Light of the Gospel Baptist Church
Preparing for Baptism
Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith and Ethics
Doctrine about Jesus Christ
Statement of Faith
We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God Eternal (1John 5:20; Tit. 2:13), who has no beginning or end (Heb. 7:3). He is also the Creator of the Universe (Col. 1:16).
We believe God the Son existed with the Father from eternity past (Ps. 2:7; John 1:18). Before the creation of the world, God foreordained the Son to be a sacrifice for the propitiation of sin, and the redemption and salvation of the entire human race (1Pet. 1:18-20, 2:24, 3:18; 1John 2:2; Gal. 4:4).
God the Son became a man (1Tim. 2:5; 1Tim. 3:16), yet retained the fullness of His deity, being both fully God and fully man (Luke 1:35). He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Matt. 1:18). He was without sin (1Pet. 2:22; 1John 3:5).
Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world, promised to us by God (Gen. 3:15; Luke 4:18-19; John 4:42; Acts 2:36, 4:12; Eph. 5:2). Christ redeemed us with His blood and became the only mediator between God and man (Col. 1:20; 1Tim. 2:5-6; Tit. 2:14; Heb. 7:24-25). By His death and resurrection, Christ defeated the devil and death (1Cor. 15:54-57; Rev. 3:21, 5:5). He sets believers free of eternal punishment (Rom. 6:9; 2Tim. 1:10; Heb. 2:14). Christ is the Head of the Church (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22- 23, 5:23; Col. 1:18). Having arisen from the dead and ascended into heaven, Jesus Christ is Head of the Church. Now in glory, He gives eternal life to those who believe in Him, and He intercedes for His children before the Father (John 6:47; 1John 2:1; 1Tim. 3:16). He will be the Judge of the Universe and its King forever and ever (John 5:22; Acts 17:31; Rev. 11:15).
Importance of the Doctrine of Jesus Christ
The doctrine about personality of Jesus Christ is the foundation of all Christian core beliefs, because all believers are His followers. What does a person think about Christ? This question is so important that the salvation of our soul depends on the answer to it. Christianity, as areligious teaching, has the deepest connection with the Person of Christ. Therefore, let’sconsider the most important aspects of the doctrine of Christ: His incarnation, His divine and human nature, and His death and resurrection.
- То confirm God’s promises. Throughout the Old Testament, God at all times promised to send his Son into the world. More than 60 prophecies about Christ came to be during His life on Earth.
- To remove sin. Sin is the reason, which separates us from God and makes the salvation of man impossible. People cannot free themselves of sin with their own personal efforts, since they are already living in sin. Because of His incarnation, Jesus Christ became a person, born NOT in sin. In other words, sin did not have any authority over Him. For this reason, He could sacrifice Himself for our sins, so that God could forgive us and accept us.
- To destroy the deeds of the devil. The incarnation of Christ and His death on the Calvary cross led to a complete victory over death and the devil. Accepting death, He was able to conquer death with His Resurrection (John 14:19). Conquering death, He made Satan powerless against those who are saved. “…That through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14).
4. To show us an example of a holy life. Christ was blameless in His teaching, actions and character. For us, He is an illustration of what God wants us to be. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1John 2:6).
The Deity of Jesus Christ
If Jesus Christ is God, He must have all the attributes that God has. Many people readily acknowledge Jesus Christ as an outstanding person, but they doubt His divinity. Recognition of Jesus Christ as God means to submit to His authority and the Word. Denying the divinity of Christ means depriving humankind of the Savior.
1. The Bible directly calls Christ God:
• “And we know that the Son of God has
come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life”(1John 5:20).
- He is given divine names:
- First and Last (Rev. 1:17; Rev. 22:13)
- Lord (Luke 2:11)
- Mighty God, Everlasting Father (Ish. 9:6)
- He has Divine attributes:
- Eternity (John 17:5, Phil. 2:6, Col.1:16-17)
- Omniscience (John 2: 24-25, John 6:64)
- Omnipotence (Heb. 1:3)
- He accepted worship, acted as God, did what only God has the right to do:
- Jesus declared “your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5)
- He spoke of the future judgment over the world (Matthew 25:31-46)
- Jesus declared that He has the power to give life (John 5:21).
Important to remember
Reasons for Incarnation of Christ
- То confirm God’s promises.
- To remove sin.
- To destroy the deeds of the devil.
- To show us an example of a holy life.
The uniqueness of Christ’s nature
- God the Son became a man yet retained the fullness of His deity, being both fully God and fully man.
- He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin.
- There was no sin in Him.
The Deity of Jesus Christ
- He is given divine names.
- He has divine attributes.
- He accepted worship as God.
- He forgave sins.
- He has the power to give life.
The Humanity of Jesus Christ
- He was born and grew up as a person.
- He had the same physical needs as all people.
- He expressed the same feelings and emotions as all people.
Importance of the Death of Christ
- God can forgive sin only when a punishment is received.
- Jesus died for the sins of all people in the world.
The Humanity of Jesus Christ
If Jesus Christ was a man, He must had all the qualities that people have. This was necessary so that He could offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of people and to satisfy the justice of God. The humanity of Jesus Christ is confirmed by the following characteristics:
- Birth (Luke 2:7, Gal 4:4).
- Growing up, like all people (Luke 2:40).
- Asking questions (Luke 2:46).
- He was successful in wisdom (Luke 2:52).
- He looked like a normal person (John 4:9).
- He felt hungry (Matt. 4: 2)
- He was thirsty (John 19:28)
- He was tired (John 4: 6)
- He was asleep (Matt. 8:24)
- He loved (Mark 10:42)
- He showed mercy (Matt. 9:36)
- He was angry and grieved (Mark 3:5)• He wept (John 11:35)
The Infallibility of Christ
By becoming a man, Jesus Christ obeyed all human laws of nature, including death. However, His main difference from the rest of the people was that He did not sin like the rest.
- “He did no sin …” (1 Pet 2:22).
“…but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).
The Importance of the Death of Christ
It is the main condition for our salvation. Jesus Christ needed to ascend to the cross so that man could be saved (John 3:14-16). Sin cannot be forgiven only based on the sinner’s repentance. God can forgive sin only when a punishment is received or carried upon someone. For this, Christ took upon Himself the punishment of all sinners (Rom. 3:25).
The extent of Christ’s death. Christ died for all sin (John 1:29). Although Jesus died for the sins of all people in the world, only the ones who accept Him with faith and come to Him with repentance will receive salvation.
Christ’s Resurrection
His resurrection supports His deity. Apostle Paul tells us that Christ’s death was a sign or proof of His divinity: “and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness,by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4).
His resurrection gives foundation for our resurrection. Christ’s resurrection is our guarantee thatour bodies will be resurrected as well (1Cor. 15:20-23; 1Thes. 4:14).
The Resurrection of Christ confirms our justification. “…Who was delivered up because of ouroffenses and was raised because of our justification” (Rom. 4:25). If Christ remained in the tomb, there would be no justification for us. However, the fact of His resurrection shows us that the work was done, the price was paid, and God is forever satisfied with the Christ’s redemptionof sins.
What does the term “justification” mean? Justification is the action of God, through which He declares the believer innocent for the crimes that he committed.
How to become like Jesus?
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1Peter 2:21).
1. Study and read about Jesus Christ as much as possible.
• ” You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are
they which testify of Me” (John 5:39).
- Love Him. Share this love with others.
- “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all yoursoul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37).
- “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another” (John 13:34).
- Obey His commandments. One of the most important commandments of Christ is the Golden Rule on the attitude towards our neighbors.
- ” You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14).
- ” And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise” (Luke 6:31).
- Be humble.
• ” He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the
cross” (Phil 2:8).
5. Forgive others; do not hold grudge and bitterness.
• “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against
another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Col. 3:13).
6. Devote yourself to serving Christ.
• ” If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also.
If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor” (John 12:26).
7. Be ready for persecution for Christ.
• “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they
persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).
Key verse:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8)
Key questions:
1. What are the four main reasons for Christ’s incarnation? 2. What are the evidences of the humanity of Christ?
3. What are the evidences of the deity of Christ?
4. What is the importance of Christ’s death?
5. What is the importance of the resurrection of Christ?
6. How to become like Jesus?
7. Learn by heart and write down the key verse of Romans 5:8.
