Set Your Clocks AHEAD Saturday Night!!

BIBLE BASICS (A Study in Systematic Theology)

(A Study in Systematic Theology)

CHRISTOLOGY (The Study of Jesus Christ)

(The Study of Jesus Christ)

CHRISTOLOGY (The Study of Jesus Christ) His Person (The ontological dimension) (Who He is ) His Work (The functional dimension) (What He does )

(Two Natures / One Personality) The Person of Christ Full Deity Full Humanity

Hypostatic Union (Two natures / one person) Q: How much of Jesus Christ is God ? A: 100% Q: How much of Jesus Christ is man ? A: 100%

Q: How much of Jesus Christ is God ?

A: 100%

Q: How much of Jesus Christ is man ?

A: 100%

The Work of Christ Sinless Life Vicarious Death (substitutionary) Bodily Resurrection

THE VIRGIN BIRTH Strictly speaking, the term “virgin birth” is a misnomer. The term should be “virginal conception.” The doctrine affirms that Jesus was born as other men are, but denies that He was conceived as other men are. There is no parallel in the non-Christian religions (pagan stories—cohabitation of a god with a human being)

Strictly speaking, the term “virgin birth” is a misnomer. The term should be “virginal conception.”

The doctrine affirms that Jesus was born as other men are, but denies that He was conceived as other men are.

There is no parallel in the non-Christian religions (pagan stories—cohabitation of a god with a human being)

CHRISTIANITY TODAY (SEPT. 11, 1970) Who does NOT believe in the virgin birth? 60% of Methodists 49% of Presbyterians 44% of Episcopalians 34% of American Baptists 19% of American Lutherans

Who does NOT believe in the virgin birth?

60% of Methodists

49% of Presbyterians

44% of Episcopalians

34% of American Baptists

19% of American Lutherans

Three (3) Key Biblical Texts that speak of the Virgin Birth: 1 Isaiah 7:14 : “ Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Matthew 1:18-25 Luke 1:26-38 (Other texts allude to virgin birth; Gal.4:4)

1 Isaiah 7:14 :

“ Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

Matthew 1:18-25

Luke 1:26-38

(Other texts allude to virgin birth; Gal.4:4)

Matthew Teaches Us : Joseph was in no way involved in the conception of Jesus (25). Joseph did have normal relations with her afterwards (25). He was responsible for naming the child (25). All of this was a fulfillment of the Virgin Birth prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 (vv.22-23). The name Immanuel (“God with us”) is significant because it reminds us that Jesus is 100% God and 100% man.

Joseph was in no way involved in the conception of Jesus (25).

Joseph did have normal relations with her afterwards (25).

He was responsible for naming the child (25).

All of this was a fulfillment of the Virgin Birth prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 (vv.22-23).

The name Immanuel (“God with us”) is significant because it reminds us that Jesus is 100% God and 100% man.

Luke Emphasizes : That Mary is a virgin. Matthew also has this emphasis (26-27). That the entire complex of events was a surprise (29-30). The divine agency of the Holy Spirit. This point is again not ignored in Matthew, but is given greater attention in verse 35. That the virgin birth is impossible apart from a divine miracle (37). The miracle of recognition by Elizabeth and John (39-44).

That Mary is a virgin. Matthew also has this emphasis (26-27).

That the entire complex of events was a surprise (29-30).

The divine agency of the Holy Spirit. This point is again not ignored in Matthew, but is given greater attention in verse 35.

That the virgin birth is impossible apart from a divine miracle (37).

The miracle of recognition by Elizabeth and John (39-44).

Why the Virgin Birth Matters (Wayne Grudem) The virgin birth made possible the uniting of full deity and full humanity in one person. The virgin birth also makes possible Christ’s true humanity without inherited sin. Jesus did not descend from Adam in exactly the same way in which every other human being has descended. This helps to understand why the legal guilt and moral corruption that belongs to all other human beings did not belong to Christ.

The virgin birth made possible the uniting of full deity and full humanity in one person.

The virgin birth also makes possible Christ’s true humanity without inherited sin.

Jesus did not descend from Adam in exactly the same way in which every other human being has descended. This helps to understand why the legal guilt and moral corruption that belongs to all other human beings did not belong to Christ.

A Hymn by John Newton O LORD, from Whom there’s nought concealed, Who sees my inward frame; to Thee I always stand revealed exactly as I am! Since I, at times, can hardly bear what in myself I see; how vile and foul must I appear, most holy God to Thee! But since my Saviour stands between, Who shed His precious blood, ‘tis He, instead of me is seen, when I approach to God.

O LORD, from Whom there’s nought concealed, Who sees my inward frame; to Thee I always stand revealed exactly as I am!

Since I, at times, can hardly bear what in myself I see; how vile and foul must I appear, most holy God to Thee!

But since my Saviour stands between, Who shed His precious blood, ‘tis He, instead of me is seen, when I approach to God.

Thus, though a sinner, I am safe: He pleads before the throne His life and death on my behalf, and calls my sins His own. What wondrous love, what mysteries, in this appointment shine! My breaches of the law are His, and His obedience mine.

Thus, though a sinner, I am safe: He pleads before the throne His life and death on my behalf, and calls my sins His own.

What wondrous love, what mysteries, in this appointment shine! My breaches of the law are His, and His obedience mine.