Christopher L. Scott

Correct (and Required) Conclusions about Christ

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ESSENTIAL BELIEFS ABOUT CHRIST FOR CHRISTIANS1

  1. Christ has existed forever (he was not created).
  2. Christ was born by a virgin named Mary (he was not conceived like other humans).
  3. Christ knew he was God when he lived on earth (he didn’t “grow into” that knowledge or “attain” it).
  4. Jesus conducted literal miracles while on earth (they were not “magic” or “deceptions” or “slight of hands” or exaggerated stories by observers).
  5. Jesus understood that his death would pay for the sins of humanity (he knew what he was doing when he went to the cross).
  6. Jesus rose from the dead with a body (he was not a “ghost” or a “phantom” or the “hallucination” of emotionally distraught followers).
  7. Jesus will literally and physically return to the earth in the future (this hasn’t happened yet and will be a literal historical event in the future).

INDIRECT EVIDENCE FOR THE DEITY OF JESUS2

  • Divine Attributes (Preexistence, Omnipresence, Omnipotence, Immutable, Truth, Life, Light, etc.)
  • Divine Activities (miracles, forgiveness of sins, creating/sustaining the universe, lordship over Spirit)
  • Divine Titles (Lord, Savior and Redeemer, King of Israel, Holy One)
  • Worship (by masters and slaves, men and women, Jews and Gentiles)

DIRECT EVIDENCE FOR THE DEITY OF JESUS

  • The Prediction of the Divine Son (2 Sam 7:12–16)
  • The Pronouncement of the Divine Son (Matt 26:62–66)
  • The Preeminence of the Divine Son (Col 1:15–20)

HINTS ABOUT THE HUMANITY OF JESUS

  • Jesus had a human body born of a woman (Gal 4:4), he was subject to growth (Luke 2:52), and he was seen as well as touched by men (1 John 1:1; Matt 26:12).
  • Jesus was tired from a journey, so he rested (John 4:6).
  • Jesus was angry at the temple (Matt 12:13), at the stubborn hearted Pharisees (Mark 3:5), at evil spirits (Mark 1:23–28); and when the disciples inhibited children (Mark 10:13–16).
  • Jesus wept about the death of Lazarus (John 11:33, 35, 38) and grieved over Jerusalem (Matt 23:37).
  • Jesus was distraught about his own death (Matt 26:37–38).
  • Jesus was thirsty (John 4:7; 19:28).
  • Jesus was hungry (Matt 4:2; John 4:8).
  • Jesus sweat drops of blood (Luke 22:44).
  • Jesus had compassion on the crowd (Matt 9:6).
  • Jesus was able to die.

CLEAR SIGNS OF THE HUMANITY OF JESUS

  • The Promise of God Becoming Human (Gen 12:1–3; Gal 3:6–9)
    • The Humanity of Christ Was Promised (Gen 12:1–3).
    • The Humanity of Christ Was Rooted in Faith History (Gal 3:6–9).
  • The Person of God Becoming Human (Phil 2:5–8)
  • The Purpose of God Becoming Human (Heb 2:14–15)

REASONS FOR THE INCARNATION3

1. To reveal God to men (John 1:18).

2. To provide an example for living (1 Peter 2:21).

3. To provide the sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:1–10).

4. To destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

5. To be a merciful High Priest (Heb. 5:1–2).

6. To fulfill the Davidic covenant (Luke 1:31–33).

7. To be highly exalted (Phil. 2:9)

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Christopher L. Scott is a pastor and author of the book, Walking Straight When Life Goes Sideways: Essential Christian Truths for Enduring Life’s Trials (Wipf and Stock). He provides hundreds of free articles, videos, and Bible study resources at his website ChristopherLynnScott.com.

1 These notes have been compiled by Christopher L. Scott.

2 Adapted from notes from J. Scott Horrell, forthcoming book.

3 Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago: Moody Press, 1995), 2059.