Embedded Files
>>>That there is one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father, the one by whom God created all things, and by whom they do consist; that he took on him the nature of the seed of Abraham for the redemption of our fallen race; that he dwelt among men full of grace and truth, lived our example, died our sacrifice, was raised for our justification, ascended on high to be our only mediator in the sanctuary in Heaven, where, with his own blood he makes atonement for our sins; which atonement so far from being made on the cross, which was but the offering of the sacrifice, is the very last portion of his work as priest, according to the example of the Levitical priesthood, which foreshadowed and prefigured the ministry of our Lord in Heaven. See Leviticus 16; Hebrews 8:4, 5; 9:6, 7; etc. FP1872 4.3
The One Lord Jesus Christ – Our Sacrifice and High Priest
I. Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father
Key Texts:
1 Corinthians 8:6 – “But to us there is but one God, the Father… and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things.”
John 1:3 – “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”
Colossians 1:16–17 – “By him were all things created… and by him all things consist.”
Discussion:
The Bible draws a clear distinction between the one God, the Father, and the one Lord Jesus Christ, His Son. The Father is the ultimate source of all things, while the Son is the channel “by whom” all things were created. Christ is the Word through whom the Father spoke creation into existence (John 1:1–3). He is not the Father Himself, but the Father’s only-begotten Son, sharing His divine nature. The universe continues to exist because Christ, by the word of His power, holds all things together (Heb. 1:3). This shows Christ’s central role in both creation and redemption.
II. The Incarnation – Christ Took Our Nature
Key Texts:
Hebrews 2:14–16 – Christ “took on him the seed of Abraham.”
John 1:14 – “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”
Philippians 2:7–8 – He was “made in the likeness of men” and “became obedient unto death.”
Discussion:
For the plan of salvation to succeed, Christ had to truly become one of us. He did not take the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham—our human nature with its weaknesses and liabilities. This means He experienced hunger, weariness, temptation, and the struggles of humanity. Yet, He never sinned (Heb. 4:15). By entering fully into human life, He could redeem humanity from within. His incarnation was not an appearance or disguise, but a genuine sharing of our flesh and blood. This gives us confidence: He knows our struggles personally and can help us overcome.
III. His Life and Sacrifice
Key Texts:
1 Peter 2:21 – “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example.”
John 1:29 – “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
Hebrews 9:26 – “He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
Discussion:
Jesus lived not only to teach truth but also to model obedience for us. His life demonstrated what it means to live in complete dependence on the Father. By perfect obedience, He became our example (1 John 2:6). But more than an example, He became our sacrifice. On the cross, He bore our sins (1 Pet. 2:24). The imagery of the lamb in the Old Testament sacrifices pointed directly to Him. His death was the fulfillment of all sacrificial types. Without His blood, there can be no remission of sins (Heb. 9:22). His life of obedience and His death as the Lamb of God are the foundation of our redemption.
IV. His Resurrection and Ascension
Key Texts:
Romans 4:25 – “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
Acts 1:9–11 – He ascended into heaven, and will return in like manner.
Hebrews 7:25 – He “ever liveth to make intercession” for us.
Discussion:
Christ’s resurrection is proof that His sacrifice was accepted by the Father. Without the resurrection, His death would have been in vain (1 Cor. 15:17). His rising secured our justification—God declares us righteous because Christ’s life and death were vindicated. After His resurrection, He ascended to heaven, taking human nature into the presence of God. His ascension shows that our future is secure; humanity is represented in heaven by our Mediator. From there, He continues His ministry of intercession, praying for His people and sending the Spirit to empower them. His work did not end at the cross but continues in the heavenly sanctuary.
V. His Priestly Ministry in Heaven
Key Texts:
Hebrews 8:1–2 – Christ is “a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched.”
Hebrews 9:11–12 – He entered “into heaven itself… by his own blood.”
Leviticus 16 – The Day of Atonement illustrates the cleansing of sin.
Discussion:
While on earth, Christ was the Lamb sacrificed. In heaven, He is the High Priest ministering His own blood before the Father. The earthly priests served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things” (Heb. 8:5). Just as the high priest in Israel entered the Most Holy Place once a year with blood for atonement (Lev. 16), so Christ has entered into heaven itself, to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:24). His ministry is not a repeat of Calvary but the application of its benefits to repentant sinners. He pleads His own sacrifice as the basis of our forgiveness.
VI. The Atonement – More Than the Cross
Key Texts:
Hebrews 9:6–7 – Daily and yearly services in the earthly sanctuary.
Hebrews 9:23–24 – The heavenly sanctuary is purified with better sacrifices.
Hebrews 9:28 – Christ will appear “the second time without sin unto salvation.”
Discussion:
The cross was the sacrifice offered, but not the atonement completed. In the Old Testament, the priest first slew the animal (sacrifice), then brought its blood into the sanctuary (atonement). In the same way, Christ’s death was the offering, but the atonement—the actual removal of sin from the record of heaven—is the work He carries on as Priest. The atonement is the last portion of His priestly work, cleansing both the sanctuary in heaven and the lives of His people on earth. When that work is finished, probation will close, and Christ will return as King.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
Why is it significant that the Bible distinguishes between “one God, the Father” and “one Lord Jesus Christ”?
How does Christ’s incarnation as “the seed of Abraham” give us hope in our daily struggles against sin?
What does it mean that Christ’s death on the cross was the sacrifice, but His priesthood in heaven is the atonement?
How does the typology of the earthly sanctuary help us understand Christ’s heavenly ministry?
In light of Christ’s priesthood, what does it mean to approach God “boldly” (Heb. 4:16)?
Conclusion
The one Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of the Eternal Father, the Creator of all things and the Sustainer of the universe. He humbled Himself to take human nature, lived a perfect life, died as our sacrifice, rose for our justification, and ascended as our High Priest. His death on the cross was the offering of the sacrifice; His ongoing work in the heavenly sanctuary is the atonement. When this priestly work is finished, the plan of redemption will be complete.
📖 Christ as Son of God and Son of Man – By Heredity
I. The Son of God – Divine Heredity
Christ’s divine sonship is by inheritance from the Father:
Name – Hebrews 1:4: He inherited a more excellent name than the angels: the name Son of God.
Life – John 5:26: “The Father hath given to the Son to have life in himself.” Not borrowed, but divine, self-existent life.
Spirit – John 3:34: “God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” The fullness of the divine Spirit dwelt in Him.
👉 By heredity, Jesus is truly and fully God, possessing the Father’s attributes.
II. The Son of Man – Human Heredity
Key Texts:
Romans 1:3 – “Made of the seed of David according to the flesh.”
Hebrews 2:14–17 – “He also himself likewise took part of the same [flesh and blood]… it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren in all things.”
Romans 8:3 – “God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh…”
Hebrews 4:15 – “Tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.”
Discussion:
Jesus did not take Adam’s nature before the fall, but our fallen nature after 4,000 years of sin’s effects. He inherited the weakness, frailty, and liability to temptation that come with fallen flesh.
He hungered, grew weary, felt sorrow, and could be tempted — not because He had sinful desires, but because He shared the same fallen heredity that we do.
Ellen White puts it simply: “He took upon His sinless nature our sinful nature, that He might know how to succor those that are tempted.” (Medical Ministry, 181).
👉 Important distinction:
He inherited fallen human nature (weakness, susceptibility, suffering).
He did not inherit sinful character (guilt, corruption, personal sin).
This means Christ could fully identify with us, without Himself being a sinner.
III. Why Fallen Nature Matters
Representation
If Jesus had taken unfallen human nature, He could not truly represent us. Our struggles are with weakness, not with perfection. By sharing our heredity, He became the “last Adam” (1 Cor. 15:45), undoing the failure of the first.
Temptation
Real temptation is only possible if there is real human weakness. Jesus was tempted “in all points” because He shared our flesh. If He had an unfallen nature, His temptations would not have been genuine.
Sympathy
Hebrews 4:15: Because He took our fallen nature, He can be a merciful and faithful High Priest, able to sympathize with our weaknesses.
Example
His victory in our nature proves that by depending on God’s Spirit, we too can overcome sin. He condemned sin “in the flesh” (Rom. 8:3), showing that sin is not inevitable in fallen humanity when surrendered to God.
IV. Two Heredities United in One Person
Divine Heredity (from the Father): Name, life, Spirit, glory, power.
Human Heredity (from Mary): Flesh and blood, genealogy, fallen nature, weakness, mortality.
These two streams met in Christ, making Him both fully God and fully man.
👉 In Him, heaven and earth are united. He is the true Emmanuel — God with us.
V. Implications for Salvation
Because He inherited divinity: His life and sacrifice have infinite value.
Because He inherited humanity (including fallen nature): His life and victory are fully relevant to our condition.
Because He overcame in our nature: He offers us His Spirit so that we too may “walk even as He walked” (1 John 2:6).
Reflection Questions
What does it mean that Jesus came “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Rom. 8:3)?
Why is it important that Jesus took fallen human nature instead of unfallen Adamic nature?
How does Christ’s victory in fallen flesh give us hope in our daily battles?
What is the difference between inheriting fallen nature and being personally sinful?
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse