this is the final paper i had from the other night - the class notes themselves.
Challenge Group ’10- ’11 The Life of the King
Introduction of the King
1. Introduction to our study
- Why Study Christ?
a. Every Heresy denies Christ. Christ is even controversial within “Christian” churches. 1 John makes it clear that people who want to be in with God need to have a proper outlook on Christ.
b. Christ is who we aspire to relate with and become like (2 Cor. 3:17-18)
c. Christ is the earthly representation of God – part of His role is to show us God’s character/relational pattern/wisdom/ etc.. in a way we can better comprehend. (Jn. 1)
d. Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King ministers to every part of our souls. Christ the Prophet (truth-teller) ministers to our minds as we see the truth; Christ the High Priest (intercessor) ministers to our hearts as we realize our acceptance; and Christ the King (sovereign) ministers to our wills as we see He is worthy of our submission.
e. Christ offers a “new and living way” of living a spiritual life on earth. (sidewalk example/ vitamin example – take in/ assimilate)
f. Also, Christ is the crux of our whole belief, salvation, eternity, sanctification, ministry “fruit”, and anything we study in the Bible plays a part in pointing to Christ. He is the Ultimate.
- Our study
2. Map/Timeline/Resources/Homework
3. Christology
- Fully Human = Heb. 2:14-18, 1 Tim. 2:5, Jn. 8:40, Rm. 5:12-19
- Importance = Mediation/ Death
- Sinless Humanity = 2 Cor. 5:21, Heb 4:15, 1 Jn. 3:5, Heb. 7:26-28
- Importance = Substitution/ Sacrifice
- Full Deity = Col. 2:9, Rm. 9:5, Jn. 1:1-10, 30; Heb. 1:10-12, Jn. 1:18, Heb. 1:1-3, Heb. 10:10-12
- Importance = Paying for an infinite amount of sin;
Revealing God to us.
- Kenosis = Mt. 24:36, Mk. 6:5, Jn. 4:4, Heb. 4:15, 9:14, Jn. 5:30, 1 Cor. 15:3, Php 2:6-7, Jn. 14:10, 15:9, 14:28, Acts 2:22, 10:38, Heb. 2:17, 1 Cor. 15:21, Jn. 14:10-17
- Definition: At the incarnation, Christ gave up not only the environment of the Godhead and His position as Ruler, but also the use of His Divine attributes.
- Importance = Jesus can sympathize with us, and shows us an example of a life led in dependence on the Holy Spirit. Jesus made real sacrifices for us; not only on the cross – but even before that.
- 3-Fold Office of Prophet, Priest, King = Jn. 1:1-18, Rev. 22:3, Jn. 17:4, 14:24, Acts 2:22, Mk. 6:14, Lk. 4:43, Mt. 19:16-26, Isa. 9:6, Deut 18:15, Jn. 20:26-28, Lk. 7:16, 24:19, Heb. 4:14
- Importance = Fulfills prophecy and typology of the OT. Ministers to our needs as truth-teller, intercessor, and ruler. Defeated Satan, death, slavery to sin, and deception with His truth, love, and authority.
- Pre-Existence =
- Importance = not a demigod. He had true authority and infinity. Jesus being a Deity is something we cannot bend our beliefs about.
- Salvation and Resurrection =
- Importance = Nothing matters without this.
- 2nd Coming and Role in Eschatology =
- Importance = This world is not in order currently; things will be made right in the future. Jesus still has an important role to play. He is not just a sacrificial Lamb; but also a living King with a Kingdom.
4. History/ Background
- OT ends during the Persian kingdom; that was a time of re-building and general peace
- Then Alexander the Great defeated the Persians and as he marched into the city of Jerusalem was welcomed to read the Law and Prophets and see prophecies about himself within them. He left Israel in relative peace also.
- When Alexander died young, the kingdom was divided into 4 quadrants under his 4 generals. The Ptolemys of Egypt ruled over Israel. They lived in harmony with each other; this is when the Septuagint (LXX) was written.
- Then the northern kings in Syria began to take control of Israel – they were not as kind. One of the Syrian kings was Antiochus Epiphanies who desecrated the temple (by slaughtering a pig on the altar) and killed 40,000 people in the city of Jerusalem. The Syrian kings began religious persecution of the Jews, and eventually made Judaism illegal as they were trying to assimilate them into the Greek culture (Hellenizing) During this time, the Jews began to rely more on town synagogues and lawyers (teachers of the Law) and Pharisees.
- The Maccabean Revolt took place led by Mattathias and his family. They were tired of the years of oppression and the lack of religious freedom. Members of Mattathias’ family went on to begin the sect of the Saducees.
- Pompey of Rome took control of Israel around 60 years before Jesus was born (63 BCE) He gave control of Israel to a wealthy Edomite/ “Idumaean” officer who found favor with Pompey. Also, the Sanhedrin was set up at this time.
- The Edomite/ “Idumaean” ruler of Israel had 2 sons; one of whom was Herod the Great. This is likely the king who was ruling at the time of Jesus’ birth.
- After Herod the Great died; Israel was divided up into 3 tetrarchies. Archelaus was tetrarch of Judea, Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, and Herod Philip was tetrarch of Trachonitis, Aurtanitus, and Batanea.
- Archelaus was unpopular and ended up being banished in 6 CE. He was succeeded by a string of Roman proconsuls, the 5th of whom was Pontius Pilate. After Jesus’ death, Pilate was later banished to Gaul and ended up committing suicide in 36 CE.
- In 37 CE Caligula made Agrippa I king of first the area that Herod Philip had, and later the area of Galilee and Perea.
- In 44 CE, Caligula reversed his policy of having a puppet-king, and reverted back to using proconsuls. Two of these are mentioned in Acts 23-27 = Felix and Festus.
5. Birth
- Born of a virgin (Genealogy)
- Shepherds and manger in Bethlehem
- Circumcision and naming (8th day)
- Redemption of firstborn and purification of the mother (1 month old. Num. 18:15-16; Lev. 12:1-4, 8) Simeon and Anna meet Jesus and speak (Lk. 2:25-38)
- Visit of the Magi in a house in the city of Bethlehem (Mt. 2:11; also Herod’s edict about children 2 years old and younger means that this was likely at the time Jesus was around 1 year old)
- Flight to Egypt
- Return to Nazareth
- Education
- At age 12, he was attending feasts in Jerusalem
Discussion = Why is not much written about Jesus’ boyhood? What things about Christ have stood out to you and taught you something about yourselves?
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