Knowing Jesus

The doctrine of Christ usually includes the study of His person and His work. The doctrine of the person of Christ is crucial to the Christian faith. The basis of our salvation, our faith, and the way we choose to live our lives is founded on the Lord. If the Lord is not who he claimed to be, then His death is insufficient and deficient for our sin and our salvation.

Deity of Christ

Scripture points to His preexistence (Mic 5:2; Isa 9:6; Jn 1:1; 8:58). The importance of His preexistence means that He is God and therefore, eternal as a member of the Trinity. All evidence from creation to His relationship with God and the Holy Spirit attested to by His attributes affirms His Deity.

Humanity of Christ

Scripture indicates that He became flesh (I Jn 4:2; 2 Jn 7; Jn 1:14; Luke 4:2). The importance of His humanity was to provide an example for our lives (I Peter 2:21; I Jn 2:6), to be able to provide an effective sacrifice for sin (Heb 10:1-10), to fulfill the Davidic covenant (Luke 1:31-33), to destroy the work of Satan (I Jn 3:8), to become our sympathetic priest (Heb 4:14-16), and to be the qualified judge (Jn 5:22,27).

Work of Christ

In order to comprehend the accomplished work of our Lord for our salvation, it begins with the Kenosis, or emptying (Phil 2:5-11). Jesus chose to condescend from His place on high to take on the likeness of humanity (sinful flesh) in order to take on the sins of the world. His death paid the price for the penalty of sin (Mt 20:28; I Tim 2:6). His death satisfied this penalty so that man could be reconciled with God (2 Cor 5:18-19). Ultimately, Christ rose from the dead to fulfill His word (Mt 20:29) and to give impetus to all ministries including FIA. If Christ did not rise from the dead, our witness is false, our faith is without meaning, and our prospects for the future are hopeless. The current work of Christ includes being the Head of the body (Eph 1:20-23), a priest for his people (Heb 2:18; 4:14-16), and a preparer of our future place (Jn 14:1-3).