Christology and Worship Notes

The Person of Jesus

  • Jesus is the promised Messiah.

  • Jesus is God’s Divine Son.

Gospel of John

  • Introduces the mystery of Christ through reflection upon the eternal God.

  • Christ's origin is in eternity as God's eternal and creative Word and Wisdom (1:1-3).

  • The human Jesus is the Word of God made flesh (1:14).

Belief in Jesus Christ

  • Proclamation of Jesus Christ, the “Son of the living God”, who died and rose from the dead.

  • God fulfilled promises to Abraham by sending his Son (Galatians 4:4-5).

  • Disciples desire to proclaim Jesus Christ to lead all to faith in him.

Meaning of "Christ"

  • Greek for “anointed one”.

  • Jesus is consecrated by God and anointed by the Holy Spirit for his redeeming mission.

  • Messiah awaited by Israel, sent by the Father.

  • Suffering Servant who gives his life as a ransom (Matthew 20:28).

  • Christian derives from the name Christ.

Jesus as the Son of God

  • Unique and perfect way.

  • Designated as "beloved Son" at Baptism and Transfiguration.

  • Affirmed eternal relationship with God (Matthew 11:27).

  • Central figure of apostolic preaching.

Meaning of "Lord"

  • Title regularly designates God as Sovereign.

  • Jesus ascribed this title to himself.

  • Revealed divine sovereignty through power over nature, demons, sin, and death.

  • Given name above every other name (Philippians 2:9).

  • Lord of the world and history.

Tractate 3 on John 1:15-18

  • St. Augustine reflects on John the Baptist’s testimony and Jesus Christ as the revealer of God.

  • John the Baptist declares Jesus surpasses him because Christ existed before all creation.

  • Fullness of grace is provided through Christ.

  • Law vs. Grace: Mosaic Law revealed sin but could not save; Jesus brings grace and truth.

  • Jesus uniquely reveals the unseen God because of His intimate unity with the Father.

The World Jesus Lived In

  • Jesus' words and deeds were situated in time and space.

  • Early Christians understood and believed that Jesus was the “Son of God” (Mark 1:1).

  • Jesus’ contemporaries saw a man, Jesus of Nazareth (John 9:11).

  • Jesus was truly a man of his time, a first-century Jew.

  • Jesus spoke Aramaic, using extremes and opposites.

Geography of Palestine

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