A Few Things to Know About Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He has always existed. As the second Person of the Trinitarian Godhead, He emanates from the Father. He is fully God.

In the eternal counsel of God, at the council of the Three, Christ Jesus was chosen to be the sent One of God. At the appointed time, Jesus Christ came from heaven and took on flesh (Jn 1:14). Without losing His divinity, He became fully man.

His first and second advents were foretold by the prophets of Israel. With some 350 prophecies being fulfilled in one Man, there is great confidence derived from the Scriptures, for the believer in Jesus.

He is more than the greatest man in the world, who ever lived (Jehovah’s Witnesses). He is not just a prophet, in the order of other prophets, either true or false (Islam). He is the Word of God (Jn 1:1), incarnate (Jn 1:14). More than speaking the truth, Jesus is the truth (Jn 14:6).

His obscure entry into the world has confounded the wise for two thousand years. For this reason, they do not know Him, and they often misrepresent Him. The crux of the debate about the Person and work of Jesus Christ resides in one’s view of the Bible, the revealed Word of God (Ps 119; 2 Tim 3:16; Heb 1:1–3; 4:12; 2 Pet 1:20–21). A low view of the Holy Scripture invariably leads to a distorted view of this King of kings and King of glory (Ps 24; 1 Tim 6:15).

It was the conception of Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the Virgin Mary that set Jesus apart from all other people (Is 7:14; 8:8; 9:6; Mt 1:20–21). This divine impregnation effectually avoided the imputation of original sin (Rom 5:12). This is the sin of Adam that all people receive at conception (Ps 51:5).

Jesus Christ is the Federal Head of a new race of people (Rom 5:12–21). All people are conceived into the human race, being Adam’s posterity. God, however, has chosen a people for His own possession (1 Pet 2:9). These beloved of God are said to be “in Christ,” and enjoy the name “Christian.” God has established that Jesus Christ has the name above every other name (Eph 1:21; Phil 2:9). Christians belong to Christ (Jn 10:26; 3:23).

Jesus was named so that all would know that Yahweh saves His people from their sins (Mt 1:21). It was for this reason that God sent His only begotten Son (Jn 3:16). God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Cor 5:18–20). The world, in this context, is a remnant group of His elect, redeemed and called from every nation, tribe, and tongue (Rom 11:5; Eph 1:4–5; Rev 5:9; 7:9).

As noted, Jesus Christ was conceived apart from sin. He was born without sin or a sin nature. He was like us in the flesh, yet without sin (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15). Being fully God, Jesus was impeccable. This perfection led to the manifestation of many miracles, as recorded in the four Gospel accounts of His earthly life and ministry.

His perfect life was in accord with the Law of God, which Jesus fulfilled, by keeping it to the letter (Mt 5:17). It is the Law that exposes the sinfulness of sin in humanity. This is set in stark contrast with the holiness of God. The desperate need of man is his need for a Savior (Titus 1:3; 2:13; 3:6).

God is the Savior, and Jesus Christ is God, therefore, Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord. Salvation was known in the predetermined plan of God and purposed in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:23; Eph 3:11). He is the Redeemer of His beloved church (Eph 5:25), the Israel of God (Gal 6:16).

Typified in the Temple cult, Jesus Christ is the anti-type, who is the High Priest (Heb 7), who sacrificed Himself on the cross, as the Lamb of God, slain from before the foundation of the world (Jn 1:29; Rev 5:6, 12). His one time sacrifice, an atoning death, produced the precious blood that paid the redemption price (1 Pet 1:19), required by the Law, to cancel the debt of sin (Col 2:14), of His people. He did this not for Himself, but He gave Himself in our place, on our behalf, and for our benefit. His motive was love for the ones He came to save (Rom 5:8; Eph 5:25).

Following His suffering, crucifixion death on the cross, Jesus’ body was laid in a tomb, as foretold by the prophet. His body did not undergo decay, but He was raised from the dead on the third day. In His resurrection, He was clothed in a glorified body, which He has, today, and for eternity.

Following a forty day ministry, witnessed by more than 500 people, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. He was received in heaven with great glory, and He sat down on the throne of God, at the right hand of Majesty. All authority in heaven and earth were given to Him (Mt 28:18). He reigns, today, over heaven and earth.

His second coming has been planned from eternity, foretold by the prophets and apostles, and Jesus Himself (Mt 24–25; Mk 13; Lk 21). He is coming to judge the living and the dead (Acts 17:31; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5). He will resurrect absolutely every person from the dead — some to judgment, and some to glory (Jn 5:28–29). He will gather His own to Himself; while He sentences the unelect, unregenerate, unbelievers to eternal punishment in the fiery hell, of the lake of fire (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15).

The kingdom of heaven, as described in Revelation 21–22, will be the eternal home of those vessels of mercy prepared for glory (Rom 9:23). We shall see Jesus Christ, face to face, and we shall be with the King of glory, forever. Here are a few things we should know about the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is right to give Him thanks and praise. He is our all in all, and He has done all things well. He is worthy of our full devotion and worship.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

June 27, 2022