In Search of the Historical Christ: Part Two
I Timothy 3: 16
It is essential to have a personal Christology, that is, a confident belief in who Jesus Christ was. I Timothy 3: 16 offers these six insights.
HIS VIRGIN BIRTH. He was “manifested in the flesh.”
Anybody with an elemental knowledge of conception and childbirth knows it is impossible for a virgin to have a baby. It is contrary to the laws of nature. True, but it isn’t contrary to the laws of God. To accept the virgin birth is to take a step affirming the entrance of the supernatural into the realm of the natural.
Every person is born with an old sin nature. Jesus being born of a virgin had no old sin nature. Thus, when He died on the cross He died for our old sin nature. We are not accountable for our personal sins until we are old enough to be responsible for them. Upon reaching the age of accountability we must receive Christ as Savior to have our personal sins forgiven. Question, “How about the eternal condition of the infant which dies before reaching this age of accountability, but who has an old sin nature?” Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, had no old sin nature so when He died on the cross He died for the old sin nature of every one. Therefore, an infant that dies goes directly to heaven.
HIS VIRTUOUS LIFE. He was “preached…believed on in the world.”
His life reveals the mind, heart, will of God the Father in a form that can be comprehended. In Jesus Christ is seen life as God intends you to live it. He knows your world. “He has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” (Hebrews 2: 18)
At His trial Pilate concluded, “I find no fault in Him at all.” (John 8:38)
On the cross the Roman executioner said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God.” (Mark 15: 39) He did what no other has ever done, He lived a sinless life.
HIS VICARIOUS DEATH. He was “seen of angels.”
To have prevented His death He could have called 72,000 angels. They witnessed and waited to rescue Him.
“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) “…Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust….” (I Peter 3:18)
HIS VINDICATING RESURRECTION. He was “justified in the Spirit.”
Jesus Christ was “…declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” (Romans 1: 4)
The purpose of His death and resurrection are tied together in Romans 4:25. Therein Jesus Christ is described as the One “who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.”
HIS VALEDICTORY ASCENSION. He was “received up into glory.”
“He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19)
HIS VICTORIOUS RETURN. In the presence of 500 persons Christ ascended into heaven. An angel then spoke: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1: 11)