Christology From Scripture
Daniel JusticeShare
Jesus Christ is the central figure of God's revelation to humanity. From the prophecies of the Old Testament to the eyewitness accounts of the New Testament, Scripture provides the definitive witness to who Christ is and what He has accomplished. As Hebrews declares:
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (Hebrews 1:1–4)
This passage underscores that God’s ultimate revelation comes through His Son, Jesus Christ, fully divine, fully authoritative, and sufficient for our knowledge of Him.
Messianic Prophecies: Foretelling the Coming of ChristThe Old Testament contains numerous prophecies pointing to the Messiah, fulfilled perfectly in Jesus. For instance, Isaiah prophesied:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
This was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, as Matthew records:
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:22–23)
Another key prophecy declares the divine nature of the coming child:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Isaiah also foretold the suffering and atoning work of the Messiah:
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4–6)
These prophecies establish that Christ’s coming, His virgin birth, His divine titles, and His substitutionary suffering were all planned by God and recorded in Scripture centuries in advance.
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4–6)
The Incarnation: God Becoming FleshThe eternal Son of God took on human nature without ceasing to be God. John’s Gospel opens with this profound truth:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1–3, 14)
Paul describes this self-humiliation, known as the kenosis:
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:5–7)
In the incarnation, the divine Word became fully human while remaining fully God, enabling Him to represent humanity perfectly.
The Life, Miracles, and Teachings of JesusThe four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) provide detailed accounts of Jesus’ miraculous birth, His sinless life, authoritative teachings, and mighty works such as healing the sick, casting out demons, calming storms, and raising the dead. These signs confirmed His identity as the promised Messiah and demonstrated the inbreaking of God’s kingdom.
The Death and Atonement: Christ’s Sacrificial WorkJesus’ death on the cross fulfilled the prophetic picture of the suffering servant. He died as a substitute, bearing the punishment for human sin. Paul summarizes the gospel:
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried... (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)
His death accomplished atonement, reconciliation between God and sinners, by satisfying divine justice.
The Resurrection: Victory Over DeathThe resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, vindicating all of Christ’s claims. Paul writes:
...that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (1 Corinthians 15:4–8)
Paul emphasizes the necessity of the resurrection:
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20)
Without the resurrection, faith would be futile; with it, believers have assurance of forgiveness and eternal life.
The Ascension and ExaltationAfter His resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven and was exalted to God’s right hand:
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8–11)
The ascension itself is recorded in Acts:
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9–11)
Christ now reigns as Lord, interceding for His people, and will return in glory.
Scripture as the Definitive Witness to ChristThe Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, fully reveals the person and work of Jesus Christ: His eternal deity, miraculous incarnation, atoning death, triumphant resurrection, and glorious ascension. No additional sources or traditions are needed, for God has spoken definitively through His Word and through His Son. As Scripture testifies, Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, and the one to whom all must bow.