In Titus 2:1, Paul instructs, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” Theology is the foundation of our faith. Throughout this year, we will be sharing some articles with you that have been penned by our board members. A few of them have taken much time to research and write about an area of systematic theology. We hope this will be an encouragement to your faith. This month, Bro. Fred Daniel, Jr. has written an article on Christology–The Doctrine of Christ.
Hebrews 6:1–2 — Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
The angel said to the shepherds, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” The very object for which He was born, and came into this world, was that He might deliver us from sin. What, then, was it that made us afraid? Were we not afraid of God, because we felt that we were lost through sin? Well, then, here is joy upon joy, for not only has the Lord come among us as a man, but He was made man in order that He might save man from that which separated him from God. (1)
From Creation through Revelation, Christ is The Theme of Scripture! He is “The Word made flesh,” the embodied reality of the Written Word.
I. He is The Chosen of God – in Him we have the very Best God had to offer for us for salvation, daily life and eternity.
II. He is the Son of God – Jesus brings to the table His Divinity, which will assure us of God’s presence, peace and omniscience. He is The Son of The Living God.
III. He is a man – not just any man, He is God Incarnate. He identifies clearly with us in our humanity.
IV. He is The Lord – He has rule, authority and control over everything. He is now, and will be in eternity, the Lord of Glory. He is our Master.
V. He is The Power of God – He can do whatever is necessary to fulfill the will and purpose of God the Father. He is our Advocate, seeking our best at the right hand of God The Father.
VI. He is The Foundation – He is The Sure Basis of all the Bible teaches, of all we need spiritually.
VII. He is the Chief Cornerstone – He sets the standard upon which the Apostles laid the foundation of the Church. He is The Rock.
VIII. He is The Saviour of the World – there is no other.
IX. He is The Bread of Life – He provides the spiritual food for salvation and sanctification.
X. He is The Giver of Light – He shows the way to salvation and to successful Christian living.
XI. He is The Lamb of God – He is the perfect, one-time, all-sufficient Sacrifice for the sin of all humanity. He is the only Sacrifice for sin!
XII. He is the Reconciler of men – He is the only way for men to be made right and at peace with The Holy God.
XIII. He is The Purger of consciences – He gives peace to those who believe so that they are not condemned by their own knowledge of their wicked past.
XIV. He is The Head of The Church – He leads believers corporately to accomplish the Father’s will on earth.
XV. He is The Hope of Glory – He not only guides, protects and strengthens us on earth, but He is our Blessed Hope for our eternity with God.
XVI. He is The Firstfruits of The Resurrection – He was able to raise Himself from the grave; therefore, He is certainly capable to raise deceased believers’ bodies and rapture them along with living believers on that great day!
XVII. He is The Judge – our salvation and our works are known to Him. He will reward us at the Judgement Seat with mercy and grace.
Christology is the beginning point in a believer’s life. As ministers of the Gospel, we must baptize men in this important doctrine; we must thoroughly ground them in Who He, The Messiah, is. Christology is a foundation, a foundation that is laid once. Upon this foundation men must move on and build the Christian life for this dispensation, for a temporary time in heaven, for the Millennial Age, and, ultimately, for the Eternal Age on the New Earth. Christ is, and will be, our Hope and Stay forever.
If men are to understand the fullness of all God has for them as believers, we must make certain they are solidly immersed in Christology!
No aristocratic Christ have I to commend to you, but the Saviour of the people, the Friend of publicans and sinners. Jesus is the true “poor man’s Friend;” He is “a Witness to the people, a Leader and Commander to the people.” Oh, that each one of us might truly say, “Unto me is Jesus born”! If I truly believe in Him, Christ is born unto me, and I may be as sure of it as if an angel announced it personally to me, since the Scripture assures me that, if I believe in Jesus, He is mine, and I am His, and through union with Him I become a partaker in His everlasting life, and in all that He has. (2)
Pastor Fred T. Daniel, Jr.
Brookhaven Baptist Church
Greensboro, NC
If this has been a blessing to you or you would like to share your thoughts with Bro. Daniel, you can contact him via email here.
Citations:
(1) Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). Christ’s Incarnation: The foundation of Christianity (p. 25). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
(2) Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). Christ’s Incarnation: The foundation of Christianity (p. 32). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.