Bible Doctrine II – Christology
I. Christology
Preincarnate Christ
I believe in Christ’s Preexistence. Preexistence means that Christ existed before His own birth. (Ryrie 273) Christ existed before the universe was created. If Christ came into existence at birth then there is no existence of the eternal Trinity. (Ryrie 273) He (Jesus Christ) could not be God if there was no preexistence; because God is eternal. (Ryrie 274)
I believe that Christ has a heavenly origin, for this to be true He must be preexisting before His birth, John 3:13 and 31. (Ryrie 274)
I believe that Christ is Eternal. By saying that Christ is eternal I mean that Christ existed before His birth, and even before creation. (Ryrie 274) Another reason that Christ is eternal is because of His activity in Creation; of which He was involved in all aspects of creation. The Extent (John 1:3; Hebrews 1:2,) the Purpose (Colossians 1:16,) and the Continuation of creation (Colossians 1:17.) (Ryrie 275)
Incarnation
I believe that Christ was Incarnated in “the form of sinful man” at the virgin birth. (Ryrie 278) The purpose of the Incarnation of Christ was to provide an effective sacrifice, as stated in Hebrews 1:10. (Ryrie 281)
Deity
I believe in the deity of Christ. Christ has attributes that only God could have, therefore He is God. I believe that Christ came to earth in a Human body. Christ kept all the attributes of His Deity and they were combined with the attributes he would possess as a human when he was Incarnated in the form of sinful man. This combination of the attributes is called the Hypostatic Union. (Ryrie 284)
Sinlessness
I believe that Christ was sinless. It has been said that Christ came in full deity and full humanity. However full humanity would require sin, Christ could not sin. This is the doctrine of impeccability. (Ryrie 304) Christ came in the form of sinful man; Christ came in full deity and perfect humanity.
Death, Burial, and Resurrection
I believe that Christ was crucified for the sins of the world. That He was buried, and on the third day he Rose again. His death provided redemption for the sinner. (1 Corinthians 6:20) The death provided propitiation for our sins. (Romans 3:25) As a result, the sinner is forgiven (Colossians 2:13) and justified [Justification means to declare righteous] through His death. (Romans 5:1) Christ rose again on the Third day, and was seen by various groups of people. The group of women (Matthew 28:8-10), Peter (Luke 24:34), the disciples (Mark 16:14), and those who witnesses the ascension (Luke 24:44-53). (Enns 244-245)
Ascension
I believe that Christ ascended into heaven. This ascension was witnessed by the Apostles as well as others who were present. A purpose of the ascension of Christ was to send the Holy Spirit (John 16:7) if Christ had not ascended the Holy Spirit could not have came to the Believers. Another result of the Ascension was the birth of the church (Acts 2)
May 28, 2010
jacoblaws
