01.00 - Christology: the Study of Jesus Christ
Christology: the Study of Jesus Christ by Dr. Robert D. Luginbill The unique Person and work of the Word of God incarnate, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Everything in the heavens and on the earth was created by Him (Jesus Christ), things invisible as well as those visible – whether thrones, authorities, rulers or powers, everything was created through Him and for Him. And He Himself is before everything, and everything subsists in Him.
I. The Person of Jesus Christ
1. Jesus Christ is truly Divine
2. Jesus Christ is truly Human
3. Jesus Christ is truly Unique
4. The Names of Jesus Christ Reflect His Perfect Person and His Perfect Work
5. The Life of Jesus Christ
II. The Saving Work of Jesus Christ
1. Our Need for a Savior
2. The Substitutionary Death of Jesus Christ on our behalf.
3. Unlimited Atonement
4. The Blood of Christ
5. The Spiritual Death of Christ
6. Propitiation
7. Redemption
8. Justification
9. Reconciliation
10. Summary of the Work of Christ in Effecting Salvation
Introduction: Any study of this sort must of necessity fall short of absolute completeness, for the written word of God is in its every particular about the Living Word of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The better one understands scripture and the completely integrated tapestry of fundamental truth which runs through its entire warp and woof, the more perspicuous this one essential truth becomes, that Jesus Christ is the reason for the Bible, and the Bible is all about Jesus Christ, the Word of God (John 1:1-14). The purpose of this study therefore must be limited to explicating the major biblical themes contained in scripture regarding our Savior, His unique Person and His work of salvation on our behalf. For Jesus is the truth, the way and the life (John 14:6), and the fundamental essence of the testimony of the entire Bible is the divine revelation of Him, who He is and what He has done for us in giving up His very life for us (Revelation 19:10). All things were made through our Lord Jesus Christ and for Him (Colossians 1:15-18). He is thus the cornerstone of the entire plan of God for all of creature history (Ephesians 3:11). The salvation of all members of the human race who turn to God, as well as the victory over the devil (who had held human beings in his power) have been won through our Lord’s sacrifice of Himself on our behalf and could not have been won in any other way (Colossians 2:14-15).
Therefore Jesus is our ultimate hope (Colossians 1:27), our highest love (Php 1:21), and the sole object of our faith (Acts 4:12). Jesus Christ is our life (Colossians 3:4). Only in Him do we have a full share in the resurrection to come and eternal life (1 Peter 1:3-4; cf. Titus 3:6-7), for He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Without Jesus we along with the entire human race would be lost, but in Him we have been delivered from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Without Jesus all of human history and our lives in particular would be essentially pointless and meaningless, but in Him we anticipate eternal life and great reward (Revelation 22:12). Without Jesus the world is a hard, cold, and bitter place, but in Him we rejoice with boundless joy, for as intimate and everlasting members of His Bride, the Church, we exist for Him (Romans 8:8-39; Ephesians 1:9-10; cf. 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:17-20; Hebrews 12:2), and will ever be with Him (John 14:3). Like all corrupt human flesh we are by nature of our physical birth creatures of wrath, condemned to die, but through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ we have been purchased from our sins and eagerly anticipate an eternity with our Master which will be glorious and exquisite beyond all earthly expression or comprehension (Revelation 21:1-27, Revelation 22:1-21; cf. John 14:1-3). Although we were His enemies, with nothing to recommend us and nothing to give Him, He gave His all for us on the cross (Romans 5:8-10). Thanks be to God for His indescribably wonderful gift of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, sacrificed on our behalf (2 Corinthians 9:15)!