C
hapter #7 – Jesus, Son of God –
Prophet, King, Christ and High Priest
2Cor 11:3 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve
through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the
simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ” (asv)
Jesus Christ is rightly considered by believers of the Scriptures to be the climax of
history. Everything that had occurred before his earthly life – since the tragedy in Eden –
was leading up to his arrival (Eph 3:11), and ever since he went back to the Father we have
looked backward to his perfect life, his cruel death and his marvelous resurrection, and, his
good news Message that he left for our redemption.
Jesus was the greatest of the Prophets.
He was the Messiah (Christ) that was to come
as Saviour, King and High Priest. He and He alone was the perfect and complete fulfillment
of the Old Covenant promises of a redeemer that was to come and save sinners. He was the
definition, inaugurator and promoter of the New Covenant that could have rehabilitated the
whole world. (Mat 5:17-20; Heb 9:15; etc.) The difficulty with many, however, next to willful
ignorance and prejudice, has been in “rightly dividing” (“handling aright”) the Scriptures
relative to the Old Covenant and the New Covenant; the Law of Moses and the law of the
New Covenant administered by Christ. The New Covenant is no part of the Old Covenant.
It is a fact of course that principles of righteousness based upon a righteous God can never
change, and therefore have not changed. As just one example, the love of God and the love
of brethren have been inherent in every law from the very first and will be to the very end.
Matters peculiar to the earlier laws are not binding to any degree upon the citizens of the
New Kingdom. (We will discuss matters that certain ones have attempted to bring from the
Old Covenant into the New in future chapters.)
This difficulty has been exacerbated in recent years with the emergence of various
contradictory doctrines, one concerning the nation of Israel still being God’s chosen people,
and another regarding God's truths concerning the nature of the New Kingdom and its
citizens.
Peter, writing to “the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,
Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through
sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” (1Pe
1:1,2), clarifies who the citizens of the New Kingdom are:
“. . . ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood,
to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Because it
is contained in Scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious:
And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame” (1Pe 2:5,6).
Continuing, Peter, a Jew, and inspired, and given permission first of all the apostles to use
the keys to the Kingdom for both the Jews (Acts 2, Pentecost) and the Gentiles (Acts 9,
Cornelius), states:
“ . . . The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the
corner; and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the
word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”
What about those who believed in Jesus?
“But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own
possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light: who in time past were no people, but now are the
people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1Pet 2:5-10).
Facts We Must Accept:
1. Jesus of Nazareth was born a Jew, and died a Jew, under the Law of
Moses. This is an important point to remember, for it is easy for us to think of Jesus as the
"first Christian." Jesus of Nazareth was born as a Jew, circumcised on the eighth day, and
His ministry was directed mostly at the Jews (Luk 2:39-49; Mat 15:24; etc.). Jesus describes
His purpose in Matthew 5:17-18:
"Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but
to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one
tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished
(fulfilled)."
We recognize, of course, that Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension led to the
accomplishment (fulfillment) of all things regarding the law, and it then began to pass away
(Heb 8:13). Nevertheless, during the life of Jesus, the Covenant in force was the one between
God and Israel, and no New Covenant was made until after Jesus' death and the
proclamation thereof on Pentecost (Acts 2; Heb 9:15-26).
We do see that Jesus does spend much time refuting the traditions of the Pharisees and
others, pointing rather to the law itself (cf. Mat 15:1-9, Mat 23, etc.). Such was certainly a
part of Jesus' ministry concerning righteousness, as it was that of John.
2. Jesus Preached the Good News of the Kingdom That Was “Nigh.” While it
is certainly true that Jesus lived and died under the Old Covenant, much of the message that
He preached was basically two fold:
a. The need for repentance pertaining to transgression of the Law,
Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. . . . 4:17 “From that
time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”.
Question: Of what was Jesus asking (demanding) that they repent?
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and
believe the gospel. 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Question? Of what was Jesus and “the twelve” asking (demanding) that they
repent?
Luk 13:3 . . . except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. . . 13:5 . . . except ye repent, ye shall
all likewise perish. . . . 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them
from the dead, they will repent. . . .
Question? Of what was Jesus asking (demanding) that they repent? Have we not
all heard after Gospel sermons the evangelist using Luke 13:3 in an effort to get
sinners to repent and accept the Lord? Is this appropriate under the
circumstances? Please consider: Is not the object of repentance giving us an
indication of which law was in force.
Luk 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among
all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Question? Of what were these disciples referencing concerning repentance?
b. and belief in the Messiah that was promised and is now come: Concerning belief in
Jesus as Christ, and the Kingdom that was “nigh.”:
“Believe” is found 46 times in the account by John, belief not found at all. Belief is from same
word as faith (pisteuo). Jesus on several occasions stated that “it hath been said,” either from
the Law or fabricated by the Jewish rabbis. (See Mat 5:31, 33, 38, 43; etc.) He usually
followed with “But I say unto you . . .” (See Mat 5:22, 28, 32, 24, 39, 44; 11:22, 24; 12:6, 36;
17:12; 26:29; Mar 9:13; Luk 6:27; 10:12) Most significant is John’s statement “And many
other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that
believing ye might have life through his name” (Joh 20:30,31).
c. Jesus' teachings can be broken down into the two categories like those given above:
on the one hand, he certainly admonished (warned) the Jews about matters that
needed correction according to the Law (i.e., Mat 23), yet on the other hand He
provided a message that superceded the Old Covenant and looked forward to the
New. (Some of the “old timey” preachers talked of “Pentecost Pointers!”)
d. The lessons in the parables in Matthew Chapter 13 make sense when we consider the
Kingdom that is “nigh,” and will be world wide. Judaism was intended by God to be
a salvation blessing to all the world. But, historically and even today, Jews have not
been an evangelizing people. (What about Cornelius?) The Jews did welcome in any
who wanted to join them, but only rarely have gone out to attempt to convert anyone
to Judaism. (A Jewish priest in Dallas told me that if I could convert a Jew to Christ
I was welcome to him!) Their religion is based on lineage, and pride. Yet Jesus'
parable of the sower in Matthew 13 speaks of converting people to the Kingdom. The
parable of the talents in Matthew 24:14-30 refers to the conversion of souls. If Jesus
were only expounding on the Law of Moses, why would He speak about such? There
is a distinction between what was, i.e., the Law of Moses, and what was to be, i.e., the
Law of Christ in the New Kingdom that was nigh.
3. Jesus Commissions His Disciples to Preach His Message of Salvation for
All Men. We are aware that Jesus commissions His twelve disciples to preach the message
of the New Covenant after His death, and not before. Paul tells us when the Old Law was
terminated, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was
contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Col. 2:14). The New
Message was the Gospel (see Rom 1:16); the preaching to all nations is called “the great
commission” because of its greatness:
"Go ye therefore and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you" (Mat 28:19,20). The Mark account says: "Go
ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and
is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mar
16:15,16). “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you,
while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the
law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened
he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, And said unto
them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the
dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached
in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luk 24:44-47).
What, then, is this message?
a. Just before going to the Cross Jesus tells his disciples,
John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them
now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all
truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall
he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he
shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father
hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto
you.
The Record states that the Holy Spirit did come upon the apostles as recorded in
Acts Chapter 2, and they spoke as the Holy Spirit led them. See particularly 1:8
and 2:4.
b. Paul clearly explains where he obtained his understandings:
1Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that
love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit
searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the
things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God
knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit
of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that
are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words
which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing
spiritual things with spiritual.
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel
unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As
we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you
than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 ¶ For do I now persuade
men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be
the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was
preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was
I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 12 For I neither received it of
man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
c. The Apostle Peter states:
2Pet 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that
ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and
the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the
scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old
time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the
Holy Spirit.
d. The writer of Hebrews states:
1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the
fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,
whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
. . . 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we
have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by
angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just
recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;
which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by
them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and
wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his
own will?
We have seen that Jesus did live under the Covenant between God and Israel, was
amenable to the Law of Moses, yet preached in anticipation of the coming of the new age and
the new Covenant. How can it be, then, that Jesus lived under the Old Covenant, and obeyed
every facet of it, but could still inform about many things that was to be under the New
Covenant?
What about that of the American pilgrims who were still under the laws of England
as a colony, until they formed a new nation. Many principles of English law were
incorporated into the American Constitute, but were no longer a part of England, but
of the new nation of America. Without belaboring this one point, probably many of
the Jews after Pentecost thought only of the disciples as rebellious Jews, not
recognizing the authority of the New Covenant under Christ. Even today most Jews
do not recognize Christ, and their arrogance is based upon seeing Christianity as
rebellion against Israel. In one article this very week a Jewish writer referred to
Christianity as “a sect of Judaism.” How wrong could he be, and how sad!
4. The New Covenant (Diatheke): We have seen that the word for “covenant” in
Greek is diatheke. We note (to be a bit technical) that diatheke originally referred only to a
last testament (or will), and that the Greek translators of the Hebrew Bible essentially added
a new definition to diatheke by using it to translate the Hebrew berit, "covenant." The
description of the New Covenant in Christ utilizes both definitions of diatheke; we shall
begin by looking at diatheke as "covenant," as seen in Hebrews 9:15:
15 ¶ And because of this He is the negotiator of a new Covenant, in order that, since
a life has been given in atonement for the offences committed under the First
Covenant, those who have been called may receive the eternal inheritance which
has been promised to them. 16 For where there is a legal ‘will,’ there must also be
a death brought forward in evidence—the death of him who made it. 17 And a will
is only of force in the case of a deceased person, being never of any avail so long as
he who made it lives. (WEY translation)
5. Some of the properties of the New Covenant:
a. The covenant is between God and every man (not groups, family, or
organization) through the mediation of Christ Jesus (1 Tim 2:3-7).
b. The covenant is conditional upon the obedience of every man to the Gospel of the
Lord Jesus Christ (Matt 7:21-23, 2 Thess 1:6-9).
c. The covenant obliges God to forgive the sins of the baptized, repentant believer,
and to provide eternal life to all those who remain faithful to His will.
d. The covenant demands each one to recognize membership in the “One Body” with
all others in Christ. As Paul states, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one
body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been
all made to drink into one Spirit” (1Cor 12:13), and “So we, being many, are one
body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Rom 12:5).
e. The covenant obliges all saints to accept Christ as Lord, and to obey him in all
things according to their knowledge and ability; repenting and petitioning their
Lord for forgiveness when they stumble (1 Joh 1:7-9), being faithful unto death
(Rev 1:10).
f. The sign of the covenant is the possession of the Holy Spirit, without which no
man can claim to belong to Christ. (Rom. 8:9).
6. The Covenant Between God and Man Through Christ Is Unique in Many
Ways. Let us examine some of its unique characteristics:
a. The emergence of the New Covenant was prophesied far before, that it would
replace the covenant between God and Israel, and that the Gentiles would be
added into the fold (Jer 31:31-34, Deu 18:15-19, Isa 2:1-4, Hos 2:23; compare Heb
8:8-13, 1Pe 2:10).
b. The Covenant entails a spiritual, not physical, kingdom (Joh 18:36, Eph 6:10-18).
c. Everyone is called to be a part of the New Kingdom, and no distinction is made
between race, culture, or ethnicity (1Ti 2:4, Gal 3:28).
d. The covenant will be everlasting, and will not be superceded by another (1Co
15:20-58).
These, then, are some of the characteristics of the Covenant between God and man
through Christ Jesus. Let us contrast this covenant with the Covenants of the Old Testament
previously examined to gain some insights.
7. The Superiority Of The New Covenant:
a. God’s Covenant With Adam and Eve: Paul contrasts the death which Adam
introduced into the world with the life that Christ brought by His death:
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1Co 15:22).
“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam
was made a quickening (life-giving) spirit” (15:45).
Therefore, we can see that death, the penalty of the disobedience of Adam, has
been reversed by the death of Christ, which gives us life.
b. Noah and the New Covenant: The Covenant between God and all flesh at the
time of Noah finds no adaptation or change as long as the earth continues to exist.
It is interesting to note, however, how Peter describes the salvation of Christians
in terms of an "antitype" of Noah in 1 Peter 3:
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God
waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that
is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 ¶ The like figure whereunto even
baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,
but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ:
As Noah and his family were saved by remaining safe above the water, we are
saved by being immersed within water -- not a bath, but the appeal to God for a
clean conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
c. The Covenant with Abraham and the New Covenant: The covenant
between God and Abraham saw some initial fulfillment in the Israelites: God
made them a great nation, with numerous descendants, and gave them the land
of Canaan. One promise remained to be fulfilled, and it was done through Christ
Jesus, as Paul explains in Gal 3:16, 29.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And
to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. . . . 29
And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the
promise.
It was through Christ that "all the nations of the earth will be blessed;" Christ,
therefore, represents the final fulfillment of the Covenant between God and
Abraham.
d. The Covenant with Israel and the New Covenant: The relationship
between the Covenant between God and Israel and the New Covenant can be
analyzed in three ways: fulfillment, succession, and superiority.
(Continued in Chapter #08)
ENDNOTES: