There is a term that has been around for quite a while now -
"Born Again Christian."
The first time I remember hearing it was in the 1976 presidential
campaign, and Jimmy Carter announced that he was a "Born Again
Christian."
Since then, the world has trivialized the term "born again." This term began to
be used to describe not only Christians, but also it seemed, almost
anyone who had fallen on hard times, committed a crime, or just had
messed up his life in general, only to make a great "comeback."
These people now had a "new lease on life." Entertainers, athletes,
businessmen, and others who had turned their life around after suffering
through hard times, were being called "born again" fill in the blanks.
Sports Illustrated even got in on the act, with a cover story on Bjorn Borg,
the tennis great from Sweden. When he won several Wimbledon tournaments
in a row, the headline was "Bjorn Again."
While watching the game show Jeopardy, years ago I heard some words that surprised
me. The category was Christianity (if I recall correctly), and the answer given
(the response, of course, had to be in the form of a question) was "when a
Christian rededicates his life to Christ."
The correct response (according to the Jeopardy producers) given by the contestant
was "what is being 'born again?" When host Alex Trebeck said, "that's correct,"
I replied out loud, "What? No! No! No! That is NOT correct, Alex!"
If that were true, then any time a Christian rededicated his life to Christ,
he would be "born again." So, a person could be "born again" over and over
and over.
That is not what the Bible describes as being "born again." The term goes back
to the New Testament, when Jesus used it, as recorded in the gospel of John. He
was talking about a different kind of "born again" - a spiritual type.
In Hebrews 9:28, we see that "Christ was sacrificed
ONCE to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time,
not to bear sin, but to bring salvation, to those who are waiting for him."
Just as Christ died ONCE for sinners, so are sinners who repent and trust
in him alone for salvation, "born again" only ONCE.
In John 3:3&7, Jesus made it plain that a person MUST be "born again" to be
saved or see the kingdom of God. "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born
again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
"Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again'" (John 3:7).
Therefore, according to the words of Jesus, we can safely conclude that the
term "Born Again Christian" is redundant. The word "Christian" is unnecessary,
because if a person is "born again," (biblically speaking) he IS a Christian!
We can also conclude that anyone who is not "born again" is not a Christian.
That may be politically incorrect to say today, but based on the words of Jesus,
it is the truth.
********************************************************************************
Much more on being "born again" next time.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Jesus Came To Save His People!
It's that time again - Christmas! Christians around the world celebrate
the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, on this day.
But why did he have to come as he did, born in a lowly manger
in Bethlehem?
Theologian Robert Peterson wrote, "In order to turn aside the wrath
of God against guilty sinners, he had to become one with them and die as
a substitute for them."
"If the Son had not become a human being, he could not have lived a
sinless human life, died and risen again to deliver his people. To perform
his saving work, he had to become to one of us."
"Bethlehem (The cradle) led to Calvary (The cross), where the purpose
of Christ's coming was achieved. Then the resurrection."
Jesus accomplished his mission, saving his people, who were dead in their
sins, and sat down at the right hand of God, signifying that his work of redemp-
tion was complete and that he is actively ruling with God the Father as Lord
over all.
"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his
being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided puri-
fication for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven"
Hebrews 1:3.
Jesus is God himself, the absolute authentic representation of God's being.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For
by himself all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities: all things were
created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold
together" Colossians 1:15-17.
John MacArthur wrote, "The word 'firstborn' does not mean Jesus was a
created being. The word describes Jesus' rank, not his origin."
"The firstborn in a Hebrew family was the heir, the ranking one, the one
who had all the rights of inheritance. In a royal family, the right to rule.
Christ is the one who inherits all creation, and has the right to rule over it.
He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
********************************************************************************
When I was a child, I thought Jesus came to be at Bethlehem. I didn't
understand that he had existed for all time with the Father, and was in fact
the Creator of everything.
"In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him
all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made"
John 1:1-3.
Jesus came to heal the spiritually sick, call sinners, and seek and save
the lost. "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost"
Luke 19:10.
Jesus is the only way to salvation; the only way to be reconciled to God.
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me" John 14:6.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven given to men by which we must be saved" Acts 4:12.
**************************************************************************
Jesus came to give us a fuller life here on earth and in heaven ("I have
come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly" John 10:10), but ultimately
he came to save his people.
"An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Joseph,
son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because
what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins" Matthew 1:20-21.
The name 'Jesus' means 'Savior,' and another name he is known by
is 'Immanuel,' which means 'God with us.' Jesus came to live with his
people, and redeem them and save them from the Father's wrath and hell.
**********************************************************************
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul told his fellow Christians how they
should live and who Jesus is.
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being
in nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in
human likeness."
"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became
obedient to death - even death on a cross!"
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that
is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in
heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" Philippians 2:5-11.
One day everyone will acknowledge Jesus as Lord!
Wouldn't it be a better world if every Christian's "attitude [was] the same as
that of Christ Jesus?"
Then we would have the "Christmas Spirit" everyday!
Merry Christmas!!!!
the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, on this day.
But why did he have to come as he did, born in a lowly manger
in Bethlehem?
Theologian Robert Peterson wrote, "In order to turn aside the wrath
of God against guilty sinners, he had to become one with them and die as
a substitute for them."
"If the Son had not become a human being, he could not have lived a
sinless human life, died and risen again to deliver his people. To perform
his saving work, he had to become to one of us."
"Bethlehem (The cradle) led to Calvary (The cross), where the purpose
of Christ's coming was achieved. Then the resurrection."
Jesus accomplished his mission, saving his people, who were dead in their
sins, and sat down at the right hand of God, signifying that his work of redemp-
tion was complete and that he is actively ruling with God the Father as Lord
over all.
"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his
being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided puri-
fication for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven"
Hebrews 1:3.
Jesus is God himself, the absolute authentic representation of God's being.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For
by himself all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities: all things were
created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold
together" Colossians 1:15-17.
John MacArthur wrote, "The word 'firstborn' does not mean Jesus was a
created being. The word describes Jesus' rank, not his origin."
"The firstborn in a Hebrew family was the heir, the ranking one, the one
who had all the rights of inheritance. In a royal family, the right to rule.
Christ is the one who inherits all creation, and has the right to rule over it.
He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
********************************************************************************
When I was a child, I thought Jesus came to be at Bethlehem. I didn't
understand that he had existed for all time with the Father, and was in fact
the Creator of everything.
"In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him
all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made"
John 1:1-3.
Jesus came to heal the spiritually sick, call sinners, and seek and save
the lost. "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost"
Luke 19:10.
Jesus is the only way to salvation; the only way to be reconciled to God.
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me" John 14:6.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven given to men by which we must be saved" Acts 4:12.
**************************************************************************
Jesus came to give us a fuller life here on earth and in heaven ("I have
come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly" John 10:10), but ultimately
he came to save his people.
"An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Joseph,
son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because
what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins" Matthew 1:20-21.
The name 'Jesus' means 'Savior,' and another name he is known by
is 'Immanuel,' which means 'God with us.' Jesus came to live with his
people, and redeem them and save them from the Father's wrath and hell.
**********************************************************************
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul told his fellow Christians how they
should live and who Jesus is.
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being
in nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in
human likeness."
"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became
obedient to death - even death on a cross!"
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that
is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in
heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" Philippians 2:5-11.
One day everyone will acknowledge Jesus as Lord!
Wouldn't it be a better world if every Christian's "attitude [was] the same as
that of Christ Jesus?"
Then we would have the "Christmas Spirit" everyday!
Merry Christmas!!!!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Christ's Third Saving Event - His Death!
We've been looking at highlights from Robert A. Peterson's new book
Salvation Accomplished By The Son.
*There are nine saving events in Christ's life.
*The first was the incarnation, and the second was Christ's sinless life.
*The third saving event is His death.
Here are more highlights from the chapter.
*It was the will of God the Father to crush Jesus on the cross in order to pay for our
sins. "Yes, it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when
his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand" (Isaiah 53:10).
************************************************************************************
*Results of Jesus' death: A. Accomplished justification
B. An offering for guilt which makes atonement and procures forgiveness
C. Sanctifies "many nations"
D. Wins a great victory
*************************************************************************************
*Jesus' death was predicted in the Old Testament.
"... when they look on me, on him whom they pierced, they shall mourn for him ..."
Zechariah 12:10.
" ... an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing" Daniel 9:26a.
*Jesus predicted his death. " ... The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands
of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise" Mark
9:31.
*During the crucifixion, darkness covered Israel for three hours, as a sign of judgment
for rejecting the Messiah. It was also a sign of judgment against Jesus, as the Son became
the Sin-Bearer.
*John 19:30 "It is finished" triumphantly announces the completion of Jesus' mission.
*Mark and Luke record the curtain torn in two in The Holy of Holies, demonstrating
the efficacy of Jesus' death. It was torn from top to bottom - an act of God, not men.
Christ, crucified had given believers access to the presence of God.
*Numbers 21 Moses raised a bronze serpent, and all who looked at it were delivered
from the snakes.
Jesus was raised up in crucifixion so that all who look to him would be delivered from
eternal condemnation.
*Jesus, The good Shepherd, lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:15).
*Jesus lays down his life (crucifixion) that he may take it up again (resurrection).
These verses shows that Jesus raised himself from the grave (John 10:17-18).
*Jesus' death is an atoning death that brings forgiveness to everyone who believes.
*Jesus' sacrificial death is completely adequate for the needs of all men, but only
believers will be saved.
*A grain of wheat must be buried if it is to yield fruit for man, so Jesus must give
himself in death to produce a harvest of life for the world.
*Jesus is the believers' propitiation and expiation.
*Propitiation is the turning away of God's wrath.
*Expiation is the putting away of sin.
*God forgave Old Testament believers on the basis of the work of Christ to come!
*Reconciliation means peacemaking, and the Reconciler must be a man because death
is necessary and God in heaven cannot die.
The Reconciler is Christ, God incarnate.
*He, himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
Jesus reconciles his people to God the Father by his death on the cross.
We (his people) receive redemption through his blood (death).
* Jesus shows his love for us by giving himself as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God
(Ephesians 5:2).
*The sinner has two things wrong - spiritual death and uncleanness. The remedy for spiritual
death is regeneration (Colossians 2:13) and the remedy for uncleanness is full pardon for sin
(Col. 2:14) where God cancels our debt that stood against us.
*Record of debt refers to our not keeping the Ten Commandments.
God cancelled our (believers) debt, nailing it to the cross (penal substitution).
*Hebrews 1:3 Christ's atonement is FINAL because he sat down at the right hand of God
after his sacrifice. Christ's atonement is PERFECT because of where he sat down. At the
right hand of God is the chief place of authority and honor in the universe.
The Father's way of showing that the Son's work of atonement is complete and perfect.
Nothing can be added.
Christ's atonement is EFFECTIVE because of where he sat. He satisified all of the Father's
requirements to make atonement and secured an eternal redemption for his people!
*Christ's death accomplishes two goals: 1) Destroys the Devil (Rev 20:10) and
2) Delivers his people from hell (Romans 5:9).
*Peter teaches that the spirit constitutes sinners as saints and as a result (although simultaneously)
they obey the gospel, that is, believe in Jesus and are cleansed by his atoning death
(1 Peter 1:1-2).
Not that he "offered" our sins on the tree, but that he "bore" them on the tree. He carried our
sins away in his death.
*CHRIST'S DEATH SAVES!
Peter presents Christ's death as saving in that his shed blood cleanses and redeems, and he
carries our sins away to the tree. He dies in our (believers) place to join us to God. (1 Peter
3:18-19).
*God's love precedes and precipitates ours.
*CHRIST'S ATONEMENT IS THE MOST EMPHATIC DEMONSTRATION OF WHAT
GOD'S LOVE IS!
*Christ's redemptive death is efficacious to redeem; it actually ransoms people for God (does
not just make salvation possible). It is for all people, from "every tribe and language and
people and nation."
*His death does not save everyone, but saves all of God's people from every people group, tongue
ethnicity and political entity (Rev 5:6,9).
*The result is that ransomed people belong to God as a kingdom of priests. John thus presents
The Church as the new Israel, seeing the purpose for Old Testament Israel's existance - to be
a kingdom of prests and a holy nation - fulfilled in Christ's redeemed people, including believing
Jews and Gentiles.
*Christ is the believer's: 1) Legal substitute 2) Victor 3) Redeemer 4) Reconciler and 5) Sacrifice.
Salvation Accomplished By The Son.
*There are nine saving events in Christ's life.
*The first was the incarnation, and the second was Christ's sinless life.
*The third saving event is His death.
Here are more highlights from the chapter.
*It was the will of God the Father to crush Jesus on the cross in order to pay for our
sins. "Yes, it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when
his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand" (Isaiah 53:10).
************************************************************************************
*Results of Jesus' death: A. Accomplished justification
B. An offering for guilt which makes atonement and procures forgiveness
C. Sanctifies "many nations"
D. Wins a great victory
*************************************************************************************
*Jesus' death was predicted in the Old Testament.
"... when they look on me, on him whom they pierced, they shall mourn for him ..."
Zechariah 12:10.
" ... an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing" Daniel 9:26a.
*Jesus predicted his death. " ... The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands
of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise" Mark
9:31.
*During the crucifixion, darkness covered Israel for three hours, as a sign of judgment
for rejecting the Messiah. It was also a sign of judgment against Jesus, as the Son became
the Sin-Bearer.
*John 19:30 "It is finished" triumphantly announces the completion of Jesus' mission.
*Mark and Luke record the curtain torn in two in The Holy of Holies, demonstrating
the efficacy of Jesus' death. It was torn from top to bottom - an act of God, not men.
Christ, crucified had given believers access to the presence of God.
*Numbers 21 Moses raised a bronze serpent, and all who looked at it were delivered
from the snakes.
Jesus was raised up in crucifixion so that all who look to him would be delivered from
eternal condemnation.
*Jesus, The good Shepherd, lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:15).
*Jesus lays down his life (crucifixion) that he may take it up again (resurrection).
These verses shows that Jesus raised himself from the grave (John 10:17-18).
*Jesus' death is an atoning death that brings forgiveness to everyone who believes.
*Jesus' sacrificial death is completely adequate for the needs of all men, but only
believers will be saved.
*A grain of wheat must be buried if it is to yield fruit for man, so Jesus must give
himself in death to produce a harvest of life for the world.
*Jesus is the believers' propitiation and expiation.
*Propitiation is the turning away of God's wrath.
*Expiation is the putting away of sin.
*God forgave Old Testament believers on the basis of the work of Christ to come!
*Reconciliation means peacemaking, and the Reconciler must be a man because death
is necessary and God in heaven cannot die.
The Reconciler is Christ, God incarnate.
*He, himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
Jesus reconciles his people to God the Father by his death on the cross.
We (his people) receive redemption through his blood (death).
* Jesus shows his love for us by giving himself as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God
(Ephesians 5:2).
*The sinner has two things wrong - spiritual death and uncleanness. The remedy for spiritual
death is regeneration (Colossians 2:13) and the remedy for uncleanness is full pardon for sin
(Col. 2:14) where God cancels our debt that stood against us.
*Record of debt refers to our not keeping the Ten Commandments.
God cancelled our (believers) debt, nailing it to the cross (penal substitution).
*Hebrews 1:3 Christ's atonement is FINAL because he sat down at the right hand of God
after his sacrifice. Christ's atonement is PERFECT because of where he sat down. At the
right hand of God is the chief place of authority and honor in the universe.
The Father's way of showing that the Son's work of atonement is complete and perfect.
Nothing can be added.
Christ's atonement is EFFECTIVE because of where he sat. He satisified all of the Father's
requirements to make atonement and secured an eternal redemption for his people!
*Christ's death accomplishes two goals: 1) Destroys the Devil (Rev 20:10) and
2) Delivers his people from hell (Romans 5:9).
*Peter teaches that the spirit constitutes sinners as saints and as a result (although simultaneously)
they obey the gospel, that is, believe in Jesus and are cleansed by his atoning death
(1 Peter 1:1-2).
Not that he "offered" our sins on the tree, but that he "bore" them on the tree. He carried our
sins away in his death.
*CHRIST'S DEATH SAVES!
Peter presents Christ's death as saving in that his shed blood cleanses and redeems, and he
carries our sins away to the tree. He dies in our (believers) place to join us to God. (1 Peter
3:18-19).
*God's love precedes and precipitates ours.
*CHRIST'S ATONEMENT IS THE MOST EMPHATIC DEMONSTRATION OF WHAT
GOD'S LOVE IS!
*Christ's redemptive death is efficacious to redeem; it actually ransoms people for God (does
not just make salvation possible). It is for all people, from "every tribe and language and
people and nation."
*His death does not save everyone, but saves all of God's people from every people group, tongue
ethnicity and political entity (Rev 5:6,9).
*The result is that ransomed people belong to God as a kingdom of priests. John thus presents
The Church as the new Israel, seeing the purpose for Old Testament Israel's existance - to be
a kingdom of prests and a holy nation - fulfilled in Christ's redeemed people, including believing
Jews and Gentiles.
*Christ is the believer's: 1) Legal substitute 2) Victor 3) Redeemer 4) Reconciler and 5) Sacrifice.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Salvation Accomplished By The Son - Christ's Sinless Life
In the last post I blogged about the new book I'm reading, Salvation Accomplished
By the Son.
* Nine saving events in Jesus' life are covered in the book, and the incarnation (Jesus' birth)
was the first.
* Christ could represent mankind only if He became one with them, and could redeem
them by dying as their substitute, and satisfy God's wrath against them for their sins.
***************************************************************************
Here are some more highlights from the book.
* The second saving event was Christ's sinless life.
There are two main elements: 1) He was free from actual sin (unlike us).
2) He was free from inherent sin (unlike us).
* The Old Testament predicts his sinlessness.
Isaiah was written 700 years before Christ's birth, yet it described the Messiah and what
He would do for His people.
Isaiah 53:9 describes his sinlessness - there was no violence or deceit in His mouth.
Isaiah 53:11 - By His knowledge He will make many to be accounted righteous and shall
bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:12 - He bore the sin of many and makes intercession for the transgressors.
* The New Testament reveals His sinlessness.
"For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become
the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21. Martin Luther calls this verse "The Great
Exchange," (Christ's righteousness for our sinfulness).
* Jesus offers us mercy because his sinless humanity enables Him to sympathize with
His People.
* Jesus was "made perfect" by suffering and obeying the Father.
* Jesus came as an infant in order for Him to experience human life, with all its trials and
temptations, triumphantly.
* Because the Son of God was tried, tested, and found blameless, he is able as our great
High Priest to offer the unique sacrifice of Himself on earth and then to take that offering
into the presence of His Father in heaven to avail perpetually for His people.
**************************************************************************
Next time we'll look at the third saving event in Christ's life - His death.
By the Son.
* Nine saving events in Jesus' life are covered in the book, and the incarnation (Jesus' birth)
was the first.
* Christ could represent mankind only if He became one with them, and could redeem
them by dying as their substitute, and satisfy God's wrath against them for their sins.
***************************************************************************
Here are some more highlights from the book.
* The second saving event was Christ's sinless life.
There are two main elements: 1) He was free from actual sin (unlike us).
2) He was free from inherent sin (unlike us).
* The Old Testament predicts his sinlessness.
Isaiah was written 700 years before Christ's birth, yet it described the Messiah and what
He would do for His people.
Isaiah 53:9 describes his sinlessness - there was no violence or deceit in His mouth.
Isaiah 53:11 - By His knowledge He will make many to be accounted righteous and shall
bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:12 - He bore the sin of many and makes intercession for the transgressors.
* The New Testament reveals His sinlessness.
"For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become
the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21. Martin Luther calls this verse "The Great
Exchange," (Christ's righteousness for our sinfulness).
* Jesus offers us mercy because his sinless humanity enables Him to sympathize with
His People.
* Jesus was "made perfect" by suffering and obeying the Father.
* Jesus came as an infant in order for Him to experience human life, with all its trials and
temptations, triumphantly.
* Because the Son of God was tried, tested, and found blameless, he is able as our great
High Priest to offer the unique sacrifice of Himself on earth and then to take that offering
into the presence of His Father in heaven to avail perpetually for His people.
**************************************************************************
Next time we'll look at the third saving event in Christ's life - His death.
Monday, December 12, 2011
'Salvation Accomplished By the Son: The Work Of Christ'
I've been reading a great new book by Robert A. Peterson, entitled 'Salvation Accomplished By The Son: The Work Of Christ.'
Here is an introduction and a few highlights of what I've read so far (it's a long book and I have a long way to go to finish).
*A popular Christian symbol seen on cars and other places is the fish.
'Fish,' when spelled in Greek letters (ichthys) was an ancronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior."
* Reasons to read this book:
1. Christ's death is debated.
2. Christ's resurrection is neglected.
3. Christ's death and resurrection and death are part of His story.
4. Christ's death and resurrection are interpreted by pictures.
Christ is our Reconciler, Redeemer, Legal Substitute, Victor, Second Adam, and Sacrifice.
*Christ's nine saving events:
1. Incarnation 2. Sinless life 3. Death 4. Resurrection 5. Ascension
6. Session 7. Pentecost 8. Intercession 9. Second Coming
I. INCARNATION
Hebrews 2:14-17 - "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."
"For surely it is not angels that He helps, but He helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people."
* Peterson points out that Christ could represent mankind only if He became one with them. In order for Christ to turn aside the wrath of God against guilty sinnners, He had to become one with them and die as a substitute for them.
* If the Son had not become a human being, He could not have lived a sinless human life, died, and risen again to deliver his people.
* He could not have ascended, sat down at God's right hand, poured out the Holy Spirit, interceded for His own, and come again.
* To perform these saving works, He had to become one of us.
* Bethlehem (The cradle) led to Calvary (The cross) where the purpose of Christ's coming was achieved.
" For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
" The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost," 1 Timothy 1:15.
Then the resurrection.
In the next blog, I'll look at the second of Christ's saving events - Christ's sinless life.
Here is an introduction and a few highlights of what I've read so far (it's a long book and I have a long way to go to finish).
*A popular Christian symbol seen on cars and other places is the fish.
'Fish,' when spelled in Greek letters (ichthys) was an ancronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior."
* Reasons to read this book:
1. Christ's death is debated.
2. Christ's resurrection is neglected.
3. Christ's death and resurrection and death are part of His story.
4. Christ's death and resurrection are interpreted by pictures.
Christ is our Reconciler, Redeemer, Legal Substitute, Victor, Second Adam, and Sacrifice.
*Christ's nine saving events:
1. Incarnation 2. Sinless life 3. Death 4. Resurrection 5. Ascension
6. Session 7. Pentecost 8. Intercession 9. Second Coming
I. INCARNATION
Hebrews 2:14-17 - "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."
"For surely it is not angels that He helps, but He helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people."
* Peterson points out that Christ could represent mankind only if He became one with them. In order for Christ to turn aside the wrath of God against guilty sinnners, He had to become one with them and die as a substitute for them.
* If the Son had not become a human being, He could not have lived a sinless human life, died, and risen again to deliver his people.
* He could not have ascended, sat down at God's right hand, poured out the Holy Spirit, interceded for His own, and come again.
* To perform these saving works, He had to become one of us.
* Bethlehem (The cradle) led to Calvary (The cross) where the purpose of Christ's coming was achieved.
" For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
" The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost," 1 Timothy 1:15.
Then the resurrection.
In the next blog, I'll look at the second of Christ's saving events - Christ's sinless life.
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