Study the Bible with Pastor Gregory

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1. The Appearance of the Son: – "We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men."
   
   
1. The Importance of the Incarnation
   
   
1. The Preservation of the Son’s Deity
1. Having already addressed the issue of the Trinity, we need not here attempt to prove that Jesus Christ is God.
2. The essential issue here is whether He is eternal or a created being.
3. There are those who have attempted to assert that Jesus Christ is a finite being – at some point in time having had a "beginning"
4. However, we believe that He is "the Eternal Son of God" – John 1:1-2; John 8:58
5. Prior to the incarnation, Jesus existed as God very God – cp. Philippians 2:6
6. As Philippians 2:7 continues, Jesus became man without ceasing to be God – cp. John 1:14
1. This is often discussed under the doctrine of the "hypostatic union" and is a most difficult matter to grasp.
2. Essentially, we believe that Jesus Christ was fully God while being fully man – the two natures being inseparably bound together so as to constitute but one person with two consciousnesses and two wills
3. Whereas the humanity of Christ could know need, the divinity of Christ maintained no lack.
2. The Particulars of the Son’s Incarnation
1. The particulars of the Son’s incarnation are also clearly revealed in Scripture.
2. The major issue is the doctrine of the Virgin Birth:
1. Jesus had no earthly father – He was conceived of the Holy Spirit – cp. Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:18
2. Thus, Mary was a pure young woman who was a virgin – this enabled His exemption from the imputation of Adam’s sin that comes through the father – cp. Romans 5:12, 19.
3. Without the virgin birth, Jesus is not qualified to take the place of anyone – He would have been born with a sinful nature and would therefore have been condemned Himself.
   
   
2. The Intention of the Incarnation
   
   
1. The Revelation of God
1. We state that we believe that Jesus came "in order that He might reveal God …"
2. The Gospel of John reveals that through Christ, we are able to behold the Father – cp. John 1:14
3. We are also informed that to see or hear the Son is to see and hear the Father – John 1:18.
2. The Redemption of Sinners
1. The passion and purpose of Christ’s incarnation however, was to provide redemption to sinners
2. This is the reason for the humiliation – to go to the cross – Philippians 2:8
3. It was the confessed purpose by Christ for coming into the world – cp. Luke 19:10; Matthew 20:28
4. He was successful in His purpose for in Him we have redemption – cp. Colossians 1:14.
   
   
2. The Accomplishment of Salvation: - "We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal physical resurrection from the dead."
   
   
1. The Role of the Atonement
   
   
1. The only way by which men can be saved is through God’s wrath against sin being fully executed and satisfied – He cannot overlook sin – Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 6:23.
2. However, in God’s infinite mercy, He provided a substitute in His Son who was incarnate for the expressed purpose of accomplishing our redemption.
3. Jesus death was in our place – He suffered the consequences of our sin so that we could be forgiven – cp. 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21
1. Clearly Jesus did not die for His own sin – cp. John 8:46; 1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15; Isaiah 53:5-6
2. In dying, Jesus suffered and satisfied God’s wrath toward our sin – He was a propitiation – cp. Romans 3:24-25; Romans 9:5; 1 John 4:10
4. It is therefore through His blood and God’s satisfaction with the sacrifice of His life that the basis is established for the forgiveness of the sins of those who were represented by Christ – Ephesians 1:7.
5. In a real sense, Christ died for the sins of all, but the atonement is not applied until personal faith is placed in Him.
6. In this sense, the atonement is limited in its application but is unlimited in its offering = "it is sufficient for all, but efficient only for those who believe"
   
   
2. The Reason for Our Assurance
   
   
1. We believe that "our justification is made sure by His literal physical resurrection from the dead."
2. It is the resurrection of Christ Jesus that confirms that His atoning sacrifice was acceptable to God – cp. 1 Peter 1:3-5
3. It is the power of the resurrection that provides us with eternal life – Romans 6:5; Philippians 3:10-11
4. Thus, it is an inherent part of the Gospel message – there is no Gospel without the resurrection – cp. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 2:22-24.
   
   
3. The Advocacy by the Savior: - "We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate."
   
   
1. The Official Competence of Our Advocate
   
   
1. In that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, He proclaimed His satisfaction and qualified Jesus to be exalted above every thing – cp. Romans 1:4; Philippians 2:9-10
2. He ascended after the resurrection – Acts 1:9-10; and is seated at the "right hand of God" – cp. Romans 8:34
3. He now serves as the Great High Priest who intercedes on our behalf – cp. Hebrews 4:14-15.
   
   
2. The Occupation Consuming Our Advocate
   
   
1. He now serves as our Advocate in glory – cp. 1 John 2:1-2
2. He intercedes constantly for us before the Father – cp. Hebrews 7:25; 9:24.

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