The most challenging figure that ever occupied the stage of history is Jesus of Nazareth. Born of poor parentage in an obscure Judaean town, He has become a personality of world-dimension. For nearly 2,000 years He has dominated the life and thoughts of myriads of people, believers and unbelievers alike. His teaching has formed the basis of Western civilisation. His followers are found throughout the earth, and have founded a multitude of charitable and educational projects. The greatest of all accolades, however, is that millions of men and women over a vast expanse of time and space have acknowledged Him as Lord of their lives and Master of their destiny.

What is there about Him that is so enigmatic, yet so fascinating? It is that He is truly God yet fully man in one personality. The Bible makes this abundantly clear: "Unto the Son He saith, ‘Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever’" (Hebrews 1:8) - DEITY INDEED! But again the Bible says, "The Word (who was God) became flesh" (John 1:1, 14) for "in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren" (Hebrews 2:17) - HUMANITY INDEED! He is the God-man, or, as Charles Wesley puts it, "God and man in oneness blending". In Him two forms of existence meet and coalesce. On the heavenly side He is THE SON OF GOD, on the earthly side HE is THE SON OF MAN.

Assemblies of God, in their FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS (also the doctrinal basis of the LINK Fellowship), emphasise eight essential features of Christology. We believe in:-

THE VIRGIN BIRTH of our Lord. No one who has read the sacred narrative of Jesus’ birth in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-38 can doubt that at least the writers believed this to be a fact. The conception of Jesus was a miracle. The Second Person of the Holy Trinity, by the overshadowing power of the Holy Spirit, quickened and embraced a living cell in the womb of Mary, to become in the normal period of gestation "that Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God". Truly, "Great is the mystery of godliness, God was manifest in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16). This seemingly inseparable paradox - Deity and Humanity in one hypostatic union - has baffled theologian and philosopher alike. Nevertheless, simple faith accepts it, and adores the Incarnate Christ.

Accepting this, the rest seems to follow in natural logical sequence. The SINLESS LIFE of Jesus is affirmed in Holy Scripture. He "knew no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21); He was "without sin" (Hebrews 4:16); He "did no sin" (1 Peter 2:22). This made it possible for Him to become a sacrifice for our sins, "as of a Lamb without blemish, and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19). Readily following this we see His SUPERNATURAL MINISTRY. His works were miracles, His words were oracles. Peter describes Him as "approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him" (Acts 2:22). His spoken ministry was with authority (Matthew 7:28) and so impressive that it was said "Never man spake like this man" (John 7:46). He was truly "a prophet mighty in word and deed" (Luke 24:19).

Our Lord’s crucifixion was SUBSTITUTIONARY. He "tasted death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9); it was ATONING in that by His blood we are redeemed unto God (Revelation 5:9). But His crucifixion, though fatal, was not final.

HE ROSE BODILY FROM THE DEAD on the third day. "He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs" (Acts 1:3). His disciples heard Him, saw Him, and handled Him. So wrote John, who was one of them (1 John 1:1). It was a literal, physical, yet supernatural resurrection - not a mere resuscitation, for He lives to die no more (Romans 6:9).

Our Lord’s TRIUMPHANT ASCENSION into glory (Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9; 1 Timothy 3:16) was the crowning act of "the days of His flesh". By miracle He came from heaven; by miracle He returned to heaven, there to exercise a present MINISTRY OF INTERCESSION for us (Hebrews 7:25), thus assuring us of a salvation that extends to the uttermost degree of experience and the uttermost extent of time. And He will one day return to complete the work of salvation which He has begun (Hebrews 9:28). He has now redeemed our souls, He will then redeem our bodies (Romans 8:23) - Salvation complete!

And this final redemption will take place at His SECOND ADVENT, when He will "appear without sin unto salvation". He said He would come (John 14:3); the angels affirmed it (Acts 1:11); the apostles rejoiced in it (1 Thessalonians 4:13; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 1:7). He will rapture His living saints and raise His dead saints at His coming (1 Corinthians 15:51-54) to write them forever in one body. His advent will be PRE-MILLENNIAL, as Revelation 20:1-6 makes clear. The earth will then be regenerated for 1,000 years (Matthew 19:28) during which time the Church will live and reign with Christ, to be followed by an eternity, when we shall "live and reign forever with Him" (Romans 8:7; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 3:21).

Hallelujah!

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Appeared in Issue 5 -- February 1999
"...contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" -- Jude v3