Chapter 3

Jesus Christ

Sections

What distinguishes Christianity from other religions is largely its teachings about Jesus Christ. This chapter looks at this central figure, including the amazing claim that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Jesus Christ’s Eternity

Jesus Christ existed in the beginning

[John, to believers:] I’m writing to you, fathers, because you know Christ who has existed from the beginning.   1 John 2:13a GW

Jesus Christ existed before the world was created.

Jesus Christ will be alive forever

But Jesus lives forever, so he serves as a priest forever.   Hebrews 7:24 GW

Jesus Christ remains the same

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!   Hebrews 13:8 NET

Jesus Christ’s Pre-Eminence

Jesus Christ has sovereign power

[Paul, speaking of Christ:] By his power to rule all things, he will change our simple bodies and make them like his own glorious body.   Philippians 3:20b-21 NCV™

Jesus Christ has supreme knowledge and wisdom

[The disciples, to Jesus:] Now we know that you know everything.   John 16:30a GW

[Jesus, to his disciples:] I will give you words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to oppose or prove wrong.   Luke 21:15 GW

Jesus Christ has wisdom far superior to that of any enemy that believers may encounter.

Jesus Christ is everywhere

So Jesus came down, and he is the same One who went up above all the sky. Christ did that to fill everything with his presence.   Ephesians 4:10 NCV™

The whole universe is filled with Jesus Christ’s presence.

Jesus Christ’s Character

Jesus Christ is holy

[Believers, to God:] Then they turned against your holy Servant Jesus, your chosen Messiah.   Acts 4:27 CEV

Jesus Christ is righteous

[John, to believers:] But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One, …   1 John 2:1b NET

Jesus Christ is loving

[Paul, to the believers in Ephesus:] And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. 19Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.   Ephesians 3:18-19 NCV™

Jesus Christ’s Divinity

Jesus Christ is the Son of God

We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God.   Hebrews 4:14a CEV

Jesus Christ has the nature and fullness of God

He always had the nature of God …   Philippians 2:6a GNT

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son …   Colossians 1:19 NET

Pray for persecuted Christians