Christology

Question 1

Was Jesus born of a virgin? If He was, why did He have to be born of a virgin?

Answer 1

Yes, Jesus was indeed born of a virgin.

1. “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” - Isaiah 7:14
2. “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” - Matthew 1:18
3. “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” - Luke 1:35
   The virgin birth was necessary because it was part of God’s plan for our salvation. By being born of a virgin, Jesus was able to enter into the world as both fully God and fully man, without being tainted by the sin that has infected all of humanity since the fall of Adam and Eve. This allowed Him to live a sinless life and offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins on the cross. As the apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 4:4-5: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

Question 2

Was Jesus impeccable while here on earth or was He able to sin, but did not?

Answer 2

Jesus was impeccable, meaning that He was not able to sin. While Jesus was fully human, He was also fully God, and as such, He did not have a sinful nature like the rest of humanity. Here are some KJV verses that support this:
1. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” - Hebrews 4:15
2. I am the lord I change not
3. I am not a man that I should lie, neither the son of man that I should repent

Question 3

Was Jesus a created being?

Answer 3

No, Jesus was not a created being. Jesus is eternal and has always existed as the second person of the Trinity.

1. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” - John 1:1
2. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” - Revelation 1:8
3. “Before Abraham was, I am.” - John 8:58
   These verses show that Jesus existed before the creation of the world and is therefore not a created being. In fact, Jesus is identified as the Creator Himself in John 1:3: “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Question 4

God cannot die. Jesus died. Therefore, how can Jesus be God if He died on the cross? Can you explain this and use Scripture support?

Answer 4

the answer lies in the doctrine of the Incarnation, which is the belief that Jesus is both fully God and fully man.
While it is true that God cannot die, Jesus, being fully man, was able to die. However, His death was not a defeat, but rather a victory over sin and death. His death on the cross was a sacrifice for the sins of humanity, and His resurrection three days later proved His victory over death and sin.

1. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:2
2. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
   ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Question 5

Prove from Scripture the deity of Jesus Christ.

Answer 5

the deity of God is understood in terms of the Holy Trinity – the belief in one God who exists in three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. This complex concept is at the core of the Christian faith and highlights the divine nature of God as:

1.	Eternal: God is without beginning or end, existing outside the constraints of time and space.
2.	Omnipotent: God is all-powerful, with the ability to accomplish anything according to His will.
3.	Omniscient: God is all-knowing, possessing perfect knowledge of past, present, and future.
4.	Omnipresent: God is present everywhere, not limited by physical boundaries.
5.	Immutable: God is unchanging and constant in His nature and character.
6.	Infinite: God’s qualities, such as love, mercy, and justice, are limitless and beyond human understanding.
7.	Creator: God is the source of all creation, bringing into existence everything that exists.
8.	Sovereign: God holds ultimate authority and control over all things.
9.	Transcendent: God is beyond and above creation, not bound by the limitations of the physical world.
10.	Personal: While transcendent, God also has a personal aspect, interacting with His creation and establishing relationships with individuals.

1. John 1:1 - “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This verse identifies Jesus as the Word who was with God in the beginning and who was also God.
2. John 8:58 - “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” In this verse, Jesus claims to have existed before Abraham, and he uses the same name for himself that God used when speaking to Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:14).
3. Colossians 1:15-17 - “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” This passage identifies Jesus as the image of God, the firstborn over all creation, and the one through whom all things were created.
4. Philippians 2:5-7 - “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” This passage describes Jesus as being in the form of God and equal with God, but willingly taking on human form and becoming a servant.
5. Hebrews 1:8-9 - “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” This passage quotes Psalm 45:6-7 and applies it to Jesus, calling him God and affirming his eternal reign.

Question 6

Explain the significance of Philippians 2:6-8 in regard to Christ’s incarnation and His Divine attributes.

Answer 6

This passage emphasizes that Jesus, although He was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but rather humbled Himself by taking on the form of a servant and becoming fully human. It also highlights the obedience of Jesus, even to the point of death on the cross.
This passage is significant in affirming the deity of Jesus Christ. It states that He was in the form of God and that He thought it not robbery to be equal with God. This indicates that Jesus possessed the divine nature and attributes of God.
Furthermore, the passage emphasizes that Jesus took on the form of a servant and became fully human, without giving up His divine nature. This affirms the doctrine of the hypostatic union, which teaches that Jesus was fully God and fully man.
In summary, Philippians 2:6-8 is a significant passage that emphasizes the deity of Jesus Christ and affirms the doctrine of the hypostatic union.

Question 7

Show how the Old Testament reveals the deity and Messiahship of Jesus Christ with the idea of witnessing to a Jew.

Answer 7

The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies about the coming Messiah who would be both divine and a savior for all people. Here are some key verses that can be used to demonstrate the deity and Messiahship of Jesus Christ to a Jew:
1. Isaiah 9:6 - “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” This prophecy speaks of a child who is also the “mighty God” and “everlasting Father,” indicating that the Messiah would be divine.
2. Isaiah 53:3-5 - “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” This passage describes the suffering of the Messiah, who would bear the sins of the people and be wounded for their transgressions. It points to Jesus’ death on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
3. Micah 5:2 - “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” This prophecy foretells the birthplace of the Messiah as Bethlehem and also describes Him as being eternal (“from everlasting”).
4. Psalm 22:16-18 - “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” This psalm describes the suffering of the Messiah, including the piercing of His hands and feet, which was fulfilled in Jesus’ crucifixion.
5. Daniel 7:13-14 - “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” This prophecy speaks of the Messiah as a divine figure who would be given a kingdom that would last forever.
By pointing to these and other Old Testament prophecies, a Christian can demonstrate to a Jew that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah who was foretold by the prophets and that He is both human and divine

Question 8

Where was Jesus for three days after His death and before His resurrection?

Answer 8

According to the Bible, Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb after His death and before His resurrection. However, His soul went to the realm of the dead.
One passage that refers to this is found in Acts 2:27, where Peter is preaching on the day of Pentecost and quotes from Psalm 16:10, saying: “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (KJV)
The word translated as “hell” in this verse is the Greek word “Hades,” which refers to the realm of the dead. The verse is speaking about Jesus, and it says that God would not leave His soul in Hades but would raise Him from the dead.
Therefore, while Jesus’ body was in the tomb, His soul went to the realm of the dead for three days before His resurrection.

Question 9

Did Christ rise from the dead in a physical body?

Answer 9

Yes, Christ did rise from the dead in a physical body. The Bible provides several accounts of Christ appearing to His disciples after His resurrection, where they were able to touch Him and see that He was not a ghost or spirit but a physical, resurrected body.

• Luke 24:39-40: “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.”
• John 20:27-28: “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”
• Acts 1:9-11: “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

the account in Acts shows that Jesus ascended into heaven in front of His disciples, further indicating that His physical body was resurrected and not just a spiritual manifestation.

Question 10

Did God ever call Jesus God?

Answer 10

In the New Testament of the Bible, there are verses where Jesus is referred to as God. One of the clearest instances is found in the following passage:

John 1:1 (KJV):
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

This verse identifies Jesus as the “Word” who was both “with God” and “was God.” It’s a foundational verse for the Christian belief in the deity of Jesus Christ.

Another passage that refers to Jesus as God is in Hebrews:

Hebrews 1:8 (KJV):
“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.”

Here, God addresses the Son (Jesus) as “O God,” affirming His divine nature.

These verses, along with others in the New Testament, are used to support the Christian belief that Jesus is God incarnate, a central doctrine in Christian theology.

Question 11

What was the purpose for Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness?

Answer 11

Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness served as a significant moment in His ministry, demonstrating His identity as the sinless Son of God, His authority over evil, and His ability to empathize with human weaknesses. It also fulfilled prophetic patterns and established the foundation for His mission of redemption.

Question 12

In at least three ways defend the deity of Christ, including His own claims, divine worship, divine
works.

Answer 12

1. Christ’s Own Claims to Divinity:
   Jesus made explicit claims to His own deity in the New Testament. Here are a few examples:
   • In John 10:30 (KJV), Jesus states, “I and my Father are one,” implying unity and equality with God the Father.
   • In John 8:58 (KJV), Jesus says, “Before Abraham was, I am,” using the divine name “I AM” (as in Exodus 3:14), indicating His eternal nature.
   • In Revelation 1:17-18 (KJV), Jesus identifies Himself as the First and the Last, a title associated with God in the Old Testament.
2. Divine Worship:
   The Bible records instances where Jesus is worshiped, which is reserved for God alone. This implies His deity:
   • In Matthew 2:11 (KJV), the wise men “worshiped” the infant Jesus.
   • In Matthew 14:33 (KJV), after Jesus walks on water, His disciples “worshiped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”
   • In Revelation 5:8-14 (KJV), both the living creatures and elders in heaven worship the Lamb (Jesus) alongside God the Father.
3. Divine Works:
   Jesus performed acts and miracles that demonstrated divine power and authority:
   • In Mark 2:5-12 (KJV), Jesus forgives a man’s sins, which was considered a divine prerogative.
   • In Mark 4:35-41 (KJV), Jesus calms a storm, showing His authority over nature.
   • In John 11:43-44 (KJV), Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, displaying power over life and death.

These examples, among others, are used to defend the deity of Christ in Christian theology. They suggest that Jesus is more than a mere human prophet or teacher; He is God incarnate, the Son of God, and co-equal with God the Father in the Trinity.

Question 13

What do the Scriptures say about the humanity of Christ?

Answer 13

The Scriptures affirm the humanity of Christ in several ways, emphasizing that He was fully human while also being fully divine. Here are some Bible verses that support the humanity of Christ:

1. Physical Birth and Growth:
   
   • In Luke 2:7 (KJV), it is written that Mary “brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,” highlighting Jesus’ physical birth.
   • Luke 2:40 (KJV) mentions that “the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit,” indicating Jesus’ physical and human development as a child.
2. Human Emotions:
   
   • In John 11:35 (KJV), it is the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” This verse shows Jesus expressing human emotions, specifically grief at the death of Lazarus.
   • In Matthew 26:37-38 (KJV), Jesus expressed deep sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane, saying, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.”
3. Physical Needs and Limitations:
   
   • In Matthew 4:2 (KJV), it is noted that Jesus fasted during His 40 days in the wilderness, indicating His physical need for sustenance.
   • In Matthew 8:24 (KJV), Jesus experienced physical fatigue when He slept in the boat during a storm.
4. Temptation:
   
   • Matthew 4:1 (KJV) tells us that “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” This passage demonstrates Jesus’ capacity to be tempted, which is a characteristic of humanity.
5. Death:
   
   • In Mark 15:37 (KJV), it is recorded that Jesus “cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost” on the cross, signifying His human death.

These verses and many others in the New Testament underscore the humanity of Christ. While He is also recognized as divine, the Bible affirms that Jesus fully entered into human existence, experiencing the same physical and emotional aspects of humanity while remaining sinless, a crucial aspect of Christian doctrine.

Question 14

Did Jesus go to the Hell between the Cross and His Resurrection?

Question 15

Explain the hypostatic union of Christ.

Answer 15

The hypostatic union teaches that Jesus Christ is the unique union of two distinct natures, fully divine and fully human, in one person. This doctrine is foundational to understanding Jesus’ role as the Savior and Mediator between God and humanity, as it allows Him to bridge the gap between God’s holiness and humanity’s need for redemption.

1. Fully Divine:
   The Bible affirms the divinity of Jesus Christ in various passages:
   • In John 1:1 (KJV), it is stated, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This verse identifies Jesus (the Word) as divine and co-eternal with God.
   • In Colossians 2:9 (KJV), it says, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” This verse emphasizes that the fullness of the divine nature resides in Jesus.
2. Fully Human:
   The Bible also affirms the humanity of Jesus Christ:
   • In John 1:14 (KJV), it is written, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” This verse signifies that Jesus took on human flesh.
   • In Luke 2:7 (KJV), it states that Mary “brought forth her firstborn son,” highlighting Jesus’ physical birth.
3. One Person:
   The hypostatic union asserts that Jesus is one person, not two separate beings. This is evident in passages where Jesus speaks and acts as both God and man:
   • In John 10:30 (KJV), Jesus declares, “I and my Father are one,” demonstrating His unity with the Father.
   • In Matthew 26:39 (KJV), Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, expressing His human emotions and submission to God’s will.