"He was in the world and the word was made by Him but the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)
The doctrine of Christ is mentioned twice in the scriptures -- once in Hebrews 6:1-2 and once in II John 1:9. Indeed, the doctrine of Christ is a foundational doctrine, and according to scripture, the basis for going on unto perfection.
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." (Hebrews 6:1-2)
But how many actually know of the doctrine of Christ? When was the last time you heard the doctrine of Christ mentioned from a pulpit? We understand from the prophets (confirmed in I Timothy 3:16) that a time would come when the Lord God would go forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) We also understand from Titus 3:4-7 that after the kindness and love of God, He would become our Saviour. Of course, there are numerous scriptures to confirm the doctrine of Christ., starting with -- in the beginning, God. (Genesis 1:1)
The confusion in understanding the greatest love story ever told is when the angel said, "And ye shall call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) The reason for this primarily is because we don't read these scriptures further where "Emmanuel, being interpreted God with us!" reveals the rest of the story.
It is in this context that today's blog will expand on the doctrine of Christ, so that we are not spiritually ignorant.
Note first that we have salvation because of the sacrifice of JESUS the Christ. In scripture, He was recognized as "the only begotten" of the holy Spirit of God or, as the scriptures state, God Himself manifest in the flesh as a Son. Do you remember that the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son? Luke, having written one of the four gospels, and also a physician referred to the son in Mary's womb as a "holy thing." (Luke 1:35)
Note first that we have salvation because of the sacrifice of JESUS the Christ. In scripture, He was recognized as "the only begotten" of the holy Spirit of God or, as the scriptures state, God Himself manifest in the flesh as a Son. Do you remember that the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son? Luke, having written one of the four gospels, and also a physician referred to the son in Mary's womb as a "holy thing." (Luke 1:35)
Most certainly, Luke would have recognized the fetus as such -- had the fetus been a normal baby. However, Luke knew the difference. Herein, Luke recognized God in the manifestation of JESUS (God with us), knowing too that He had a plan for all of His creation. This is why it is important to understand that in Jesus did ALL the fullness of the Godhead dwell bodily. (Colossians 2:9)
If some of you require an analogy, think of a drop of water from the ocean. Even with only the one drop, you would still be in possession of all the physical elements found in the ocean waters. Still, there remains a vast body of water that is ocean. It is the same with God in Christ. All of the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in Jesus. All of the fullness of the Godhead.
This is why Jesus said unto Philip, "If you have seen Me, then Philip you have seen the Father." (John 14:6-12) Or, that I and My Father are one. (John 10:30) He that has seen Me (the Son) has seen the Father. (John 14:6-12) In other words, God fathered All of His children in a Son’s body.
If some of you require an analogy, think of a drop of water from the ocean. Even with only the one drop, you would still be in possession of all the physical elements found in the ocean waters. Still, there remains a vast body of water that is ocean. It is the same with God in Christ. All of the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in Jesus. All of the fullness of the Godhead.
This is why Jesus said unto Philip, "If you have seen Me, then Philip you have seen the Father." (John 14:6-12) Or, that I and My Father are one. (John 10:30) He that has seen Me (the Son) has seen the Father. (John 14:6-12) In other words, God fathered All of His children in a Son’s body.
Surely, natural life as we see it displays this obvious fact. All of man’s offspring are fathered from a son’s body and after the child is born the son who provided the seed is recognized as a father. If this seems confusing, re-read that statement once again before moving on, because it is a key understanding to the Godhead. Know too that we are made in the image of God!
JESUS then was conceived of the Holy Ghost - His Spirit providing the new blood line. God Himself as a Son seeded us for it is written, "We are the SEED of JESUS the Christ." The SEED of JESUS the Christ is the WORD of God. For we have been born again NOT of corruptible seed BUT by incorruptible SEED which is the WORD of God.
JESUS being the very same WORD/WISDOM that indwelt God. Yes, one and the same. JESUS the WORD / the WISDOM of GOD coming forth from the innermost being of God, becoming for our sake God manifest in the flesh as a Son. God was manifest in visible form like unto Adam‘s sin prone race, appearing in such humiliated form to destroy the evil works and destruction of the devil.
The first Adam. The second the Lord from heaven.
Indeed, JESUS purposely came in this condescended form so that we might have life eternal. JESUS did not descend into our midst to condemn us! Rather, JESUS came that we might have ample opportunity to be brought out from “the bondage of the law of sin and death" being translated by the grace of God into the Kingdom of God in Christ. And likewise, into the Law of Liberty!
Indeed, God has a plan for man, which unfortunately is often obscured and hid from many eyes. Who could entertain the thought that God would lay down His own life as a Son for us? (Acts 20:28) But as we know from reading the scriptures, and similarly, our personal walk with our Saviour, God by Himself provided a way whereby sinful, disobedient, sin prone man could be redeemed.
Even today, with all of the eloquent speeches of men, their words are lame in comparison to the factual WORDS of ETERNAL LIFE spoken and confirmed by God. The same God who was indwelling the man JESUS the Christ who desired from the beginning of time to reconcile fallen man to Himself. As many as received JESUS received life! This is God's promise to one and all!
Indeed, JESUS purposely came in this condescended form so that we might have life eternal. JESUS did not descend into our midst to condemn us! Rather, JESUS came that we might have ample opportunity to be brought out from “the bondage of the law of sin and death" being translated by the grace of God into the Kingdom of God in Christ. And likewise, into the Law of Liberty!
Indeed, God has a plan for man, which unfortunately is often obscured and hid from many eyes. Who could entertain the thought that God would lay down His own life as a Son for us? (Acts 20:28) But as we know from reading the scriptures, and similarly, our personal walk with our Saviour, God by Himself provided a way whereby sinful, disobedient, sin prone man could be redeemed.
Even today, with all of the eloquent speeches of men, their words are lame in comparison to the factual WORDS of ETERNAL LIFE spoken and confirmed by God. The same God who was indwelling the man JESUS the Christ who desired from the beginning of time to reconcile fallen man to Himself. As many as received JESUS received life! This is God's promise to one and all!
More to come on this subject. In the interim, take time to meditate on the One and Only who considers us to be the apple of His eye. He has not forgotten our work and labour of love which we have showed toward His name -- His name JESUS in this current dispensation of grace.
Stand in the offering plate.
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