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JESUS CHRIST: GOD-MAN - Vital Christianity

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In His incarnation, Jesus came from the glory of God (Jn 17:5) to bring the glory of God<br />

to people in veiled, incarnate form. In His exaltation, He returned to the glory of God (Lk 24:26).<br />

At His Parousia (Second Coming), He will bring the glory of God to earth with redeeming,<br />

transforming power. Then both creation and creatures will share the divine glory.<br />

The New Testament presents the resurrection of our Lord as the miraculous restoration<br />

of His physical life, the reunion of His spirit with His body, and yet in such a way that the<br />

material limitations, in which He had previously confined His life were set aside. The<br />

resurrection was the beginning of the glorification (Lk 24:37; Jn 20:4,14,26; 21:4). Christ now<br />

lives in heaven as a man, but in a glorified body (Php 3:21; Col 2:9; 3:4).<br />

The resurrection of Christ is represented in Scripture as wrought by the power of God.<br />

Its miraculous power is strongly proclaimed (Ac 13:30; Ro 1:4; 1 Co 15:15). The Scriptures<br />

represent the resurrection not as something unnatural, but natural, since it is Christ, the Author<br />

of Life, who rose. He could not be held by death! He would be raised from the dead (Ac 2:24).<br />

The proclamation of the resurrection lies at the basis of apostolic teaching (Ac 1:22;<br />

4:2,33; 17:18; 23:6; 1 Co 15:14). It ranks first among the miracles which bear witness to Christ's<br />

divine character (Ro 1:4). It is the divine seal of approval upon Christ's atoning work (Ac 4:25;<br />

5:10; 8:34). The resurrection of Jesus is the pledge and paradigm of the resurrection and<br />

glorification of the true followers of Christ (Ro 8:11; 1 Co 15:20-22; Php 3:21; 1 Th 4:14).<br />

The Purpose for the Incarnation<br />

1. To confirm the prophecies of the Old Testament<br />

a. The Statement of Prophecy<br />

(1) The Protovangelium (Gn 3:15).<br />

(2) The Promise reiterated (Isa 9:6; 7:14; Mic 5:2).<br />

b. Types of Prophecy (concerning Jesus Christ)<br />

(1) He was to be a Savior from sin (Isa 53:3-6; Da 9:26).<br />

(2) He was to be a King in His Kingdom.<br />

(2 Sa 7:8-17; Isa 11:1; Jer 23:5; Zec 14:9)<br />

(3) He was to sit on the throne of David forever (Lk 1:31-33).<br />

Accordingly when Jesus Christ came to earth, He appeared in a dual role:<br />

As Son of David (King)<br />

As Son of Abraham (Savior)

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