Jesus Christ, His Work

This study of the Doctrine of Jesus Christ covers two aspects of Jesus’ work

1. His death.
2. His resurrection.

The Death of Jesus Christ

Jesus’ death was

1. A ransom.
2. A propitiation.
3. A reconciliation.
4. A substitution.

Ransom means the price. The word ransom comes from the Greek word lutron. It means the price paid. The word redeemed comes from the Greek word lutroo. It means to release by paying a price. Therefore, Jesus released mankind from sin and the curse brought on by sin by paying the price of His death. (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45)

Propitiation means mercy seat or covering. It comes from the Greek word hilasterion. It means what it takes to make atonement. Jesus’ death is what it took to make atonement for the sins of mankind. (1 John 2:2; Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:28) This is why persons who do not receive Jesus as Savior and Lord die and go to hell. There is no other sacrifice (atonement) for sin. (Hebrews 10:26)

Reconciliation means a change from a state of enmity [hostility] to one of friendship [fellowship]. The word reconciliation comes from the Greek word katallage. Jesus’ death removed the hostility between God and man. (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18,19; Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 2:17) Men who are reconciled to God have a change in their attitude toward God. (Ephesians 2:1-7,13-16)

Substitution means one life given instead of another. Jesus gave His life so mankind would not have to. (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

The extent of Jesus’ death was

1. For the whole world. (John 1:29; 1 Timothy 2:6)
2. For each individual. (Hebrews 2:9)
3. For the sinful, unjust and ungodly. (1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Peter 3:18; Romans 5:6-10)
4. To give birth to the Church. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

The necessity of Jesus’ death was to

1. Meet God’s requirement of blood as an atonement for sin. (Hebrews 9:22)
2. Eradicate (do away with) the sin of mankind. (John 1:29; Ephesians 1:4-6)
3. Fulfill Scriptures. (Luke 24:25-27,44; Isaiah 53; Psalm 22; 69)

The effects of Jesus’ death are

1. Peace has been established between God and man. It is now possible for men to have a relationship with God. (2 Corinthians 5:18)
2. Mercy for sin has been obtained. (1 John 2:2)
3. Sin has been eradicated (done away with). (Hebrews 9:26)
4. Provision has been made for
1. Access to God. (Romans 3:2;Ephesians 2:18; 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; 10:19-22)
2. Justification¹. (Romans 5:9)
3. Adoption². (Galatians 4:3-5)
4. The removal of the fear of death. (Hebrews 2:14,15)
5. An inheritance. (Ephesians 1:11: Hebrews 9:15)
6. Sanctification³. (Hebrews 9:14; 10:10)
5. Mankind is free from the curse brought on by sin. (Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 9:12)
6. Satan’s power over mankind is broken. (Hebrews 2:14,15; Colossians 2:14)
7. Satan’s doom has been sealed. (Colossians 2:15)
8. The right to deliver the universe from decay and to create a new heaven and new earth was obtained. (Romans 8:19,21; 2 Peter 3:13)

The importance of Jesus’ death is that it

1. Has a fundamental place in the Gospel. (1 Corinthians 15:1-3)
2. Has a supreme place in Christianity. (Romans 5:1-11)
3. Is related to the Incarnation. (Matthew 20:28; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:5) (Incarnation means the Word became flesh and dwelt among men. [John 1:14])
4. Is vitally related to Him. (Mathew 16:21-25; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:22-27)
5. Is prominent in Scripture. (Luke 24:27,44)
6. Is discussed in Heaven. (Revelation 5:8-12; Luke 9:30,31)

Unscriptural Beliefs Concerning Jesus’ Death

There are several beliefs about Jesus’ death that are not in accordance with the Scripture. These beliefs are

1. It was an accident. The Bible says, “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and after three days rise again.” Mark 8:31⁴. Jesus’ death was no accident.
2. It was martyrdom with no atoning value. The Bible says, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity [hostility] that is the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to the enmity [hostility]” Ephesians 2:13-16⁴.
3. It was a good example of morals. The Bible says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18⁴. Jesus died to bring men to God.
4. Calvary was an episode in God’s government of the world. God [only] wanted to show His displeasure for sin. The Bible says, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21⁴. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:154. “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth” 1 Peter 2:224. Jesus did not die for His own sin because He did no sin. He died for the sins of mankind (John 1:29,36) and the government shall be upon His shoulders (Isaiah 9:6).
5. Jesus died to show God’s love for the world. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16⁴. “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10⁴. Jesus did not die to show God’s love for the world. The world knew of God’s love before Jesus came. (Psalm 103) Jesus died so that men could live.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The nature of Jesus’ resurrection was

1. A bodily resurrection. (Matthew 28:2-4,11-15; Luke 24:41-43)
2. Authentic. He actually died, so His resurrection was real. (John 19:33,34)

The following facts show Jesus’ body was resurrected:

1. His tomb is empty. (Matthew 27:6; Mark 16:4-6; Luke 24:2,3; John 20:1,2)
2. Resurrections in the Gospels were not unprecedented. (Matthew 27:52,53; Luke 7:11-15; John 11:43,44)
3. The wounds of His crucifixion identified Him. (Luke 24:36-40; John 20:26-29)
4. After His resurrection, Jesus said He has flesh and bones. (Luke 24:39)
5. He ate in the presence of His disciples. (Luke 24:41-43)
6. Peter testified of it. (Acts 2:32)
7. Apostle Paul wrote about His resurrection in the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15)
8. It is the basis of Scriptural statements. (1 Corinthians 15)

Jesus’ resurrected body is

1. Glorified – capable of appearing and disappearing.(Mark 16:14; Luke 24:31,John 20:26)
2. Flesh and bones. (Luke 24:39)
3. Immortal. (Revelation 1:18)

The results of Jesus’ resurrection are threefold:

1. He is declared to be the Son of God. (Acts 13:30-33; Hebrews 1:5)
2. It assures Christians of the following:
1. God’s acceptance of His atonement for sins. (Romans 4:25)
2. Their own resurrection and immortality. (2 Corinthians 4:14)
3. Power for life and service. (Ephesians 1:19-22)
4. An interceding High Priest. (Hebrews 7:25)
3. The world will be judged. (Acts 17:31)

The importance of Jesus’ resurrection is

1. It is essential for redemption. (1 Corinthians 15:17)
2. Christianity is the only religion whose founder was resurrected from the dead. (Matthew 28:5,6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:4-6; John 20:14-17)

Arguments for the Credibility of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Two arguments state why men should believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These arguments are

1. The Argument from Cause and Effect.
2. The Argument from Testimony.

The Argument from Cause and Effect states men should believe in the resurrection of Jesus because

1. His tomb is empty. (Matthew 27:6; Mark 16:4-6; Luke 24:2,3; John 20:1,2)
2. Jewish Christians changed the Lord’s Day from the seventh day of the week (Sabbath) to the first day of the week. (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2)
3. The Church came into existence because of the resurrection.
4. The New Testament was written because of the resurrection.

The Argument from Testimony states men should believe in the resurrection of Jesus because

1. Witnesses verified it. (1 Corinthians 15:3-9)
2. Witnesses’ character is not impeachable.