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BIBLE BASICS

(A Study in Systematic Theology)

CHRISTOLOGY

(The Study of Jesus Christ)

CHRISTOLOGYCHRISTOLOGY(The Study of Jesus Christ)(The Study of Jesus Christ)

His His PersonPerson(The (The ontological ontological dimension)dimension)

(Who He (Who He isis))

His His WorkWork(The (The functionalfunctional dimension) dimension)

(What He (What He doesdoes))

The The PersonPerson of Christof Christ

Full DeityFull Deity Full HumanityFull Humanity(Two Natures / One Personality)

Hypostatic Union(Two natures / one person)

• Q: How much of Jesus Christ is God?• A: 100%• Q: How much of Jesus Christ is man?• A: 100%

The The WorkWork of Christ of Christ

SinlessSinless Life Life Vicarious Vicarious DeathDeath(substitutionary)(substitutionary)

Bodily ResurrectionBodily Resurrection

THE VIRGIN BIRTH

• Strictly speaking, the term “virgin birth” is a misnomer. The term should be “virginal conception.”

• The doctrine affirms that Jesus was born as other men are, but denies that He was conceived as other men are.

• There is no parallel in the non-Christian religions (pagan stories—cohabitation of a god with a human being)

CHRISTIANITY TODAY (SEPT. 11, 1970)

• Who does NOT believe in the virgin birth?• 60% of Methodists• 49% of Presbyterians• 44% of Episcopalians• 34% of American Baptists• 19% of American Lutherans

Three (3) Key Biblical Texts that Three (3) Key Biblical Texts that speak of the Virgin Birth:speak of the Virgin Birth:

1 1 Isaiah 7:14Isaiah 7:14:: ““Therefore the Lord Himself will give Therefore the Lord Himself will give

you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”His name Immanuel.”

22 Matthew 1:18-25Matthew 1:18-2533 Luke 1:26-38Luke 1:26-38(Other texts allude to virgin birth; Gal.4:4)(Other texts allude to virgin birth; Gal.4:4)

Matthew Teaches UsMatthew Teaches Us::1.1. Joseph was in no way involved in the Joseph was in no way involved in the

conception of Jesus (25).conception of Jesus (25).2.2. Joseph did have normal relations with Joseph did have normal relations with

her afterwards (25).her afterwards (25).3.3. He was responsible for naming the He was responsible for naming the

child (25).child (25).4.4. All of this was a fulfillment of the All of this was a fulfillment of the

Virgin Birth prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 Virgin Birth prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 (vv.22-23).(vv.22-23).

5.5. The name Immanuel (“God with us”) is The name Immanuel (“God with us”) is significant because it reminds us that significant because it reminds us that Jesus is 100% God and 100% man.Jesus is 100% God and 100% man.

Luke EmphasizesLuke Emphasizes::1.1. That Mary is a virgin. Matthew also has That Mary is a virgin. Matthew also has

this emphasis (26-27).this emphasis (26-27).2.2. That the entire complex of events was a That the entire complex of events was a

surprise (29-30).surprise (29-30).3.3. The divine agency of the Holy Spirit. This The divine agency of the Holy Spirit. This

point is again not ignored in Matthew, point is again not ignored in Matthew, but is given greater attention in verse 35.but is given greater attention in verse 35.

4.4. That the virgin birth is impossible apart That the virgin birth is impossible apart from a divine miracle (37).from a divine miracle (37).

5.5. The miracle of recognition by Elizabeth The miracle of recognition by Elizabeth and John (39-44).and John (39-44).

Why the Virgin Birth Matters(Wayne Grudem)

• The virgin birth made possible the uniting of full deity and full humanity in one person.

• The virgin birth also makes possible Christ’s true humanity without inherited sin.

• Jesus did not descend from Adam in exactly the same way in which every other human being has descended. This helps to understand why the legal guilt and moral corruption that belongs to all other human beings did not belong to Christ.

A Hymn by John Newton1. O LORD, from Whom there’s nought concealed,

Who sees my inward frame; to Thee I always stand revealed exactly as I am!

2. Since I, at times, can hardly bear what in myself I see; how vile and foul must I appear, most holy God to Thee!

3. But since my Saviour stands between, Who shed His precious blood, ‘tis He, instead of me is seen, when I approach to God.

4. Thus, though a sinner, I am safe: He pleads before the throne His life and death on my behalf, and calls my sins His own.

5. What wondrous love, what mysteries, in this appointment shine! My breaches of the law are His, and His obedience mine.