BIBLE BASICSBIBLE BASICS

(A Study in Systematic Theology)

CHRISTOLOGY

(The Study of Jesus Christ)

CHRISTOLOGYCHRISTOLOGY(The Study of Jesus Christ)(The Study of Jesus Christ)

CHRISTOLOGYCHRISTOLOGY(The Study of Jesus Christ)(The Study of Jesus Christ)

His His PersonPerson(The (The ontological ontological dimension)dimension)

(Who He (Who He isis))

His His PersonPerson(The (The ontological ontological dimension)dimension)

(Who He (Who He isis))

His His WorkWork(The (The functionalfunctional dimension) dimension)

(What He (What He doesdoes))

His His WorkWork(The (The functionalfunctional dimension) dimension)

(What He (What He doesdoes))

The The PersonPerson of Christof Christ

Full DeityFull Deity Full HumanityFull Humanity

(Two Natures / One Personality)

Hypostatic Union(Two natures / one person)

Hypostatic Union(Two natures / one person)

• Q: How much of Jesus Christ is God?

• A: 100%

• Q: How much of Jesus Christ is man?

• A: 100%

The The WorkWork of Christ of Christ

SinlessSinless Life Life Vicarious Vicarious DeathDeath(substitutionary)(substitutionary)

Bodily ResurrectionBodily Resurrection

Significant Significant Events in the Life Events in the Life

of Christof Christand their theological and their theological

importanceimportance

TonightTonight . . . . . .

The Baptism and the The Baptism and the TemptationTemptation

Next weekNext week . . . . . .

The Transfiguration and the The Transfiguration and the AscensionAscension

The BaptismThe Baptism

This event is recorded in all three This event is recorded in all three synoptics (Matthew, Mark, Luke) and is synoptics (Matthew, Mark, Luke) and is alluded to in John. Taking Matthew’s alluded to in John. Taking Matthew’s gospel (Matt. 3:13-17), a number of gospel (Matt. 3:13-17), a number of theological purposes can be gleaned from theological purposes can be gleaned from this historic moment in the life of our this historic moment in the life of our Savior . . . Savior . . .

1. Inauguration of Christ’s pubic ministry (13-14)

2. Submission of His life to the Father (15)3. Identification of Himself with sinful men

(15-17)4. Adoration of the Father (17)5. Sanctification of the Spirit (16)6. Revelation of the Triune God (16-17)7. Illustration and Definition of His Messianic

Mission (17)

Psalm 2:7

• “I will declare the decree: the LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’”

Isaiah 42:1

• “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.”

It is no accident that the Spirit who has It is no accident that the Spirit who has anointed Christ immediately leads (Mark anointed Christ immediately leads (Mark has “drives”) Him into the wilderness to be has “drives”) Him into the wilderness to be tempted. tempted.

His willingness to be this kind of Messiah His willingness to be this kind of Messiah is to be is to be immediatelyimmediately put to the test. put to the test.

The Baptism sets the stage for the The Baptism sets the stage for the wilderness temptation.wilderness temptation.

The Temptation

• This encounter is recorded in the synoptics, with Matthew giving it the most extensive account (Matt.4:1-11).

• The comments of Ralph Earle in the NIV Study Bible are helpful at this point . . .

But wait!But wait!

• Back by popular demand . . .

• A “Far-Side” Diversion . . .

Now, back to Ralph Earle’s Now, back to Ralph Earle’s comments about the Temptation . . .comments about the Temptation . . .

• “This testing of Jesus (the Greek verb translated ‘tempted’ can also be rendered ‘tested’), which was divinely intended, has as its primary background Deut.8:1-5, from which Jesus quotes in His first reply to the devil (see verse 4).

• There Moses recalls how the Lord led the Israelites in the desert 40 years ‘to humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.’

• “Here at the beginning of His ministry Jesus is subjected to a similar test and shows Himself to be the true Israelite who lives ‘on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.’

• And whereas Adam and Eve failed the great test and plunged the whole race into sin (Gen.3), and whereas Israel failed in the wilderness, Jesus was faithful and thus demonstrated His qualification to become the Savior of all who receive Him.”

QuestionQuestion: What resource did Jesus use : What resource did Jesus use every single time He was tempted by Satan?every single time He was tempted by Satan?

He quoted the Scriptures He quoted the Scriptures (He used the same resource that is (He used the same resource that is

available to us)available to us) How’s your daily Bible reading How’s your daily Bible reading

coming along?coming along?