CHRISTOLOGY-
The Doctrine of Christ
Page 1: Introduction to Christology
Christology explores the person and nature of Jesus Christ.
Page 2: The Person of Christ
Page 3: Key Questions
What does the world say about the person of Jesus?
What do you say about Jesus?
Page 4: Responses to Jesus' Identity (Matthew 16)
Two responses:
Culture’s answer: Jesus as a good moral teacher, a prophet.
Peter’s answer: Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Page 5: The Dual Nature of Christ
Jesus Christ: Fully God and fully man in one person.
The heart of the Christian faith focuses on the person of Jesus Christ.
Page 6: Understanding Christology
Christology:
Comes from "Christos" (Christ) and "Logy" (study of).
When studying the Bible, you're ultimately studying Christ.
The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, centers on Jesus.
Page 7: What is Christology?
A field of study in Christian theology concerning Jesus' nature.
Focuses on:
The relationship between the Divine and Human in Jesus.
Key topics include the Incarnation, resurrection, and salvific work (soteriology).
Page 8: Christ Throughout the Scriptures
Old Testament: Anticipation of a coming Messiah.
New Testament: The Messiah has arrived.
Acts/Letters: Proclaiming His message.
Revelation: Promise of His second coming.
Page 9: The Gospels' Portrayal of Jesus
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) present cohesive accounts of Jesus’ life rather than contradictory ones.
Page 10: Synoptic Gospels
Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke.
Meaning of 'Synoptic': "Together" (Syn) + "seen" (Optic).
Contain overlapping material (parables, stories).
John: Different focus, not classified as a Synoptic Gospel.
Page 11: Each Gospel's Focus
Matthew: Jewish perspective, fulfillment of OT prophecies, Jesus as the promised Messiah.
Mark: Brief, focuses on Jesus’ miracles.
Luke: Emphasizes salvation for both Jews and Gentiles.
John: Devotes two-thirds to the last weeks of Jesus' life; high Christology.
Page 12: People's Responses to Jesus
Shepherds: Recognized Him as the good shepherd.
Simeon: Acknowledged Him as the promised Messiah.
John the Baptist: Identified Him as the Lamb of God.
Nicodemus: Called Him a good teacher.
Woman at the Well: Recognized Him as the Savior.
Pharisees: Accused Him of blasphemy.
Page 13: Jesus' Self-Testimony
Jesus' identity as seen in the Gospel of John:
Gives seven “I AM” statements (Ego Emi: "I AM"), identifying Himself as God.
Page 14: Blasphemy in Claims
Example: John 12:49 - Jesus claimed to speak and act on the Father’s authority, perceived as blasphemous.
Page 15: "I AM" Statement - Bread of Life
I AM the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
Context: After feeding the 5,000.
Purpose: Jesus fulfills the spiritual hunger of His people.
Page 16: "I AM" Statements
I AM the Light of the World (John 8:12).
Purpose: His life reveals the truth about sin and our need for salvation.
The Door (John 10:7, 9) - Claims eternal life is found only through Him.
The Good Shepherd (John 10:11).
Page 17: Further "I AM" Statements
The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) - Exclusivity in coming to the Father through Jesus.
The True Vine (John 15:1) - Emphasizes the connection to Jesus for spiritual sustenance.
The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25) - Jesus as the giver of life to the spiritually dead.
Page 18: Paul's Testimony about Jesus
Jesus as Savior (Acts 9; Eph. 2:8).
Accomplished Redemption (Eph. 2:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15).
Page 19: Jesus in the Old Testament
The book of Hebrews shows Jesus as the better type:
Better than Moses, Adam, the true Tabernacle.
Fulfillment of the sacrificial system and priesthood.
Page 20: The Humanity of Jesus
Exploration of why it was necessary for Jesus to be human.
Page 21: Meaning of Jesus' Humanity
Considerations on what it means for Jesus to be human.
Importance of His humanity.
Page 22: Reasons Jesus Became Human
Representative Obedience: Jesus obeyed where Adam failed (Rom. 5:18-19).
Substitute Sacrifice: Had to be fully human for an acceptable sacrifice (Heb. 2:14-17).
Page 23: Mediator Between God and Man
Christ’s role as mediator requires both full divinity and humanity (1 Tim 2:5).
Fulfillment of God’s Purpose: Illustrated through Heb. 2:8-9 and other scriptures.
Page 24: Example for Humanity
Jesus as the ideal example for living (1 John 2:6).
Pattern for Redeemed Bodies: His resurrection as the first fruits of our resurrection (1 Cor. 15:42-49).
Sympathetic High Priest: He understands our struggles (Heb. 2:18, 4:15-16).
Page 25: The Virgin Birth
Evidence for virgin birth discussed in Isaiah 7 and Galatians 4:4.
Without the virgin birth, Jesus could not unite full deity and humanity, affecting the foundation of salvation.
Page 26: Jesus' Body
Luke mentions Jesus as a baby (placed in a manger); human experiences like hunger and fatigue.
Page 27: Jesus' Mental and Emotional Development
Growth in Wisdom: Jesus learned to function as a human - eating, walking, reading, etc.
Demonstrated human emotions (e.g., astonishment at faith - Matthew 8:10).
Page 28: Sinlessness of Jesus
Jesus was human but did not possess a sinful nature or sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15).
Page 29: The Debate on Sinlessness
Impeccability vs Peccability of Christ regarding His ability to sin.
Temptations were real, confirmed by scripture (Heb. 4:16).
Page 30: Temptation and Sin
Acknowledgment of Jesus' ability to be tempted but remained sinless due to His divine nature.
Page 31: The Eternal God-Man
Confirmation that Jesus remains fully God and fully man forever post-ascension (Acts 1:9-11).