews 1, the Angel of Yahweh in the Old Testament. The person of Christ demands a virgin birth because God is becoming man and no human male can be involved in His birth because it is through the male that the Carnal Sin Nature comes.

THE BIRTH OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ in Bethlehem (house of bread) in Judea was probably in the autumn. The date of the birth of our Lord has been placed variously from 1 to 7 BC. Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem when Cyrenius was Governor of Syria and Herod was king in Jerusalem. - Luke 2:2

Justin Martyr also stated this referring to taxation records which were still in existence in his time to confirm that Joseph and Mary were resident in Nazareth and went to Bethlehem for the census. Until the middle of the 19th century the only historical reference to Cyrenius as the Greeks called him or as he was known by the Romans P.Sulpicius Quirinus was to a period some 10 years after the death of Herod which caused the school of higher criticism to try and discredit the account in Luke.

However the German Dr Zumpt proved that Cyrenius was twice the Governor of the province and that his first period dated from BC 4 when he succeeded Quinctilius Varus.

Josephus tells us that Herod died in the 37th year of his reign. It is known that Herod was made king by the Romans in 40 BC during the consulship of Domitus Calvinus and Asinius Pollio thus his death was either in 4 or 3 BC.

Josephus also states that on the night that Herod ordered the execution of his sons, who he believed were plotting to overthrow him; there was an eclipse of the moon. It is also known that Herod died within days of their execution.

Johnson in his "Eclipses Past and Future" states that there was a lunar eclipse observable at Jerusalem with a maximum effect at 2:34 am on 13th March BC 4 with the next one visible in that city being a full eclipse at 12:15 am on the 9th January BC 1. It is therefore seen that the year of Herod's death was 4 BC.

Josephus also tells that Archelaus remained for 7 days in seclusion after the death of Herod, and that whilst he was well received initially he had to call in the guard prior to his going to Jerusalem on 8th Nisan to celebrate Passover. It is therefore concluded that Herod died in the last two weeks of March 4 BC.

The Greek word for young child which described our Lord at the time of Herod's search for him indicates a child less than 18 months old but not a baby.

It is clear from scriptural evidence that Jesus Christ was born in September / October and it would appear likely that this was either in the year 5 or 6 BC.

The Lord Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea to the Virgin Mary by means of the Holy Spirit. - Luke 2:7

Joseph was demonstrated to be the legal though not natural father. -Matthew 1:16-20 4 BC Visit of the Wise Men from Babylon, or further East in Persia, seeking the child born to be king whose star they had seen in the east. Herod sees this as a threat to his dynasty and asks the Wise Men to report back to him once they have located the Christ child so that he may eliminate the threat, but being divinely guided they escape by another route. - Matthew 2:1-12

Herod kills all the small boys two years old and under in an attempt to eliminate the legitimate King of the Jews but Joseph, Mary and the young Jesus travel to Egypt until Herod is dead. - Matthew 2:13-18
Herod the Great dies in the spring. Just prior to dying due to paranoia he kills some of his sons thereby removing the immediate threat to Jesus from the Herodian line.

ARCHELAUS, was the ethnarch of Judea, Samaria and Idumea until 6AD. During his reign of ten years he made many enemies and exercised great cruelty towards both Samaritans and Jews alike putting to death according to Josephus 3000 Jews in the Temple not long after his accession. In 6 AD as a result of complaints to the Emperor from his brothers and subjects he was banished to the far regions of the Roman Empire and his kingdom became a Roman province. - Matthew 2:22

As teachers we are responsible for the teaching ministry of the Church. By being a Pastor you have an axe put at your neck by the Lord. The Lord's judgment is harsher on the unfaithful Pastor than on others. We are to teach the full doctrine of the unique person of the Lord Jesus Christ to the sheep in our care, so they know the truth about him as their Saviour and Lord

Isaiah 41 - gives the meaning of the Lord Jesus Christ. John 1:14 shows that God became flesh and dwelt amongst us. He has not left us in the dark about who he is. The result of accurate preaching about the incarnation will be worship in the lives of the hearers.

True theology will cause you to end all study with you on your knees, false theology will have people arguing with each other, and this is also the division between good and bad Bible teaching.

THE PURPOSE OF THE INCARNATION

God became flesh to reveal Himself to us, to provide an effective sacrifice for sin, to fulfill the Davidic covenant, to destroy the works of the Devil, to be a sympathetic High Priest for mankind and have the right to judge. They all focus on the purpose of the Lord's coming. This is a central point of the Christian faith not just the "Christmas" message. What was predicted by Isaiah came to pass.

There are over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the incarnation of Christ.

Some points to note

[a] The humanity of Christ was purposed from before the foundation of the world - Ephesians 1:4-7, 3:11, Revelation 13:8.
[b] Every type and prophecy of the Old Testament concerning Christ was in anticipation of the Incarnate Son of God.
[c] The fact of the humanity of Christ is seen in His annunciation and birth. - Luke 1:31-35
[d] His life here on earth revealed His humanity.
[e] The humanity of Christ is seen in His death and resurrection.
[f] The fact of the humanity of Christ is seen in that He ascended into heaven and is now, in His human glorified body, ministering for His own.
[g] When He comes again it will be "the same Jesus" coming as He went, in the same body though glorified in which He became incarnate.

In His incarnation He becomes head of the Church.

JOHN’S GOSPEL AND THE SAVIOUR

Seven passages in John's gospel bring this together and provide the key to that gospel.

The main purpose of the incarnation was that He came to die for your sins.

John 1:29 - Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world;
John 3:14, 15 - The person who came to hang on the tree;
John 6:51 - The living bread came down from heaven; to give eternal life to those who eat of it.
John 10:11 - The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep
John 11:49-52 - The only person to die for the nation
John 12:24 – Shows that the grain of wheat has to die so that it may bear much fruit.
John 15:13-14 - The example that ‘greater love hath no man than he who will lay down his life for his friends’.

You cannot get around it the Lord came to die. The cross/empty tomb is central.

He had to become human to be King, Priest, Mediator and Saviour.

DOCTRINES

VIRGIN BIRTH

1. Jesus Christ had to be born of a virgin to fulfil prophecy. (Isaiah 7:1 4)

2. Jesus had to be born of a virgin to confirm the curse of Coniah. (Jeremiah 22:28-30)
a) Coniah was a believer but an evil king at the time of the Babylonian captivity.
b) Coniah is also in the direct line of Christ in Joseph's lineage from David (Matthew 1:6, 1:11, 1:16) through Solomon. This is the Kingly line.
c) Mary was also in the direct line of Christ from David (Luke 3:23, Luke 3:31) through Nathan. In Luke 3:23 Joseph is the son-in-law of Heli, Mary's father.
d) Both lines, Solomon's and Nathan's meet in the person of Jesus Christ but by the virgin birth Coniah's line is cut off as Joseph is the legal but not natural father of Jesus Christ.

3. Jesus had to be born of a virgin to not have the sin nature of Adam. The sin nature of man comes down through the male. (1 Timothy 2:14)
a) Adam, as the head, was responsible for his wife.
b) Eve was deceived and sinned.
c) Adam made deliberate choice.

4. In order to be the God-Man Jesus had to be conceived of the Holy Spirit to Mary.

5. The virgin birth is therefore critical especially in the doctrine of Redemption, Imputation and Propitiation. NO virgin birth - NO salvation.

CHRIST: FIRSTBORN

1. He is the firstborn of all Creation - Colossians 1:15, John 1:18, 1 John 4:12

2. He is called the first born of Mary. As such he is the elder of the household and as He is descended from David through both of His genealogies he inherits the kingdom of David. Through Mary He has his title as Messiah - Matthew 1:25, Luke 2:7

3. The Lord is the firstborn of the Royal Family of God - Romans 8:29

4. He is the firstborn in resurrection; He is the first to be raised from the dead - Colossians 1:18, Hebrews 1:5, 6

5. He is the first fruits of resurrection. - 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

6. The church is called the assembly of the firstborn. - Hebrews 12:23

CHRIST: TESTIMONIES ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

TESTIMONIES BY CHRIST OF HIMSELF

1. He claimed to transcend the Mosaic Law, and to be entitled to rewrite it. (Matthew 5:21-48.)

2. He claimed pre-existence as God. He freely used the divine 'I AM' which was the name of Yahweh God in the Old Testament. (John 6:35, 8:12, 58, 10:7, 11, 11:25, 14:6, 15:5)

3. He told the disciples to pray in His name. (John 14:14)

4. He claimed to have come down from heaven and that He would return to where He came from. (John 3:13, 6:33, 42, 50-51, 62; 14:2-7)
5. He claimed power over death. He spoke of laying his life down and that He had the power to take it up again. (John 10:17-18)

6. He claimed that death could not hold Him and that he would rise up again in three days. (John 2:19)

7. He claimed to be able to raise up all the dead on the last day. (John 5:25-29, 11:25)

8. He claimed that he was the judge of all men. (Matthew 25:31; John 5:22)

9. He claimed that to trust Him was the same as trusting God; thereby making Himself equal to God. (Matthew 28:18-19, John 14:1)

10. He claimed that man can only really know God as He is revealed in Him. (Matthew 11:27; John 14:6)

11. He accepted worship as right for Himself, that belonged only to God; from Nathaniel (John 1:49), from Peter (Matthew 16:16) and from Thomas. (John 20:28)

12. He claimed that to see Him was to see God the Father. (John 14:9-10)

13. He claimed that He should be honoured as God is honoured; indeed that God is honoured when He is honoured. (John 5:22-23)

14. He claimed to be able to forgive sin, and give to all who believe in Him eternal life. (Matthew 9:2; John 10:28, 3:16-21, 6:35, 11:25)

15. He claimed that eternal judgment awaits those who reject him as Saviour. (John 3:36; Matthew 25:41-46)

16. He taught with absolute authority. (Matthew 7:29, Mark 1:22, John 14:6)

17. He claimed universal power. (Matthew 28:18)

18. He claimed that God the Father and He were one. (John 10:30)

19. He insisted that all revelation was fulfilled in Himself. He saw Himself as anticipated typologically in Jonah (Matthew 12:39-41, Luke 11:29-32), Solomon (Matthew 12:42, Luke 11:31), David (Matthew 12:3, 4, Mark 2:25-26; Luke 6:3, 4) and Isaiah. (Matthew 13:13, 14, Mark 4:12 and Luke 8:10)

TESTIMONIES ABOUT CHRIST IN ISAIAH

1. His Godhead (40:12-18, 51:13)
2. His Incarnation (7:14, 9:6)
3. His Lowly Youth (7:15, 9:1-2, 11:1, 53:2)
4. His Servant hood (11:2, 42:1)
5. His Mildness (42:2)
6. His Tenderness (42:3)
7. His Obedience (50:5)
8. His Message (61:1-2)
9. His Miracles (35:5-6)
10. His Sufferings (50:6, 52:13-15)
11. His Rejection (53:1-3)
12. His Passion (53:4-6)
13. His Vicarious Death (53:8)
14. His Burial (53:9)
15. His Resurrection (53:10)
16. His Ascension (52:13)
17. His High Priestly Ministry (53:12)
18. His Exaltation (52:13-15)
19. His Role as Judge (63:1-6)
20. His Second Advent (59:20-21)
21. His Millennial Reign (9:6-7, 11:3-9)

TESTIMONIES BY UNBELIEVERS

1. Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:4) - I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood.

2. Pontius Pilate (John 19:4, 6) - I find no crime in him.

3. Herod the Usurper (Luke 23:15) - No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him: and lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

4. Pilate's wife (Matthew 27:19) - Have nothing to do with this just man.

5. The dying thief (Luke 23:41) - This man hath done nothing amiss.

6. The centurion of the Golgotha detachment (Luke 23:47) - This man was a righteous man.

7. The Roman soldiers at Golgotha (Matthew 27:54) - truly this one was the son of God.

STATEMENTS HE MAKES ABOUT HIMSELF IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION

1. "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last" - Jesus Christ knows all things (1:11)

2. "I am the first and the last" - He is eternal (1:17)

3. "I am he that liveth and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death " - He became the God - man and died for us conquering death and saving us from an eternity in hell (1:18)

4. "These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks." - He has the ministers of the church in his hand and is present in the churches. (2:1)

5. "These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive." - He combines eternality with his sacrificial death. (2:8)

6. "These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges." - He is and has the Word of God. (2:12)

7. "These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass" - He is not only Saviour but is also Judge. (2:18)

8. "These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars."- He gave the church the Holy Spirit so that the church can function (3:1)

9. "These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth and no man openeth." - He is holy true and has authority. He also gives opportunities to enable us to serve. (3:7)

10. "These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God"; - He has the final authority and is the revelation of God and the source of God's creation. (3:14)

11. "Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." - He calls to man but does not coerce the freewill of man. (3:20)

THEOLOGY LESSON 12

DEITY OF CHRIST


Luke 24:36-53
John:24-31

Hypostatic Union
I AM Christ – Deity

INTRODUCTION

As we look at our first text in Luke chapter 24 verses 36 through 53, we enter a subject area that caused great debate in the early church. We come again face to face with our limits as human beings here; for we cannot ever; understand this side of eternity how the Lord can be both man and God. The reason this is such a hard thing is that it only has happened once and will never happen again; only the Lord has this "hypostatic union". We have nothing to compare this with, nor any analogies to make.

In his resurrection body the disciples see him as he truly is; the unique person of the universe, the God-Man. Standing before them in glorified body. Their response and ours is to be worship; they fell at his feet as though dead!

The early church councils in the fourth and fifth century tried to define this doctrine and they had great difficulty. Each time they thought they had it right a false view popped up and they had to try again and find a better Greek word to eliminate the false view (heresy). All the false views that exist in the early church exist today as cults. For example the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons all hold views that the early church rejected. So we will study these councils in Church History.

The Lords work now for us as our Mediator who sits at the right hand of the father depends on his being fully equal with both parties. His work as Mediator depends on his hypostatic union. This word comes from two Greek words, meaning, "Two standing under one essence". Thomas saw it in a moment in John 20:24-31, and we must have the same response as he did.

The Lord’s Titles

The Lord's titles prove that the disciples believed in this doctrine. He is called, the Son of God, Luke 22: 70, and John 5:18, tells us that this meant to Jews equality with God the Father. He calls himself the first and the last, Rev 1:8, 17, and Isaiah 41:4 tells us that this means he is God. He is the Lord of All, 1 Corinthians 2:8. He is our great God, Romans 9:5.

His Attributes

He has the attributes of deity ascribed to him.

All Powerful – (Luke 4: 39, 7:14, 15, 8: 54, 55, John 5: 25)
All Knowing - John 2: 24, 25, 4: 16 - 19, Mark 2: 8, Luke 5: 22.
Everywhere - Matthew 18: 20, 28: 20, John 3: 13.
Eternal Life - John 1: 1, Col 1: 17, John 8: 58, 17: 5, 1 John 1: 1.
Unchangeable - Hebrews 1: 12, 13: 8.
He forgives sin - Mark 2: 5 - 10, Luke 7: 48.
Creator - Hebrews 1: 10, John 1: 3, Colossians 1: 16.
He raised the dead - John 6: 39, 44.
Justice - 2 Timothy 4: 1.
He gives eternal life - John 10: 28, 17: 2.

He is therefore clearly pure deity but also pure humanity; he thirsted, hungered, he was weary, slept, wept and cried out in pain, and died. Find the references to these things in your bible as you do this study.

How is it that the two natures of the Lord were combined? When we ask this we are face to face with the mystery of the universe, the mystery of the incarnation and the plan to provide our salvation.
DOCTRINES

HYPOSTATIC UNION

1. Hypostasis means standing together under one essence, two things united under one with no loss or transfer to the other and no change to either. In the person of Jesus Christ the two natures, divine and human, were inseparably linked with no loss or transfer of properties or attributes, and no mixture or loss of separate identity the union was personal and eternal. The Lord Jesus Christ is still perfectly human and divine Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-14, Romans 1:2-5, Romans 9:5, Philippians 2:5-11, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:4

2. The incarnate person of the Lord Jesus Christ included undiminished deity. Jesus Christ is God. He remained co equal and co eternal with the Father while on earth. Christ is eternal because God is eternal life. His deity was never affected by His death, resurrection and session. As God Jesus Christ could not die; However as a baby in the cradle he was holding the universe together.

3. The Lord Jesus Christ was also true humanity; body, soul and spirit although due to the virgin birth he had no carnal sin nature 1 Peter 2:22

4. The two natures of Jesus Christ are united with no transfer of attributes. Each set of attributes corresponds to the respective natures. The divine attributes such as eternal life, all knowing, everywhere, refers to His divine nature, the human attributes correspond to His human nature. To remove any attribute from His deity would be to destroy deity.

5. No aspect of the divine nature was lacking, although certain attributes were not exercised in line with the Father's plan Matthew 4:1-10

6. The union of the two natures in the person of Christ must be considered personal, human to the human, divine to the divine. They are never mixed. The union was therefore personal and hypostatic; one essence with two natures.

7. Deity did not indwell humanity or possess it. The union was more than sympathy and harmony; it was unique combining the two natures eternally. He is the God – man

8. Christ had two natures in one person; therefore he could be supremely powerful yet weak at the same time.
a) Deity cannot be tempted, humanity can. Matthew 4:1-10
b) Deity cannot thirst, humanity can John 19:28.
c) Deity is omniscient; humanity learns Luke 2:40, 52

9. The necessity of the humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ is seen in the following:-

a) To be our Saviour he had to be man as God cannot die. Hebrews 2:14, 15, Philippians 2:7, 8

b) To be our mediator He had to be equal with both God and man Job 9:2, 32-33, 1 Timothy 2:5-6
c) To be our High Priest He must be a man. Hebrews 7:4, 5 14-28; 10:5, 10-14
d) To be a king he must be a man, a Jew in the line of David. Psalm 89:20-37, 2 Samuel 7:8-16

10. There are three categories of sayings or actions of the Lord:
a) From his deity alone John 8:58
b) From his humanity alone John 19:28
c) From his hypostatic union - John 11:25, 26

11. The uniqueness of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ is a key doctrine to understand for all believers, for it is on this point that the accurate preaching of the gospel rests. 1 Timothy 3:16

12. The gospel in one word is Immanuel - God with us. John's testimony on this point John 1:14. In Christ we see God's love and favour towards man. As God revealed himself in the Old Testament, so He perfectly reveals himself in the person of the unique person of the universe, the God man the Lord Jesus Christ.

I AM

The use of the phrase “I AM” means that the Lord was saying that He is God. In Exodus 3:14 God reveals Himself to Moses as, I AM THAT I AM. Using this phrase at His arrest in John 18:2-6; He caused the army group to fall backwards due to His power as God flashing forth for a millisecond; before being led away as a willing sacrifice. We are not confronted with the Jesus of liberalism here, but with the Lord of lords, King of kings, God stepping down to speak authoritatively to mankind. There are seven “I AM’s” in the New Testament.

1. PROVISION - I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE John 6:30-35 - The feeding of the five thousand - a miracle involving bread. God provided miraculous physical food in the desert for forty years - Manna. Christ is our spiritual food. He says that he is the only source of spiritual food for you. There is life in no other. No one else can satisfy the spiritual hunger in man. He tells us He is the bread from heaven - He shows Himself as God. The bread of the Passover - unleavened, pierced and griddled; speaking of his body.

2. SPIRITUALITY - I AM THE LIGHT John 8:12 - The feast of Tabernacles (where He also told the people to have the everlasting water John 7:37-39). When the Lord says this He is saying that He is the only source of pure light as shown in His matchless character. He is stating that He is God. 1 John 1 says that God is light and in Him is there no darkness at all. We are to walk in the light in fellowship with God.

3. SALVATION - I AM THE DOOR John 10:7 - The Sheepfolds of Jerusalem, Psalms 22-24. To be the door of the sheepfold, He is the only way into the plan of God. Anyone that tries to come any other way is a liar and a thief. If this is not true there is no way to God.

4. GUIDANCE - I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD John 10:11 - the good shepherd, the only one who really cares. Many from other religions say that they really care but it is Jesus the good shepherd, the only one who really cares. All other systems drop you into hell.

5. RESURRECTION - I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE John 11:20-25 - The death of Lazarus. Christ conquers death proving He is God, the resurrection and the life, He is the way the truth and life forever. The only way to eternal life is in Christ Jesus. To reject Him is to have eternal life in the Lake of Fire

6. TRUTH/LIFE - I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE John 14: 6 - There is no other way to gain meaning in this life and eternal life than through him. We are related to the King of kings and Lord of lords who came and died for us that we might live. We should be obedient to our Lord who bought us with His blood. I am the way the truth and the life. The only way to live is in the truth, the only way to have life and have it more abundantly is in Him. The only way to God is through the God man Jesus Christ. We need to live in Him as He is the only one who has the truth.

7. PRODUCTION - I AM THE TRUE VINE John 15:1-5 - Walking from the Passover meal past the Temple towards Gethsemane, He talks about the spiritual production that is ours in union with Him. I am the true vine - the only way to spiritual productivity is in Christ Jesus through the fruit of the Spirit. Love Joy Peace and the other fruit is only available in Christ. You have to be in the vine to have fruit. Many unbelievers want joy and peace but they cannot have it without Christ.

JESUS THE CHRIST: DEITY

1. Jesus Christ is both God and man. The two natures are inseparably united without mixture or loss of separate identity, the union being personal and eternal. (Philippians 2:5-11, John 1:1-14, Romans 1:4, Romans 9:5, 1 Timothy 3:16)

2. Jesus Christ is undiminished deity. This includes all the divine characteristics:
a) Sovereignty (Genesis 1, Revelation 1:5, 6, 17:14, 19:16)
b) Eternal Life (Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2, John 1:1-2, 8:58, Colossians 1:16-17, Ephesians 1:4, Revelation 1:8)
c) Holiness (Luke 1:35, Acts 3:14, Hebrews 7:26)
d) Love (John 13:1, 34, 1 John 3:16)
e) Unchangeable (Hebrews 13:8)
f) All Knowing (Matthew 9:4, John 2:25, John 18:4, 1 Corinthians 4:5, Colossians 2:3, Revelation 2:23)
g) All Powerful (Matthew 24:30, 28:18, 1 Corinthians 15:28, Philippians 3:2 1, Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 1:8)
h) Everywhere (Matthew 28:20, Ephesians 1:23, Colossians 1:27)
i) Truth (John 14:6, Revelation 3:7)

3. Christ is the Son of God, equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Peter 1:2)

4. Proofs of the deity of Christ.
a) He is the Creator of all. (John 1:3, 10 Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:10)
b) He is the Preserver of all things. (Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3)
c) He pardons sin. (Luke 5:21, 24)
d) He raises the dead. (John 5:21, 28-29, 11: 42-43)
e) He will reward the saints. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
f) He will judge the world in the Last Day. (John 5:22)
g) He receives worship (Hebrews 1:6)

5. Jesus Christ was/is Yahweh in Pre Incarnate Form, also known as the Word/Logos John 1:1

a) Jesus is God - (Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1; John 20:28; 2 Peter 1:1, Titus 2:13).

Yahweh is God - (Jeremiah 32:18; (Isaiah 43:10; (Isaiah 45:22; Philippians 2:10).

b) Jesus is I AM (John 8:24; 8:58; 13:19; 18:5).
Yahweh is I AM (Isaiah 43:10; Exodus 3:13-14; Deuteronomy 32:39).

c) Jesus is the First and the Last (Revelation 1:17; 2:8; 22:13).
Yahweh is the First and the Last (Isaiah 44:6; 48:12; 41:4).
d) Jesus is the Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:14; 1 Peter 2:6; Matthew 16:18).

Yahweh is the Rock (Exodus 17:6; Isaiah 17:10; 2 Samuel 22-32; Deuteronomy 32:4).

e) Jesus is Saviour (Acts 2:21; 4:12; Romans 10:9; Jude 25).
Yahweh is Saviour (Psalm 106:21; Hosea 13:4; Isaiah 45:21; 43:3,11).

f) Jesus is Lord of Lords (Revelation 17:14; 19:16; 1 Timothy 6:14-16).
Yahweh is Lord of Lords (Psalm 136:1-3; Deuteronomy 10:17).

g) Jesus is Creator (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:10).
Yahweh is Creator (Job 33:4; (Isaiah 40:28; Genesis 1:1).

h) Jesus is Light (John 8:12; John 1:9; Luke 2:32).
Yahweh is Light (Micah 7-8; Isaiah 60:20; Psalm 27:1).

i) Jesus is Judge (2 Timothy 4:1; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10).
Yahweh is Judge (Genesis 18:25; Joel 3:12).

j) It is quite clear that Jesus is God (1 John 5:5)

6. Jesus lived on earth in total dependence upon God the Father. He never used His own divine attributes in contradiction to the will of the Father. (Matthew 4:1-11, 27:42-43)

7. At the birth of Christ no change occurred in the deity of Jesus Christ. During His earthly life, some attributes were unused but they were never deleted or destroyed. To remove any attribute from His deity would be to destroy deity.

8. Jesus Christ is true humanity. This includes attributes such as thirst, hunger, weariness. (John 19:28)

9. Jesus Christ had a body, soul and spirit, but no old sin nature. He did not receive an old sin nature because of the virgin birth.

10. God became flesh; it is not a case of God merely possessing humanity.

THEOLOGY LESSON 11

THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD

Ephesians 3:14-15
1 John 4:9,10
Titus 3:3-7
Romans 4:13
Romans 8:17
John 8:30-47 Shekinah Glory
Fatherhood of God

INTRODUCTION

This is one of the significant doctrines of Christian theology which is unique to Christianity. The Moslem does not refer to Allah as “father”, nor does the Hindu believe in a father over us all.

Father is a word that is personal and relational. It shows that God cares and provides. There is therefore a relationship that it is possible for believers to have with God the Father. The Father is the first person in the Trinity and is represented as loving, electing and bestowing, the Son as redeeming, suffering and upholding and the Spirit as regenerating, indwelling, regenerating, baptizing, energizing and sanctifying.

The revelation of the Trinity allows it to be portrayed in a relationship way. God the Father is seen as the first person of the Trinity but is not superior to the Son or the Holy Spirit who are equally God. The words Father and Son are words of accommodation showing relationship rather than superiority. The Father did not form the Son and then between them formed the Holy Spirit this is a false concept called the doctrine of procession. Jehovah's Witnesses and other cults teach this. We need to allow God to reveal Himself rather than we superimpose our concepts on Him. This is man telling God how he will be seen rather than seeking how God has revealed the truth, no matter how difficult it is to understand.

God's Relationship with Man

God’s relationship with man is divided into three aspects:

[a] The Father planned it and is the author of the plan.
[b] The Son executes the plan
[c] The Holy Spirit makes the plan real to humanity.

These concepts are before time with no time distinction.

Fatherhood - Fatherhood comes in various concepts:

[1] Fatherhood over creation Ephesians 3:14 15 all beings have their origin in God. We get our life and very existence from God. There is therefore a brotherhood in the creation. The liberals however take this a step further and talk about the brotherhood of man and the universal Fatherhood of God.

This is a lie that is exposed by the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said that all men are not brothers but only become such in Christ. It is noted that even Satan was given his life by God as he is created. There is no relationship in the Father - creation combination.

[2] Fatherhood by intimate relationship which is the concept of the relationship between God and Israel. Exodus 4:22 Israel is my son this is my firstborn. This is more than God saying that He is their creator but it is less than saying that they are regenerated. In the New Testament it says that all Israel is not Israel.

There is however a relationship between the Father and Israel, a care for Israel. He preserves the nation. In the Bible the word father is used a large number of times in relation to the relationship between God and Israel.

However most of the Jews disrespected that relationship and only a relatively few Jews accepted Jesus Christ as their Messiah and were therefore accepted into a new covenant relationship with their heavenly Father.

[3] A specific relationship between the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Ephesians 1:3. The first specific revelation of the New Testament is that God the Father is the father of the Lord Jesus Christ. It also shows without any doubt the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ by His attributes and His works.

The words father and son are used in the New Testament to show the intimacy of the relationship between God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ with out fulfilling all the relationships which would be true of a human relationship of Father and Son. This was the error of the Arian theologians who said that he was a son of God but not equal with God.

The Father and the Son

The second person has been the Son from eternity past. For eternity there has been this close relationship between the Father and the Son. In Isaiah 9:6 it shows that a child is born but a son is given. The baby was born but the Son was given as the Son had existed forever. What they are saying is that you think of the most noble father and the best possible son and the love between those two and you get a small glimpse of the relationship between the Father and the Son.

In Summary

[a] The Son of God is said to have been begotten of the Father Psalm 2:7, John 1:14, 18, 3:16,18 1 John 4:9

[b] The Father acknowledged the Lord Jesus Christ as His Son Matthew 3:17, 17:5, Luke 9:35

[c] The Father is acknowledged by the Son Matthew 11:27, 26:63 64, Luke 22:29, John 8:16 29, 33 44, 17:1 The Son is subject to the Father's plan but it should be remembered that the plan had been a joint plan when it was conceived with its recognition of role and responsibility.

[d] The fact that God the Father is acknowledged by men to be the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ Matthew 16:16, Mark 15:39, John 1:34, 49, Acts 3:13

[e] The Son acknowledges the Father by being subject to Him John 8:29, 49

[f] Even the demons recognize this relationship between the Father and the Son Matthew 8:29. Satan's eternal damnation relies on this relationship and its permanency

The relationship between the Father and the Son is also shown in the giving of the Son to us. Man's response to God is in contrast with the Son's relationship with the Father.

The response of the Son to the Father is a challenge for us. Have you talked to your Father today? The Lord told us to pray to the Father as our father. It does not matter what your human father was like you can have a close relationship with your heavenly Father. Begin with confession and end with praise. True worship is grounded in this doctrine. If you can encourage your flock to be intimate with God it will reduce significantly your counseling requirements.

[4] The Father is the father of all regenerated ones. We can say "our father" because we have a relationship which has been established through the Son.

We are the blood bought children of God. Titus 3:1 7 – So that is why we are heirs to eternal life. In verses 5 8 we have the three persons of the Godhead the Holy Spirit v 5, the Lord Jesus Christ v 6 and the Father in v 8. Not by anything we have done but we have become heirs of the grace of God. We have therefore the fatherhood of God and the son-ship of the saints.

[a] Before salvation we were sold unto sin, we were not sons. Spiritually we were dead other than creatures to our creator Ephesians 2:19, Romans 7:14

[b] Before salvation we were all of different races, none of us could call each other brother. We now only have a relationship through the Father only with those who are related to our Lord Jesus Christ.

[c] Salvation alone makes us children of God rather than slaves to sin.

[d] Only God can make us His children as only God has the power. John 3 we are born from above.

[e] Unbelievers cannot or will not see this unique relationship. As sons of rebellion they believe the lies of their father Satan who promotes the concept of the universal fatherhood of God. This is the concept which is putting most of the people on this earth into the Lake of Fire. John 8:44

[f] The believer's son-ship guarantees heir-ship, eternal life and fellowship with God forever. 1 John 3:2 3, Romans 8:16 18
[g] The Holy Spirit is the down payment on believer's inheritance, the assurance that they are the sons of God. Ephesians 1:14

[h] Believers are heirs of salvation and eternal life in Christ Jesus. We have the assurance of receiving a resurrection body.

[i] The source of our confidence of receiving a resurrection body is based on the Lord's resurrection, a lively hope. We can depend on Him forever. We can trust the Father because we have a relationship with the Son

John 8:30 55 these people thought that their inheritance through Abraham made them acceptable to God. As Jews they were in a special relationship but they were not saved.

They had pride in their life. You are living in a state of sin in the house of Israel as a servant which means you are not a permanent resident as you are a servant rather than a son. He tells them they are of their father the devil v 44.

The Jews also called Jesus illegitimate believing him to be the offspring of Mary and a Roman soldier.

They say they are related to God through Abraham. God however does not have grandchildren he has sons. It does not matter who your father was you need a personal relationship with God. He points out that they do not hear them because they are not of God. They were children of the devil because they were in rebellion. Whose son are you? You choose your father and what family you are in eternally. If you turn down God's grace you choose the lake of fire, the worst of choices.

When dealing with the Gentile you should start with the father of creation and give them the gospel as Paul did on Mars hill. With the Jews however you start with God founding the nation Israel and then proceed to the gospel saying you have to know Him as your own personal father.

DOCTRINES

SHEKINAH GLORY

1. The Shekinah glory is the visible manifestation of the presence of God. The usual title used is the glory of God

2. It is from the Hebrew word "shachan" meaning dwelling.

3. It took the form of light, fire, cloud or a combination of these.

4. At times it is associated with the following, the Angel of Jehovah, the Holy Spirit, The Cherubim and the motif of thick darkness.

5. Appearances of the Shekinah Glory in the Old Testament
a) The Garden of Eden [Genesis 3:8]
b) The time of the Abrahamic Covenant [Genesis 15:12-18]
c) The burning bush [Exodus 3:1-5]
d) At the Exodus [Exodus 13:21, 22]

e) At Mount Sinai [Exodus 19:16-20]
f) The special manifestation to Moses [Exodus 33:17-23]
g) The Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant [Exodus 29:42-46]

h) The book of Leviticus [Leviticus 9:6-7, 22-24]
i) The Book of Numbers [Numbers 13:30-14:45, 16:1-50, 20:6-13]
j) The period of Joshua and the Judges [1 Samuel 4:21-22]
k) Solomon's Temple [1 Kings 8:1-13, 2 Chronicles 5:2-7:3]
l) The departure of the Shekinah Glory [Ezekiel 1:28, 3:12, 23, 8:3-4, 9:3a, 10:4, 18-19, 11:22-23]
m) The Shekinah glory was not in the second Temple [Haggai 2:3, 9]

6. Appearance of the Shekinah Glory in the New Testament.
a) To the Shepherds - Luke 2:8-9
b) The Christmas star - Matthew 2:1-12
c) It comes in a new form - John 1:1-14
d) The transfiguration - Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:288-36, 2 Peter 1:16-18
e) The reflection of that glory - 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
f) The Book of the Acts - Acts 2:1-3, 9:3-8, 22:6-11, 26:13-18
g) The Revelation - Revelation 1:12-16,
h) In the Tribulation - Revelation 15:8
i) The Second Coming of Christ - Matthew 16:27, 24:30, Mark 13:26, Luke 21:27
j) The Millennium - Ezekiel 43:1-7a, 44:1-2, Zechariah 2:4-5, Isaiah 36:1-2, 58:8-9a, 60:1-3

k) The Eternal State - Revelation 21:1-3, 21:23-24

FATHERHOOD OF GOD

Fatherhood comes in various concepts:

1. The Fatherhood over creation Ephesians 3:14 15 all beings have their origin in God. We get our life and very existence from God. There is therefore a brotherhood in the creation. The liberals however take this a step further and talk about the brotherhood of man and the universal Fatherhood of God which is a lie which is exposed by the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said that all men are not brothers but only become such in Christ. Even Satan was given his life by God. There is no relationship in the Father creator-ship combination.

2. Fatherhood by intimate relationship which is the concept of the relationship between God and Israel. In Exodus 4:22 Israel is my son this is my firstborn. This is more than God saying that He is their creator but it is less than saying that they are regenerated. In the New Testament it says that all Israel is not Israel. There is however a relationship between the Father and Israel, a care for Israel. He preserves the nation. In the Bible the word father is used a large number of times in relation to the relationship between God and Israel. However; only a few Jews were regenerated.

3. A specific relationship between the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Ephesians 1:3. The first specific revelation of the New Testament is that God the Father is the father of the Lord Jesus Christ. It also shows without any doubt the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ

By His attributes and His works the words father and son are used in the New Testament to show the intimacy of the relationship between God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ with out fulfilling all the relationships which would be true of a human relationship of Father and Son. This was the error of the Arian theologians who said that he was a son of God but not equal with God.

4. The second person has been the Son from eternity past. For eternity there has been this close relationship between the Father and the Son. In Isaiah 9:6 it shows that a child is born but a son is given. The baby was born but the Son was given as the Son had existed forever. What they are saying is that you think of the noblest father and the best possible son and the love between those two and you get a small glimpse of the relationship between the Father and the Son.

5. The Father of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6-7)
a) Only in Christ do we become brothers. (Galatians 3:27-29) This is the result of the Holy Spirit who baptizes us into the body of Christ and makes us a new creation in Him. (1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:5)
b) God is not the spiritual father of the unregenerate man; they are His creation but not His children. (John 14:6) Before salvation we were sons of our carnal sinful nature. (John 8:42-47, Ephesians 2:19)

6. In summary therefore
[a] The Son of God is said to have been begotten of the Father Psalm 2:7, John 1:14, 18, 3:16,18 1 John 4:9
[b] The Father acknowledged the Lord Jesus Christ as His Son Matthew 3:17, 17:5, Luke 9:35
[c] The Father is acknowledged by the Son Matthew 11:27, 26:63 64, Luke 22:29, John 8:16 29, 33 44, 17:1 The Son is subject to the Father's plan but it should be remembered that the plan had been a joint plan when it was conceived with its recognition of role and responsibility.
[d] The fact that God the Father is acknowledged by men to be the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ Matthew 16:16, Mark 15:39, John 1:34, 49, Acts 3:13
[e] The Son acknowledges the Father by being subject to Him John 8:29, 49
[f] Even the demons recognise this relationship between the Father and the Son Matthew 8:29 Satan's eternal damnation relies on this relationship and its permanency

7. Before salvation became possible by Christ’s blood, all members of the human race were "sold under sin" we were strangers before God, not sons. Romans 7:14, Ephesians 2:19. Spiritually we were dead, we had no relationship with God other than creatures to the creator we did not recognize Ephesians 2:1. We were alienated from the perfect of God.

8. Before salvation we were all of different races, the only brotherhood we can ever have is in Christ. Galatians 3:27-29.

9. Salvation alone makes us children of God. Before we were slaves of sin, sons of our fleshly sin nature; or children of rebellion. (Ephesians 2:19, John 8:42-47, 1John 3:10-15)

10. Only God can make us his children, for only God has that power. John 1:12, 13. We are either 'born-again', born from above or we remain spiritually dead, children of Satan, John 3:3, 6, 36.

11. Unbelievers cannot and will not see this unique relationship. 1John 3:1, 1 Corinthians 1:18. As sons of rebellion they believe their father’s lie i.e. the universal fatherhood of God and universal brotherhood of man (both of which are false concepts). John 8:44. This lie perpetrates the idea that God is a “soft-touch” and will not judge man for their sin, but all will be well in the end. This is declared false by God in his word.

12. The believer’s son-ship guarantees heir-ship, eternal life and fellowship for them. 1 John 3:2, 3, Romans 8:16-18.

13. The Holy Spirit is God’s down payment on the believer’s inheritance - the assurance of more to come, Ephesians 1:14.

14. Believers are heirs of eternal life through relationship with God in Christ John 8:35, 51.
a) Receiving rewards: Colossians 3:24, 25, 2 John 8, 1 Corinthians 3:8 and,
b) Receiving a resurrection body. 1 Corinthians 15:50-54.

15. The source of our confidence is based in the Lords resurrection. He is therefore our "lively hope", 1 Peter 1:3-5. He can be depended upon to meet all needs for we will be with him forever. John 14:1-4.