Page 35 - Bible Doctrines II w videos short

Section 6: Christ’s Deity (Character) and Humanity

6.1 Connect.

I enjoy reading my Bible and books about theology because I learn profound truths
concerning thenature of God the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. In the end,
those truths bring me to my knees in awe of God because by faith in Him and His work, my
eternal salvation is secured.

In the Old Testament, “the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses” (Deut. 17:6 [ESV]) was valid
confirmation and was sufficient to confirm a penalty. Matthew applies that verse to a brother who sins
against another brother (Matt 18:16 [LEB]). Jesus claimed to be the light of the world and the Pharisees
challenged the legitimacy of His testimony. But Jesus appealed to their law by citing that God, the Father
was also a witness (John 8:12-18). Hence, implying that He is God. On a side note, attributes confirm
Jesus’ deity.

It seems unthinkable to us that God, the Creator of the entire universe, would even consider becoming a
servant to those whom He created. He preordained from eternity past to not only create man, but to die for
him. He paid the ultimate price for every man’s sin. He died, that we might live. . . the greatest expression of
love. To deny the humanity of Christ Jesus is to deny His substitutionary death. Today, we want to turn our
focus to Christ’s deity (character) and humanity. We will study His incarnation which means “becoming
flesh.” Let’s get started . . .

6.2 Objectives.

1. We should be able to defend the deity of Jesus Christ by describing the identified evidences as
revealed from the Scriptures.

2. We Should be able to summarize the attributes associated with the deity of Jesus Christ and
use them as one of the evidences that prove the deity of Jesus Christ.

3. We should be able to defend the humanity of Jesus Christ by explaining the evidences as revealed
from the Scriptures.

4. We should be able to identify heretical teachings on both the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ.
Then, we will refute them based on the teaching of Scriptures.

6.3 Deity of Christ (Character) and Humanity.

Heresies Concerning the Deity of Jesus Christ.

Ebionism
The teachings of the Ebionites state that “At baptism, Christ descended upon Jesus in form of a
dove,” “He was the predestine Messiah. . . rather in a natural or human sense.” Further, they
refuted the “authority of Paul’s letters” and “all references to the preexistence, the virgin birth, and the
65
qualitatively unique status and function of Jesus.”

34