Focusing on the Person and Work of Jesus Christ
The person and work of Jesus Christ are central to Christian theology, with the New Testament emphasizing Jesus as the fulfillment of God's plan for humanity's salvation. The author of Hebrews encourages believers to "look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith" [1]. This focus on Jesus is evident throughout the New Testament, where he is portrayed as the one through whom God has acted decisively to redeem humanity.
The biblical account presents Jesus as the exemplar of faith and obedience. In Philippians 2:5, believers are exhorted to have the same mind as Christ Jesus, who humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death on the cross [10]. This emphasis on Jesus' humility and obedience is echoed in the Gospels, where his actions and teachings demonstrate a commitment to serving others and fulfilling God's will.
The work of Jesus Christ is closely tied to the concept of salvation. According to the apostle Paul, Jesus' death and resurrection provide the basis for humanity's redemption from sin [9]. In 1 Corinthians, Paul emphasizes that the power of the gospel lies not in human eloquence or persuasive arguments, but in the message of Christ crucified and the power of the Holy Spirit [11].
The New Testament writers also highlight the importance of Jesus' ongoing work in the lives of believers. In 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Paul commends the Thessalonian believers for their "work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" [3, 4]. This emphasis on the ongoing significance of Jesus' person and work is reflected in the early Christian community's devotion to "the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ" [2].
In Christian tradition, the person and work of Jesus Christ have been understood as inextricably linked. Jesus' identity as the Son of God is seen as essential to his ability to accomplish humanity's salvation. As the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary notes, Jesus' sinlessness and obedience are contrasted with humanity's sinful nature, highlighting the significance of his redemptive work [7, 8].
The ongoing significance of Jesus' person and work is reflected in the emphasis on cultivating Christian graces and living a life that is pleasing to God. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights Jesus as an example of diligence and good works, encouraging believers to follow his example [5, 6].
The centrality of Jesus Christ to Christian theology is a unifying thread across various Christian traditions. While different traditions may emphasize different aspects of Jesus' person and work, the New Testament provides a shared foundation for understanding the significance of Jesus Christ. As the Protestant academic commentary on Romans notes, Jesus' death and resurrection provide the basis for humanity's redemption, a theme that is echoed across the New Testament [9].
Sources
- Hebrews “looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -- Hebrews 12:2”
- Acts “preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance. -- Acts 28:31”
- I Thessalonians “I Thessalonians 1:3 (KJV) — Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Thessalonians 1:3 — Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Works, Good — Christ, an example of -- Joh 10:32; Ac 10:38. Called Good fruits. -- Jas 3:17. Fruits meet for repentance. -- Mt 3:8. Fruits of righteousness. -- Php 1:11. Works and labours of love. -- Heb 6:10. Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God -- Php 1:11. They alone, who abide in Christ can perform -- Joh 15:4,5. Wrought by God in us -- Isa 26:12; Php 2:13. The Scripture designed to lead us to -- 2Ti 3:16,17; Jas 1:25. To be performed in Christ's name -- Col 3:17. Heavenly wisdom is full of -- Jas 3:17. Justification unattainable by -- Ro 3:20; Ga 2”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- Philippians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus - Christ labored to promote no separate interest; as man he studied to promote the glory of God, and the welfare and salvation of the human race. See then that ye have the same disposition that was in Jesus: he was ever humble, loving, patient, and laborious; his meat and drink was to do the will of his Father, and to finish his work.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 2:3: 2:3-4 Human weakness is no barrier to God’s work (2 Cor 12:7-10). The real power is not in charismatic preaching, finesse of presentation, or logical persuasiveness (cp. 2 Cor 10:10), but in the message itself, centered on Christ and his death for our sins, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, who convicts the human heart.”