Understanding The Bible |
BY THE AUTHOR
Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
1970
THE PERSONS OF THE TRINITY
God the Father
His relationships
Father
of the Lord Jesus Christ
This relationship is definitely announced, but nowhere clearly explained.
It is fundamental within the Divine Being and has always existed.
Plain
statement of Scripture,
2 Cor. 1:3; 11:31; Gal. 4:4; Eph. 1:3; Rom. 15:6; 1 Pet. 1:3
The
Son is said to have been "begotten" of the Father,
Jn. 1:14,18; 3:16; Col. 1:15; 1 Jn. 4:9
The
Father affirms this relationship,
Mt. 3:17; 17:5; Lk. 9:35; Heb. 1:5-10
Christ
affirms this relationship
Jn. 5:17-26; 8:54; 14:12; 17:5; Lk. 2:49
Father
of the nation Israel (as a unit, not as individuals as in NT),
Ex. 4:22; Dt. 32:6; Isa. 64:8; Mal. 1:6; 2:10
Father
of all who believe in Christ (a NT privilege),
Jn. 1:12; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 2:18-19; Rom. 8:14-17; 1 Jn. 3:1, Eph.
4:6
This relationship does not include all mankind. The so-called "universal
fatherhood of God" is wholly unsupported by Scripture,
1 Cor. 8:6; Jn. 8:44; Eph. 2:2-3. He is the Creator and in this
sense they are His "offspring, " Acts 17:29 (Greek genos
= race).
His works
Determination
of the decree,
Ps. 2:7-9; Jn. 6:37-38; 17:4-7
Election, Eph. 1:3-6
Creation, 1 Cor. 8:6
Sending Christ, Jn. 3:16; 5:37; 8:16
Raising of the dead, Jn. 5:21; 1 Cor. 15:15
Revelation, Rom. 1:2
Judgment, 1 Pet. 1:17
Disciplining
of sons, Heb. 12:9; Jn. 15:1-2
God the Son (outline by Chafer)
His
pre-existence,
Mic. 5:2; Jn. 1:1-2; 5:58; Col. 1:17; Rev. 1:17-18; Jn. 6:62; 17:5,24;
16:28; 8:42
The
deity of Christ
Consider notes on this point in section pertaining to Trinity.
The humanity of Christ (Incarnation)
Scriptural
proof,
Jn. 8:40; Acts 2:22; Rom. 5:15; 1 Cor. 15:21; Jn. 1:14; 1 Tim. 3:16;
1 Jn. 4:2
He possessed the essential elements of human nature--a material
body and a rational soul,
Mt. 26:26,28,38; Lk. 23:46; 24:39; Jn. 11:33; Heb. 2:14.
He was subject to the ordinary laws of human development and to
human wants and sufferings,
Lk. 2:40,52; Heb. 2:10,18; 5:8.
The normal experiences of man's life were His,
Mt. 4:2; 8:24; 9:36; Mk. 3:5; Lk. 22:44; Jn. 4:6; 11:35; 12:27;
19:28,30; Heb. 5:7.
Scriptural reasons
He
came to reveal God to man,
Jn. 1:14,18; 14:9; Mt. 11:27; 1 Jn. 3:16; Col. 2:2.
He
came to reveal man. He is an example to the believer,
1 Pet. 2:21.
He
came to provide a sacrifice for sin,
Heb. 10:1-10.
He
came in the flesh that He might destroy the works of the Devil,
Heb. 2:14; 1 Jn. 3:8; Col. 2:13-15; Jn. 12:31; 16:11.
He
came into the world that He might be a. merciful and faithful
high priest in things pertaining to God,
Heb. 2:16-17; 8:1; 9:11-12,24.
He
came in the flesh that He might fulfill the Davidic covenant,
2 Sam. 7:16; Lk. 1:31-33; Rom. 15:8; Acts 2:30-31, 36.
The
"hypo static union"
This doctrine indicates the union of the two natures of Christ in one
person. Three essential facts are to be considered:
"The Lord Jesus Christ was from the moment of human gestation until His resurrection the undiminished presence of God. He suffered His glory to be veiled, but none of His conscious Deity was ever sacrificed. The Babe of Bethlehem could have commanded the dismissal of all material things, had He chosen to do so. God could do no more, or be no more, than is claimed for Christ. " (Chafer)
Christ was truly man with a complete human nature.
These
two natures were, without diminution or complication, united in
the one unique and incomparable Person. He is humanity un-exalted
and Deity undiminished.
Also to be considered in the doctrine of the hypostatic union of
Christ is the impeccability of Christ. By this we affirm that Christ
was not merely able not to sin, but was not able to sin. Because
of His immutable holiness Christ, being God, could not sin, and
in His sinless humanity, as procreated of God, He was "that
holy thing" (Lk. 1:35) incapable of sin.
An objection to the hypostatic union of Christ is given in the Kenosis
Theory, based on Philippians 2:7, where the literal translation
would be "Christ emptied Himself. " This theory advances
the thought that the Incarnate Christ emptied Himself of His Deity.
(For a fuller discussion of our Lord's alleged limitation of knowledge,
urged by some because of improper views on His self-humbling, see
next page for a special note on Mark 13:32.)
The orthodox position in regard to Philippians 2:7 is that Christ
surrendered only:
(1) the independent use of His attributes
(2) His visible glory
The offices of Christ
Prophet - representing the claims of God to man
Priest - representing man to God, Heb. 5:1
Priest taken from among men to be their representative.
He is appointed by God (cp. 5:4).
He is active in those interests of men that pertain to God.
His special work is to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
He makes intercession for His people, Heb. 3:1; 4:14; 5:5; 6.20; 7:26; 8:1.
King
- the promised Seed of David who is to reign in righteousness over
a regathered, redeemed Israel and over the world
The Holy Spirit
His personality: Acts 8:29,39; 10:19; 16:17 (Cp. notes on Trinity)
"Mason's Notes"
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