IV. The Lord Jesus Christ (Christology)
A. Person of the Trinity B. Incarnation C. Life and Ministry D. Redemption
E. Resurrection
1. We teach that our justification is made sure1 by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead 2 and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, 3 where He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest. 4
2. We teach that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son 5 and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. 6 Jesus' bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers. 7
1 Romans 4:25 2 Luke 24:38-39 3 Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1 4 Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1 5 Romans 1:4 6 Romans 4:25 7 John 5:26-29; Romans 6:5-8
F. Return
1.
· justification made sure
(literal, physical) .
· ascended to right hand
· Advocate and High Priest
2.
· confirmed deity
· proof God accepted work on cross
· guarantee resurrection for believers
Discussion Questions:
· Why is it important that Christ had a "literal, physical" resurrection?
· Discuss the ways that our hope of the resurrection should affect us. ( see 1 Corinthians 15:16-19 &32-34; 58; Romans 6:1-11 if you need help thinking of things.)
· The Bible refers to our being risen (Col. 3:1-2) and seated (Eph. 2:4-10) with Christ. How should that affect our priorities (be specific) and spiritual effectiveness?
· What does it mean for us to follow Christ's example as a High Priest and Advocate? ( Refer to Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:15-5:2; 7:25b; comp. with Job 1:4-5; & 1 John 2:1 for help if needed.)
Carpenter Flock 15.04.17
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Resurrection
I. We teach that
A. our justification is made sure1
Romans 4:25
20 He [Abraham] did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
4:25. Mentioning the Lord Jesus led Paul to state again the Savior’s central place in God’s program of providing righteousness for sinful people by grace through faith. Both Christ’s death and His resurrection are essential to that work of justification. He was delivered over (by God the Father; cf. 8:32) to death for our sins (lit., “on account of or because of” [dia with the accusative] “our trespasses” [paraptōmata, “false steps”; cf. 5:15, 17, 20; Eph. 2:1]). Though not a direct quotation, these words in substance are taken from Isaiah 53:12 (cf. Isa. 53:4-6). Also He was raised to life for (“on account of” or “because of” [dia with the accusative]) our justification. Christ’s death as God’s sacrificial Lamb (cf. John 1:29) was to pay the redemptive price for the sins of all people (Rom. 3:24) so that God might be free to forgive those who respond by faith to that provision. Christ’s resurrection was the proof (or demonstration and vindication) of God’s acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice (cf. 1:4). Thus because He lives, God can credit His provided righteousness to the account of every person who responds by faith to that offer.
John A. Witmer, Bible Knowledge Commentary
Commenting on the words, “was raised for our justification,” Denney says: “He was delivered up on account of our offences—to make atonement for them; and He was raised on account of our justification—that it might become an accomplished fact.…Paul does ascribe expiatory value to the death or blood of Christ: in the sense it is true the work of Christ was finished on the Cross. But Paul never thought of that by itself: he knew Christ only as the Risen One who had died, and who had the virtue of His atoning death ever in Him; this Christ was One, in all that He did and suffered—the Christ who had evoked in him the faith by which he was justified, the only Christ through faith in whom sinful men ever could be justified; and it is natural, therefore, that he should conceive Him as raised with a view to our justification.” “Offences” is paraptōa (πu945 ρu945 πu964 ωu956 α). The verb is parapiptō (πu945 ρu945 πu953 πu964 ω), “to deviate from the right path, turn aside,” thus “to trespass, transgress.”
Translation. Now, it was not written for his sake alone, namely, that it was put to his account, but also for our sakes, to whose account it is to be put, to ours who place our faith upon the One who raised Jesus our Lord out from among the dead, who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.
Kenneth Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament
Compare with Philippians 2.8-9
B. by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead 2 and
2 Luke 24:38-39
36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
1) Jesus declared that he had flesh and bones. Luke 24:39
2) It could be touched. Matt. 28:9
3) Matthew said the women who met Christ on the resurrection morning held him by the feet.
4) Christ partook of food in the presence of his disciples Luke 24:41-43
5) Jesus would recognized by his own after the resurrection, even to the imprint of the nails. Luke 24:34-39; John 20:25-28 Note that on the road to Emmaus "their eyes were kept from recognizing Him." (Luke 24:31)
Henry Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology p. 245
Discuss: How was Christ's resurrection different from Lazarus (John11:1-44)?
We must not fall into the error of thinking that nonmaterial existence is somehow a better form of existence for creatures; when God made us as the pinnacle of his creation, he gave us physical bodies. I a perfected physical body Jesus ros from the dead, now reigns in heaven, and will return to take us to be with himself forever. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, p.613
C. that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where
Ephesians 1:20;
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
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The position to a ruler’s right was a position of great honor and authority; to be seated at God’s right hand was to be enthroned as ruler of the cosmos, even if not all his enemies had been destroyed (Ps 110:1).
Bible Background Commentary on Eph. 1.20
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Ephesians 2
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
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Colossians 3:1
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
D. He now mediates as our Advocate and High Priest. 4
Romans 8:34
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Hebrews 7:25
20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:
The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
‘You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek’”),
22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Luke 22:32
31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." 33 But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." 34 Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."
II. We teach that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave,
A. God confirmed the deity of His Son 5 and
Romans 1:4 1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
++++++
B. gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work of Christ on the cross. 6
6 Romans 4:25
20 He [Abraham] did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
4:25. Mentioning the Lord Jesus led Paul to state again the Savior’s central place in God’s program of providing righteousness for sinful people by grace through faith. Both Christ’s death and His resurrection are essential to that work of justification. He was delivered over (by God the Father; cf. 8:32) to death for our sins (lit., “on account of or because of” [dia with the accusative] “our trespasses” [paraptōmata, “false steps”; cf. 5:15, 17, 20; Eph. 2:1]). Though not a direct quotation, these words in substance are taken from Isaiah 53:12 (cf. Isa. 53:4-6). Also He was raised to life for (“on account of” or “because of” [dia with the accusative]) our justification. Christ’s death as God’s sacrificial Lamb (cf. John 1:29) was to pay the redemptive price for the sins of all people (Rom. 3:24) so that God might be free to forgive those who respond by faith to that provision. Christ’s resurrection was the proof (or demonstration and vindication) of God’s acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice (cf. 1:4). Thus because He lives, God can credit His provided righteousness to the account of every person who responds by faith to that offer.
John A. Witmer, Bible Knowledge Commentary
Commenting on the words, “was raised for our justification,” Denney says: “He was delivered up on account of our offences—to make atonement for them; and He was raised on account of our justification—that it might become an accomplished fact.…Paul does ascribe expiatory value to the death or blood of Christ: in the sense it is true the work of Christ was finished on the Cross. But Paul never thought of that by itself: he knew Christ only as the Risen One who had died, and who had the virtue of His atoning death ever in Him; this Christ was One, in all that He did and suffered—the Christ who had evoked in him the faith by which he was justified, the only Christ through faith in whom sinful men ever could be justified; and it is natural, therefore, that he should conceive Him as raised with a view to our justification.” “Offences” is paraptōa (πu945 ρu945 πu964 ωu956 α). The verb is parapiptō (πu945 ρu945 πu953 πu964 ω), “to deviate from the right path, turn aside,” thus “to trespass, transgress.”
Translation. Now, it was not written for his sake alone, namely, that it was put to his account, but also for our sakes, to whose account it is to be put, to ours who place our faith upon the One who raised Jesus our Lord out from among the dead, who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.
Kenneth Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament
C. Jesus' bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers.
John 5:26-29
24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
Romans 6:5-8
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
