Fundamental Belief of SDAs

1. GOD THE SON
CHRIST: HIS PERSON AND WORK
February 11, 2014

2. Learning Objectives
• Understand the person of Christ
• Appreciate the mission/work of Jesus Christ

3. Belief Summary
“God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were
created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished,
and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the
Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and
experienced temptation as a human being but perfectly exemplified the
righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God’s power and was
attested as God’s Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins
and in our place, was raised from the dead and ascended t minister in the heavenly
sanctuary on our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His
people and the restoration of all things.”

4. Introduction
• Jesus Christ is at the centre of the Christian
religion
• Christianity is a commitment to a person:
Jesus Christ
• The Scriptures are a reliable and trustworthy
revelation of the person and work of our Lord
Jesus Christ.

5. The Incarnation
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Christ’s preexistence
Christ’s incarnation
The virgin birth
Birth prophesied

7. Human & Divine

8. The Humanity of Christ
• He was a genuine human being
• A human way of life shaped by scriptural
principles

9. A Sinless Human Nature
• Sinless character
• “He came “in the likeness of sinful flesh”
(‘Rom. 8:3). He took human nature in its
fallen condition with its infirmities and
liabilities and bearing the consequences of
sin; but not its sinfulness. He was truly
human, one with the human race, except for
sin.”

10. The Deity of Christ
Christ’s titles:
• Messiah/Christ (Anointed One)
• Christ as Lord
• Son of God
• Jesus as God (Heb. 1:8,9; Psalm 45:6,7;

11. One PersonTruly Divine, Truly Human
• The plurality associated with the triune God
is not present in Christ. The Bible describes
Jesus as one person not two.
• Christ’s dual nature is not composed of an
abstract divine power or influence that is
connected with His humanity. “The Word
became flesh…”

12. One PersonTruly Divine, Truly Human cont’d.
E.G. White “ Was the human nature of the Son
of Mary changed into the divine nature of the
Son of God? No; the two natures were
mysteriously blended in one person – the Man
Christ Jesus” {21MR 418}. “He exhibited a
perfect humanity, combined with deity;…
preserving each nature distinct.” { GCB Oc. 1,
1899; 5BC 918}.

13. Why was the union of divinity and
humanity necessary?
• To reconcile humanity with God
• To veil divinity with humanity
• To live victoriously
“Christ’s humanity alone could never have
endured the deceptions of Satan. But in Him dwelt
“all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9).
Christ’s experience in victorious living is not His
exclusive privilege. He exercised no power that
humanity cannot exercise. We may also be filled
with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:19)

14. The Offices of Christ
– Prophet
– Priest
• Earthly Priesthood
• Heavenly Priesthood
– King
• Kingdom of grace
• Kingdom of glory

15. Resources
• Seventh-day Adventists Believe (2005)
• Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology
vol. 12 (Commentary Reference Series)

16. QUESTIONS?