Lesson No. 21

Lesson No. 21 Jesus Christ

Introduction: After having studied in detail what the Holy Scriptures teach about the personality of God the Father through His divine attributes, we will study what they teach concerning Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit, as presented in the introduction to this chapter.

Biblical Concept of Jesus Christ: The Holy Scriptures provide us with a broad panorama of Christology, which is related to the study concerning Christ, the Divine Messiah. They declare that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, redeemer and savior of man; the only mediator between God and men; only through Him is eternal life obtained; He is one with the Father, and several of His divine attributes are literally conferred on Him. They declare that He was without sin, died, resurrected, and ascended to heaven, from where He will come again to reward each according to their works.

The Christ, the Son of God: Regarding this, the following passages of the Scriptures tell us:

John chapter 9: verses 34 to 38: “They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. 35Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him”.51

Matthew chapter 16: verses 15 to 17: “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven”.51

The apostle Peter also recognized this particularity attributed to the Messiah according to John in his account: Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. (John chapter 6: verses 67 to 69).51

This concept of Father and Son regarding God and Jesus Christ is not based on the beliefs of polytheistic religions that conceive of the conjugal union between a god and a goddess resulting in the procreation of a son also considered a god. In the case of Christian theology, the concept of Father conferred to God is conceived from the standpoint of the Being as the creator of life and the entire universe. Meanwhile, the conception of Son conferred to Jesus Christ is idealized not only from His human formation in the maternal womb by the effects of God's creative power. But also by His election as the Messiah descendant of David, designated to be King and Liberator of His people. In Second Samuel chapter 7: verse 14, God speaks to David about his son Solomon and says: "I will be his father, and he shall be My son…" This is said even though we know well that he was not begotten by God.51 Even though the Scriptures mention in Psalm 2:  verse 7, referring to the Son: "...Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee".51 According to specialists in the original Hebrew language, the word from which begotten is translated in this passage does not refer in any way to a biological fertilization. It is a Hebraism alluding to a new birth, a change of status based on the ordination and crowning as the King anointed by God. Therefore, this psalm was read whenever a king in Israel was anointed under divine decree. Similarly, the concept of son is applied many times in the New Testament with nothing to do with a process based on a conjugal relationship.

The Scriptures declare Him the preexistent Son: The prophet Isaiah calls Him Everlasting Father: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah chapter 9: verse 6).51

Let us also see what the following passages say:

John chapter 8: verses 56 to 58: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am”.51

On other occasions, our Lord made declarations similar to those presented in the previous passage, let us see the following: And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (John chapter 17: verse 5).51

Besides, He pointed out: If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (John chapter 3: verses 12 and 13).51

In John chapter 6: verse 38, the account also says: For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.51

And then He indicated: …Doth this offend you? 62What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? (John chapter 6: verses …61 and 62).51

According to the theological concept generated by these Scriptural declarations, before the Son was conceived in the maternal womb, He already existed as a derivation of God Himself. He gave rise to the existence of a Divine Being, assigned for the supreme messianic mission for which He had to be part of human nature through His incarnation in the creature we currently know as baby Jesus. Correspondingly, the Scriptures refer to Him as God manifested in the flesh. Not because God the Father became human in person, but the Son, because He is an emanation of His. See John chapter 1: verse 14,51 and First Timothy chapter 3: verse 16.51

In this instance, our version of the Bible51—based on the first of these passages—refers to the Son as the incarnate Word, just as most versions do; yet the fact remains that John referred to Jesus Christ as the incarnate "λόγος" (lógos). Furthermore, the Scriptures allude to Him—as seen in Proverbs 8: 22–36.51—as Wisdom, a concept also held by the Greeks, for whom He is described in the original text as the"λόγος".16

Now, let us see the following passages:

Isaiah chapter 7: verse 14: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”.51

Luke chapter 1: verses 30 and 31: “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.  [Yeshúa]”.51

The Scriptures allude to Him, identifying Him with different titles and qualities relating to His functions. Let us consider in this regard the following passages:

Savior: Luke chapter 2: verses 10 and 11: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”.51

John chapter 4: verses 41 and 42: And many more believed because of his own word; 42And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world”.51

Redeemer: Galatians chapter 3: verse 13: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree”.51

Romans chapter 3: verse 24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”.51

In his declaration to the Church of the Corinthians, the apostle Paul tells them: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (First Corinthians chapter 1: verse 30).51

The details related to His function as Redeemer and Savior of humanity, as well as those alluding to His resurrection, we will consider in lessons Number 43, 45 and 46.

He is eternal life for us: John chapter 3: verses 16, 17, and 36: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him”.51

The only mediator between God and men: The Holy Scriptures declare no other mediator between God and men but Jesus Christ, the Son. In this regard let us consider what the following passages say:

Hebrews chapter 7: verse 25: Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them”.51

Romans chapter 8: verse 34: “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us”.51

In his first letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul says: For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (First Timothy chapter 2: verses 5 and 6).51

He is one with the Father: John chapter 10: verse 30: I and my Father are one”.51

John chapter 14: verses 8 to 11: “Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake”.51

On another occasion, the Lord manifested: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: (John chapter 17: verses 21 and 22).51

He was without sin: Hebrews chapter 4: verses 15 and 16: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”.51

The testimony of God’s angel declares Him holy before His birth, meaning without sin: And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke chapter 1: verse 35).51

From this last cited passage, it can clearly be deduced that the expression referred by the angel to Mary [Miriam]: “the Holy One who will be born,” also means that He was without sin.

He is also true man: First Timothy chapter 2: verses 5 and 6: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time”.51

In the biblical passages cited in these last two topics, it is clearly reflected that Jesus Christ is both divine and human, meaning He possesses both natures. We will consider these details more explicitly with the title: “Jesus Christ, the Divine Redeemer”.

He is God’s Anointed, the Messiah: This title, according to the declaration of  The Vine's Dictionary 3 implies anointing for a special office or function. It is the same as being chosen for it, as can be appreciated in the declaration of the last passage cited below:

Luke chapter 4: verses 17 to 19: “And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord”.51

In Psalm 2, verses 1 to 3, the Scriptures allude to the Messiah (the anointed), starting with a question: Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.51

Also, Hannah, according to First Samuel chapter 2: verse 10, cites: The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.51

Similarly, Andrew, one of His disciples, recognized Him as the Messiah according to the following account: One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. (John chapter 1: verses 40 and 41).51

Let us also see the Lord's confession to the Samaritan woman: The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (John chapter 4: verses 25 and 26).51

Origin of his name: The current name: Jesus, is an innovation of Iesús. The origin comes from the Hebrew "יֵשׁוּעַ" (Yeshúa).2 Since names, according to most scholars, have no translation, the method of transliteration is used when passing from one language to another. In this case, it involves pronouncing in Greek as closely as possible the sound that the name has in Hebrew. Therefore, the term יֵשׁוּעַ was transliterated into Greek as "Ἰησοῦς" (Ihsou), [Iesús].1 And from Greek, it passed into English as Jesus. This is due to the introduction of the "J" as an initial letter in our language in the 17th century of our era. Christ, however, was transliterated from the Greek term "Χριστός" (Cristós: [“Christ”])6 which means: *Anointed*, and this was translated from the Hebrew "מָשִׁיחַ" (mashíaj: ["smeared, anointed, consecrated"]).3 In this case, translation is accepted because it is not a name, but a title.

Attributes of God Conferred to Jesus Christ

The attributes of God the Father are also conferred to Jesus Christ the Son. This reflects further evidence of the level of deity that the Holy Scriptures confer to the Messiah. The value of each of these attributes and their magnitude in the Son are the same as we saw in the attributes of God the Father. Regarding this, let us look at the following passages with their respective mentions.

Spiritual Nature: First Corinthians chapter 15: verses 44 to 47: “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven”.51

Self-existence: John chapter 5: verse 26: “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself”.51

Eternity: Isaiah chapter 9: verse 6: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”.51

First John chapter 1: verse 1 and 2: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)”.51

According to the declaration of these passages, the eternity of the Son is attributed from the conception of Christian theology, which defines Him as an emanation of God the Father, and therefore, consubstantial with Him, as we will appreciate in the study concerning the Trinity.

Omnipresence: Matthew chapter 18: verse 20: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.51

John chapter 1: verses 47 to 50: “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. 50Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these”.51

Omniscience: Isaiah chapter 11: verses 1 and 2: “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD”.51

The apostle John alludes to the omniscience of the Son of God, when he declares: But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. (John chapter 2: verses 24 and 25).51

On the other hand, Mark testifies: And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? (Mark chapter 2: verse 8).51

Omnipotence: Matthew chapter 28: verse 18: “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”.51

Revelation chapter 1: verse 8: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty”.51

Immutability: Although this divine attribute is not literally conferred in the Scriptures to the Son of God, evidently, the only changes that could be attributed to Jesus Christ would relate to the fact of having taken part of human nature with its consequential effects, which He did solely to carry out the act of redemption for humanity. Everything was predetermined from eternity itself, therefore it cannot be admitted as an unforeseen or evolutionary change. However, regarding the factors dependent on His divine nature, the Scriptures say He does not change. Let us see, for example, an allusion to His faithfulness, according to the declaration of the following passages:

Hebrews chapter 13: verse 8: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever”.51

Second Timothy chapter 2: verse 13: “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself”.51

Goodness: It is evident that the attribute of goodness is not literally recorded either, conferred to Jesus Christ the Son, however, appreciating the manifestation of His immense love in giving His life to redeem us from our sinful condition, and all the humanitarian gestures He had in healing so many sick, raising the dead, and feeding many people as He did on occasions, it will be easy to understand that this attribute belongs to Him in all its magnitude.

Justice: Matthew chapter 27: verses 16 to 19: “And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 19When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him”.51

Pilate cataloged Him as just, according to the statement of the following account: Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 24When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. (Matthew chapter 27: verses 22 to 24).51

While Luke tells us: Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. (Luke chapter 23: verse 47).51

Truthfulness: John chapter 1: verses 14 and 17: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”.51

John chapter 8: verses 39, 40, and 45: “They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not”.51

On another occasion, the Lord Jesus Christ expressed Himself saying: …I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. (John chapter 14: verses 6 and 7).51

Wisdom: Isaiah chapter 11: verses 1 and 2: “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD”.51

Matthew chapter 13: verses 53 and 54: “And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. 54And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?”. 51

Mark also testifies in his account and says: And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 2And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? (Mark chapter 6: verses 1 and 2).51

The Apostle Paul addresses the Colossians, referring to the Son of God, and says to them: In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians chapter 2: verse 3).51

Holiness: Luke chapter 1: verse 35: “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God”.51

Hebrews chapter 7: verse 26: “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens”.51

The psalmic prophecy also declares Him holy: For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. (Psalm 16: verse 10).51

While the apostle Paul attributes this prophecy to the Messiah by exposing in his exegesis of the same: For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: 37But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. (Acts chapter 13: verses 36 and 37).51

The one God raised is Jesus Christ, the Son, who is declared holy according to this psalmic prophecy.

Creator: John chapter 1: verses 1 to 3 and 14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth”.51

The complement of the related details with Jesus Christ's activities as Creator will be taken into consideration in the topic titled: CONCERNING THE TRINITY.

Savior: Luke chapter 2: verses 10 and 11: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”.51

Titus chapter 2: verse 13: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”.51

This same concept about Jesus Christ as a savior is confirmed to Titus, according to chapter 3: verses 4 to 7, where it says: But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.51

See complementary details related to this study in a series of accounts included in the topic titled: The Act of Redemption.

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