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CHRISTOLOGY
by
Rev. Sharon Best
There are many reasons why Jesus of Nazareth may be
accepted as the Son of God. This paper will address five of them.
It will address the incarnation and virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
Incarnation means God became flesh. The biological miracle of the virgin
birth will be discussed, since the virgin birth is an essential doctrine
concerning Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ performed many miracles. John 21:25 tells us that all of
the books of the world cannot contain them. Some of His key miracles
will be reviewed; for example, His power over demons, the weather,
sickness, and illness.
It will then address the vicarious Death of Jesus Christ. No issue is
more crucial to the gospel than understanding the death of Christ. We
will also discuss reasons why He died.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ will be reviewed. If the resurrection
did not occur, then we have a dead Savior—we have no Christianity, for
we would remain in our sins and our preaching and teaching is in vain.
Therefore, the resurrection is crucial.
Last, the ascension and present ministry of Jesus Christ will be
considered. Many people believe He ascended to heaven and is not doing
anything now. However, Jesus is still very active today.
Gen 3:15 gives the earliest prediction in the Bible of the virgin birth.
Matthew 1 says it is the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, who is
the Messiah, the son of David, the messianic King and the son of Abraham
(the promised seed). Jews never say that a person is the son of a
woman—instead, they always list the man. In Matthew 1:16, it says, Jacob
begat Joseph (the husband of Mary). He is a son of Mary, but not born
naturally as a son of Joseph, who became His father by adoption. Luke
1:26-35 lets us know that the Holy One born will be called the Son of
God, and His conception is supernatural. We are told that Mary was a
virgin, her reaction to the angel was troubled, and the angel said the
conception would be from the ‘power of the Most High.’
The purpose for the miracles of Jesus was to be signs, to be wonders and
to demonstrate His power. The word sign is used to describe the most
significant miracle in the New Testament; the resurrection of Jesus from
the grave (Matt. 12:39-40; John 2:19; Matt. 12:39-40; 16:21; 20:19).
Wonder is used sixteen times in the New Testament referring to miracles.
It is used of supernatural events before the coming of Christ (Matt.
24:24; Mark 13:22; Acts 2:19-20).
Power is used on numerous occasions to demonstrate Christ’s’ power. This
power is evidence in His ability to raise the dead (Phil 3:10); of the
Virgin birth of Christ (Luke 1:35); of the special gift of miracles (1
Cor. 12:10). A miracle is an unusual event that has its source in God
and is significant in that it is a confirmation of His message.
Why did Jesus die? Hebrews 10:7 says that it was to do the will of God.
John 1:13 tells us:
It is by the will of God, not the will of men, that we are saved or
sanctified. It was specifically the will of our Savior that caused Him
to go to the cross.
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
will of man, but of God.
Jesus died to save sinners. (Matthew 9:13; Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15).
He came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17-18).
But when the fullness 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. (Galatians 4:4-5)
He came to redeem those who are under the law; He died to demonstrate
God's righteousness; to show His love and; to bring us to God. Christ
also died to be a merciful and faithful High Priest. He became man,
suffered and died in our place, in order to reconcile us to God.
The Bible also teaches that Christ died in order to bear our sins and to
give us eternal life.
The crowning miracle of Jesus’ life was His resurrection, predicted in
the Old Testament and reaffirmed in the New Testament, (Psalm 2:7;
Hebrews 1:5; Acts 13:33-34).
Jesus predicted His own resurrection very early in His ministry and
continued until the end (John 2:19-22; Matt 12:39-40; John 10:18).
There is direct evidence for the resurrection of Christ, the empty tomb
and His physical appearances in the same body. The empty tomb is an
indispensable prerequisite to the evidences (the physical appearance of
Christ). Each gospel provides an empty tomb scene (Matt. 28:1-8; Mark
16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; and John 20:1-8).
Then there was the appearance to Mary Magdalene (John 20:10-18); His
appearance to Mary and the other women(Matt. 28:1-10); His appearance to
Peter (1Cor. 15:5; John 20:3-9); His appearance to the two disciples on
the way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35; Mark 16:12-13); Jesus’ appearance to
the ten disciples (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23); His appearance to the
eleven disciples (John 20:24-31); to all of the Apostles (Matt
28:16-20); and last, to Paul (1 Acts 9:1-9).
There was also indirect evidence for His physical resurrection as well;
such as the immediate transformation of the disciples; the predominant
theme of the apostolic preaching; and the existence of the early Church
and conversion of Jewish Priests, as well as Paul.
There are seven texts that affirm that Jesus rose in the same body in
which He died. This physical body, according to Mr. Giesler, was made
immortal at His resurrection and glorified at His ascension (Acts
1:9-11).
He has a present priestly session for believers in heaven. He is our
Advocate and counters the adversary by pleading the efficacy of His
blood, which was shed for our sins.
Christ will come again literally and physically to fulfill His role as
King over His people.
About the Author:
SHARON BEST, BA, THM PASTOR Perfecting Christian
Center, Clinton, MD Pastor, 2006-present Senior Minister, Bible Study
Teacher, Biblical Counselor EDUCATION AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING D.Min,
Masters Graduate School of Divinity, 2006, Evansville IN MA in Theology,
Masters Graduate School of Divinity, 2005, Evansville, IN BA, United
Christian Ministry Institute, 2003, Columbia City, IN BA, Word to the
World Bible College, 1995, Denver, CO Computer Skills and Workplace
Education Program, 1990, Certificate of Completion, Wider Opportunities
for Women, Washington, DC Mortuary Science Degree, University of
District of Columbia, 1989, Washington, DC Degree in Liberal Arts, 1979,
Tidewater Community College, Portsmouth, Virginia VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
2006 Pastor, Perfecting Christian Center 2005-Present: The S.T.E.P.U.P.
Foundation, Of Greater Washington, D.C. 2000-Present: Board Member,
Conquest Offender Reintegration 1997-Present: Minister, Bible Study
Teacher, and Worship Leader 1998-Present: Ministry Team Leader- Prison
Fellowship in DC. 1995-1998: Teacher of Adult Education at the
Washington Saturday College 1994-2001: Sunday school Teacher
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