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Chapter 3  Part I

General

Sections

The NT makes remarkable claims about aspects of Jesus Christ’s being and his character. In doing so it shows Jesus Christ’s nature to mirror that of God, and so points to his deity (his “God nature”). The NT also often refers to Jesus Christ’s “name”, making it a further concept that is important to grasp.

Jesus Christ’s Eternity

Jesus Christ existed in the beginning . . .

[John, to believers:] I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who has existed from the beginning.   1 John 2:13a GNT

Jesus Christ existed in the beginning, before all time.

. . . Jesus Christ was before all things

[Jesus, to God:] And now, Father, glorify me at your side with the glory I had with you before the world was created.   John 17:5 NET

Jesus Christ will be alive forever

But because Jesus lives forever, he will never stop serving as priest. 25So he is able always to save those who come to God through him because he always lives, asking God to help them.   Hebrews 7:24-25 NCV™

Jesus Christ is self-existing – he is “the life”

For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.   John 5:26 ESV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The person who believes in me, even though he dies, will live.   John 11:25 ISV

Descriptions of Jesus Christ as “the life” reflect the fact that he has life inherent (cf. 5:26 ↑) as part of his essential nature, and as such is self-existing. Primarily they point to Jesus Christ as the source of life – the one who gives life – as the latter part of this verse suggests.

Jesus Christ remains the same

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

Jesus Christ’s Pre-Eminence

See also:

• Jesus Christ as Lord of All

Jesus Christ is greater than all things

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, 16for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him – all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers – all things were created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him. 18He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things.   Colossians 1:15-18 NET

Jesus Christ has divine glory

When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.   Matthew 25:31 NET

Note that “the Son of Man” was the title Jesus used for himself the most. It is a messianic title, but it also underlines his humanity.

Jesus Christ has mighty, sovereign power

[Paul, to believers:] But our citizenship is in heaven – and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.   Philippians 3:20-21 NET

Jesus Christ has superlative knowledge and wisdom

[The disciples, to Jesus:] Now we know that you know everything …   John 16:30 NET

[Jesus, to his disciples:] For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.   Luke 21:15 NET

Christ has wisdom superior to that of any adversary that we face.

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™

Jesus Christ’s Character

See also:

• Jesus Christ’s Personality

Jesus Christ is holy and righteous

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

[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 faithful

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.   2 Thessalonians 3:3 NET

Jesus Christ is loving

[Paul, to believers:] 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 Name

In biblical times, a person’s name represented their whole person – including their nature, authority and significance or purpose. This concept is in view in references to the “name” of a person.

Jesus Christ’s “name” signifies Jesus Christ himself

For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. 13For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.   Romans 10:12-13 NET

These verses illustrate that the “name” of Jesus Christ signifies or embodies Jesus Christ himself by the use of the equivalent phrases “call on him” (v. 12) and “calls on the name of the Lord” (v. 13).

Pray for persecuted Christians