JESUS

Jesus Christ is the eternal pre-existent Son of God (Ps. 110:1; John 1:1-3, 8:58, 17:5, 24; Phil. 2:6; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:1-3). Without surrendering his divinity, he voluntarily became a man (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:16; Ps. 40:6-8; Heb. 10:5-7; John 1:14, 18; Rom. 1:3-4; Gal. 4:4; 1 John 4:2-3). This incarnation, God adding humanity to his deity, was for the purpose of being the mediator (1 Tim. 2:5-6). As the God-man he possessed in his one person two natures – the hypostatic union (Isa. 9:6-7; Micah 5:2; Matt. 1:23; Phil. 2:5-7; 1 Tim. 3:16). These natures, the divine and human, were distinct but functioned in unity.

Christ’s incarnation took place through his miraculous conception in the womb of Mary who was a virgin (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-38, 2:5-7). This conception was the special work of the Holy Spirit, which allowed no conveyance of a sin-nature in Jesus. Thus, he was fully human but without sin at birth (1 John 3:5). During his life on earth Jesus endured temptation of all sorts (Matt. 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). These temptations were enticements to distrust and disobey God. He remained sinless (Isa. 53:9; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 2:17-18, 4:14-15; 1 Peter 2:22).

Christ died by crucifixion (Matt. 27:35; Mark. 15:14; Luke 23:33; John 19:18; Acts 4:10; 2 Cor. 13:4). His death was an actual physical death (Matt. 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30; Rom. 6:10; 1 Cor. 15:3). According to the promise of God in the Old Testament and predicted by himself; Jesus returned to life after being dead for three days (Ps. 16:10; Acts 13:35; Matt. 28:5, 17; Mark 16:6). This conquest over death was an actual resurrection of his physical body (Luke 24:6, 39-43; John 20:14, 26-27, 21:14; Acts 2:32; 1 Cor. 15:4). Forty days following his resurrection, after giving assurances and instructions to his disciples, Jesus bodily ascended into heaven (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9; Eph. 4:10; 1 Tim. 3:16).

Having gone into heaven Jesus is now seated at the right hand of his Father with all creation subject to him (Eph. 1:20-23; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 9:23-24; 1 Peter 3:22). Though the exact time is unknown, Jesus will return to earth in the future (Acts 1:11; 2 Thess. 2:1-2; Matt. 24:36). He will come as Savior (John 14:3; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Heb. 9:28; 1 John 3:1-3), Judge (2 Thess. 1:5-9; 2 Tim. 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5), and King (Matt. 2:2; Luke 1:33, 19:12-27; 1 Tim. 6:14-15).