ETCF IV.36 THE TITLES OF JESUS

Summary:

1. Messiah means “anointed one” and is used as a title for Jesus to signify His role as both King and Suffering Servant. Messiah is the title most frequently used for Jesus.
2. Lord is the second most frequently used title for Jesus and refers to His supreme authority as Sovereign of the universe.
3. Son of Man is the title Jesus used most often in reference to Himself. This title primarily refers to Jesus’ role as Judge of the whole cosmos.
4. The title Logos has a rich heritage in both Hebrew and Greek culture. Jesus is the Logos—the Creator of the universe, the ultimate reality behind the universe, and the One who is constantly sustaining the universe.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Gen1:1-2:3;Mat9:1-8;Mat16:13-21;Joh1:1-18;Rev19:11-16;

ETCF IV.35 THE THREEFOLD OFFICE OF CHRIST

Summary:

1. Jesus was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and was Himself a prophet.
2. Jesus was both Priest and sacrifice. As Priest, He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin.
3. Jesus is the anointed King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Psalm 110;Isaiah 42:1-4;Luke 1:26-38;Acts 3:17-26;Hebrews 5:5-6;

ETCF IV.34 JESUS CHRIST AS MEDIATOR

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1



GoogleBooks

Summary:
1. A mediator works to bring about reconciliation between estranged
parties.
2. Christ as the God-man reconciles us to the Father.
3. Christ and the Father are agreed from eternity that Christ should be our
Mediator.
4. Christ’s work of mediation is superior to prophets, angels, and Moses.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Romans 8:33-34;1 Timothy 2:5;Hebrews 7:20-25;Hebrews 9:11-22 ;



Hebrews 7 verse 25 (KJV)~Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him,seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.~Hebrews 7 verse 25


Hebrews 9 verse 14 (NIV)~How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!~Hebrews 9 verse 14

ETCF IV.33. THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST

From  Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul (c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part IV. Jesus Christ ~ 33. THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV]:

Luke 24:50-53; Romans 8:34; Romans 14:9-10; Ephesians 4:7-8; Hebrews 9:23-28;

Summary
1. The Ascension receives too little attention in the modern church.
2. The Ascension marks a critical point of Christ’s exaltation in redemptive history.
3. Christ departed in a cloud of glory.
4. Christ ascended to a specific place for a specific purpose: His coronation as King of Kings.
5. In His ascension, Christ entered His role as our heavenly High Priest and was seated at the right hand of God, the seat of cosmic authority.
6. From His position at the right hand of God, Jesus authorized the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
7. In His position of authority, Jesus is judge over all.
8. Jesus also serves as the advocate or defense attorney for His people.

ETCF IV.32. THE GLORY OF CHRIST

From  Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul (c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Biblical passages for reflection:
[Links to ESV]:

Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 13:24-27; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 22:4-5;

Summary:
1. The glory of Christ was revealed at His transfiguration.
2. The transfiguration of Christ was a change in form, a crossing of the natural into the supernatural.
3. Christ’s glory is not merely a reflection of God’s glory but the very glory of God Himself.

Mike's Notes: 

Best Verse! Revelation 22:4-5; cf. Revelation 21.23
Additional Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:18

ETCF IV.31. THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST

From  Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul (c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part IV. Jesus Christ ~ 31. The Baptism of Christ

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV Bible]:

Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:21;

Summary:

1. John’s baptism was preparation for the coming of the Messiah.
2. John’s baptism was insulting to the Jewish officials because it meant they were “unclean.”
3. Jesus was baptized not for His own sins but to identify with the sinners He came to save.
4. Jesus was ordained or anointed at His baptism.

My Reflections:
John correctly (again) identified Jesus as the *remover* of sin. "I need to be baptized by you."...this speaks again to Jesus divinity: Luke 5.21 "...who can *forgive* sins but God alone?"

2 Corinthians 5:21...is helpful in understanding summary point #3.

ETCF IV. 29 The Virgin Birth

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul (c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part IV. Jesus Christ ~ 29 The Virgin Birth

Biblical passages for reflection [Links to the ESV Bible]:

Isaiah 07.10-16; Matthew 01.23; Romans 01.03-04; 1Corinthians 15.45-49; Galatians 04.04;

Summary:

1. The Bible plainly and unambiguously teaches the Virgin Birth.
2. The birth of Jesus from a woman points to His humanity and His appearance as the new or second Adam.
3. That Jesus was born apart from human fatherhood points to His divine nature as the Son of God.
4. The denial of the Virgin Birth is usually linked to the denial of the supernatural or miraculous elements of Scripture.

My Notes:

ECTF>"overshadowing" echoes original account of Holy Spirit's work in creation ... reveals baby will be a special creation with His father being God Himself...

ECTF>Those who do not believe in the Virgin Birth usually do not believe that Jesus is the true Son of God.

Another link to all the audio:
http://bit.ly/ETCF_29_THE_VIRGIN_BIRTH_wpl

ETCF IV. 27 The Humanity of Christ

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul (c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part IV. Jesus Christ ~ 27 The Humanity of Christ

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV Bible]:

John 01.01-14; Galatians 04.04; Philippians 02.05-11; Hebrews 02.14-18; Hebrews 04.15;

Summary:

1. Jesus had a true human nature that was perfectly united with His divine nature.
2. Docetism said that Jesus did not have a real physical body.
3. The monophysite heresy involves the deification of the human nature by which His humanity is eclipsed by His deity.
4. Christ's humanity is the basis of His identification with us.
5. Jesus took our sins upon Himself and imparts His righteousness to us.
6. Jesus' human nature had the limitations of normal humanity except that He was without sin.

Another Link to all the Audio:
http://bit.ly/ETCF_27_WPL

My thoughts/reflections:

Suggestions from back of book:

'Beginning'

Lloyd-Jones, D. M. The Cross of Christ. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 1986.
McDowell, Josh, More Than a Carpenter. Weaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1980.
Sproul, R. C., Following Christ. Weaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1991.

'Intermediate'

Bruce, F.F. Jesus: Lord and Savior. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 1986.
Sproul, R. C. The Glory of Christ. Weaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publicatoins, Inc., 1990.
Stott, John. The Cross of Christ. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 1986.

Last updated: 2010-04-07 07:36

ETCF IV. 26 The Subordination of Christ

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part IV. Jesus Christ ~ 26 The Subordination of Christ

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV Bible]:

John 04.34; John 05.30; Philippians 02.05-08; Hebrews 05.08-10; Hebrews 10.05-10;

Summary:

1. Although Christ is equal to the Father in terms of His divine nature, He is subordinate to the Father in His role in redemption.
2. Subordination does not mean "inferior."
   
3. Christ's subordination is voluntary.
4. Christ's perfect obedience qualifed Him to be the sin bearer for His people and earned the rewards of heven promised to the redeemed.

Michael T. Bee's thoughts/reflections:

The cited reference to Christ's work from Westminster Confession seems a valuable summary:

It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose
and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son,
to be the Mediator between God and man, the Prophet,
Priest, and King, the Head and Savior of His Church,
the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world: unto whom
He did from all eternity give a people, to be His seed,
and to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified,
sanctified, and glorified.

-Chapter VIII. Of Christ the Mediator

Last updated: 2008-03-21 13:25

ETCF IV. 25 The Deity of Christ

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul (c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part IV. Jesus Christ ~ 25 The Deity of Christ

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV Bible]:

Mark 02.28; John 01.01-14; John 08.58; Philippians 02.09-11; Colossians 01.19;

Summary:

1. The deity of Christ is a doctrine essential to Christianity.
2. The church has had crises of heresy regarding Christ's deity in the fourth, fifth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries.
3. The Council of Nicea (A.D. 325) affirmed the deity of Christ, declaring that He is of the same substance or essence as the Father and that He was not a created being.
4. The New Testament clearly affirms the deity of Christ.
5. The Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451) declared that Jesus was truly God.

Another Link to all the Audio:
http://bit.ly/9jwzOd

Last updated: 2010-03-23 2:42

ETCF IV. 30 Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part IV. Jesus Christ ~ 30 Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten

Biblical passages for reflection[links to ESV]:

John 01.01-18; Colossians 01.15-19; Hebrews 01.01-14;

Summary

1. That Jesus is called “the only begotten of the Father” and “firstborn over all creation” has sparked controversy in church history over the deity of Christ.

2. Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons use these passages to deny the deity of Christ.

3. The Nicene Creed clearly spelled out that Jesus was “begotten, not made.” This careful distinction was a reflection of the New Testament’s affirmation of Christ’s deity.

4. Jesus is called “the only begotten” of the Father. Jesus is uniquely begotten of the Father, not as a creature, but as the eternal Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity.

5. The term firstborn must be understood from a first-century Jewish background. Jesus is the “firstborn over all creation” in the sense that He is the heir of all that belongs to the Father.


ETCF 4.30 Googlebooks

Another Link to all the Audio:

http://bit.ly/ETCF_030_JESUS_CHRIST_AS_THE_ONLY_BEGOTTEN_wpl

ETCF IV. 28 The Sinlessness of Christ

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part IV. Jesus Christ ~ 28

The Sinlessness of Christ

Biblical passages for reflection

[Links to the ESV Bible]:

Matthew 03.15; Romans 05.18-21; 2Corinthians 05.21; Hebrews 07.26; 1Peter 03.18;

Summary:

1. The sinlessness of Christ is necessary for our salvation.
2. Jesus made atonement as the Lamb without blemish.
3. Christ was not tempted by sinful desires.
4. By his perfect obedience Jesus supplied the righteousness (merit) we require to be saved.

Another link to all the audio:
http://bit.ly/ETCF_28_wpl

ETCF IV. 27 The Humanity of Christ

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part IV. Jesus Christ ~ 27 The Humanity of Christ

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV Bible]:

John 01.01-14; Galatians 04.04; Philippians 02.05-11; Hebrews 02.14-18; Hebrews 04.15;

Summary:

1. Jesus had a true human nature that was perfectly united with His divine nature.
2. Docetism saidt that Jesus did not have a real physical body.
   
3. The monophysite heresy invovles the deification of the human nature by which His humanity is eclipsed by His deity.
4. Christ's humanity is the basis of His identification with us.
5. Jesus took our sins upon Himself and imparts His righteousness to us.
6. Jesus' human nature had the limitations of normal humanity except that He was without sin.
   

Michael T. Bee's thoughts/reflections:

I wonder if it would help to read more on this?

Suggestions from back of book:

'Beginning'

Lloyd-Jones, D. M. The Cross of Christ. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 1986.
McDowell, Josh, More Than a Carpenter. Weaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1980.
Sproul, R. C., Following Christ. Weaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1991.

'Intermediate'

Bruce, F.F. Jesus: Lord and Savior. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 1986.
Sproul, R. C. The Glory of Christ. Weaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publicatoins, Inc., 1990.
Stott, John. The Cross of Christ. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 1986.

Last updated: 2008-03-21 13:25

ETCF IV. 26 The Subordination of Christ

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part IV. Jesus Christ ~ 26 The Subordination of Christ

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV Bible]:

John 04.34; John 05.30; Philippians 02.05-08; Hebrews 05.08-10; Hebrews 10.05-10;

Summary:

1. Although Christ is equal to the Father in terms of His divine nature, He is subordinate to the Father in His role in redemption.
2. Subordination does not mean "inferior."
   
3. Christ's subordination is voluntary.
4. Christ's perfect obedience qualifed Him to be the sin bearer for His people and earned the rewards of heven promised to the redeemed.

Michael T. Bee's thoughts/reflections:

The cited reference to Christ's work from Westminster Confession seems a valuable summary:

It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose
and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son,
to be the Mediator between God and man, the Prophet,
Priest, and King, the Head and Savior of His Church,
the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world: unto whom
He did from all eternity give a people, to be His seed,
and to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified,
sanctified, and glorified.

-Chapter VIII. Of Christ the Mediator

Last updated: 2008-03-21 13:25

ETCF IV. 25 The Deity of Christ

From Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
(c) 1992 R. C. Sproul Published by Tyndale ISBN 0-8423-2006-1

Part IV. Jesus Christ ~ 25 The Deity of Christ

Biblical passages for reflection
[Links to the ESV Bible]:

Mark 02.28; John 01.01-14; John 08.58; Philippians 02.09-11; 

Colossians 01.19;

Summary:

1. The deity of Christ is a doctrine essential to Christianity.
2. The church has had crises of heresy regarding Christ's deity in the fourth, fifth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries.
3. The Council of Nicea (A.D. 325) affirmed the deity of Christ, declaring that He is of the same substance or essence as the Father and that He was not a created being.
4. The New Testament clearly affirms the deity of Christ.
5. The Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451) declared that Jesus was truly God.

GoogleBooks ~ Search ~ "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith ~ The Deity of Christ

ETCF.025.THE_DEITY_OF_CHRIST.00a.mp3(secure file)