Theology Position Topic Nine: Christology

(Doctrine of Christ)


“Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ They told Him, saying, ‘John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.’ And He continued by questioning them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ’” (Mark 8:27-29). What a great answer! One of the few time Peter did not open his mouth and insert his foot. Just a few moments after this divinely inspired statement, Peter rebukes Jesus for saying the He must suffer and be killed (Mark 8:32). Peter is also the one who denied knowing Him three times in one night (Matthew 26:70, 72, 74). This inconsistency begs the question: Is Jesus the messiah, the Christ, the Son of God?

Who was Jesus?

Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was both divine and human. He is prophesied of in the Old Testament, and witnessed of in the New Testament. Let’s look at both his divine and human characteristics as found in the Bible.

Jesus, the Son of God (Divine)

He is the beloved Son of God (Matthew 17:5; Mark 1:11; John 3:16, 18).
He is the King of Kings (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 1:5; 17:14; 19:16).
He is Christ, the Messiah (Luke 9:20; Matthew 16:16-17; Mark 8:29).
He is one with God the Father (John 10:30, 38; 17:10).
The fullness of God is revealed through him (Colossians 1:19, 2:9).

Jesus, the man (Human)

He is born of a human mother (Luke 2:1-7; Matthew 1:16, 25).
He was tempted as all humans are tempted (Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2; Hebrews 2:18, 4:15).
He had emotions and human limitations/needs like all humans do (John 2:13-17; Matthew 4:2; 8:24; John 11:35).
He suffered pain when he died (Luke 21; Hebrew 5:8; 13:12; Matthew 16:21; 17:12).
He was resurrected in a physical body (John 20:26-28; 21:1-23; Luke 24:13-31).

Was He the Christ: The Messiah?

Details of the Messiah’s birth, life, and death were foretold hundreds and even thousands of years before Jesus was born. So is Jesus the Messiah, the Christ? Let’s look at some prophecies recorded in the Old Testament that were fulfilled by Him. This list is not an exhaustive one, but is meant to be representative of the many which deals with his birth, his ministry, and his execution.

His Birth

Prophecy Scripture / Subject of Prophecy / Fulfillment in life of Jesus

Daniel 9:25 / Time for his birth / Luke 2:1-2
Isaiah 7:14 / Born of a virgin / Luke 1:26-27; 30-31
Micah 5:2 / Bon in Bethlehem / Luke 2:4-7
Jeremiah 31:15 / Slaughter of innocents / Matthew 2:16-18
Isaiah 9:7 / Heir to the throne of David / Luke 1:32-33

His Ministry

Prophecy Scripture / Subject of Prophecy / Fulfillment in life of Jesus

Psalm 2:7 / Declared the Son of God / Matthew 3:16-17
Zechariah 9:9 / Triumphal entry / Mark 11:7, 9, 11
Isaiah 61:1-2 / Came to heal the brokenhearted / Luke 4:18-19
Isaiah 9:1-2 / Galilean ministry / Matthew 4:13-17
Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1 / Preceded by a forerunner / Luke 7:24, 27

His Death

Prophecy Scripture / Subject of Prophecy / Fulfillment in life of Jesus

Psalm 41:9 / Betrayed by a friend / Luke 22:47-48
Zechariah 11:12-13 / Sold for 30 pieces of silver / Matthew 26:15; 27:5-7
Isaiah 53:12 / Crucified with transgressors / Mark 15:27-28
Zechariah 12:10 / Hands and side pierced / John 20:27; John 19:34
Psalm 69:21 / Given vinegar and gall / Matthew 27:34


The big question is: Did He rise from the dead?

Many men have been born. Many have had fruitful ministries and lives. All men have died. So what is it that truly separates Jesus from all others? After three days he rose from the dead and was seen by hundreds of witnesses. Unlike other “messiahs” and similar such religious leaders over the thousands of years of human history, there is no body in the tomb of Jesus. Let’s look at the Bible’s documentation of Jesus’ resurrection.

Empty tomb and first encounter.

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? ‘He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ And they remembered His words” (Luke 24:1-8).

An empty tomb does not necessarily prove that Jesus is alive again. It just shows that his tomb is not occupied. But the Bible records that He was seen.

Eyewitnesses to the resurrection. -- “And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him” (Luke 24:13-16). “When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight” (Luke 24:31).

He was later seen by his disciples on a number of occasions. -- “So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord” (John 20:19-20).

“After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way…Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples ventured to question Him, ‘Who are You?’ knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead” (John 21:1, 12-14)

His physical reality is confirmed during His second visit to the disciples. -- “After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:26-28).

And where is Jesus today?

Jesus is currently sitting at the right hand of God the Father, interceding on our behalf, triumphant in his mission here on Earth. “Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us” (Romans 8:34). “He [Jesus], having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD” (Hebrews 10:12).

And what does the future hold for Him?

“And after He [Jesus] had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven’" (Acts 1:9-11).

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).