THEOLOGY III:The Work of Christ

• Christ as Priest• Christ as Prophet• Christ as King

Priest – Prophet - King Priest – work of “atonement”

– At-one-ment (coined by Wm. Tyndale) = reconciliation– Accomplished primarily by Christ’s death on Cross.Three theories of atonement:(1)“Christus Victor” theory – Christ’s death and resurrection win a victory over

powers of Sin and Death.(2)Satisfaction theory – Christ’s death has paid the penalty for our sins. (“Penal

substitution” is one version of this theory.)– Moral influence theory – Christ’s self-sacrificial love elicits a response of love; his love draws

us, makes us want to be like him. • Prophet – work of teaching, proclaiming and foretelling

– Final, definitive proclamation of God’s will: love God & neighbor.– Discipleship means following Jesus’ teaching and example.– The great Day of the Lord will come

• King – work of ruling as Lord– Christ reigns now as Lord over lives of believers.– Will reign over all in the end.

Christ as Priest

He offers a sacrifice to God on our behalf and is himself the sacrifice that is offered.

• He offered a perfect sacrifice for sin• He continually brings us near to God• He continually prays for us

The Priest

• Humanity’s representative before God• OT functions of priests– Israel’s representative in God’s court: appointed,

anointed, attired, and adorned for the purpose (Heb. 5:1, Ex. 29:4-9)

– Speaking for God: Ex. 28:30, Nu. 27:21, 1 Sam. 28:6, Ezra 2:63, Ne. 7:65

– Pronouncer of blessings: Nu. 6:22-27– Performance in atonement: Lev. 16

The Atonement• The work of Christ, done in his life and in his

death, to earn for us our eternal salvation• God freely decrees that he will save us

• 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6, Ps. 69:5, Ez. 37:23, Hos. 1:7, Zep. 3:17, Zech. 10:6, Matt. 1:21

– Having decreed it, sin requires a blood atonement: Heb. 9:7, 10:4, 9:22, Lev. 17:11

– No alternatives acceptable to God: Matt. 26:39, Luke 24:25-26, Rom. 3:26, Heb. 2:17

– “Consequent absolute necessity”*

The atonement is the work Christ did in his life and death to earn our salvation.

• The Cause of the Atonement– The Love of God (John 3:16)– The Justice of God (Romans 3:25)

• The Necessity of the Atonement– In one sense, it was not necessary for God to

save anyone at all.– Yet, the atonement was the only way for God to

save us, one he chose to save.

The Atonement: Two Aspects

1. Christ’s obedience A sinless sacrifice was required by God: Ex. 12:5,

1 Peter 1:19 Righteousness for us was secured by Christ

obeying the Father for us: 1 Cor. 1:30, Rom. 5:19 It was active in that He

Didn’t merely abstain from evil (John 8:46), but He also

Did good (Acts 10:38)

The Atonement: Two Aspects

2. Christ’s suffering (also called passive obedience)• A life marked by suffering: Heb. 2:11, 5:7-8, 12:3-4,

Isa. 53:3, John 11:35, Matt. 4:1-11, Matt. 26:38– Physical pain and death on the cross -- They crucified

him: Mark 15:24– Anguish of bearing sin -- Isa. 53:6, John 1:29, 2 Cor. 5:21,

Gal. 3:13, Heb. 9:28, 1 Peter 2:24– Abandonment – Mark 14:34, Matt. 26:56, Matt. 27:46

(“The Dereliction”)

The Atonement: Two Aspects

2. Christ’s suffering (continued)– Bearing the wrath of God: propitiation, and not

merely expiation – Lam. 3:42-43, Eph. 2:3, Rom. 1:18, 2:8, 3:25, 5:9, Heb. 2:17, 1 John 2:2, 4:10• The dereliction (see Macleod 175-178) – Our sins

resulted in unimaginable desolation and despair for Christ on the cross – Matt. 27:46

The Nature of the Atonement

• Further Understanding of the Death of Christ– The penalty was inflicted by God the Father– Not eternal suffering but complete payment– Meaning of the “blood” of Christ • Outward evidence that he gave up his life as a

sacrifice to pay for salvation)– Christ’s death as a “penal substitution”

(= vicarious atonement)

The Nature of the Atonement• New Testament Terms Describing Different Aspects of

the Atonement– Sacrifice– Propitiation– Reconciliation– Redemption

• Inadequate Views of the Atonement– Ransom to Satan Theory (Origen)– Moral Influence Theory (Abelard)– Example Theory (Socinius)– Governmental Theory (Grotius)

The Sufficient Atonement

• We deserve to die as the penalty of sin– Christ’s sacrifice took that penalty for us – Heb. 9:26

• We deserve to bear God’s wrath against sin– Christ died as a propitiation for our sin – 1 John 4:10

• We are separated from God by our sins– Christ’s death reconciled us to God – 2 Cor. 5:18-19

• We are in bondage to sin and to the kingdom of Satan– Christ’s death redeemed us – Mark 10:45, Col. 1:13

The Extent of the Atonement

• UNLIMITED?– Christ’s death paid for all

the sins of every person, so that

– Salvation can be offered to every person

– This view is also called general redemption

• LIMITED?– Christ’s death paid for all

the sins of every person God planned to save

– We don’t know who those people are, so we offer salvation to every person

– This view is also called particular redemption

The Extent of the Atonement

• Did Christ’s death pay for the sins of every individual (universal atonement) or did his death pay for the sins of those he knew would be saved (particular atonement)?

The Extent of the Atonement• Points of Agreement– Not everyone will be saved– A free offer of the gospel can rightly be made to every

person– Christ’s death has infinite merit and is sufficient for every

human sin• Points of Caution– We should ask the right question: Did Christ pay for the

sins of all unbelievers who will be eternally condemned fully on the cross?

– Both “Christ died for his people only” and “Christ died for all people” are in some sense true.

– Pastorally, there are certain implications for either view

What does the Bible say?

• GENERAL REDEMPTION?– John 1:29– John 3:16– 2 Cor. 5:19– 1 John 2:2– 1 Tim. 2:6– Heb. 2:9– 2 Peter 2:1

• PARTICULAR REDEMPTION?– John 10:11 & 15– Acts 20:28– Rom. 8:32-33– Eph. 5:25– John 6:37-39– John 17:9 & 20– Romans 5:8

Points of Agreement

• Not ALL will be saved• Every person born can be offered the gospel

of salvation• Christ’s death is sufficient to pay the penalty

for sins of as many or as few as God intended to save

• Nobody who comes to Christ will be turned away

• Only those who believe will be saved

Problems to Solve

• What are the souls in hell suffering for, if their sins were paid for?

• Is our redemption actual, or merely potential?– Are we fully accepted and approved because of the shed

blood of Christ?• What does “whole world” in 1 John 2:2 mean? What

does “for” mean?• Can we affirm that the benefits of the atonement are

universally available without entailing that they are universally activated?

Did Christ Descend into Hell?

• Origin of the phrase “he descended into hell” in the Apostles’ Creed– Absent from versions of the Creed prior to 650 A.D.

• Possible biblical support for a descent into hell: Acts 2:27, Romans 10:6-7, Ephesians 4:8-9, 1 Peter 3:18-20, 1 Peter 4:6

• Biblical opposition to a descent into hell: Luke 23:43, Luke 23:46, John 19:30

• Conclusion?

Christ as Prophet

He reveals God to us and speaks God’s words to us.

• He is greater than any other prophet and unlike any other prophet

• He is the one about whom the Old Testament prophets spoke

• He is not only the messenger of divine revelation, but is the source of revelation

A Prophet Speaks, Hears & Acts• What is a prophet? Exodus 7:1; 4:16; cf. Luke 1:70• Holy men spoke as guided by Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:20-21• Former times, God spoke differently. Hebrews 1:1–Visions & Dreams. Numbers 12:6; Isaiah 1:1-2– Sign. Deuteronomy 13:1-2–While Samuel slept. 1 Samuel 3:3-4– To Elijah by still, small voice. 1 Kings 19:10-13

• Prophets hear from God: Amos 3:7, Zechariah 1:6• Prophets act with power and authority: Luke 7:12-16

Jesus Christ – Prophet• Prophesied by Moses. Deuteronomy 18:18-19• They expected this prophet to appear: Luke 7:16,

John 6:14• Peter identified Jesus as such: Acts 3:22-24• Man must hear Christ. Acts 3:22-23; Mt. 17:5• Christ speaks with authority. John 7:46; Mt. 7:29• Speaks today through Apostles. Matthew 10:40;

Luke 10:16; Ephesians 3:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:20• Speaks today through the Gospel. Mark 16:20• God… “in these last days che has spoken to us by dhis

Son” Hebrews 1:2

More than a Prophet

• The fulfillment of the prophets’ prophecies – Luke 24:25-27– John 5:46– 1 Peter 1:10-12

• The source of the prophets’ prophecies – Matt. 5:22– John 14:9– Heb. 1:1-2

• The essence of prophecy– Rev. 19:10

Resurrection1. New Testament Evidence for Christ’s bodily

resurrection:____________2. The Nature of Christ’s Resurrection3. Both the Father and the Son Participated in the

Resurrection :____________Doctrinal Significance of the Resurrection

4. Insures our regeneration :____________5. Insures our justification :____________6. Insures that we will receive perfect resurrection bodies as

well :____________• Ethical Significance of the Resurrection

7. Keep obeying God in this life:____________8. Focus on our future heavenly reward:____________9. Stop yielding to sin:____________

Resurrection1. New Testament Evidence for Christ’s bodily

resurrection:____________2. The Nature of Christ’s Resurrection3. Both the Father and the Son Participated in the

Resurrection :____________Doctrinal Significance of the Resurrection

4. Insures our regeneration :____________5. Insures our justification :____________6. Insures that we will receive perfect resurrection bodies as

well :____________• Ethical Significance of the Resurrection

7. Keep obeying God in this life:____________8. Focus on our future heavenly reward:____________9. Stop yielding to sin:____________

Ascension into Heaven • Christ Ascended to a Place• Christ Received Glory and Honor that Had Not Been

His Before as the God-Man• Christ Was Seated at God’s Right Hand (Christ’s

Session)• Christ’s Ascension Has Doctrinal Significance for Our

Lives– We are united with Christ– We have assurance of our final heavenly home

• We already share (in part) Christ’s authority

States of Jesus Christ• Humiliation

– Incarnation– Suffering– Death– Burial

• Exaltation – Resurrection– Ascension– Session– Return

Christ as King

1. The fact that Christ is King

2. How Christ is ruling as King today

3. Christ’s judgment as King

Acts 2:27-36: Christ Is King• Vs. 27-30: Prophecy concerning the Christ.• Vs. 30: The Christ to sit on David’s throne• Vs. 31: Spoke concerning the resurrection of Christ• Vs. 32-35: This promise was fulfilled at the resurrection

of Christ.– Right hand of God not “less” than king.– Jer. 22:24: King of God’s people as a signet on God’s right hand. – Right hand always the symbol of strength, power, and

authority. • Vs. 36: The final conclusion? God made Jesus both Lord

and Christ.

Christ’s Rule As King• Began at His resurrection:– Matt. 28:18: “All authority has been given to Me…”– Acts 13:32-34: “Begotten of the Father” fulfilled when God

“raised Jesus up from the dead.”• From that point He has been reigning.– 1 Cor. 15:24-25

• He continues to reign. Revelation 1:5• His kingship will continue through Armageddon. Revelation

17:14, 19:11-16• Since Christ is king, and we are Christ’s, we will rule and

reign, too. Revelation 1:6, 5:9-10, 20:6

Christ’s Rule as King• He has all authority in heaven and on earth.• For now, Christ’s rule is manifest through the church. – Col. 1:17-18: Before all things, head of the church,

has the preeminence. –Matt. 28:18-19: He has all authority, therefore

church is discipling all nations—preaching His kingdom (Acts 8:5, 12). –Why? A time is appointed for Him to judge the

world – Acts 17:30-31.– The Church is preaching Christ’s authority so that

others might be saved from that judgment.

Christ’s Rule as King•Matt. 13:24-30, 37-43•Wicked is allowed to exist because in the judgment it will be divided from the good.

God planted good

Devil planted evil Both continue on until time is right

As King, Christ sees

both!Ju

dgm

ent

Matt. 13:41-43

2 Pet. 3:9: God is giving us time Because He does not wish for any to perish

Christ Will Judge As King

• A time will come when God’s patience will run out.

• Because Christ is King, we must be doing two things:– Examine ourselves—Are we living as if Christ is our

king? 2 Cor. 13:5; Phil. 2:12– Spread the gospel that others might be saved.• Necessary conclusion: Matt. 28:18• Proper use of God’s pacience: Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5.

Christ Will Judge As King

• His words will be the standard of judgment (John 12:48).

• We will be judged by the deeds done in the flesh (whether or not we obey Him as King—Rom. 2:5-11).

• How we serve Him now will determine whether we are sheep or goats (Matt. 25:31-36).

Christ Will Judge As King

• Then comes the end. – 1 Cor. 15:24: Christ will deliver His kingdom (those

who obeyed Him) to the Father.– All His enemies will be destroyed.– Heb. 12:26-27: The things that are made will be

shaken—removed. – 2 Pet. 3:The heavens will pass away, the elements

will melt—all things will be laid bare (burned up).