The God-Man: The Biblical Doctrine of Jesus Christ

There are many opinions of who Jesus Christ is. The Jehovah’s Witnesses flaunt one faulty opinion:

“Is Jehovah a Trinity-three persons in one God? No! Jehovah, the Father, is ‘the only true God.’ Jesus is His firstborn Son, and he is subject to God. The Father is greater than the Son.”        -Jehovah’s Witnesses Official Web Site (watchtower.org)

Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Deity of Christ, a vital doctrine in Scripture. But who is Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ is God (John 1:1; Col. 2:9; I Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:1-3), the second person of the Trinity. Jesus Christ was born of virgin (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:23). He became God in the flesh at his incarnation (John 1:14). He added flesh, making Him fully God and fully man. I believe Jesus claimed full Deity (John 8:56-58; John 10:30). I believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah promised to Israel in the Old Testament (Luke 2:11; Luke 10:24; John 10:24-25; John 1:45; John 4:25-26). Jesus Christ is every church age believer’s Advocate and High Priest (Heb. 4:14; I John 2:1). Jesus will reign over the whole earth as King during the 1,000 year Millennial Kingdom. Judgment of believers and unbelievers has been delegated to Jesus Christ (John 5:22). A. Impeccability Jesus Christ never sinned nor was ever capable of sinning. His omniscience, omnipotence, and immutability keep Him from susceptibility to sin (Heb. 13:8). B. His Suffering Death Jesus Christ died on the cross as a substitution for sinners (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45; II Cor. 5:21). His death appeased the wrath of God for those who believe (Rom. 3:25; I John 2:2; I John 4:10). The death of Christ also makes it possible for individuals to be reconciled to God (Rom. 5:10; II Cor. 5:18-21). C. His Resurrection on the Third Day Jesus Christ bodily and physically rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures (I Cor. 15:4-8).

The Title and Theme of Acts

The common titles for the book are “The Acts of the Apostles” or “The Acts of the Holy Spirit.” But the best title for the book is “The Acts of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.” Christ’s ministry continues through the Person of the Holy Spirit. Acts is a transitional book. God’s program changes to the Church in Acts 2 and Christ’s ministry is performed through the Holy Spirit.

     The theme of Acts is the Gospel goes into all the world. Acts continues the theme of the Gospel of Luke. Luke was written to show that admittance to the Kingdom is open for all. In Luke, Christ gives an open invitation to Samaritans (9:51-56; 10:30-37; 17:11-19), pagans (2:32; 3:6, 38; 4:25-27; 7:9; 10:1; 24:47), Jews (1:33; 2:10), publicans, sinners, and outcasts (3:12; 5:27-32; 7:37-50; 19:2, 10; 23:43), respectable people (7:36; 11:37; 14:1), the poor (1:53; 2:7; 6:20; 7:22), and the rich (19:2; 23:50). As the sequel, Acts builds on the theme of Luke: The Gospel goes into all the world. The Gospel starts in Jerusalem and spreads into the uttermost parts of the earth. The Gospel invitation is open for all and given to all because Christ died for all (Titus 2:11; Heb. 2:9; I John 2:2).

 

Overview of Chapter One of Spiritual Leadership-The Leader’s Challenge

Mike was a Christian CEO who was faced with a great problem. Would he veto the two motions gaining momentum in the company even though they went again his biblical convictions?Meanwhile, Pastor Edwards had spent two years giving all of his time and energy to a church who refused to follow his leadership. Eventually, the deacons asked him to resign. He was heartbroken… Mike, the CEO, took a hit for basing his decisions on his convictions. One would think it would be different in the body of Christ. Unfortunately, many times it proves to be just as difficult. The CEO and the Pastor were faced with similar decisions. Spiritual leadership often brings heartache. Spiritual leaders face two major challenges. The first major challenge spiritual leaders face is skepticism of the followers. There is no doubt that Moses had the definite call of God on his life. There probably could not be any clearer subjective call than the Angel of the Lord speaking to you out of a burning bush, with the possible exception of the Risen Lord stopping you in the middle of the road. Moses had been called to lead the massive population of Israelites out of Egypt. God worked through Moses and performed the ten plagues in Egypt. The Israelites had seen God’s clear stamp of approval to use Moses to deliver them. But they still were skeptical of Moses’ leadership during and after the exodus. The Israelites were complaining and critical followers despite God’s calling and approval of Moses. In Exodus 14, the children of Israel stood on the brink of the Red Sea criticizing and complaining Moses’ leadership. Moses also faced criticism and complaining after the Red Sea. In Numbers 16, Korah, Dathan and Abiram led a rebellion against Moses’ leadership. But God affirmed Moses’ authenticity. God caused the ground to open up where the rebels and skeptics stood. It swallowed them and all their belongings. The most significant hurdle that any spiritual leader faces is not whether or not he has the ability to lead. The toughest thing he faces is skepticism from those he has been called to lead. There are three areas of leadership that have given people a reason to be skeptical in following leaders: a. Because of Political Leadership In November 2008, alledgedly the Governor of Illinois was accepting bribes for the empty senate seat left by President Elect- Barrack Obama. Sexual scandals were in the headlines left and right during the Clinton presidency in the 1990’s. Regular scandals from politicians have left culture portraying them as carton characters that selfishly hunt their own agendas. Secular sketch comedy shows boom because they mimic such political figures as Bill and Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, and Sarah Palin. The results of politicians actions and following portrayals have left the culture disgusted and in a state of distrust. Blackaby states, “Society longs for statesmen but it gets politicians. Statesmen are leaders who uphold what is right regardless of the popularity of the position.” One reason people are skeptical of leadership is because they are use to getting only politicians in positions for statesmen. b. Because of Business Leadership Just the mentioning of a business scandal triggers the name Enron. The head corporate officials of Enron liberally smudged their numbers. They falsely inflated “profits.” Meanwhile they were hiding billions of dollars in debt. Other prominent figures in the last decade have faced prison time for manipulating business endeavors. America’s favorite housekeeper, Martha Stewart, spent time in jail for moving her stocks when she received a tip that the company she was investing into was going to take a significant plunge. Pyramid schemes of small companies also bring about a significant amount of scandals in business every year. c. Because of Church Leadership The last area of leadership that has made society skeptical of leaders is church leadership. This is the most unfortunate of all. Supposed ambassadors of Christ are regularly disgracing their congregations and the Lord. Former president of the National evangelical association, Ted Haggard, was humiliated on a national scale when the news came out about the homosexual scandal in which he was involved. Wolves have also made the body of Christ skeptical in following church leaders. Jim Jones preyed on the poor and the weak-playing to their emotions and needs. After he had won some respect from some political leaders and celebrities, he became nationally known. Jones eventually moved his cult following to Guyana, South America. The town was named for his namesake, Jonestown. “The People’s Temple Christian Church” dissolved in 1978 when 913 of Jones’ followers, including himself, were found dead in Jonestown. Out of the 913 victims, 276 were children. The victims had been forced to consume grape kool-aid that been spiked with poison. Anyone who refused was shot on the spot or injected with cyanide. The “People’s Temple Christian Church” sounded Christian and called itself Christian, but Jim Jones was the very opposite of a spiritual leader. He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The entire time he was totally preoccupied with sex. Blackaby notes that spiritual leaders find much skepticism because they are ministering to people still very familiar with events like the Jonestown massacre. Monetary scams by “faith healers” like Peter Popoff also contribute to the skepticism brought about by sexual scandals and cultists. Peter Popoff Miracle Ministries tells people to take the “Dead Sea” salt they receive in the mail and sprinkle it over a twenty seven dollar check. Five days later, they are to drink the miracle water they receive. Then, they should send another checkPeople are greatly skeptical of leadership because of political, business, and religious scandals. The second major challenge that spiritual leaders face is the preference of wordly methodology over Biblical methodology. In I Samuel 8, the nation of Israel met with Samuel and brought up the realization that he was old and that his sons had no character. Ultimately, they no longer wanted to be ruled and governed directly by God. They wanted to have a king like all the surrounding nations. They wanted a revolution from a theocracy to a monarchy. God made sure Samuel explained to them what exactly that would entail. The King would take their sons, their daughters, their fields, their servants, and their flocks. Israel wanted a monarchy anyway. Their main motive was so they could “be like all the nations.” God gave them what they asked for. The results were they got what they wanted, but they lost what they had. They chose human methods over God. In Spiritual Leadership, Blackaby brings this battle of methodology to the forefront in the question “God or King?” Both spiritual leaders and followers are having problems discerning their answers to this question. Leaders must decide between human methods and Biblical truth. Christian leaders have started adopting secular books on leadership and success. In doing so, they have sacrificed Biblical mandates. Blackaby suggests that in the hunt for new methods, a Biblical mindset has been lost. Blackaby states that churches now “adopt mission statements instead of focusing on the Great Commission.” Churches are paying a price for the emphasis on the secular. Ironically, according to Blackaby, the church is missing the seculars’ renewed interest in Biblical principles because they are leaving the same principles. Spiritual Leaders face a rough climate in the postmodern era. Does their responsibility bring more skepticim than other time periods? Moses dealt with skepticism. The early days of the church ministered during an atrocious time of persecution. Preachers and Teachers will face a more difficult time toward the end of the church age. The call and responsibility given by God demands the faithfulness of spiritual leaders despite skepticism.

Hostorical Recipient of the Book of Acts

Luke writes the book of Acts to Theophilus. Theophilus was a Gentile Christian who Luke had already written the Gospel of Luke to. His name means “loved by God.” Apparently, Theophilus held some kind of position of Roman authority. In Luke’s Gospel, he refers to him as “most excellent Theophilus.” Luke adds multiple Roman titles throughout the book because he is writing to a Roman ruler. The purpose of the Gospel of Luke was to assure Theophilus in the faith.

A Biblical Prescription for Anxiety (Part 2)

#2 Principle: Focus on Spiritual Affairs (II Timothy 2:3-4)

One game in NCAA Football history ended so strangely that the final play of the game has been known for well over twenty years as “THE PLAY.” On November 20, 1982, the regular rivalry game between the University of California and Stanford was played. California was down 20-19 on the last play of the game. Stanford only needed to kick the ball off and tackle the returner to end the game. The Cal returner was thought to be trapped by the defense. Just as he was getting tackled, he pitched the ball back to keep the play alive. When that guy was about to get tackled, he pitched the ball just in time. The ball was pitched several times- each time it was ACCURATELY pitched so the other teammate could catch it. Eventually, the last guy got the ball and broke off to the end zone for the touchdown. The crowd thought the game was already over. In fact, the band had already entered the playing area of the field. If you have ever seen the clip, you can hear the announcer shouting: “The band is out on the field!!!” Right after the scoring player crossed the goal line he pounded into one of the band members. “THE PLAY” is a classic college football highlight that will probably be shown for years to come.

Just like those special teams players for Cal, sometimes Christians are surrounded and feel that they are about to be pummeled. Like the Cal players passed on the football, Christians must ACCURATELY pass on the Faith (proper body of doctrine). Paul was about to be pummeled. He was in a Roman prison and about to have his head cut off. In II Timothy, Paul is encouraging Timothy to accurately pass on the faith. If Christians are going to pass on the Faith accurately, there will have to be perseverance in service to the Lord. Christians are most susceptible to falling into sin when they are tired, weak, and scared. These three emotions and feelings can be summed up by one word-ANXIETY. Christians are most susceptible in failing their mandate when they are anxious. In II Timothy 2:3-6, Paul gives 3 different professions where the worker has to persevere: a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer.

            Paul exhorts Timothy to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (v.3).” No Christian is disqualified from being a good soldier of Jesus Christ because of reoccurring medical issues. The same Timothy who was a young Pastor at Ephesus, had reoccurring stomach problems (I Tim. 5:23). Some citizens cannot enlist into the United States Army because of medical issues. But no physical ailment can ever disqualify the child of God from being a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

            Paul expounds on this analogy of a soldier in v.4.  “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life.” “Affairs of this life” is synonymous with “civilian affairs.” A soldier cannot be worried about civilian affairs while he’s in the heat of battle. A soldier has to remain mentally, emotionally and physically engaged when he’s in battle-if he lowers his guard-he’ll be killed. Christians are enlisted in an army. “Civilian Affairs” are everywhere to trap the Christian and take his mind off the heat of the battle. They can entangle the soldier. Even Christian culture inundates believers with civilian affairs (powerpoints, concerts, methodology). None of these things are necessarily bad, but they can entangle.

Paul then gives the bare reason why the Christian should desire to persevere through hardness- “that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” There’s a pretty simple mathematic equation in II Timothy 2:3-4: PERSEVERING + PROPER PRIORITES= PLEASING THE HIGH COMMANDER. A second Biblical principle for anxiety is to focus on spiritual affairs. It is not easy. But we must look past the temporal in order to see the eternal.

The Date of Authorship for Acts

     The date of the writing of Acts falls between 59 and 63 AD. Liberals attack the authenticity of the book by dating it after the first century. They argue that the author would have heavily leaned on the historian Josephus as a major resource.  Liberals go out on a limb by taking the post-first century date. But Luke has cut off that limb! The author was an eyewitness to most of the events in the second half of Acts. The liberal post-first century date is impossible.

     The book would have been written before 68 AD. Certain major historical events are left out that would have been significant to the theme and purpose of Acts.  Luke makes no mention of the siege and destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD. The dispersing of Jews and Judaism would play a major role in the proclaiming of the Gospel in the Gentile world. Luke makes no mention of it at all. Also, if Acts was not written before 68 AD, there would be great need to explain why Luke does not record Paul’s death, but instead ends the book rather abruptly. Also, Luke makes no mention to other significant events like the burning of Rome (64 AD) and major persecution of Jews by Nero (64-67AD). There is no secret that Luke leaves out some historical facts of the church. But these major events would have been significant enough for Luke to have mentioned them. For this reason, the date of the writing of Acts falls between 59 and 63 AD. C.I. Scofield and Charles Ryrie both take Acts to be written during Paul’s two year imprisonment around 59-61 AD. It is best to take the writing of Acts at sometime after this period since the book ends with Luke summarizing the two years Paul was in prison. The most probable date would be sometime around 61 AD.

 

 

 

 

The Author of Acts

    

Three significant internal evidences support Luke as the human author of the book of Acts. The text does not formally state its author’s name. But it can be safely and dogmatically presumed the author is Paul’s fellow missionary Luke.

     The first internal evidence is that Acts is a sequel to a prior book. The introduction in 1:1 states, “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” The author states Acts is a continuation of a prior writing. Luke had written to this same Theophilus in the Gospel of Luke. Since, the Gospel of Luke is the only inspired book written to Theophilus, it is safely presumed that the “former treatise” is the Gospel of Luke.

     The second internal evidence is the use of second person pronouns in the second half of the book. Second person usage is prominent in the passages of 16:10-17; 20:5-21:18 and 27:1-28:16. The author of Acts would have been a close associate of Paul and would have traveled with the Apostle. Paul had many close associates. But many of those close friends are disqualified as the author because their names are mentioned in the third person.

     The third major internal evidence is the disqualification of the names mentioned in third person. Silas, Barnabas, Mark and Timothy are all mentioned by the author. They are disqualified as the author. A close traveling companion of Paul never mentioned in Acts is Luke. Paul mentions his close missionary friend in Colossians and II Timothy. In fact, Luke is the only one still with Paul while he is awaiting martyrdom in Rome (II Tim. 4:11). Therefore, Luke is the author using the second person pronouns.