The Fullness of the Godhead Bodily The deity and humanity of Jesus Christ

2 Controversy through the ages Gnosticism, 1 John 4:2-3; 2 John 7Gnosticism, 1 John 4:2-3; 2 John 7 Councils have debated and creeds have declared “orthodoxy”Councils have debated and creeds have declared “orthodoxy” Modern deceivers include Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons and liberal theology of ProtestantismModern deceivers include Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons and liberal theology of Protestantism Christians over the past 20 yearsChristians over the past 20 years

3 Controversy through the ages Truth about the deity and humanity of Christ has been revealedTruth about the deity and humanity of Christ has been revealed Sufficient for faith and salvation, John 1:1-3, 14, 8:23-25; 20:30-31Sufficient for faith and salvation, John 1:1-3, 14, 8:23-25; 20:30-31

4 Controversy through the ages We will never explain HOW this miracle happened (except that it was by the power of God), Deut. 29:29We will never explain HOW this miracle happened (except that it was by the power of God), Deut. 29:29 We can understand what Scripture reveals about the nature of ChristWe can understand what Scripture reveals about the nature of Christ Our Faith: “God was manifested in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16)Our Faith: “God was manifested in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16)

5 In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, Col. 2:9 All treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ, Col. 2:1-3All treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ, Col. 2:1-3 Warning against heresies of false knowledge, Col. 2:4-8Warning against heresies of false knowledge, Col. 2:4-8 Assurance of our faith in Christ, Col. 2:9-10 (1:19)Assurance of our faith in Christ, Col. 2:9-10 (1:19)

6 God became man without giving up Godhood, Phil. 2:5-8 Christ emptied Himself of the form of God and took the form of a servant (man)Christ emptied Himself of the form of God and took the form of a servant (man) morphe: “the form by which a person or thing strikes the vision; external appearance”morphe: “the form by which a person or thing strikes the vision; external appearance” Laid aside the appearance and glory of his deity, Matt. 17:2; Jno. 17:5 (Mk. 16:12; Lk. 24:16)Laid aside the appearance and glory of his deity, Matt. 17:2; Jno. 17:5 (Mk. 16:12; Lk. 24:16)

7 Christ revealed the Father and became the sacrifice for sins The Son reveals the Father to us, Hebrews 1:1-3The Son reveals the Father to us, Hebrews 1:1-3 By his words, John 8:26-28By his words, John 8:26-28 By his life, John 12:45; 14:9By his life, John 12:45; 14:9 The Son is the brightness of God’s splendor and the express image of God’s person (essence, nature)The Son is the brightness of God’s splendor and the express image of God’s person (essence, nature)

8 Christ revealed the Father and became the sacrifice for sins The Son upholds everything by his power, Hebrews 1:3 (Col. 1:17)The Son upholds everything by his power, Hebrews 1:3 (Col. 1:17) This answers the speculation and error over whether Jesus gave up the power of deity when he came to earth!This answers the speculation and error over whether Jesus gave up the power of deity when he came to earth! He purged (cleansed) our sins by his death, 1:3 (Romans 5:8-10)He purged (cleansed) our sins by his death, 1:3 (Romans 5:8-10)

9 The days of His flesh, Heb. 5:7-9 The “days of his flesh” equipped Christ to be the perfect sacrifice for sinsThe “days of his flesh” equipped Christ to be the perfect sacrifice for sins He lived by faith (prayers and supplications), 5:7He lived by faith (prayers and supplications), 5:7 He possessed godly fear, 5:7He possessed godly fear, 5:7 He was obedient, enduring suffering, 5:8 (Lk. 22:28); Heb. 4:14-16He was obedient, enduring suffering, 5:8 (Lk. 22:28); Heb. 4:14-16 The cross, Heb. 2:9-10The cross, Heb. 2:9-10

10 The days of His flesh, Heb. 5:7-9 His sacrifice for our sins was possible because he became human, Hebrews 2:9; 10:5-7, 10His sacrifice for our sins was possible because he became human, Hebrews 2:9; 10:5-7, 10 A body was prepared for the SonA body was prepared for the Son For the purpose of doing God’s will (dying for our redemption) Heb. 9:26; John 1:29For the purpose of doing God’s will (dying for our redemption) Heb. 9:26; John 1:29

11 How this affects us Without this belief we will die in our sins, John 8:23-24, 58 (20:31)Without this belief we will die in our sins, John 8:23-24, 58 (20:31) Christ did not give up the powers of deity when he became humanChrist did not give up the powers of deity when he became human To minimize his deity is false doctrineTo minimize his deity is false doctrine Jesus chose not to sin, Heb. 4:14-16Jesus chose not to sin, Heb. 4:14-16 To minimize his humanity is false doctrineTo minimize his humanity is false doctrine