“Incarnation” comes from 2 words which are combined to mean “in” “flesh.” When we talk about the incarnation of Christ, we mean that God took on humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. How did that happen? The simple answer is the Virgin Birth. But think about how can God become man and still remain God.
That is what the subject of the incarnation deals with. How did God become man? And Why?
The class notes are now available.
Jesus Christ Our Lord, by Dr. John Walvoord is the classic text on the subject of Christology, and it is still the best. Dr. Walvoord was President of Dallas Theological Seminary for 40 years and wrote several books which have become the classic texts in their fields. This book is one I have enjoyed and have referred to constantly through the years.
Kelly Carr
See more below.
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Jesus Christ Our Lord By John Walvoord / Moody PublishersAcknowledging both the size of the task and its importance, Dr. Walvoord has written this systematic presentation of the person and work of Christ. Analyzing the Old Testament, he shows Christ in its history, typology, and prophecy. Then, in the New Testament, he examines the life and work of the incarnate Christ. The doctrines of atonement, redemption, propitiation, and reconciliation are thoroughly and clearly discussed. |
Several words are used to translate the word “type” in the New Testament. “Type,” “Shadow,” “Representation,” etc. Perhaps the word “prototype” gives you a better understanding of what a type is. If you think of a shadow, it is often a vague outline of something tangible. Perhaps you have shined a light on the wall in a dark room and played “shadow puppets.” You can make a shadow that looks like a bunny, or a puppy, etc. The Old Testament in expectation of the Messiah, used a number of “types” to better describe Christ and His work. He is compared to Adam, Aaron, Isaac, Joseph, the Passover, the Rock, Manna, and many others.
So far we have discussed, Adam, Aaron, Isaac, and Joseph. Since we did not cover nearly all of our material, we will still be on this subject next Sunday, March 9. We did update the notes and they are ready for download.
One character we really want to cover next Sunday is Melchizedek. Look at the notes and read the passages that discuss this little known character of Scripture. I think you will be amazed as you read what the Bible says about him. It really gives you an insight into the intricacy of the Scriptures. God had these things written hundreds and even thousands of years before Messiah came and they weave together perfectly.
Hope to see you Sunday.
Kelly
A “Type” is a representation or pre-figureing of something. We might think of it as a template or even a shadow.
The Old Testament is full of “Types” of Christ. These are intentionally placed in the Scripture to describe and identify the Messiah when He came. Some “types” are people, such as Melchizedek, or Isaac. Some “types” are things such as Noah’s Ark. Some “types” are events or ceremonies such as Passover. Each of them beautifully picture the life and ministry of Jesus Christ hundreds of years before His Incarnation.
Feel free to download these “updated notes.”
See you Sunday!
Sorry about leaving the “preliminary notes” up. I am uploading the updated class notes now.
Josh McDowell in his classic, Evidence that Demands a Verdict, states that there are more than 300 references to the Messiah in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. No other religious figure of any religion can claim anything like this. What does this say about the person and nature of Jesus Christ.
In our next class we will examine a few of these references and consider their implications.
Here is a chart taken from the Ryrie Study Bible that lists a few of the Old Testament references and their New Testament fulfillment.
Dear Auditorium Class of Wellspring Church,
This is a rare occasion. The handouts for next Sunday’s class are already posted. You may go to the page that is marked as the page where all the class notes are available for download and find “Christology 101 Lesson 7 More Christophanies.” Feel free to download it and study ahead.
I don’t plan to make a habit of this in case anyone is wondering. So enjoy it while you can.
Also, feel free to invite a friend to take a look at our blog or the class notes and invite them to come this Sunday. This week’s lesson should be very interesting. We will be discussing a mass death, a talking donkey (not in the movie Shrek), and Mr. Chicken. The one unifying factor is a Christophany.
Your fellow pilgrim,
Pastor Kelly
PS If you look at the Scripture and have some questions ahead of time, please feel free to post them here. I will try to take a look again before Sunday.
We owe the early church leaders a great debt for their faithful legacy to the truth, in spite of personal comfort or acceptance. They embodied their beliefs in doctrinal statements called Creeds. These men were not ivory tower theologians. They lived in a real world that was hostile to the truth about Jesus Christ. Most of them had personally suffered persecution or torture for their faith. It makes these early church statements all the more rich and precious.
Feel free to download the class handout below that describes some of these councils and creeds.
• Since the death of Jesus Christ, 2000 years ago, 43 million Christians have become martyrs
• Over 50% of these were in the last century alone
• More than 200 million Christians face persecution each day, 60% of whom are children
• Every day over 300 people are killed for their faith in Jesus Christ.
— World Evangelical Encyclopedia
These numbers are staggering. And they are increasing at an alarming rate, particularly in countries who do not have religious freedom as we have in the United States.
What one thing did all these people have in common?
They all had an unquenchable faith in the identity of Jesus Christ as God and Savior. For this belief they were willing to pay the supreme sacrifice.
Do you know what you believe?
Here is the rough outline of Lesson 1. It is in PDF Format so you will need adobe acrobat reader to open it.
The Nicene Creed was composed in the fourth century by some of the most dedicated and uncompromising Christians the world has ever seen. These were people who had paid a price for their open association with Jesus Christ and their belief in Him as God. They came together from around the Roman Empire after hundreds of years of persecution had finally come to and end to answer some of the early heretics who were denying the true nature and identity of Christ. Most Christians don’t even know the name of these men today. Athanasius was one of the great heroes of the council. But they were the most courageous and dedicated men of their day.
Their statement of faith has survived and is repeated in churches all around the world today, because of its truth and simplicity.
Nicene Creed We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
I am trying to upload a very rough outline of the first week’s lesson in our Christology course in a pdf format. Feel free to download it when I am able to get it uploaded. Meanwhile, read through the Nicene Creed.
