Friday, December 12, 2008

Last one, I promise.

For some reason (probably because I might not pass this course) I decided it would be a good idea to spend quadruple the amount of time on this paper as I did on my previous two.
Hopefully this little guy will befriend one of the happier letters of the alphabet, one of the two towards the beginning, when he ends up in the grade book.
It's a chunker, so don't be alarmed...but I learned a whole heck of a lot writing it so hopefully you'll learn a bit, and agree with most of it.
Readyyyy? Go.

I believe:
The person of Christ is fully and completely divine (John 1:1, Col 1:15) and fully and completely human (John 1:14, Col 1:19, 2:9). The divine and human natures are distinctive from one another yet are not separate. These two distinct natures remain wholly united in one person (Heb 1:3, Isa 9:6, Gal 4:4-5). The deity of Christ is displayed through the authoritative nature his of his speech, (Matt 7:28-29, 5:18, 24:35) as well as the intimate relationship he expressed with God the Father (Luke 4:29, Mark 14:36) Also when Christ refers to himself as ‘Son of Man’ and accepts worship (John 20:28, Matt 28:17, John 9:38) it emphasizes his own deity (Dan. 7:13-14, Mark 2:27-28, Matt 16:15) As a result of the implications of Christ’s deity I can now posses authentic knowledge of God (John 1:18, John 14:9) and understand that redemption is possible and attainable (1 Tim 2:5, John 3:16). Christ’s deity, omnipotent power and endless wisdom and love are worthy of my continuous praise (Heb 1:3, 4:15-16, Matt 14:33).

The humanity of Christ is made evident through his virgin conception and human birth, (Gal 4:4, Luke 1:35, 2:7, Isa 9:6) proving that salvation can come only from the Lord. Jesus has a human body, which grew in both wisdom and physique (Luke 2:40, 2:52). He endured hunger, thirst and exhaustion among other physical constraints (Matt 4:2, Luke 23:26, John 19:34). His bodily form was acknowledged and accepted (Matt 4:23-25, 1 John 1:1) both before and after the resurrection (Luke 24:39, 42-43, John 20:25-27) and his body will remain in this form eternally (Luke 24:50-51, Acts 1:9-11), existing permanently through perfect divinity and humanity (Heb 7:25, 1 Cor 15:8, Rev 1:13). Christ shares the same mind as that of humanity (Mark 13:22, Luke 2:52, Heb 5:8-9) and was tempted by the same sins (Luke 4:1-2, Heb 4:15), but did not succumb to them (John 8:46, 1 John 3:5). Jesus had the desire for a religious lifestyle and sought fellowship and disciplines of prayer, scripture reading, meditation synagogue visits (Mark 1:35, 6:45-46, Luke 6:12). The humanity of Christ is crucial to my understanding of his nature because Jesus’ death acted as a substitute sacrifice for the atonement of sin (Heb 2:17, Col 1:19) and became the mediator between God and humanity (1Tim 2:5). This incarnation was necessary so he could act in sympathy as our high priest having experienced the fullness of finitude (Heb 2:18, 4:15).

Jesus Christ is the true and blameless prophet (Deut 18:14-22, Matt 21:46, Luke 7:16). His words are irrefutable, divine and God-breathed (John 1:14, 6:14). Christ is the complete and faultless priest (Rom 5:19, 2 Cor 5:21). His life’s work stems from his life of obedience and righteousness, which atones for the lives of the disobedient and unrighteous (Phil 3:9). Christ intercedes for us and prays on our behalf, presenting us to God according to his will (Rom 8:34, Rom 11:2, Acts 25:24). Christ’s sacrifice of atonement was perfect because it fully removed sins that the OT sacrifices could not (Heb 10:1, Micah 6:6-8, Heb 10:4). The death of Christ accomplished the redemption of human sin and divine purpose (Acts 2:23, 4:27-28), because he took our place his intercession for us is eternal and successful (Rev 5:9-11). Christ is the pure and holy king and rules over all nature and all people, defending, protecting and shepherding them according to his will (Rev 5:9-10, 1 Tim 2:11-12, Col 1:17). As the prophet, priest and king, Christ’s work is presented in stages of humility and exaltation. His glory prior to being incarnate, (John 17:5, 24, 2 Cor 8:9), his incarnation (John 1:14, 2 Cor 8:9, Phil 2:6), earthly life (Matt 8:20, Mark 10:45, John 1:10-11), and death (Phil 2:8, Acts 3:15) are all vital components in Christ’s humiliation. The exaltation of Christ follows in his resurrection (1 Cor 15:12), ascension (1 Tim 3:16), being seated at the right hand of God (Matt 26:64, Acts 2:33), second coming and reign into the millennium (Phil 2:10-11) and His eternal glory (Rev 5:9-10, 12).

You alright?
I hope so.
It's a LOT to take in when you have to state all your beliefs of Christ in one measly page.
But basically Christ is ridiculously and insanely incredible.
That's all you really need to know.

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