Our Most Precious Faith
Jesus Christ
This morning, we come to Statement #3 of our doctrinal statement regarding Christ:
JESUS CHRIST
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is truly God and truly human, born of a virgin and without sin. His substitutionary death was voluntary and was made for the forgiveness of every person who would ever believe. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to His Father’s right hand where He now ministers as the believer’s Great High Priest (John 10:15; Acts 2:22-23; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24-25).
Certainly, so much could be said about each of these truths of Christ. Yet as we go through each of these statements regarding our faith, there is no way we can teach each one in a sense that we will learn everything about them. The goal in this series is that is good that we know what our statement says and confirm “What We Believe.” So, this statement about Christ addresses His deity, humanity, virgin birth and sinlessness, His death, and His present ministry. So, let us begin with:
The Deity of Jesus Christ
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is truly God and truly human. Now I plan to address the fact of being truly God and truly human in a few moments, but first let us consider the deity of Christ, in other words, that Christ is God. This was likely one of the most debated truths in the early days of Christianity. In other words, it had to be greatly defended that Christ was not only the Son of God, but that He was also deity, that He indeed was God. There are certainly strong statements made by Jesus in the Bible regarding His deity. Jesus said in Mark 2:10, “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” This is a massive claim by Christ at the very beginning of His ministry, that He claims to forgive sin in such an authoritative way. When Jesus was speaking about His second coming, He said this, “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.” This again is quite the statement for Jesus to say about Himself. And of course, Jesus said in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” The Apostle Paul makes an even stronger statements. In 1 Corinthians 15:47, he was teaching that the first man, Adam, came from the earth, while the last Man, Christ, came from heaven. And then in Colossians 2:9, Paul said that the “fullness of the deity dwells in Christ,” and in Colossians 1:16, Paul wrote:
“For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
Colossians 1:16 (LSB)
A first-time reader of the New Testament might say, I thought God created the heavens and the earth, and Paul is agreeing here by saying yes Christ is the Creator. The writer of Hebrews says, let Christ be worshipped. Worshipped, something only ever commanded for God. He also says that the Son is the exact representation of the Father. And of course, Jesus Himself said, “If you have seen the Son, you have seen the Father.” Jesus makes Himself the object of faith (John 6:40) if you believe in Me. And He makes Himself the object of prayer, if you ask of Me. In John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word [Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The deity of Christ.
The Humanity of Christ
It is interesting that theologians have been so adamant about the deity of Christ, that modern-day Christianity sometimes has a less understanding of the humanity of Christ. One of the most revealing verses in all of the Bible of Christ’s humanity is one that we reference in our doctrinal statement, and it is Acts 2:22-23:
“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God did through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of lawless men and put Him to death.”
Acts 2:22-23 (LSB)
We read that Jesus was a man, a human, for He ate, slept, He was tired, He was thirsty, at times He suffered. Back in the Old Testament, Isaiah said that He had no stately form or majesty, or any kind of appearance that we should even desire Him. He was born as a man. Galatians 4:4 says that He was born of a woman. In the Gospels we have the genealogies to show that Jesus was a physical descendant of King David. Romans 1:3 says that He was born of the seed of David according to the flesh. So, Christ was a physical descendant, not just representing Israel’s kingly line, but actually part of it physically. And though Joseph—Christ’s legal father, was not His physical father, Joseph, who was part of the physical line of David—was the adopted Son of Joseph. And yet Mary was His real mother, she too was a descendant of King David, would then mean that Jesus was part of the royal line on Jospeh’s side as an adopted Son, as well as Mary’s side, as a real flesh and blood Son. Christ is also compared in the Bible to the human Adam. The Scriptures teach that Adam is the first Adam and Christ is the second Adam. And Christ’s role as Man was to redeem what the first man Adam lost. Paul wrote (Rom 5) that through the one man, Adam, many died; yet through the last Man, Christ, many would live. Jesus also, as a Man, willingly submitted to the Father. Paul wrote:
“[W]ho, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:6-8 (LSB)
Jesus was a complete human being with a body, soul, and spirit. Therefore, the phrase we often hear about Jesus is that He was fully God and fully man. In our statement we use the wording—truly God and truly man—a term that was taught by RC Sproul. I have to admit in all the footage of John MacArthur and R. C. Sproul, two theologians who had a few theological differences, but also two men that greatly appreciated each other for their love of the Scriptures and commitment to the faith. This is one of the funniest conversations I have seen from a few years ago, and it is about the discussion of the deity and humanity of Christ: [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t32jtCid_yc]
I will miss that friendship between those two men, both enjoying their Saviour whom they loved. And it is hard with words at times to explain deep spiritual truths, but we know from the Bible that Jesus is truly God, truly divine in nature. And at the same time Jesus is truly human in nature with zero compromise on both sides. Now this leads us to the next point in our statement that Jesus was born of a virgin and without sin, as the significance of this statement must include both His deity and humanity.
The Virgin Birth and Sinlessness of Christ
The Father of Jesus Christ was God Himself, as the gospel writer Matthew goes out of his way to explain that Mary had no involvement with a man prior to giving birth to Jesus. Matthew writes:
“‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us.’ And Joseph got up from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.”
Matthew 1:23-25 (LSB)
Of course, the truth that Christ would come from a virgin was also taught in the Old Testament. Isaiah 7:14, the virgin shall be with Child. Mark says that Jesus was the son of Mary, not Joseph. And the significance of this is that the sin nature of humans is something which comes through the male, the father. In other words, there was no sin nature handed down to Christ through Joseph. Yet Christ was human as He was the real Son of Mary, though not born with a sin nature. Paul Enns teaches that at birth the human nature of Christ came into existence. Now it was not a person that came into existence at birth, it was not even a Son that came into existence at birth. For Jesus has always existed with the Father and Jesus has always been the Son of God, the Eternal Son. In other words, Jesus has always been deity for eternity past and forever will be. But the amazing thing about the birth of Christ—at the incarnation of Christ, the moment that Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit—Jesus became a human, He became a Man. But because He was not the flesh and blood the Son of Joseph, but was conceived by the Holy Spirit, His human nature was sinless.
Enns went on to say that although Jesus was born of a human woman, it was the conception by the Holy Spirit that guaranteed the sinlessness of Christ. And this is why the doctrine of the virgin birth is critical, for if Jesus had a human father, He would have been born like us, with a sin nature. This is some of the deep theological truths of verses such as (John 7:18) where it says that “there is no unrighteousness in Him.” It is interesting that Christ and Adam, and we would need to include Eve as well, are the only humans to ever live without an existing sin nature, and yet both Adam and Eve sinned, and Christ did not. And yes, Jesus suffered and knew many of the weaknesses of men and women, He was not a super-human in the sense that He never tired and never felt pain, for the real human nature of Christ brought about real human limitations. But know that Jesus was perfect in every stage of His life, and He committed no sin.
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
- Corinthians 5:21 (LSB)
First John 3:5, in Christ there was no sin. Hebrews 4:15, He was tempted in every way as we were, yet without sin. Jesus was sinless in every way, in His birth and in His life. And to be sinless in His birth, He had to born of a virgin.
The Death of Christ
Our statement in relation to the death of Christ is “His substitutionary death was voluntary and was made for the forgiveness of every person who would ever believe.” This term “substitutionary” is a term that has meaning throughout all the Bible. It really was first established in the Old Testament when the Lord killed an animal to make substitution for Adam and Eve who had sinned. In this way we have a picture of sin placing us outside of the presence of God. And the killing of an animal was to make substitution to bring back that relationship. We also see this when the Old Testament Law was given to the people of Israel, as they sinned against the Law, yet God provided for them within that Law the means of sacrifices to make substitution for them. And of course, the description in the Bible is that the animal had to be one without blemish. We could say an innocent animal, Number 29:2 “and you shall offer a burnt offering, for a pleasing aroma to the Lord: one bull from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish.” And the ramifications of this in Christ are obvious. Paul wrote, as we read earlier:
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 (LSB)
We learn later in the New Testament that the example given in the Old Testament was just that—a representation or foreshadowing of what would ultimately happen in Christ as the eternal spotless Lamb. The writer of Hebrews said:
“But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
Hebrews 10:3-4 (LSB)
- A. Carson gives two reasons why the death of animals was insufficient. One, the perfect lamb—Christ had to be human to fully identify with humanity; and two, Christ’s self-surrendering to the Father was something that animals could never do. Therefore, all these things we have been addressing tie in together, as we cannot separate these truths. Jesus had to be truly human if He was to represent sinful humanity. In other words, for Christ to be the substitute, He had to be human as we were. The word theologians use at times is “vicarious,” which simply means “one in place of another.” As Christ, the human literally died in place of us humans. Enns stated it this way:
“All the believer’s sins are placed on Christ, who completely atoned for them and paid for them through His death.”
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology 246
Christ gave His life as a ransom for many. Christ provided forgiveness that the Old Testament could not achieve. And as animals that were sacrificed in the Old Testament restored the relationship between God and man temporarily, the death of Christ enabled man to be restored to His Creator forever. And we said that Christ had to be human to be the substitute for mankind, but He also had to be divine for His death was to save the world from sin, otherwise His death is only a death like anyone else. So, Jesus was perfect, therefore He had to born of a virgin without the male sin nature. But because He was perfect, He did not have to die for His own sin, and therefore, was able to take on Himself the sins of the world. You know, you and I will be disciplined by God in this life, we may suffer some difficult earthly consequences because of our sin, but we will never suffer the wrath of God for sin. Because what is the penalty for sin? The wages of sin is death—eternal death—and that has been paid for by Christ. Jesus said:
“Even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”
John 10:15 (LSB)
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 (LSB)
“Who Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that having died to sin, we might live to righteousness; by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls”
1 Pet 2:24-25 (LSB)
It is interesting that I also read in relation to the humanity of Christ, that when Jesus died, He had to be a real Man in order for His death to be a real death, in other words, He died like humans die. There are certainly many things we could talk about when considering the wonder of Christ’s death: that it was told to us in the Old Testament; that He was the Son of God; that He willingly went to the cross; and that there was darkness over the earth during the crucifixion. But He also died like you and me, in other words, His human body stopped functioning, as He would have died like anyone else. Yet in a miraculous way He gave up His own life. In fact, the Bible teaches us that He had the authority to lay down His life, yet because He was human, it was still a real death.
Now, the last truth in this part of the statement is that Jesus’ death was “made for the forgiveness of every person who would ever believe.” This gets into the discussion of who Jesus died for? Did He die for the sins of the world in the sense of dying for every sin of every person? Or as MacArthur teaches that Christ died for every sin, ever committed, by every person, who would ever believe. This of course is an argument regarding the atonement. Again, who did Christ die for? As some would describe the death of Christ as unlimited—for all? Or others would say His death is limited—for the elect only? Now it is pretty hard to introduce this topic on page eight of my sermon when I am three-quarters of the way through. But our statement says this that His death was “made for the forgiveness of every person who would ever believe.” So, we may need to ask the question, “Was His death made for every person who would not believe?”
Some have tried to balance this doctrine by making statements such as Christ’s death is sufficient for all but effective upon belief. There are some things we need to consider. One, is if Jesus paid for the sins of the world … how is anyone still condemned? Secondly, to consider the fact that Christ completely earned our salvation. Was Christ not literally punished on the cross for every sin that would be forgiven? In other words, did He not take the exact punishment of each of those forgiven sins that would have been punished in the lives of those who believed? We do have verses which give such a strong indication of the Lord’s purpose in saving His own.
“Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers; and those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified, He also glorified.”
Romans 8:29-30 (LSB)
We do get a different view of Christ as saviour between those who believe and those who do not believe. Paul wrote to Timothy:
“For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.”
1 Timothy 4:10 (LSB)
And then the words of Jesus in regard to His saving act:
“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, which are not from this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.”
John 10:14-17 (LSB)
What is the effect of this unique focus by Christ for His sheep or His bride, the church. Ephesians 5:25, “just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for the church.” And then Paul’s words in Romans 8:
“He who indeed did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?”
Romans 8:32-33a (LSB)
There is such a strong ownership here in these words, as Paul joins with these Roman Christians and says that Christ died for us. Therefore, He will give us graciously all things. Therefore, who could ever bring a charge against us the elect Now there are some verses which many would consider that Jesus died for the whole world, one is 1 John 2:2:
[A]nd He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”
- John 2:2 (LSB)
Yet we do need to be careful of the context of such a verse. John MacArthur wrote regarding the term “whole world”:
“This is a generic term referring not to every single individual, but to mankind in general. Christ actually paid the penalty only for those who would repent and believe … Most of the world will be eternally condemned to hell to pay for their own sins, so they could not have been paid for by Christ … Thus His sacrifice was sufficient to pay the penalty for all sins of all whom God brings to faith”
John MacArthur
The term used is “limited” atonement which is not a term that some theologians who believe in this teaching by John Calvin necessarily use or like, yet it is limited in the sense that Christ’s death does not save everyone. A term used by many theologians is the term “particular” atonement as some would say it better emphasizes the great work of God in the heart of sinners whom God calls. In other words, Christ’s death is particular in that it accomplished everything it was meant accomplish. The term “actual” atonement has also been used, again to emphasize God’s complete work—the actual work of Christ. I do agree that the term “limited” does have its negative context, but I do not necessarily disagree with its meaning. A term which I use is “specific” atonement, that Christ’s death was specific to the purpose for whom God intended.
I suppose we should ask the question, is salvation limited? Well, it certainly is, for it is limited to humans. For there is no salvation offered to fallen angels. Our pets will not be saved, though Ted might. It is also limited to those who hear (Rom 10:17) “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?” And of course, it is also limited to only those who believe.
I do believe we look at this doctrine from the wrong perspective. If we look at it from the gospel perspective, we tend to view the message of the gospel to be only applicable to some. Yet the gospel is applicable to all. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Ever single person in the world will be judge upon their response to the gospel. And even to those who never hear the gospel, they will be judged by their refusal to acknowledge the Creator, and therefore, they will be judged for their sin. The gospel can be told to anyone. You can share the gospel with the guy you work beside. I suppose we could say that the gospel is only limited in the case of those who stubbornly refuse to receive it. As in extreme cases where Jesus told His disciples to shake the dust off their sandals and go to the next town. So, in that case to limit even the teaching of the gospel.
But the plan of the godhead before the beginning of the world—in other words the mystery of what God has determined to accomplish for His glory—that is a truth that God has predetermined in His infinite wisdom. And it includes His plan to save His people that He has chosen to call—His elect, the sheep that He knows, the same sheep that will hear His voice. These, I believe, are those for whom Christ died—His people, His sheep, His church, His elect. This is the “specific” group that He chose before the salvation of the world.
The Present Ministry of Jesus Christ
Our statement says this, “He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to His Father’s right hand where He now ministers as the believer’s Great High Priest.” Jesus had a bodily resurrection from the dead, and His dead human body came back to life on the third day. And we too, will someday be raised with Christ, as our dead bodies will be raised to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. And this ministry of Christ towards His people continues today, as Christ is the Head of the church, as Christ sovereignly rules His people. Paul told the Romans that Jesus is now at the right hand of God and interceding for us, praying for us. First John 2:1, “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One” And Jesus is producing fruit in the lives of His people (John 15) as he is the Vine and we are the branches, as well as preparing a place for us (John 14). In closing, turn to Ephesians 5 and notice the particular ministry of Christ towards us as a church.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body.”
Ephesians 5:25-30 (LSB)
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is truly God and truly human, born of a virgin and without sin. His substitutionary death was voluntary and was made for the forgiveness of every person who would ever believe. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to His Father’s right hand where He now ministers as the believer’s Great High Priest. Let’s pray. Lord, for what we know not, would You teach us. For what we have not spiritually, would You give us. And for what we are not yet, would You make us. And all God’s people said, amen.