Concerning God
HIS BEING
Attributes of God
Self Existence. Life in himself; underived; inexhaustible.
Ps 36:9 Isa 41:4 Joh 5:26 Ac 17:24,25 Ro 11:35,36
"In the beginning God"
Ge 1:1
"I AM"
Ex 3:14
Spirituality, God is a Spirit
Ge 1:2 De 4:15-19 Ps 139:7 Isa 60:1 Eze 37:14 39:29 Joe 2:28,29 Joh 4:24 Ac 17:28 Heb 12:9 Ro 8:9,15,16 1Co 2:11 2Co 3:17
Unity. The ONLY God.
Ex 20:3 De 4:35,39 6:4 1Sa 2:2 2Sa 7:22 1Ki 8:60 2Ki 19:15 Ne 9:6 Ps 86:10 Isa 44:6-8 45:22 Jer 10:10 Joe 2:27 Zec 14:9 Mr 12:29 Joh 17:3 Ro 1:21-23 1Co 8:4-6 Ga 3:20 Eph 4:6 1Ti 2:5
Eternity. Unlimited by time.
Ge 21:33 Ex 15:18 De 32:40 1Ch 16:36 Ne 9:5 Ps 90:1-4 Isa 44:6 48:12 57:15 Jer 10:10 La 5:19 Da 4:3,34 Mic 4:7 Hab 1:12 Ro 1:20 16:26 1Ti 1:17 Heb 1:10-12 2Pe 3:8 Re 4:8-10
Immutability. Unchangeable in nature, or purpose
Ex 3:15 Nu 23:19 1Sa 15:29 Ps 33:11 Pr 19:21 Ec 3:14 Isa 14:24 Eze 24:14 Mal 3:6 Ro 11:29 Heb 6:17,18 Jas 1:17
Omnipresence. Unlimited by space.
Ge 28:15,16 De 4:39 Jos 2:11 1Ki 8:27 Ps 139:7-10 Pr 15:3,11 Isa 66:1 Jer 23:23,24 Am 9:2-4,6 Ac 7:48,49 17:27,28 * Immanence Eph 1:23
Omniscience. Cognisant of all things.
Ge 18:18,19 25:23 Ex 3:19 De 31:21 1Sa 2:3 1Ki 8:39 2Ki 8:10,13 1Ch 28:9 Ps 94:9,11 139:1-16 147:4,5 Pr 15:3,11 Isa 29:15,16 40:28 Jer 1:4,5 16:17 Eze 11:5 Da 2:22,28 Ho 7:2 Am 4:13 Na 1:7 Zec 4:10 Mt 6:4,6,8,18 Lu 16:15 Ac 15:8,18 Ro 8:27,29 1Co 3:20 2Ti 2:19 Heb 4:13 1Pe 1:2 1Jo 3:20
Wisdom. God realises the best designs by the best possible means.
Ps 104:24 Pr 3:19 Isa 28:29 Jer 10:12 Da 2:20,21 Ro 11:33 1Co 1:24,25,30 2:6,7 Eph 3:10 Col 2:2,3
Omnipotence. In the truest sense nothing is impossible
Ge 1:1 17:1 18:14 Ex 15:7 De 3:24 32:39 1Sa 14:6 1Ch 16:25 2Ch 20:6 Job 40:2,9 42:2 * read together Ps 33:9 135:6 Isa 40:12-15 Jer 32:17 Eze 10:5 Da 3:17 4:35 Am 4:13 5:8 Zec 12:1 Mt 19:26 Mr 10:27 Lu 1:37 18:27 Ro 1:20 Eph 1:19 3:20 Col 1:16,17 Re 15:3 19:6
Holiness. Absolute moral purity. Can neither sin nor tolerate sin.
Ex 15:11 Le 11:44,45 20:26 De 32:4 Jos 24:19 1Sa 2:2 2Sa 22:31 Ezr 9:15 Ps 5:4 111:9 145:17 Isa 6:3 43:14,15 Jer 23:29 Eze 39:7 Da 9:7,14 Hab 1:13 Zec 8:8 Mal 2:17 Mt 5:48 Lu 1:49 Joh 17:11 Jas 1:13 1Pe 1:15,16 1Jo 1:5 3:3 Re 4:8 15:3,4
Justice. Demands righteousness of his creatures and deals righteously toward them.
Ge 18:23-32 Ex 20:5,6 De 7:9,10 10:17,18 24:16 2Ch 19:7 Ne 9:23 Ps 9:8,16 89:14 Pr 24:12 Isa 9:7 45:21 Jer 17:10 32:19 La 1:18 Eze 18:1-32 33:18-20 Da 9:7,14 Na 1:3 Zep 3:5 Lu 12:47,48 Ac 10:34,35 17:31 Ro 11:2,5-11 3:26 Ga 2:6 6:7,8 Eph 6:8,9 Col 3:25 Heb 6:10 1Pe 1:17 2Pe 2:9 1Jo 1:9 Jude 1:14,15 Re 16:17
Goodness. "Includes benevolence, love, mercy, grace."-Hodge
Ge 19:16 Ex 34:6,7 Nu 14:18 De 4:31 7:7,8 Jud 2:18 1Ki 8:23 2Ki 13:23 1Ch 16:34 2Ch 30:9 Ne 9:17,31 Ps 23:1-6 25:8-10 86:5,15 Pr 22:23 Isa 63:9 Jer 3:12 31:3 La 3:22,23 Eze 33:11 Da 9:9 Ho 11:1-4,8,9 Joe 2:13 Jon 4:2,10,11 Mic 7:18-20 Na 1:7 Zep 3:17 Zec 9:17 Mal 1:2 Mt 5:45 19:17 Lu 1:50 6:36 Joh 3:16 Ac 14:17 Ro 2:4 5:8 8:38,39 2Co 1:3 13:11 Eph 2:4,7 2Th 2:16 Tit 2:11 3:4,5 Jas 5:11 1Pe 1:3 2Pe 3:9 1Jo 3:1 4:7-10,16
Faithfulness. Absolutely trustworthy. His words will not fail.
Ex 34:6 Nu 23:19 De 4:31 31:7,9 Jos 21:43-45 23:14 1Sa 15:29 2Sa 7:28 1Ki 8:24,56 Ps 105:8 119:89,90 Isa 25:1 49:7 Jer 4:28 La 3:23 Eze 12:25 16:60,62 Da 9:4 Mic 7:20 Lu 18:7,8 Joh 3:33 Ro 3:4 15:8 1Co 1:9 10:13 2Co 1:20 1Th 5:24 2Th 3:3 2Ti 2:13 Tit 1:2 Heb 6:18 10:23 1Pe 4:19 2Pe 3:9,13 * read with 3,4,8 2Pe 3,4,8 1Jo 1:9 Re 15:3
By the Trinity is meant the unity of three persons in one Godhead; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Representing God as one, the Scriptures also ascribe divinity to Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Outline of the Argument
1) God is one. Unity is ascribed to God.
2) The Father is divine: a distinct person.
3) The Son is divine: a distinct person.
4) The Holy Spirit is divine: a distinct person.
5) The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are classed together, separately from all other beings.
Details of the Argument
1) God is one.
Ex 20:3 De 4:35,39 6:4 1Sa 2:2 2Sa 7:22 1Ki 8:60 2Ki 19:15 Ne 9:6 Ps 86:10 Isa 44:6-8 45:22 Jer 10:10 Joe 2:27 Zec 14:9 Mr 12:29 Joh 17:3 Ro 1:21-23 1Co 8:4-6 Ga 3:20 Eph 4:6 1Ti 2:5
2) The Father is divine and a distinct person. The word "Father" is used in the Scriptures in a two-fold sense in relation to the Godhead: sometimes as equivalent to God, sometimes to the first person of the Trinity.
Passages where "Father" is used as equivalent to God, not implying personal distinctions.
De 32:6 2Sa 7:14 1Ch 29:10 Ps 89:26 Isa 63:16 Jer 3:19 Mal 2:10 Mt 6:9 Mr 11:25 Lu 12:30 Joh 4:21,23,24 2Co 6:18 Php 4:20 Jas 1:17 1Jo 2:15,16
Passages applied to God in contrast with Christ, denoting a special relation to Christ as Son, in his office of Redeemer.
Ps 2:1-11 Mt 11:27 25:34 Mr 8:38 14:36 Joh 5:18-23,26,27 Joh 10:15,30 17:1 Ac 2:33 Ro 15:6 1Co 8:6 15:24 2Co 11:31 Ga 1:1-4 Eph 1:2,3 4:5,6 Php 1:2 1Th 3:11,13 2Th 2:16 1Ti 1:2 2Ti 1:2 Tit 1:4 Phm 1:3 1Pe 1:2,3 2Pe 1:17 1Jo 1:3 1Jo 4:14 Jude 1:1 Re 3:21
3) The Son divine, a distinct person from the Father.
Christ pre-existent. Existed as a distinct person before he came into the world.
Mic 5:2 Joh 8:56-58 17:5 1Co 15:47 Php 2:6,7 Col 1:17 1Jo 1:1 Re 22:13,16 * read 13 & 16 together
Not merely pre-existent, but pre-eminent, above all things except the Father, co-eternal with the Father.
Mt 11:27 28:18 Lu 20:41-44 Joh 3:13,31 Ac 10:36 Ro 14:9 Eph 1:20-22 Php 2:9,10 Col 1:15,17,18 Heb 1:4-6 1Pe 3:22 Re 1:5 3:14
Creator of the universe
Joh 1:3 Col 1:16 Heb 1:2,10
Divine attributes ascribed to Him -
Omnipotence
Isa 9:6 Mt 28:18 Joh 10:17,18 11:25 1Co 1:24 Php 3:21 Col 2:10 2Ti 1:10 Heb 1:3 Re 1:8
Omnipresence
Mt 18:20 28:20 Eph 1:23
Eternity
Mic 5:2 Joh 1:1 Re 1:8
Omniscience
Mt 11:27 Lu 10:22 Joh 2:24,25 21:17 Ac 1:24 Col 2:3 Re 2:23
The divine name is applied to him as to no other being except the Father, implying supreme divinity.
Ps 102:24,25 Heb 1:8-10 Isa 7:14 9:6 Mal 3:1 Mt 1:23 Joh 1:1 20:28 Ac 20:28 Ro 9:5 Eph 5:5 Php 2:6 Col 2:9 Tit 1:3 2:13 Heb 1:8-10 Ps 102:24,25 2Pe 1:1 1Jo 5:20 Re 17:14 19:16
Exhibited in the Scriptures as the object of religious worship.
Mt 2:11 14:33 15:25 Lu 24:52 Joh 5:23 Ac 7:59,60 1Co 1:2 2Co 12:8,9 Ga 1:5 Php 2:10 1Th 3:11,12 2Ti 4:18 Heb 1:6 Ps 97:7 2Pe 3:18 Re 5:13
4) The Holy Spirit is divine and a distinct person from the Father and the Son.
The Holy Spirit is divine. Called the Spirit of the Father, the Spirit of the Son, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of life.
Ge 1:2 6:3 Ne 9:30 Isa 63:10 Eze 36:27,28 Ac 2:16,17 Joe 2:28 Mt 10:20 Lu 12:12 Joh 14:16,17 15:26 Ac 5:3,4 28:25 Ro 8:14 1Co 3:16 Ga 4:6 Eph 1:13 1Th 4:8 Heb 2:4 1Pe 1:2
Is distinct from Father and Son, and is personal. The personal pronoun HE applied to him; personal acts ascribed to him.
Mt 3:16,17 28:19 Mr 1:10,11 Lu 3:21,22 Joh 14:26 15:26 16:13 Ac 13:2,4 15:28 Ro 8:26 1Co 12:11
Converting, regenerating power ascribed to him
Ne 9:20 Isa 44:3 Eze 36:26,27 37:14 Joe 2:28 Mt 3:11 Joh 3:5,6 14:26 Ac 9:31 Ro 8:9,11,14 1Co 6:11 2Co 1:22 5:5 Ga 4:6 5:22 Eph 1:13 3:16 1Th 1:6 2Th 2:13 Tit 3:5 1Pe 1:2 1Jo 3:24 Re 22:17
5) The Father, Son, and Spirit are classed together, separately from all other beings, as divine.
Mt 28:19 Ro 8:9,14-17 2Co 13:14 1Pe 1:2 Jude 1:20,21
Result of the Biblical evidence in respect to the divinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
1) That the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are personally distinguished from each other. There is recognised throughout a personal relation of the Father and Son to each other. So of the Holy Spirit to both.
2) They each have divine names and attributes.
3) Yet there is only one God. by H. B. Smith
The Scriptures represent God as the Creator of the universe
Ge 1:1 2Ki 19:15 1Ch 29:11 Ne 9:6 Job 38:4 Ps 33:6 96:5 102:25 146:5,6 Pr 3:19 Isa 42:5 51:13 Jer 10:12 32:17 Am 5:8 9:6 Zec 12:1 Joh 1:1-3 Ac 4:24 17:25 Ro 11:36 Eph 3:9 Col 1:16,17 Heb 3:4 11:3 2Pe 3:5 Re 4:11
Creation voluntary on God's part. The universe the product of his will. The First Cause is Mind.
Ge 1:3,4,31 Ps 33:6,9 Eph 1:11 Heb 11:3 Re 4:11
"This term, in its widest application, signifies the Divine Presence in the world as sustaining, controlling, and guiding to their destination all things that are made. The will of God determines the end for which his creatures exist; his wisdom and his goodness appoint the means by which that end is attained: in the conservation of the frame of nature, in the care of all creatures that have wants, in the government especially of intelligent and probationary beings; and his power ensures the accomplishment of every design."-Pope
The universe as such is the object of conservation. What God has brought into being is continued in existence by his omnipresent agency.
Ne 9:6 Ps 36:6 66:9 Isa 63:9 Ac 17:28 Col 1:17 Heb 1:3
That part of creation which is the subject of wants is the object of ceaseless providential care.
Ge 48:15 2Sa 22:2,3 Ps 23:5 147:9 Pr 16:9 Mt 5:45 6:26,30 Lu 12:6,7 Ac 14:17 1Pe 5:7
That part of creation which consists of intelligent or probationary creatures is the object of providential government.
Ps 37:23 66:12 Pr 16:7,9 Isa 33:22 Da 4:17 Mt 6:33 7:24-27 Mr 10:29,30 Lu 6:47-49 Ac 5:38,39 Ro 8:28 Jas 4:12
Existence and nature. Spiritual beings, created before man, high in intelligence and mighty in power.
Ge 18:19 32:1,2 Ge 3:24 Job 38:7 Re 12:9 Ps 103:20 Mt 13:41 24:36 25:31 1Co 13:1 2Th 1:7
Orders. There appear to be various orders of angels.
Da 10:13 12:1 Lu 1:19 Eph 1:21 1Th 4:16 Jude 1:7 Re 12:7
Number. Exceedingly great
De 33:2 Ps 68:17 Da 7:10 Mt 26:53 Lu 2:13 Heb 12:22 Re 5:11
Employment
Adore the presence of God, serve him, and are happy in his service.
Mt 18:10 1Pe 1:12 Re 5:11
Employed in works of providence and in greater work of redemption.
Ge 28:12 Ps 34:7 91:11,12 Mt 18:10 Ac 5:19 12:7 27:23 Heb 1:13,14 Ac 7:53 Ga 3:19 Heb 2:2 2Ki 19:35 1Ch 21:16 Ac 12:23 Lu 2:10,11 Mr 1:13 Lu 22:43 Mt 28:2-4 Joh 20:12 Ac 1:10,11 Mt 13:49,50 24:31 25:31 1Th 4:16,17 2Th 1:7
Character. As to moral character, divided into two great classes.
The good.
Ps 103:20 Lu 9:26 1Ti 5:21
The bad.
Mt 12:24-27 Eph 2:2 6:12 1Ti 4:1
Satan, the chief of the fallen angels
Names applied to him.
Satan
1Ch 21:1
The devil
Mt 4:1,5,8
The tempter
Mt 4:3
Prince of the devils
Mr 3:22
Murderer and liar
Joh 8:44
Prince of this world
Joh 12:31 14:30
God of this world
2Co 4:4
Prince of the power of the air
Eph 2:2
Adversary
1Pe 5:8
Apollyon
Re 9:11
The old serpent, the deceiver
Re 12:9
The accuser
Re 12:10
The dragon
Re 20:2
Personality
Mt 4:1-11 Joh 8:44 2Co 11:3,14
Other evil angels subordinated to him
Mt 12:24-28 Lu 10:18 Eph 2:2 6:12 Re 9:11 20:2
Power and work of Satan and his angels
Mt 4:1-11 1Co 5:5 2Co 4:4 11:14 Eph 6:11,12 2Th 2:9,10 1Ti 3:7 Heb 2:14 Re 12:9
Prominent examples of temptation.
Adam and Eve
David
Christ
Judas
Ananias and Sapphira
Demoniacs were persons possessed of demons, agents of Satan.
Cherubim and Seraphim
Some hold that the cherubim are real, personal creatures; others that they are ideal beings. The term "living creature" is applied to the same beings. May be regarded as symbolical of the highest properties of creature life and typical of redeemed manhood.
Ge 3:24 Ex 25:22 1Sa 4:4 Eze 1:5-25 10:1-22 Re 4:6-9 5:6-14 6:1-7
Seraphim. Mentioned only in Isa. 6. Probably the same as cherubim.
Man was Created
Ge 1:27 Ex 20:11 Pr 20:12 Isa 45:12 Jer 27:5 Zec 12:1 1Co 11:9,10
Mankind has a Common Origin
Ge 1:27 5:1-3 7:21-24 9:18,19 Isa 63:16 64:8 Mal 2:10 Mt 6:9 Lu 11:2 Ac 17:26-29 1Co 8:6 Eph 4:6
Man a Compound Being, Consisting of Body and Spirit
Ge 2:7 Ec 12:7 Mt 10:28 22:32 Lu 8:55 1Co 15:45 2Co 5:6,8 1Th 5:23
Man is the Offspring of God. See the texts under "Mankind has a Common Origin"
Lu 3:38 Joh 20:17
Man was Created in God's Image
This includes knowledge, feeling, and will
Ge 1:26,27 5:1 1Co 11:7 Jas 3:9
He was in a state of righteousness and holiness
Ec 7:29 2Co 3:13 Eph 4:24 Col 3:10
and the whole teaching of Scripture in regard to the state of the regenerated.
Man under Moral Law
Ge 2:16,17 Ex 20:1-26 De 6:6-9 27:26 32:46 Jos 1:8 Ps 1:1-3 78:5 119:72,92 Mt 5:17,19 7:21,24-27 Joh 14:21 Ro 2:13-15 8:4 Jas 1:22,25 1Jo 2:3,4 Re 22:14
Its origin, as regards the human race. The first man and woman, by their own choice, violated the law of God; they sinned against God.
Ge 3:1-24
Words, which describe sin in some of its forms.
Hebrew: "CHATA," to go out of the way, to miss the mark. "PASHA," to transgress. "AVAH," to twist, to act perversely.
Greek: "HAMARITIA," a missing of the mark. "PARAPTOMA," a falling away from law, truth, right. "PARABASIS," a going over or beyond truth and right, transgression. "ANOMIA," lawlessness. "ASEBEIA," irreverence.
Definition. "Sin is any want of conformity to, or transgression of, the law of God."
By sinning, our first parents incurred the penalty of eternal death, including loss of communion with God, supremacy of worldly affections, and consequent misery, wretchedness, and pain.
Ge 2:17 Eze 18:4 Mt 25:46 Ro 5:12 6:23 1Co 15:58 Ga 6:8 Jas 1:15
Sin natural to every human being, depravity being hereditary.
Ps 51:5 58:3 Jer 17:9 Joh 3:6 Ro 5:12-19 7:14-24 8:7 1Co 15:22 Ga 5:17,19-21 Eph 2:1,3
All men sinners; therefore subject to same penalty incurred by the first sin.
Ge 6:5,11,12 1Ki 8:46 2Ch 6:36 Ps 53:1-3 Pr 20:6,9 Ec 7:20 Joh 3:19 Ro 3:9-18,23 11:32 Ga 3:22 1Jo 1:8,10
Therefore all need redemption.
Joh 3:5,6 Ro 5:18 7:24,25 2Co 5:14,15,19 Ga 3:21,22 Tit 2:14 Heb 2:9 1Jo 2:2
INTRODUCTORY AND GENERAL STATEMENTS
The sin and ruin of man gave occasion for the gracious interposition of God. In the curse upon the serpent was intimated the purpose of redemption.
Ge 3:15
There is, however, no Self-redemption
The fall of man wrought a change in both his nature and his condition. To be redeemed he must be placed where he was before, both as to character and as to state. His purity must be restored; his condemnation must be removed. Man cannot redeem himself, because-
The legal difficulty is insuperable. The divine law requires a perfect obedience.
Mt 22:37 Ga 3:10
There can be no surplus obedience, no reparation for sin that is past.
The moral difficulty is insuperable.
Job 14:14 Joh 3:6
There is no tendency in that which is sinful to that which is holy. No sinner can regain by self-effort alone the purity which he has lost; but this is indispensable to redemption.
Heb 12:14
No Redemption by other Creatures
It is equally certain that, while sinful man cannot redeem himself, no other creature can redeem him. The fact of creatureship necessitates dependence and obligation. The highest angel and all the angels are under law to God. That law is perfect, it exacts their whole power of love and service. By no possibility can they love and serve God except for themselves alone. To find a being qualified and able to redeem, we must find one over whom the law has no jurisdiction. In the presence of that being we are in the presence of God.
Will God redeem?
Nature furnishes presumptive evidence that God will redeem. Nature shows the goodness of God. His gifts are not determined by the moral character of man.
Ps 103:10 145:15,16 147:8,9 Mt 5:45 6:26
In the world man is subject to many evils as to his body, but all around him are remedies in nature.
The universal presence of sacrifice is another presumption. It is probable that sacrifice did not originate with man, but in the appointment of God.
Ge 3:21
If nature is uncertain, revelation is clear and conclusive. From the fall of Adam to the birth of Christ the divine purpose was constantly being more fully and clearly revealed.
Ge 3:15 4:4 5:24-29 6:8 14:18 Joh 8:56 Isa 53:1-12 Da 9:24-27 Joe 2:28-32 Zec 13:1-7
The presence and work of the Holy Spirit also attested.
Ge 6:3 Ex 31:2,3 Jud 6:34 11:29 Ne 9:20 Isa 44:3,4 59:21 63:11 Hag 2:5
The Redeemer, or Messiah, has Already Come
It is plain from the prophecies and from their historical fulfilment that the Messiah must have long since come.
Ge 49:10 Da 9:25 Hag 2:6-9 Mal 3:1
Jesus Christ the Messiah, as shown by Fulfilled Prophecies
Was to be from eternity the fellow of God.
Isa 9:6 Mic 5:2 Zec 13:7 Mt 3:17 Joh 1:1-3 1Jo 5:20
To be born not by ordinary generation, but of a virgin.
Isa 7:14 Mt 1:18-25 Lu 1:26-33
In Bethlehem of Judea
Mic 5:2 Lu 2:4,11 Mt 2:4-6 Joh 7:42
To come while the sceptre still lingered with Judah, near by the close of the weeks predicted by Daniel, and while the second temple was yet standing.
Ge 49:10 Mt 2:1 Da 9:25 Lu 2:1 Hag 2:6-9 Mt 24:1,2
To be of the race of Abraham, of the tribe of Judah, of the family of David.
Ge 22:18 49:10 2Sa 7:16 Isa 11:1-9
To come in humble circumstances
Isa 53:2 Lu 2:7-24 Isa 49:7 Mt 8:20 Mr 6:3
To make himself known by works of mercy and of supernatural power.
Isa 35:3-6 Joh 5:36,37 Isa 42:7 61:1-3 Joh 10:24,25
To be despised and rejected of men
Isa 53:3-7 Joh 1:10,11 Lu 23:18-21
To be cut off by a violent death and his body to be pierced
Isa 53:8 Da 9:26 Lu 23:23,33 Ps 22:16 Joh 20:25 Zec 12:10 Joh 19:34
Other prophecies concerning his death
Ps 22:7,8 Mt 27:39-43 Ps 69:21 Mt 27:34 Ps 22:18 Joh 19:23,24 Ex 12:46 Joh 19:33,36 Isa 53:12 Mr 15:27 Isa 53:9 Mt 27:57-60
To rise from the dead, to ascend on high, leading captivity captive.
Ps 16:9-11 Mt 28:5-7 Ps 68:18 Ac 1:9-11
The word incarnation comes from Latin words (IN and CARO, CARNIS, flesh) meaning "in the flesh." To become incarnate is to become a man. Remaining God, Christ became man and as such lived among men. The divine was not changed into the human, or co-mingled with the human so that it became what it was not before, but THE DIVINE TOOK THE HUMAN INTO UNION WITH ITSELF AND SO ENTERED A FORM OR MODE OF BEING WHICH WAS NEW AS WELL AS MYSTERIOUS. As by faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God, so by faith we understand that he who framed the world became incarnate.
Heb 1:1-14 11:3
While incarnation could not affect the nature and properties of Deity, it did affect their manifestation. The glory which the Son had with the Father was not visible when he was among men.
Joh 17:5 Php 2:7 Joh 1:14 Lu 1:32
To the sight of men the human was the more constant and conspicuous. At times, however, there was the clear shining forth of Deity.
Mt 7:28,29 Joh 3:2 7:46 Mt 17:1,2
Old Testament Intimations of the Incarnation
In the first promise. In the renewal of the promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David he was to be their seed.
Ge 3:15 22:18 28:14 2Sa 7:12-29
The theophanies of the old covenant were manifestations of God in the person of his Son.
To Abraham
Ge 18:1-33
To Jacob
Ge 32:22-32
To Joshua
Jos 5:13 6:5
To Manoah and his wife
Jud 13:1-25
Isaiah said: "A Virgin shall conceive, and bear a son"
Isa 7:14
This would make him human, at the same time his name was Immanuel, GOD WITH US. See also:
Isa 9:6 Zec 13:7 Mt 26:31
Necessity of the Incarnation
Its necessity in the fact of sin. God under no obligation to redeem lost men, but, on the supposition of redemption, the Redeemer must become incarnate.
God alone could redeem. The law broken must be vindicated, the nature defiled must be renewed. Men and angels are utterly incompetent in such and exigency. The case necessitates a divine Redeemer.
God himself in redeeming men must do it righteously. His perfect law cannot be set aside. The Redeemer must come under the law, under its jurisdiction and its power. But to do this he must come out of the sphere of absolute God-head into that of real manhood.
Heb 2:14-16
It was impossible that he should cease to be God; it was not impossible that he should assume into union with himself the nature of man.
The Greek word for mediator is EMITES, meaning ONE WHO GOES BETWEEN, or IN THE MIDDLE. It embraces the additional ideas of VARIANCE and RECONCILIATION.
The word MEDIATOR does not in itself indicate by what means mediation is to be made.
In the case of a MISAPPREHENSION the mediator would only need to explain, or be an interpreter.
In a case of DELIBERATE WRONG the mediator would seek the clemency and favour of the offended party, and thus BECOME AN INTERCESSOR.
If, further, the case were such that there were grave LIABILITIES IN LAW AND RIGHT resting upon the offending party, it would be requisite for the mediator to obtain for him, or himself become A SPONSOR, or to use the Scriptural word, a SURETY or BONDSMAN.
If the obligations resting upon the offending party were SUCH AS HE COULD NOT IN HIS OWN PERSON, OR BY HIS OWN RESOURCES SATISFY, it would behove the mediator to take them upon himself, and actually meeting them became his REDEMPTOR, or REDEEMER.
The application of this idea to Christ. The word MEDIATOR as applied to Jesus Christ has this definite meaning-HE COMES BETWEEN MEN AND GOD-SEPARATED AND AT VARIANCE BY REASON OF SIN- TO EFFECT THEIR RECONCILIATION, IN HARMONY WITH ETERNAL TRUTH, RIGHT, AND HOLINESS.
Heb 2:9-18 4:14-16 5:9
The usage of the English word
Its verbal meaning. This is seen by pronouncing it at-one-ment. In this verbal sense the word expresses a RESULT, not that by which the result is gained.
In theology the word is commonly used to denote THAT PART OF THE PRIESTLY WORK OF CHRIST BY WHICH HE MADE SATISFACTION TO THE LAW AND JUSTICE OF GOD FOR THE SINS OF MEN, AND IN VIEW OF WHICH MEN ARE SAVED. In this use it expresses not reconciliation itself, but that which reconciles.
Scriptural words in this connection
In the Old Testament the fundamental Hebrew word for atonement means TO COVER.
Ps 32:1
According to it, sin is expiated or atoned for by COVERING it.
In the New Testament.
(1) KATALLAGE (Ro 5:11), means a change or an exchange; i.e., a change from enmity to love, and so reconciliation.
Ro 5:11
(2) APOLUTROSIS (Ro 3.24), deliverance by a ransom or by payment of price.
Mat 20:28 1Pe 1:18,19
(3) HILASMOS, propitiation. Both Jews and Gentiles perfectly understood the meaning of HILASMOS. When under a sense of sin they would make a propitiation-they approached the altar and laid upon it the sacrificial victim.
1Jo 2:2
If now we combine and formulate these ideas, we see that the atonement of Christ is THAT SATISFACTION TO THE LAW AND JUSTICE OF GOD FOR THE SINS OF MEN, WHICH, AS THE ONE GREAT HIGH PRIEST, HE MADE HIS OWN OBEDIENCE TO DEATH, AND ON THE GROUND OF WHICH HE CARRIES ON HIS ACTS OF INTERCESSION AND BENEDICTION IN HEAVEN.
Redemption (In contrast with atonement.)
ATONEMENT is the ground and means of redemption, while REDEMPTION is the result of atonement. Redemption consists of two parts, the one legal, the other moral. The work of Christ meets the demands of the law and man is justified. The work of the Spirit renews the depraved nature and reforms the sinner in the divine image, and man is sanctified.
He is truly God. (See "The Son Divine" under 1b The Trinity)
He is truly Man
His human nature the same as that of other men, because he is of the stock of Abraham.
General references
Mt 12:8,13-37 16:13 25:31 Joh 3:14 8:28 13:31 Ga 4:4 1Ti 2:5 Heb 2:14
References to his human body
Mt 2:1 Mr 4:38 Lu 2:52 Joh 4:6-8 19:32-34
References to the intellectual and spiritual faculties which he had in common with men
Mt 4:1-11 26:38 Mr 10:14 11:13 Lu 2:52 4:16-22 Joh 2:24 11:3-5,33
He is truly God and Man
These two natures, the divine and the human, combined in Christ as the God-man.
In many passages both natures are referred to.
Joh 1:14 Ro 1:3,4 8:3 9:5 Ga 4:4 Php 2:11 1Jo 4:3
Passages which speak of the human attributes and actions of Christ while the divine title is used.
Mt 1:23 Lu 1:31,32 Ac 20:28 Ro 8:32 1Co 2:8 Col 1:13-17
Passages which speak of the divine attributes and actions of Christ while he is designated by the human title.
Joh 3:13 6:62 Ro 9:5 Re 5:12,13
THE WORK OF THE REDEEMER AS PROPHET, PRIEST, AND KING
A prophet of God is one who has authority and who has the necessary qualifications to convey God's messages to men. He may also be an interpreter.
Christ executed the office of prophet, by his word and by his works.
Mt 5:24
3a2) Also through other agents: through his Spirit, by inspiration, by spiritual illumination, through the officers of the church inspired as apostles, prophets, and teachers.
Eph 4:11,12 1Jo 2:20 5:20
He continues to execute the office of prophet through eternity.
Re 7:17 21:23
A priest is one who is qualified and authorised to "draw near to the Lord for men."
Ex 19:22 Heb 5:1
Must be taken from among men to represent them.
Ex 28:9,12,21,29 Heb 5:12
Must be chosen by God
Ex 28:1 Nu 16:5 Heb 5:4
Must be holy-morally pure and consecrated to God
Ex 39:30,31 Le 21:6,8 Ps 106:16
Must have a right to draw near to Jehovah and to offer sacrifices and make intercession.
Ex 19:22 Le 16:3,7,12,15 Nu 16:5
The Old Testament declares Christ to be a priest
Ps 110:4 Heb 5:6 6:20 Zec 6:13
Priestly functions ascribed to him
Isa 53:10 Da 9:24,25
The temple and its services and all Old Testament sacrifices typical of Christ and his work. He superseded these.
Col 2:17 Heb 9:10-12 10:11,12
New Testament proof. Was taken from among men to stand for them for God.
Heb 2:16 4:15
Was chosen by God.
Heb 5:5,6
Was perfectly holy.
Lu 1:35 Heb 7:26
Has the right of the nearest access and the greatest influence with the Father.
Joh 11:42 16:28 Heb 1:3 9:11-24
He "mediated" in the general sense of the term
Joh 14:6 1Ti 2:5 Heb 8:6
He offered propitiation
Eph 5:25 Heb 9:26 10:12 1Jo 2:2
He makes intercession
Ro 8:4 Heb 7:25 1Jo 2:1
Christ as priest made atonement for us, was made a substitute for us. A substitute is one appointed or accepted to act or to suffer in the stead of another, and his actions or sufferings are VICARIOUS.
The Greek preposition HUPER with the genitive, sometimes signifies INSTEAD OF, and the construction is used to set forth the relation of Christ's work to us.
2Co 5:14,15,20 Ga 3:13 Phm 1:13 1Pe 3:18
The preposition ANTI definitely and always expressed substitution.
Mt 2:22 5:38 20:28 Mr 10:45 1Ti 2:6
The same is true as to what the Scriptures teach as to our sins being laid upon Christ.
Le 7:18 Nu 18:27 Ps 106:31 Isa 53:12 Lu 22:36 Ro 2:26 4:3-9 2Co 5:19-21 Ga 3:13
The effects of Christ's action as priest are shown.
As toward God, they are declared to be propitiatory.
Ro 3:25,26 Heb 2:17 1Jo 2:2 4:10
As respects the sinner, they are declared to be redemption, deliverance by ransom.
Isa 51:11 62:12 1Co 7:23 Ga 3:13,14 1Ti 2:6 1Pe 1:18,19 Re 5:9
The kingdom of Christ a very prominent subject in Scripture.
Da 2:44 Mt 13:1-58 22:1-14 Lu 13:22-30 17:20,21 Ro 14:17 Eph 1:10,20-22 1Pe 3:22
Christ's authority embraces the universe
Mt 28:18 Eph 1:17-23 Php 2:9-11
It is distinguished as-
HIS KINGDOM OF POWER, embracing the entire universe in his providential and judicial administration.
Joh 5:22-27 9:39 1Co 15:25 Heb 10:12,13
HIS KINGDOM OF GRACE, spiritual alike as to its subjects, laws, modes of administration and instrumentalities.
HIS KINGDOM OF GLORY, the consummation of his gracious administration, will continue forever.
The object of Christ's authority is to accomplish the salvation of his church.
Eph 1:22,23
To cause all things to work together for the good of his people.
Ro 8:28
To establish a kingdom for them.
Lu 22:29 Joh 14:2
To subjugate all his enemies
1Co 15:25
That all should worship him
Heb 1:6 Re 5:9-13
The following are some of the titles to this kingdom, with the sense in which they are used.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Lu 4:43
because of divine origin and the authority of God exercised in its administration.
THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST
Mt 16:28 Col 1:13
because he is in person the immediate sovereign
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
Mt 11:12
because its origin and characteristics are from heaven and its consummation is to be in heaven.
Christ's administration of his kingdom presents two aspects:
As militant
Eph 6:11-17
As glorified, or triumphant
Re 3:21
Accordingly Christ is represented as a great Captain,
Re 19:11,16
and as a Prince reigning upon his throne.
Re 21:5,22,23
The throne upon which Christ sits is represented as-
A throne of grace.
Heb 4:16
A throne of judgment.
Re 20:11-15
A throne of glory.
Re 4:3 5:6
The sense in which Christ's kingdom is spiritual.
The king is a spiritual and not an earthly sovereign
Mt 20:28 Joh 18:36
His throne is at the right hand of God
Heb 1:3
His sceptre is spiritual
Ps 110:2 Isa 61:1-3 63:1
The citizens of the kingdom are spiritual men
Joh 4:24
The mode in which he administers his government is spiritual.
Zec 4:6,7
His laws are spiritual
Joh 4:24
The blessings and penalties of his kingdom are spiritual.
1Co 3:4-11 2Co 10:4 Eph 1:3-8 2Ti 4:2 Tit 2:15
Christ as seated at the right hand of the Father. Some of the language may be figurative, but it sets forth the glorification of Christ in heaven. It presents him as the God-man exalted to supreme and universal glory and power.
Ps 110:1 Da 7:13,14 Mt 26:64 Mr 16:19 Joh 5:22 Ro 8:34 Eph 1:20-22 Php 2:9-11 Col 3:1 Heb 1:3,4 2:9 10:12 1Pe 3:22 Re 5:6
THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN REDEMPTION
See Personality and Deity under topic of the Trinity
The Father and the Son work by, and through, the Holy Spirit
He came upon men and clothed them with the power of God as worker, prophet or leader.
Ge 41:39 Ex 31:1-3 35:31 Nu 11:29 24:2 1Sa 10:10 2Ch 15:1 Isa 63:11 Eze 11:23,24
His special individual work
To convict of sin
Joh 16:8 Ac 2:37
To regenerate
Joh 3:3-5 6:63 Tit 3:5-7
To witness concerning Jesus
Heb 10:15 1Jo 5:7
He is the author of assurance to us
Ro 8:14-16 1Jo 4:13
He is the inspirer of the scriptures and our personal teacher
Joh 14:26 16:13 1Co 2:9-13 12:3-8 1Th 1:5 2Ti 3:16 Heb 3:7 2Pe 1:21
He dwells in the disciples of Jesus
1Co 2:9-16 6:17 12:13 Ga 3:5 4:6 5:25 Eph 2:22 3:16 5:18 1Pe 1:11 1Jo 3:24
He sheds abroad the love of God in our hearts
Ro 5:5
He gives hope, joy, peace, liberty
Ga 5:22 2Co 3:17
He is the Comforter
Joh 14:16,26 15:26 16:7 Ac 9:31 Ro 15:13
He sanctifies
Ro 8:6-11 1Co 6:11 Ga 5:22-26 2Th 2:13
The Holy Spirit for Service
The gift
Joh 14:17 1Co 3:16 6:19,20 Lu 4:17-21 Joh 3:34 Ac 10:38 Isa 44:3 Ac 1:5,8 2:4,38,39 4:31 6:3 9:17
How given
Lu 11:13 24:49 Joh 20:22 Ac 1:4 2:38 5:32 8:17 19:6 1Jo 5:14,15
As to the renewal of the gift
Ac 4:31 10:44 11:15 13:52
THE WORK OF REDEMPTION AS RELATED TO THE BELIEVER
The Union between Christ and the Believer
As to its nature
Christ as the second Adam
1Co 15:22
assumes in the covenant of grace those broken obligations of the covenant of works which the first Adam failed to discharge, and fulfils them all in behalf of all his "sheep"-those whom the Father has given him.
Its spiritual and vital character
It is a SPIRITUAL union
1Co 6:17 12:13 1Jo 3:24 4:13
It is a VITAL union
Joh 14:19 Ga 2:20
It embraces our entire persons
1Co 6:15,19
It is an INDISSOLUBLE union
Joh 10:28 14:23 17:21,23 1Th 4:14,17
As to its consequences (in general)
Believers have a community with Christ in his covenant standing and rights.
Ro 8:1 Eph 1:6,11,13 Php 3:8,9 Col 2:10
His mediatorial office embraces three principal functions:
Prophet. In fellowship with him the believer is a prophet.
Joh 16:13 1Jo 2:27
Priest. The believer is also a priest in him.
Isa 61:6 1Pe 2:5 Re 20:6
King. In him the believer is also a king.
1Pe 2:9 Re 3:21 5:10
Believers have fellowship with him in the transforming, assimilating power of his life.
As to their souls
Ro 8:9 Php 2:5 1Jo 3:2
As to their bodies
Ro 6:5 1Co 6:17,19 15:47,49 Php 3:21
Thus bearing fruit to Christ, both in their bodies and in their spirits which are his.
Joh 15:5 2Co 12:9 1Jo 1:6
This leads to fellowship with Christ, in experience, labours, sufferings, temptation, death, and finally, in his glory.
Ga 6:17 Php 3:10 Heb 12:3 1Pe 4:13
Also to Christ's rightful fellowship with them in all THEY possess.
Ro 14:8 1Co 6:19,20
Also to the consequence that in the spiritual reception of the ordinances, they do really hold fellowship with him. They are baptised into Christ.
Joh 6:51,56 1Co 10:16 11:26 Ga 3:27
Doctrines Connected with the Union of Christ with the Believer
Repentance includes a sense of personal guilt, pollution, and helplessness, an apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, grief, and hatred of sin, a resolute turning from it to God, and a persistent endeavour after a new life of holy obedience.
True repentance brings the believer to see the holiness of God as revealed alike in the law and the gospel, and in that light to see and feel the exceeding sinfulness of all sin as well as the sinfulness of his own nature.
Job 42:6 Ps 51:4-9 Ro 3:20
The awakened conscience echoes God's law, and can be appeased by no less a propitiation than that demanded by divine justice itself.
The evidence of genuine repentance
To be determined by prayerful study of the Scriptures in connection with self-examination.
By the hatred and forsaking of secret as well as of open sins, the choice of God's service as both right and desirable, public confession, and practical consecration.
Scripture examples of repentance
True
2Sa 12:13 Ps 51:4 2Sa 24:10 Lu 15:18,21 18:13
False
Ex 9:27,34 10:16,20 1Sa 15:24 Mt 27:4,5
New Testament usage
That state of mind which is induced by persuasion
Ro 14:22
Good faith, fidelity, sincerity
Ro 3:3 Tit 2:10
Assent to the truth
Php 1:27 2Th 2:13
Faith toward, on, or in God.
Mr 11:22 1Th 1:8 Heb 6:1 1Pe 1:21
In Christ
Ac 24:24 Rom 3:25 Ga 2:16-20
The object of faith; viz., the revelation of the gospel
Ro 1:5 10:8 1Ti 4:1 Jude 1:3,20
Knowledge is the apprehension of an object as true, and faith is an assent to its truth. In this general sense every exercise of faith includes the knowledge of the object assented to.
Religious faith rests,
first, upon the faithfulness of God as pledged in his supernatural revelation,
Joh 3:33
second, upon the evidence of spiritual illumination, personal experience of the power of the truth, and the witness of the Holy Spirit.
Thus it rests not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1Co 2:5-12
The two kinds of evidence by which we know that God has revealed certain truths as objects of faith.
The evidence in the truth itself-moral, spiritual, experimental, rational.
Jer 23:29 Joh 6:33 14:7,26
The accrediting evidence of the presence and power of God accompanying the promulgation of the truth, and proving that it is from him. These are miracles, providential periods, and the fulfilment of prophecy.
Joh 5:36 Heb 2:4
That saving faith includes trust is proved from the uniform and single condition of salvation as presented in the Scriptures, expressed in the words "believe in, or on, Christ."
Joh 7:38 Ac 9:42 16:31 Ga 2:16
To believe in, or on, a person, necessarily implies trust as well as credit.
Ac 26:18 Ga 3:26 2Ti 3:15 Heb 11:1
The same proved from expressions used in the Scriptures as equivalent to the phrase "believing in Christ." Such expressions are:
Receiving Christ
Joh 1:12
Looking to Christ
Isa 45:22 Nu 21:19 Joh 3:14,15
Fleeing for refuge
Heb 6:18
Coming to Christ
Mt 11:28 Joh 6:35,37
Committing to Christ
2Ti 1:12
The object of faith is the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ as mediator.
We are justified by that faith of which Christ is the object.
Ro 3:22,25 Ga 2:16 Php 3:9
Saved by faith in Christ
Joh 1:12 3:16,36 6:35 Ac 10:43 16:31
The rejection of Christ, or refusal to submit to the righteousness of God declared to be the ground of reprobation.
Joh 3:18,19 8:24
Assurance of salvation attainable through faith.
Directly asserted.
Ro 8:16 2Pe 1:10 1Jo 2:3 3:14 5:13
Scriptural examples:
2Ti 1:12 4:7,8
Begets unfeigned humility
1Co 15:10 Ga 6:14
Leads to ever increasing diligence in practical religion
Ps 51:12,13,19
Also to candid self-examination and a desire to be searched and corrected by God.
Ps 139:23,24
Also to constant aspirations after nearer conformity to, and more intimate communion with God.
1Jo 3:2,3
Living faith leads to good works
Ac 15:9 26:18 Ga 5:6 Jas 2:14-26 1Jo 5:4
Scripture terms by which this work of God is designated:
Creating
Eph 4:24
Begetting
1Jo 4:7
Quickening
Joh 5:21 Eph 2:5
Calling out of darkness into marvellous light
1Pe 2:9
The subjects of it are said-
To be alive from the dead
Ro 6:13
To be new creatures
2Co 5:17
To be born again, or anew
Joh 3:3,7
To be God's workmanship
Eph 2:10
Proof that there is such a thing as is commonly called regeneration.
The Scriptures declare that such a change is necessary
2Co 5:17 Ga 6:15
The change is described
Eph 2:5 4:23 Jas 1:18 1Pe 1:23
It is necessary for the most moral as well as the most profligate
1Co 15:10 Ga 1:13-16
That this change is not a mere reformation is proved by its being referred to the Holy Spirit.
Tit 3:5
In the comparison of man's state in grace with his state by nature.
Ro 6:13 8:6-10 Eph 5:8
In the experience of all Christians and the testimony of their lives.
Proofs that believers are subjects of supernatural, or spiritual illumination.
This is necessary.
Joh 16:3 1Co 2:14 2Co 3:14 4:3
The Scriptures expressly affirm it.
Ps 19:7,8 43:3,4 Joh 17:3 1Co 2:12,13 2Co 4:6 Eph 1:18 Php 1:19 Col 3:10 1Jo 4:7 5:20
The first effect of regeneration is to open the eyes of our understanding to the excellency of divine truth. The second effect is the going forth of the renewed affections toward that excellency perceived.
Proof of the absolute necessity of regeneration
The Scriptures assert it.
Joh 3:3 Ro 8:6,7 Eph 2:10 4:21-24
It is proved from the nature of man as a sinner
Ro 7:18 8:7-9 1Co 2:14 Eph 2:1
Also from the nature of heaven
Isa 35:8 52:1 Mt 5:8 13:41 Heb 12:14 Re 21:27
The restoration of holiness is the grand end of the whole plan of salvation.
Ro 8:28,29 Eph 1:4 5:5,26,27
Its fundamental idea is that of perfect conformity to all of moral law
The usage of "to justify." It means to declare a person to be just.
Because personally conformed to the law as to moral character.
Lu 7:29 Ro 3:4
Because, forensically, the demands of the law as a condition of life have been fully satisfied in regard to him.
Ac 13:39 Ro 5:1,9 8:30,33 1Co 6:11 Ga 2:16 3:11
The ungodly are said to be justified without the deeds of of the law, by the blood of Christ, by faith, freely, and of grace, by means of a satisfaction and of imputed righteousness.
Ro 3:20-28 4:5-7 5:1 Ga 2:16 3:11 5:4 1Jo 2:2
The opposite of condemnation
Ro 8:33,34
The same idea conveyed in many equivalent and interchangeable expressions.
Joh 3:18 5:24 Ro 4:6,7 2Co 5:19
The terms "righteousness" and "righteousness of God" in the New Testament signify: -
Holiness of character
Mt 5:6 Ro 6:13 10:3-5 Php 3:9 Tit 3:5
The vicarious obedience and sufferings of Christ our substitute, which become our righteousness, received and appropriated by us through faith.
Ro 3:22 4:6,11 10:4-10 1Co 1:30
The phrase "righteousness of God" means that perfect righteousness or satisfaction to the whole law, precept and penalty alike, which God provides, and which God will accept.
Mt 6:33 Ro 1:17 2Co 5:21 Jas 1:20
The term "justification," occurs only in
Ro 4:25 5:16,18
It signifies that relation to the law into which we are brought in consequence of the righteousness of Christ being made legally ours. We are absolved from all liability to the penalty, and the rewards promised to obedience are declared to belong to us.
The requirement of the law in order to the justification of a sinner.
The law consists of a rule of duty and a penalty to take effect in case of disobedience. In the case of the sinner,
therefore, who has already incurred guilt, the law demands that, besides the rendering of perfect obedience, the penalty also should be suffered.
Ro 10:5 Ga 3:10-13
Proof that works cannot be the ground of a sinner's justification.
Paul repeatedly asserts this
Ga 2:16 Php 3:9
The law demands perfect obedience. No act of obedience at one time can atone for disobedience at another.
Ga 2:10,21 5:3
If we are justified by works, then Christ is dead in vain
Ga 2:21 5:4
If it were of works it would not be of grace.
Ro 11:6 Eph 2:8,9
It would afford cause for boasting
Ro 3:27 4:2
Paul also quotes the Old Testament to prove that all men are sinners
Ro 3:9,10
and that consequently they cannot be justified by works.
Ps 143:2 Ro 3:20
He quotes
Hab 2:4
to prove that the just shall live by faith, and cites the example of Abraham.
Ga 3:6
The ground of justification is the righteousness of Christ.
Ro 10:4 1Co 1:30
Faith is the essential prerequisite and instrument of receiving that righteousness.
Eph 2:8
Justification is a declaration on the part of God that the law is satisfied because of the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to believers, and the merits of which are received by them through faith.
The sense in which Christ's righteousness is imputed.
Imputation is an act of God as sovereign judge, whereby
He makes the guilt and legal responsibilities of our sins really Christ's
Isa 53:5,11 Joh 1:29 2Co 5:21 Ga 3:13
and whereby
He makes the righteousness of Christ ours (that is, the legal right to reward, by the gracious covenant conditioned on righteousness), and then treats us as persons legally invested with those rights.
Ro 4:6 10:4 1Co 1:30 2Co 5:21 Php 3:9
Imputation is the charging or crediting to one's account as the ground of judicial treatment.
As Christ is not made a sinner by the imputation to him of our sins, so we are not made holy by the imputation to us of his righteousness. The transfer is only of guilt from us to him, and of merit from him to us.
Ro 5:12-21 4:6 3:21 5:19
The nature of the peace which flows from justification
Peace with God, his justice being completely satisfied through the righteousness of Christ.
Ro 5:1 2Co 5:19 Col 1:21 Eph 2:14
In witness of this his Holy Spirit is given to us.
Ro 8:15,16 Heb 10:15,17
His love is shed abroad in our hearts
Ro 5:5
and our fellowship with his is established.
Inward peace of conscience, through the apprehension of the righteousness by which we are justified.
Heb 9:15 10:2,22
Classes of persons to whom the term "sons" or "children of God" is applied in the Scriptures.
In the singular, the term is applied in a supreme sense to the Second Person of the Trinity alone.
In the plural, to angels, because they are God's favoured creatures.
Job 1:6 38:7
To human magistrates, because the possess authority delegated from God.
Ps 82:6
To good men as the subjects of a divine adoption. The sonship which this adoption confers is twofold
General and external
Ex 4:11 9:4
Special, spiritual, and immortal
Ga 4:5 Eph 1:4-6
That which is represented in Scripture as involved in being a child of God by adoption.
Derivation of nature from God.
Joh 1:13 Jas 1:18 1Jo 5:18
Being born again in the image of God, bearing his likeness
Ro 8:29 2Co 3:18 Col 3:10 2Pe 1:4
Bearing his name
1Jo 3:1 Re 2:17 3:12
Being the object of his peculiar love.
Joh 17:23 Ro 5:5-8 Tit 3:4 1Jo 4:7-11
The indwelling Spirit of his Son
Ga 4:5,6
forms in us a spirit becoming the children of God: Obedient
1Pe 1:14 2Jo 1:6
free from sense of guilt, legal bondage, and fear of death
Ro 8:15 Ga 5:1 Heb 2:15
and elevated with a holy boldness and royal dignity
Heb 10:19,22 1Pe 2:9 4:14
Present protection, consolations, and abundant provisions
Ps 125:2 Isa 66:13 Lu 12:27-32 Joh 14:18 1Co 3:21-23 2Co 1:4
Present fatherly chastisements for our good
Ps 51:11,12 Heb 12:5-11
The certain inheritance of the riches of our Father's glory as heirs with God and joint-heirs with Christ
Ro 8:17 Jas 2:5 1Pe 1:4 3:7
including the exaltation of our bodies to the fellowship with him.
Ro 8:23 Php 3:21
Adoption proceeds from the Father, upon the merits of the Son, by the agency of the Holy Spirit.
Joh 1:12,13 Ga 4:5,6 Tit 3:5,6 Ro 8:17,29 Heb 2:17 4:15
All believers being subjects of the same adoption, are brethren.
Eph 3:6 1Jo 3:14 5:1
To make clean physically or morally
Of ceremonial purification
Heb 9:13
To render clean in a moral sense
1Co 6:11 Heb 13:12
To set apart from a common to a sacred use, to devote.
Mt 23:17 Joh 10:36 Mt 6:9 1Pe 3:15
Regeneration is the creative act of the Holy Spirit, implanting a new principle of spiritual life in the soul. Sanctification is the sustaining and developing work of the Holy Spirit, bringing all the faculties of the soul more and more perfectly under the purifying and regulating principle of spiritual life.
The sense in which the body is sanctified.
As being the temple of the Holy Spirit.
1Co 6:19
As being a member of Christ
1Co 6:15
It will be make like Christ's glorified body.
1Co 15:44 Php 3:21
To who the work of sanctification is referred.
To the Father
1Th 5:23 Heb 13:21
To the Son
Eph 5:25,26 Tit 2:14
To the Holy Spirit
1Co 6:11 2Th 2:13
The agency of the truth in the work of sanctification
Ps 119:9-11 Joh 17:19 Jas 1:18 1Pe 1:22 2:2 2Pe 1:4
THE UNION BETWEEN BELIEVERS; THE CHURCH AND ITS INSTITUTIONS
(Condensed from the Schaff-Herzogg Encyclopedia)
The word ECCLESIA in the New Testament means either the universal church of Christ, or a local congregation.
The early Christian church was at first composed of the disciples whom Jesus had personally gathered. It was a community inside of Judaism, with peculiar worship and government. It was the ECCLESIA; and by its name Paul calls it in his earliest epistles, whether in Palestine or outside.
1Th 2:14
Its complete name was the "Church of God," or the "Church of Christ"
Ro 16:16
whether of a single congregation, or of the whole body of believers. It was made up of the "sanctified in Christ Jesus"
1Co 1:2
the "called saints"
Ro 1:7
the "holy nation"
1Pe 2:9
the elect of all ages
Gal 6:16 Re 21:9,10,24-27
In the deep conception of Paul every believer was united with Christ, and entered this close union through baptism.
1Co 12:13 Ga 3:27
The church was Christ's body, of which he was the Head.
Col 1:14 2:19
The assembly of Christians is to be guided and led by recognised elders who are responsible before God as shepherds of his flock. The elders are to share various responsibilities with other spiritual and capable men and women.
Ac 14:23 20:17,28 1Ti 3:1-7 Tit 1:5-9 Php 1:1 Heb 13:17 1Pe 5:2,3 1Co 12:4-11
Ordinances:
As administered by John
Mt 3:5-12 Joh 3:23 Ac 13:24 19:4
Sanctioned by Christ's submission to it
Mt 3:13-15 Lu 3:21
Adopted by Christ
Joh 3:22 4:1,2
Appointed an ordinance of the Christian church
Mt 28:19,20 Mr 16:15,16
To be administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Mt 28:19
Water, the outward and visible sign in
Ac 8:36 10:47
Regeneration, the inward and spiritual grace of
Joh 3:3,5,6 Ro 6:3,4,11
Remission of sins, signified by
Ac 2:38 22:16
Unity of the Church effected by
1Co 12:13 Ga 3:27,28
Confession of sin necessary to
Mt 3:6
Repentance necessary to
Ac 2:38
Faith necessary to
Ac 8:37 18:8
There is but one
Eph 4:5
ADMINISTERED TO
Individuals
Ac 8:38 9:18
Households
Ac 16:15 1Co 1:16
Only to professing believers
Ac 2:38 Mt 3:6 Mr 16:16 Ac 8:12,37 10:47,48
Scriptures supporting infant baptism
Pr 30:6
Administered by immersing the whole body of the person in water
Mt 3:16 Ac 8:38,39
Emblematic of the influences of the Holy Spirit
Mt 3:11 Tit 3:5
Typified
1Co 10:2 1Pe 3:20,21
Prefigured
Ex 12:21-28 1Co 5:7,8
Instituted
Mt 26:26 1Co 11:23
Object of
Lu 22:19 1Co 11:24,26
Is the communion of the body and blood of Christ
1Co 10:16
Both bread and wine are necessary to be received in
Mt 26:27 1Co 11:26
Self-examination commanded before partaking of
1Co 11:28,31
Newness of heart and life necessary to the worthy partaking of
1Co 5:7,8
Partakers of, be wholly separate to God
1Co 10:21
Was continually partaken of, by the Church
Ac 2:42 20:7
Unworthy Partakers Of
Are guilty of the body and blood of Christ
1Co 11:27
Discern not the Lord's body
1Co 11:29
Are visited with judgments
1Co 11:30
Death, and the State of the Soul after Death
The different forms of expression by which death is described in the Scriptures.
Departure out of this world
2Ti 4:6
Going the way of all the earth
Jos 23:14
Gathered to one's fathers
Jud 2:10
Gathered to one's people
De 32:50
Dissolving the earthly house of this tabernacle
2Co 5:1
Returning to the dust
Ec 12:7
Sleep
Joh 11:11
Giving up the ghost or spirit
Ac 5:10
Absent from the body and present with the Lord
2Co 5:8
Sleeping in Jesus
1Th 4:14 Ec 12:7
The relation of death to sin.
The entire penalty of the law, including all the spiritual, physical, and eternal penal consequences of sin, is called death in the Scripture.
Ge 2:17 Ro 5:12
This included natural death
Ro 5:13,14
When Christ bore the penalty of the law, it was necessary for him to die
Heb 9:22
Why do the justified die?
It is made necessary from the present constitution of the body, while it is to both body and soul the gateway of heaven. The sting and fear of death are taken away.
1Co 15:55-57 Heb 2:15
They die "in the Lord"
Re 14:13
and shall at last be completely delivered from its power
1Co 15:26
Immateriality of the soul. Its continual existence after death.
The entire range of human experience fails to make us acquainted with a single instance of the annihilation of matter. Material BODIES, organised or chemically compounded, constantly come into existence and in turn pass away, yet never through annihilation but simply from the dissolution of that relation which these parts had temporarily sustained to each other. Spirit, however, is essentially simple and single, and therefore incapable of that dissolution of parts to which material bodies are subject. We infer, therefore, that spirits are immortal, since they cannot be subject to that only form of death of which we have any knowledge.
Argument derived from its imperfect development in this world.
In every department of organised life every individual creature, in its normal state, tends to grow toward condition of complete development, which is the perfection of its kinds. Every human being, however, is conscious that in this life he never attains that completeness which the Creator contemplated in the ideal of his type. He has faculties undeveloped, capacities unfulfilled, natural desires unsatisfied. He knows that he was designed to be much more than he is and to fill a much higher sphere.
Argument derived from the distributive justice of God.
It is a judgment of reason, and a fundamental Bible doctrine that moral good is associated with happiness, and moral evil with misery, by the unchangeable nature and purpose of God. But history establishes the fact that this life is not a state of retribution, here wickedness is often associated with prosperity, moral excellence with sorrow. We hence conclude that there is a future state where everything inconsistent with the justice of God shall be adjusted. See passage "Ps 73:1"
Conscience points to a future state.
Conscience is the voice of God in the soul, witnessing to our sinfulness, God's essential justice. The characteristic testimony of the human conscience has always been in accordance with the word of God, that, "after death comes the judgment."
Confirmed by the general consent of mankind.
This has been the universal faith of all men, of all nations, and in all ages. Universal consent, like every universal effect, must be referred to an equally universal cause, and this consent, uniform among men differing in every other possible respect, can be referred to no common origin other than the constitution of man's common nature, which is the testimony of his Maker.
The Old Testament teaches the same distinction between body and soul that is taught in the New Testament.
Ge 1:26,27 2:7 Ec 12:7
Our Saviour's argument
Lu 20:37,38
Old Testament passages implying a state of blessedness after death
Nu 23:10 Job 19:26,27 Ps 16:9-11 17:15 49:14,15 73:24-26 Isa 25:8 26:19 Da 12:2,3,13 Ho 13:14
Teaching of the New Testament
Lu 23:43 2Co 5:6-8 Php 1:23,24 Lu 16:23,24 Jude 1:5-7
The Greek Word is ANASTASIS, which signifies "a raising up." It is used Scripture to designate the future general raising, by the power of God, of the bodies of all men from the sleep of death.
Old Testament passages.
Job 19:25-27 Ps 49:15 Isa 26:19 Da 12:1-3
New Testament passages.
Mt 27:52,53 Joh 5:28,29 6:39 Ac 2:25-34 13:34 Ro 8:11,22,23 1Co 15:1-58 Php 3:20,21 1Th 4:13-17
The body to rise again
Php 3:21 1Co 15:53,54 Joh 5:28 1Th 4:13-17 1Co 6:15 Joh 20:27
The nature of the resurrection body
It is to be spiritual
1Co 15:44
Like Christ's body
Php 3:21
Glorious, powerful, and incorruptible
1Co 15:54
It shall never die
Re 21:4
Never to be given in marriage
Mt 22:30
The resurrection of Christ secures and illustrates that of his people
Because his resurrection seals and consummates his redemptive power, and the redemption of our bodies
Ro 3:23
Because of our federal and vital union with Christ.
1Co 15:21,22 1Th 4:14
Because of his Spirit who dwells in us
Ro 8:11
making our bodies his members.
1Co 6:15
Because Christ by covenant is Lord both of the living and the dead.
Ro 14:9
This same vital union causes the resurrection of the believer to be similar to, as well as consequent upon, that of Christ.
1Co 15:49 Php 3:21 1Jo 3:2
The Second Advent and the General Judgment
The meaning of the expression, "the coming" or "the day of the Lord," as used in both the Old and New Testaments.
For any special manifestation of God's presence
Isa 13:6 Jer 46:10 Joh 14:18,23
By way of eminence
In the Old Testament, for the coming of Christ in the flesh, and the abrogation of the Jewish economy.
Mal 3:2 4:5
In the New Testament, for the second and final coming of Christ.
The several terms referring to this last great event are:-
His "revelation"
1Co 1:7 2Th 1:7 1Pe 1:7,13 4:13
"Presence," "coming."
Mt 24:3,27,37,39 1Co 15:23 1Th 2:19 3:13 4:15 5:23 2Th 2:1-9 Jas 5:7,8 2Pe 1:16 3:4,12 1Jo 2:28
"Appearing," "manifestation"
2Th 2:8 1Ti 6:14 2Ti 4:1,8 Tit 2:13
"The day of the Lord," or a similar expression
Joh 6:39-54 Ro 2:5 1Co 1:8 Php 1:6,10 1Th 5:2 2Th 1:10 2Ti 1:12,18 2Pe 2:9 3:10,12 Jude 1:6 Re 6:17
Christ is called "the coming One" with reference to both advents.
Mt 21:9 Lu 7:19,20 19:38 Joh 3:31 Re 1:4 4:8
Evidence that a literal, personal advent of Christ still future is taught in the Bible.
The analogy of the first advent.
The coming itself, its manner and purpose, are alike defined
Mt 16:27 24:30 25:31 26:64 Mr 8:38 Lu 21:27
The apostles understood these predictions to relate to a literal advent of Christ in person
Ac 1:11 3:19-21 1Co 4:5 11:26 15:23 Heb 9:28 10:37
The exact time declared to be unknown
Mt 24:36 Mr 13:32 Lu 12:40 Ac 1:6,7 1Th 5:1-3 2Pe 3:3,4,10 Re 16:15
The Judge of the world.
This will be Jesus Christ, in his official character as mediator, in both natures, as the God-man. This is evident, -
Because as judge he is called the "Son of man"
Mt 25:31,32
and "the man ordained by God."
Ac 17:31
Because it pertains to him as mediator to complete and publicly manifest the salvation of his people and the overthrow of his enemies, together with the glorious righteousness of his work in both respects
2Th 1:7-10 Re 1:7
The subjects of the judgment
The whole race of man. The dead will be raised, and the living changed simultaneously.
Mt 25:31-46 1Co 15:51,52 2Co 5:10 1Th 4:17 2Th 1:6-10 Re 20:11-15
All evil angels
2Pe 2:4 Jude 1:6
Good angels appearing as attendants and ministers
Mt 13:41,42
The moral effect of the Scripture teaching as to Christ's second advent.
Christians ought thereby to be comforted when in sorrow, and always stimulated to duty.
Php 3:20 Col 3:4,5 Jas 5:7 1Jo 3:2,3
Their duty also to love, watch, wait for, and hasten to, the coming of their Lord.
Lu 12:35-37 1Co 1:7,8 Php 3:20 1Th 1:9,10 2Ti 4:8 2Pe 3:12 Re 22:20
Unbelievers should be filled with fearful apprehension, and should come to immediate repentance.
Mr 13:35,37 2Pe 3:9,10 Jude 1:14,15
New Testament usage of the words. "Heaven" used chiefly in three senses:-
The upper air where the birds fly
Mt 8:20 24:30
The region in which the stars reside
Ac 7:42 Heb 11:12
The abode of Christ's human nature, the scene of the special manifestation of divine glory, and of the eternal blessedness of the saints.
Heb 9:24 1Pe 3:22
Sometimes called the "third heaven."
2Co 12:2
The phrases "new heaven" and "new earth," in contrast with "first heaven" and "first earth," refer to some unexplained change by which God will revolutionise our portion of the physical universe, cleansing it from the stain of sin and qualifying it to be the abode of blessedness
Terms used to designate the future blessedness of the saints.
Literal terms:-
Life, eternal life
Mt 7:14 19:16,29 25:46
Glory, the glory of God, an eternal weight of glory
Ro 2:7,10 5:2 2Co 4:17
Peace
Ro 2:10
Salvation, and eternal salvation
Heb 5:7
Figurative terms:-
Paradise
Lu 23:43 2Co 12:4 Re 2:7
Heavenly Jerusalem
Ga 4:26 Re 3:12
Kingdom of heaven, heavenly kingdom, eternal kingdom, kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.
Mt 25:34 2Ti 4:18 2Pe 1:11
Eternal inheritance
1Pe 1:4 Heb 9:15
The blessed are said to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; to be in Abraham's bosom
Lu 16:22 Mt 8:11
to reign with Christ
2Ti 2:11,12
to enjoy a Sabbath of rest.
Heb 4:10,11
Heaven as a place
The Scriptures represent heaven as a definite place as well as a state of blessedness.
Joh 17:24 2Co 5:6-10 Re 5:6
Wherein does the blessedness of heaven consist as far as revealed?
In perfect deliverance from sin and all its evil consequences physical, moral, and social.
Re 7:16,17 21:4,27
In the perfection of our nature
1Co 13:9-12 15:45-49 1Jo 3:2
In the sight of our Redeemer, communion with his person, and fellowship in all his glory and blessedness, and through him with saints and angels.
Joh 17:24 1Jo 1:3 Re 3:21 21:3-5
In that "beatific vision of God" which, consisting in the ever increasingly clear discovery of the divine excellence lovingly apprehended, transforms the soul into the same image, from glory to glory.
Mt 5:8 2Co 3:18
The principal terms, literal and figurative, which are applied in Scripture to the future condition of the reprobate.
As a PLACE it is literally designated by Gehenna
Mt 5:22,29,30
and by the phrase "place of torment."
Lu 16:28
As a CONDITION of suffering, it is literally designated by the phrases "wrath of God"
Ro 2:5
and "second death."
Re 21:8
Figurative terms:-
"Everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels,"
Mt 25:41
"Hell, where their worm dies not and the fire is not quenched."
Mr 9:48
"The lake which burns with fire and brimstone."
Re 21:8
"The pit of the abyss."
Re 9:2
The dreadful nature of this abode of the wicked is implied in such expressions as
"outer darkness,"
Mt 8:12 22:13
the place where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth"
Mt 8:12 22:13
"I am in anguish in this flame"
Lu 16:24
"unquenchable fire"
Lu 3:17
"Furnace of fire"
Mt 13:42
"blackness of darkness"
Jude 1:13
torment "with fire and brimstone"
Re 14:10
"the smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever."
Re 14:11
The teaching of the Scriptures as to the nature of future punishments.
These sufferings will consist-
In the loss of all good
In all the natural consequences of unrestrained sin, judicial abandonment, utter alienation from God, and the society of the lost.
2Th 1:9
In the positive infliction of torment, God's wrath abiding upon those who do not believe.
Joh 3:36
The Scriptures also establish the facts that these sufferings must be-
Dreadful in degree
Endless in duration
Proportioned to the deserts of the subject
Mt 10:15 Lu 12:47,48
"FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE"
John 3:16
