Presentation on theology of Christ by Todd Linn, PhD; Christology; Baptism and Temptation of Christ

1. CHRISTOLOGY
(The Study of Jesus Christ)

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

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

4. 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%

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

6. Significant Events in
the Life of Christ
and their theological importance

7. The Baptism and the
Temptation

8. The Baptism
This event is recorded in all three
synoptics (Matthew, Mark, Luke) and is
alluded to in John. Taking Matthew’s
gospel (Matt. 3:13-17), a number of
theological purposes can be gleaned from
this historic moment in the life of our Savior
. . .

9. 1. Inauguration of Christ’s pubic ministry
(13-14)
2. Submission of His life to the Father (15)
3. Identification of Himself with sinful men
(15-17)
4. Adoration of the Father (17)
5. Sanctification of the Spirit (16)
6. Revelation of the Triune God (16-17)
7. Illustration and Definition of His Messianic
Mission (17)

10. Psalm 2:7
• “I will declare the decree: the
LORD has said to Me, ‘You
are My Son, Today I have
begotten You.’”

11. Isaiah 42:1
• “Behold! My Servant whom I
uphold, My Elect One in
whom My soul delights! I
have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to
the Gentiles.”

12. It is no accident that the Spirit who has
anointed Christ immediately leads (Mark
has “drives”) Him into the wilderness to be
tempted.
His willingness to be this kind of Messiah
is to be immediately put to the test.
The Baptism sets the stage for the
wilderness temptation.

13. The Temptation
• This encounter is recorded in the
synoptics, with Matthew giving it the
most extensive account
(Matt.4:1-11).
• The comments of Ralph Earle in the
NIV Study Bible are helpful at this
point . . .

14. But wait!
• Back by popular demand . . .
• A “Far-Side” Diversion . . .

16. Now, back to Ralph Earle’s
comments about the Temptation . . .

17. • “This testing of Jesus (the Greek verb translated
‘tempted’ can also be rendered ‘tested’), which
was divinely intended, has as its primary
background Deut.8:1-5, from which Jesus quotes
in His first reply to the devil (see verse 4).
• There Moses recalls how the Lord led the
Israelites in the desert 40 years ‘to humble you
and test you in order to know what was in your
heart, whether or not you would keep his
commands.’

18. • “Here at the beginning of His ministry Jesus is
subjected to a similar test and shows Himself to
be the true Israelite who lives ‘on every word
that comes from the mouth of the LORD.’
• And whereas Adam and Eve failed the great test
and plunged the whole race into sin (Gen.3), and
whereas Israel failed in the wilderness, Jesus was
faithful and thus demonstrated His qualification
to become the Savior of all who receive Him.”

19. Question: What resource did Jesus use
every single time He was tempted by Satan?
■ He quoted the Scriptures
■ (He used the same resource that is
available to us)
■ How’s your daily Bible reading coming
along?