Session 29 - Jesus Christ in the New Testament

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. (Matthew 16:13-20).

Jesus Christ is the key to understanding everything about the New Testament.

"...the Scriptures point to me!" (John 5:39)

THE NATURE OF CHRIST

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)

1. Son of God

The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35, NIV)

The New Testament proclaims His deity.

He knew that He was God's Son. At the age of 12, "I must be doing my Father's business" (Luke 2:49). He was always called God's Son, cf Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5.

This was confirmed at His baptism (Matthew 3:17). Satan challenged during the wilderness temptation ("If you are the Son of God", Matthew 4:3). Confirmed by Peter (Matthew 16:15-17). Jesus taught that understanding this was divinely imparted. Declared during His trial before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:63-64).

Jesus claimed to have a special relationship with God the Father - Matthew 11:27; John 14:9-11; 16:28; 17:25; 20:21.

He made specific claims about Himself as the "I Am".

Jesus' authority was demonstrated in His:

Jesus was fully God and fully human. He was tempted like us, but did not sin. He challenged His enemies to find sin in Him (John 8:46). His sinless did not come about because He was God, but because of His choices. Being man He was capable of yielding to temptation.

LORD = "kurios"; used for Jehovah in the Greek Septuagint.

According to the Jewish historian Josephus, the Jews refused to call the Roman emperor kurios, because this title was reserved for God alone.

Paul transfers to Jesus Christ passages in the Old Testament (eg Isaiah 45: 23) which refer to God. It is to the Lord Jesus Christ that every knee shall now bow and whom every tongue shall confess (Philippians 2: 10).

His Exaltation

Christ is the "Son of God" because of His eternal relationship with the Father (Philippians 2:9). Confirmed by the resurrection (Acts 2:36; Romans 1:4; 14:9)

His Sovereignty

He is our ruler. He has purchased us with a great price (1 Corinthians 6:20; 2 Corinthians 5:15).

2. The Word (Logos)

"In the beginning was the Word (logos), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood] it. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-5, 14 NIV)

Lit. "word", "reason". Featured in the writings of many Greek philosophers. For Christians, Jesus is the eternal Word, the expression of the Father's character.

Many religions rely on the written word, eg the Koran in Islam and the Vedas in Hinduism (containing hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India, the Vedas have also influenced Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism).

By comparison, in Christianity the logos took on human flesh, came to earth and spoke to us personally (John 1:14). Jesus is the:

3. Son of Man

Christ shared our human nature via what theologians call the "kenosis" (Philippians 2:5-11). He humbled Himself and took our human form on Himself. He was subjected to our weaknesses, temptations, limitations.

When applied to Jesus, the term "Son of Man" (Matthew 8:20; Mark 2:10, 28) had a connection with God. Jesus used the title to refer to His ministry to humanity (cf Luke 19:10), His sufferings (Mark 8:31) and His exaltation over mankind (Matthew 25:31). 1 John 1 describes the humanness of Jesus, while acknowledging Him as God. "Son of Man appears 82 times in the New Testament, in all but three cases Jesus used it, referring to Himself.

"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law." (Galatians 4:4, NIV)

The humanity of Jesus Christ was evidenced as follows:

Jesus became a man through the "incarnation", lit. taking on human flesh.

Jesus was called Himself a man by:

Jesus was identified as a Jew (John 4:9; 8:57). Still referred to as "man" in His ascension (1 Timothy 2:5). He will come again (Matthew 16:27, 28) and judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31) as such.

He experienced temptations as we do, but without sin (Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:14-16)

Jesus was "perfected" through the things He suffered (Hebrews 6:8, 9).

Why did Jesus Christ Come in Human Flesh?

Part of God's "mystery". The incarnation was designed to:

HIS TITLES

Christ

Jesus was his given name; Christ was His title = lit. "anointed one", Luke 4:18, 19. He was the "Messiah" (the Hebrew equivalent) awaited since Old Testament times. The anointing came at his baptism in the Jordan River.

People in the New Testament times were looking for a political Messiah/king/deliverer, who would judge the world powers and restore Israel to her former greatness.

They were not looking out for a deliverer from sin (cf Luke 1:68-75). Jesus avoided political entrapment or involvement. He spoke of a "kingdom" that was spiritual in nature, but insisted that people also submit to earthly rulers. Even John the Baptist (after his arrest) seems to have had second thoughts until Jesus clarified with reference to the great works He was performing (Matthew 11:1-3).

There were many false Messiahs. The Jewish leaders rejected Jesus as the Christ. Those who initially recognized Jesus as Christ included:

Son of David

This was particularly relevant to the Jews (hence the genealogy in Matthew, the Gospel written to the Jews). Jesus was David's descendant (cf Matthew 22:42-46). Why is that important to Gentiles? David was promised an eternal dynasty. The promise had to do with God's long-term faithfulness and provision or atonement (at-one-ment) for the whole of humanity.

Saviour

Deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt typified spiritual salvation. God then sent Jesus = Joshua = Saviour deliverer (cf Matthew 1:21), in His timing (Galatians 4:4).

Judge

The first time Jesus came into the world He did so to be our saviour. The next time will be as a judge, at a time appointed by the Father - Acts 10:42; 17:31. It is important not to view Jesus just in terms of what He looked like during His earthly ministry, cf John the Apostles vision of Him in Revelation Chapter One.

HIS CHARACTER

HIS OFFICES

1. Creator

Jesus existed before creation - John 8:58, 17:24; Hebrews 7:3; Revelation 22:13. He was intimately involved in the creation - John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:1, 2

2. Prophet

OT prophets were God's representatives (Hebrews 1:1-3). "Prophet" meant one who "spoke/told forth"; God's spokesmen. Also foretold (ie predicted). ΒΌ of the Bible is prophecy. Jesus was recognized as a prophet: Mark 1:27, 6:4; John 4:19, 6:14, 7:40, 9:17. He spoke with authority on God's behalf and confirmed His message with miraculous power and signs. His denunciation of sin and false religion, the authoritative way he challenged the establishment of His day, His uncompromising call to repentance, reminded the people of the OT prophets (Matthew 16:14).

Jesus challenged the leaders of His day: "If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me." (John 5:46, cf Luke 24:26).

(a) Proclaimed Salvation

God anointed Jesus (Christ = anointed) with the Holy Spirit, to preach the Gospel to the poor (Luke 4:18), to call sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13; Luke 19:10). Jesus alluded to Himself as a prophet (Luke 4:24).

(b) Proclaimed the Kingdom of God

Jewish people were awaiting a Messiah, whom they assumed would establish a political kingdom. Some wanted to crown Him as their king, but Jesus would have none of it (John 6:15). Jesus did preach the coming of a Kingdom (Matthew 4:17, 6:33; Mark 1:15; Luke 9:11), but the Kingdom of God is a spiritual entity first and foremost (John 17:21). He was never going to raise an army or lead a political movement (cf John 18:36). See 3. below.

(c) Predicted the Future

Jesus foretold:

3. Priest

Priests in the Old Testament were appointed to:

Jesus' sacrifice is good for all times, for all people (Hebrews 7:27). His priesthood is unchangeable (Hebrews 7:23, 28). There is no longer any need for the old system of sacrifices; they are redundant.

Jesus did away with the Levitical priesthood of the Old Testament, that existed only as a "type" of His ministry. He was a priest "after the order of Melchizedek", who preceded Moses and the Law. See notes on Hebrews. Jesus is our "Great High Priest", who has gone before us. Christians are part of a new "priesthood of believers", who have the privilege of entering the presence of God unimpeded, offering sacrifices of worship and representing Him to the world.

4. King

The Kingdom He proclaimed would be ruled by Him.

Jesus was first recognized as King by:

Jesus declared to Pontius Pilate that He was born to be king. Pilate misunderstood, thinking He was referring to an earthly kingdom - John 18:36.

He spoke of Himself as King - Matthew 25:34 (predicted a period when He would come as king - Matthew 25:31). Now He has all power in heaven and on earth - Matthew 28:18. He has been crowned in heaven - Ephesians 1:20-22; Revelation 3:21. One of the central themes of the Revelation is "the King and His Kingdom" (11:5, 12:10, 19:16).

HIS WORK

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

1. His Death

Its Importance

Jesus was born to be our Saviour - Matthew 1:21. To take away the sins of the world - John 1:29.

The cross is central to God's plan. It is foolish to the world (1 Corinthians 1:18), but Jesus said that taking up our cross and following Him is central to Christian discipleship.

The cross is the legal basis for:

God has taken the initiative. Christ died for us, when we did not know about, did not deserve it, did not ask for it. To bring us back into full fellowship with God and give us eternal life. Jesus took our sins in His body - 1 Peter 2:24. He was "made sin for us" = 2 Corinthians 5:21.

2. His Resurrection

The resurrection was written/reported by eyewitnesses (read 1 Corinthians 15). The earliest documentary evidences of those statements have been dated to within 20 years of the events.

If the resurrection had not occurred (Paul argues in 1 Corinthians 15:12-29):

"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." (Revelation 1:17, 18)

Jesus was seen alive after His death by:

(c) Meaning of the Resurrection

3. His Ascension and Present Ministry

Jesus ascended to heaven in front of His disciples - Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9.

Scripture says that He entered heaven (Hebrews 9:4), "led captivity captive and gave gifts to men" - Ephesians 4:8

Too often we see Jesus in terms of His earthly ministry. However, this was only a brief interlude in history. Jesus is eternal, the Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End. He is not limited to His bodily shape (read Revelation Chapter One). After the resurrection He had a spiritual body (cf 1 Corinthians 15:44). This is how He was able to appear/disappear, pass through closed doors, etc. Just because we cannot see Him does not mean He is not with us.

He has been exalted, and been given all power in Heaven and on earth - Matthew 28:18.

He is Sovereign:

He is preparing the way for us. He has gone ahead - Hebrews 6:19, 20, so that we will be with Him - John 12:26. He is preparing a place for us - John 14:2, 3

He is Our Intercessor.

Jesus mediates/intercedes for us (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34). John tells us that He is our "advocate" (lawyer) when we sin (1 John 2:1). John 17 contains some key elements of Jesus' intercession for the church.

He is Omnipresent

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. (John 14:12-14, NIV)

Jesus is at the centre. All authority has been given to Him. He is the one and only Lord. He is preeminent.

"For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen." (Romans 11:36)

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