September 7, 2016

Jesus

The Bible teaches that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary by the power of God. As a result of his unique conception, he was both the Son of God and the Son of Man.

Son of God

The Bible does not describe Jesus as being part of the Trinity*. Instead the Bible shows us that Jesus inherited his Father’s characteristics in the same way that we inherit characteristics from our parents. The relationship was so close that Jesus could say, “I and my Father are one.”

Those who met Jesus could understand the character of God from observing his actions and listening to his words because Jesus manifested God’s character perfectly.

Son of Man

However, the Bible record demonstrates that Jesus inherited his mother’s nature; that is her tendency to sin. We know that he was tempted during his ministry and the writer to the Hebrews tells us that Jesus “was in all points tempted as we are”.

However Jesus did not sin. He conquered sin in the one place where sin should naturally have thrived. That is in the life of one who shared our tendency to sin.

Sacrifice for sin

His obedience to God’s commands extended to allowing himself to be executed by the Roman authorities at the request of the Jews. As a result of his obedience God raised him from the dead and accepts Jesus death as a sacrifice for our sins.

This is why those who associate themselves with the live of Jesus through baptism live in the hope of eternal life in God’s kingdom. Their sins have been covered by the perfect life of Jesus Christ. They become adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus and adopted sons and daughters of God.

Remembering Jesus

The night before he was executed, Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples. During the meal he commanded them to share a loaf of bread and a cup of wine to remember him whenever they met together.

As a result, Christadelphians follow the example of the disciples and meet together on Sunday to remember Jesus in bread and wine.

* The word ‘Trinity’ does not appear in the Bible. In fact, even the concept of mysterious three-person Godhead cannot be found in the pages of the Bible. God is described as the one God, see Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:29, 32, Galatians 3:20, Ephesians 4:6 and 1 Timothy 2:5