Christology is the study of the person and work of Jesus Christ. It examines Jesus’ nature, identity, and role in salvation. Some key topics in Christology include:
Jesus’ Divine Nature
The Bible teaches that Jesus has a divine nature. He is the eternal Son of God who took on human flesh (John 1:1, 14, 18; Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus claimed equality with God the Father (John 5:18; 10:30) and embodied the divine attributes such as omnipotence (Matthew 28:18), omniscience (John 2:24-25), and omnipresence (Matthew 18:20). His miracles, sinless life, authority to forgive sins, and power to give eternal life all point to his deity.
Jesus’ Humanity
While fully God, Jesus is also fully human. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38). Jesus had a real human body (Luke 24:39), human mind (Luke 2:52), and human emotions (John 11:35). He experienced hunger (Matthew 4:2), thirst (John 19:28), temptation (Hebrews 4:15), and death (Luke 23:46). Jesus as the God-man bridges the gap between God and humans.
The Hypostatic Union
In the hypostatic union, Jesus’ divine and human natures are united in one person. Jesus is not two separate persons (one human, one divine) but one person with two natures. This union of full deity and full humanity in the single person of Christ is one of the central mysteries of the Christian faith.
Jesus as the Messiah
The Old Testament predicted the coming of a Messiah who would deliver God’s people (Isaiah 53; Daniel 9). Jesus fulfilled these messianic prophecies through his life, death, and resurrection. He is the long-awaited Messiah and Savior of the world promised in the Old Testament.
Jesus’ Saving Work
Christology examines Jesus’ saving work accomplished through his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and ongoing ministry. Key aspects of Christ’s work include:
– Incarnation – God becoming man (John 1:14).
– Active obedience – Jesus’ sinless life of perfect obedience to the Father (Hebrews 4:15).
– Passive obedience – Jesus’ submission to death on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for sinners (1 Corinthians 15:3).
– Resurrection – Jesus rose bodily from the grave, defeating sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:4).
– Ascension – Jesus ascended into heaven and is exalted at God’s right hand (Acts 1:9-11).
– Intercession – Jesus continues to intercede for believers before the Father (Romans 8:34).
– Second Coming – Jesus will return bodily to fully establish his kingdom (Acts 1:11).
Christological Heresies
Throughout church history, various groups have deviated from biblical Christology and promoted false views about Jesus’ identity and work:
– Ebionism – Denies Jesus’ divine nature and eternal preexistence.
– Arianism – Denies Jesus is fully God or equal with the Father. Says he was the first created being.
– Apollinarianism – Says Jesus had a human body but not a human mind/spirit.
– Nestorianism – Splits Christ into two separate persons – one human and one divine.
– Monophysitism – Says Jesus had only one divine nature and no human nature.
– Adoptionism – Says Jesus was only a normal human who was later “adopted” as God’s Son.
The church recognized these as heresies and affirmed the orthodox position presented in the Bible and early Christian creeds.
The Person of Christ in Salvation
A key question in Christology is, “Why did God become man?” The Incarnation was necessary for human salvation. As Anselm said, Jesus became man to restore the honor of God and provide satisfaction for sin. Key ways Christology relates to salvation include:
– Only God could atone for sin against an infinite God. So the Savior had to be God.
– Only a human could represent humanity and fulfill God’s purposes for people. So the Savior had to be human.
– Jesus serves as the perfect high priest – divine, yet able to sympathize with humans (Hebrews 4:15).
– Jesus’ divine nature guarantees the infinitude and eternity of his atoning work.
– Jesus’ resurrection vindicates his claims to deity and victory over sin and death.
– We receive salvation by being united to Christ, the God-man, by faith (John 1:12; 15:1-8).
So Christology is crucial for understanding the accomplished work of salvation found only in the God-man Jesus Christ.
The Ongoing Work of Christ
Christ’s work extends beyond the cross. Key aspects of his ongoing ministry include:
– Ascension – Jesus is enthroned as King and intercedes for believers (Romans 8:34).
– Sending the Spirit – The Father and Son send the Spirit to apply salvation (John 14:26).
– Governing the Church – Jesus builds his church (Matthew 16:18), gives spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:7-12), and rules as its head (Colossians 1:18).
– Defeating Enemies – Jesus puts all enemies under his feet (1 Corinthians 15:25). This includes Satan, demons, and even death.
– Returning for Judgment – At his second coming, Christ will judge the world in righteousness (John 5:27; Revelation 20:11-15).
– Reigning Forever – Jesus will deliver the kingdom to God the Father and reign forever over the renewed creation (1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 21-22).
So the ascended Christ now rules from heaven until all things are placed under his feet.
Implications of Christology
Understanding who Christ is and what he has done should impact how we live. Some key implications include:
– We worship and serve Jesus Christ as Lord – Jesus said this is the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-38).
– We grow into Christ’s image as we behold his glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). Becoming like Jesus is the goal of discipleship.
– We take comfort knowing Christ intercedes for us as our great high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).
– We live boldly knowing Christ has overcome the enemies of sin, Satan and death.
– We have hope in Christ’s return and the resurrection to eternal life (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
– We live sacrificially as Christ gave his life for us (1 John 3:16).
In all things, Christology should lead us to greater worship, service, discipleship, comfort, hope, and obedience to Jesus Christ our Lord.
Key Bible Verses on Christology
Here are some key Bible verses related to the major aspects of Christology discussed above:
Jesus’ Divine Nature
– “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
– “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” (Colossians 1:15)
– “[Jesus], though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.” (Philippians 2:6)
Jesus’ Humanity
– “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
– “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Hebrews 2:14)
The Hypostatic Union
– “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” (Colossians 2:9)
– “They are one person, not two separate people.” (Titus 2:13, NLT)
Jesus as the Messiah
– “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).” (John 1:41)
– “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Key Aspects of Jesus’ Saving Work
– “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
– “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)
Ongoing Work of Jesus
– “He is the one who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of God’s people in the realm of light. He rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his Son, whom he loves. Through him we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:12-14)
Implications of Christology
– “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:5-7)
This covers some of the key aspects of Christology and related Bible passages. Studying who Christ is and what he has done is crucial for properly understanding the Christian faith and living in light of his grace.
