Foundation Study
Jesus Christ
What do the following verses say about Jesus Christ?
1. Colossians 1:15
Notes
Jesus is God in human form. Jesus is the exact likeness of God. (Hebrews 1:3; Philippians 2:6; John 1:14) Eugene Petersons states, "We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen." MacArthur adds, "Jesus is both the representation and manifestation of God."
Jesus is eternally preexistent. (Colossians 1:17; John 1:1–2, 8:58) He existed before creation. He was already present as a member of the Godhead before time began. His birth was His entrance onto the stage of humanity, not the beginning of His existence.
Jesus reigns over all that exists. (Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 1:6) Ryrie states, "The Son has all the rights belonging to the first born, because of his preeminent position over all things."
Jesus is eternally preexistent. (Colossians 1:17; John 1:1–2, 8:58) He existed before creation. He was already present as a member of the Godhead before time began. His birth was His entrance onto the stage of humanity, not the beginning of His existence.
Jesus reigns over all that exists. (Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 1:6) Ryrie states, "The Son has all the rights belonging to the first born, because of his preeminent position over all things."
2. Colossians 1:16
Notes
Jesus is the Creator of all things. (John 1:3, 1:10; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Hebrews 1:2) He is the agent through whom God created everything. Jesus displays his glory as Redeemer (Hebrews 9:12), King (Revelation 19:16), and Creator. (John 18:36)
3. John 1:1
Notes
Jesus is God. He is referenced as: God (Philippians 2:6; John 10:33; Titus 2:13), the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3), the image of God (Colossians 1:15), the bodily expression of God (Colossians 2:9), equal with God (John 5:18), the fullness of God (Colossians 1:19), and possessing the authority of God. (Luke 5:20–26)
4. Matthew 1:18
Notes
Jesus was born of a virgin. (Matthew 1:22–24; Luke 1:35) His virgin birth accomplished two things. First, it revealed Jesus to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament Messianic prophecy. (Isaiah 7:14) Second, it enabled Jesus to become the Savior of humanity. Only perfect (Hebrews 4:15), human (Hebrews 10:4), blood (Hebrews 9:22) could provide a "once for all time" (Hebrews 10:10) sacrifice for humanity. (Hebrews 2:14–15)
5. Luke 7:21-22
Notes
Jesus is supernatural. He possessed supernatural powers, extraordinary compassion, and unmatched love.
- He has power over death (John 11:40–44; Luke 7:11–17; Mark 5:35-42), demons (Mark 5:9–13; Luke 4:35), sickness and infirmities. (Matthew 4:24, 8:16, 9:35, 12:15)
- He demonstrated authority over nature. (Mark 4:35–41; Luke 9:12-17)
- He revealed His glory through his transformation. (Luke 9:28–36)
- He demonstrated compassion for the lonely (John 5:6), love for the isolated (John 4:9), comfort for the grieving. (John 4:49–50)
- He granted forgiveness for the guilty. (John 8:11)
6. Hebrews 4:15
Notes
Jesus is sinless. (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 3:5; 1 Peter 1:19, 2:22; Hebrews 7:26). His sinlessness is evidence of His divine nature, and causes Him to be merciful towards our sins. It enables Him to serve as a substitutional sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
7. I Corinthians 15:3-4
Notes
Jesus died for our sins and rose from death. His death and resurrection defeated our sin and death. (Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:14)
He died for our sins. (Isaiah 53:5-6; Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; Romans 4:25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18) Jesus died; His death was real. (John 19:30-35) Jesus died for us; His death was substitutional. It was on our behalf; it was sacrificial. It was atoning. He took upon himself the punishment we deserved. It satisfied the wrath of God for our sins. (Romans 3:25 NASB; Hebrews 2:17 NASB; 1 John 2:2 NASB, 1 John 4:10 NASB) Ryrie states, "Propitiation means the turning away of wrath by an offering....[It] means placating or satisfying the wrath of God by the atoning sacrifice of Christ."1
The atoning sacrifice of Christ brings forgiveness (Acts 13:38; Romans 5:15; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:19-20), and provides reconciliation with God. (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Colossians 1:22)
He arose from death. (Matthew 16:21, 28:5–7; Acts 2:24, 2:32, 3:15, 4:10, 5:30, 10:40). His resurrection proves His identity (Romans 1:4), empowers us for godly living (Ephesians 1:19-20), and guarantees our resurrection (John 6:39-40; 1 Corinthians 6:14. 15:20-23) because it defeated the power of death (1 Corinthians 15:54–57).
His resurrection was not a secret or hidden event, but attested by an abundance of eyewitnesses, over an extended period of time, in various locations (1 Corinthians 15:5–8; 1 John 1:1–4). Affirming the significance of the resurrection, Ryrie states, "He was delivered for our offenses and raised for our justification. Without the Resurrection there is no Gospel."2
Resource: Read He is Risen: Three Words That Change Everything.
He died for our sins. (Isaiah 53:5-6; Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; Romans 4:25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18) Jesus died; His death was real. (John 19:30-35) Jesus died for us; His death was substitutional. It was on our behalf; it was sacrificial. It was atoning. He took upon himself the punishment we deserved. It satisfied the wrath of God for our sins. (Romans 3:25 NASB; Hebrews 2:17 NASB; 1 John 2:2 NASB, 1 John 4:10 NASB) Ryrie states, "Propitiation means the turning away of wrath by an offering....[It] means placating or satisfying the wrath of God by the atoning sacrifice of Christ."1
The atoning sacrifice of Christ brings forgiveness (Acts 13:38; Romans 5:15; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:19-20), and provides reconciliation with God. (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Colossians 1:22)
He arose from death. (Matthew 16:21, 28:5–7; Acts 2:24, 2:32, 3:15, 4:10, 5:30, 10:40). His resurrection proves His identity (Romans 1:4), empowers us for godly living (Ephesians 1:19-20), and guarantees our resurrection (John 6:39-40; 1 Corinthians 6:14. 15:20-23) because it defeated the power of death (1 Corinthians 15:54–57).
His resurrection was not a secret or hidden event, but attested by an abundance of eyewitnesses, over an extended period of time, in various locations (1 Corinthians 15:5–8; 1 John 1:1–4). Affirming the significance of the resurrection, Ryrie states, "He was delivered for our offenses and raised for our justification. Without the Resurrection there is no Gospel."2
Resource: Read He is Risen: Three Words That Change Everything.
- Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular, Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago: Moody) 339, Kindle.
- Ryrie, 308
8. John 14:6
Notes
Jesus is the only way to God. (John 1:51, 10:9; Acts 4:12, 10:43; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 5:12) Faith in Jesus Christ is the sole means by which a person can receive forgiveness, be granted eternal life, and experience a right relationship with God. While it is exclusive to Christ, it is available to anyone, anywhere, anytime (Romans 10:13).
9. Acts 1:9-11
Notes
Jesus ascended to heaven and will return again. (Matthew 16:27; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Luke 17:30; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:4; 1 Timothy 6:14) After He arose, Jesus remained in His resurrected state for forty days. He then ascended to heaven. Jesus will return. (Luke 21:27; John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 1:7) When He returns, it will not be as the suffering servant (Mark 10:44), but as the ruling King (Revelation 19:11–13). Upon His return, Jesus will defeat rebellion (Revelation 19:14-21), rule for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-6), judge (Satan and unbelievers) eternally (Revelation 20:7-15), and reign with believers forever in heaven. (Revelation 21-22; Daniel 7:13–14)
10. Romans 8:34
Notes
Jesus is praying for believers. (Hebrews 7:25) Jesus' seated position indicates the finality of his redemptive work. Salvation is complete. (John 19:30; Hebrews 9:12, 28) He is praying for believers by defending them against Satan's accusations. (Revelation 12:10) His defense is that His death and resurrection permanently paid the price for all sins, past, present, and future. (Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 10:12)
11. Video Resources
Notes
- Before Time Began, Jesus Was (3:26) Desiring God
- The Birth of Jesus (5:05) Bible Project
- The reality of the incarnation (1:18) David Platt
- The Incarnation and Jesus Christ (2:39) Ryan Reeves
- What is the incarnation? (3:30) Three Minute Theology
- Why is the humanity of Jesus important? (3:55) Got Questions
- What does it mean that Jesus fulfilled the law, but did not abolish it? (6:00) Got Questions
- How the incarnation makes us humble (1:53) The Veritas Forum
- What does it mean to know Jesus? (3:47) Got Questions
- The Baptism of Jesus (5:23) The Bible Project
- The Crucifixion of Jesus (4:25) The Bible Project
- Sacrifice and Atonement (6:50) Bible Project
- What is substitutionary atonement? (3:30) Three Minute Theology
- Jesus Absorbed the Wrath of God (6:30) David Platt
- Where Was Jesus for the Three Days Between His Death and Resurrection? (5:10) GotQuestions.org
- The Resurrection of Jesus (5:15) The Bible Project
- Is the resurrection of Jesus Christ true? (4:14) Got Questions
- 4 Proofs of the Resurrection (2:19) Lee Strobel
- Why is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Important? (6:04) GotQuestions.org
- Where Was Jesus for the Three Days Between His Death and Resurrection? (5:10) GotQuestions.org
- What is the meaning and importance of the ascension of Jesus Christ? (2:42) GotQuestions.org
- The Council of Nicaea, (9:29) Inspiring Philosophy
- What happens to those who never heard bout Jesus? (3:42) Got Questions
- 3 Minutes to live (5:58) Ray Comfort
Which verse meant the most to you? Explain.