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Demonstration of God's Character in Jesus Christ in Gospels Epistles

The character of God is profoundly demonstrated in Jesus Christ, as revealed throughout the Gospels and Epistles. This demonstration encompasses various divine attributes, including God's glory, holiness, love, and sincerity, all made manifest through Christ's person, life, and work [1, 2, 4, 5]. The New Testament consistently presents Jesus as the ultimate revelation of the invisible God, making known what was previously veiled or hinted at [9, 11].

One of the primary ways God's character is demonstrated in Christ is through the exhibition of His glory. John's Gospel states that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and "we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father" (John 1:14) [2]. This glory is not merely an outward display but an intrinsic aspect of Christ's divine nature, which was at times disclosed, such as during the Transfiguration, where Jesus' appearance was transformed, revealing his inner, divine nature [11]. The Apostle Paul further emphasizes this, stating that God's glory is "exhibited in Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6) and that Christ is "the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" (Hebrews 1:3) [2]. This manifestation of glory in Christ is a central theme, indicating that in beholding Jesus, one beholds the very glory of God [12].

The holiness of God is another attribute powerfully demonstrated in Jesus. Christ is described as "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" (Hebrews 7:26) [1]. His life served as an example of holiness, free from sin (1 Peter 2:22) [1]. The standard for holiness for believers is not only the character of God but also the character of Christ (Romans 8:29; 1 John 2:6; Philippians 2:5) [1]. This emphasis on Christ's holiness underscores the divine purity and moral perfection inherent in God's character, which Jesus perfectly embodied. Believers are called to holiness, and this calling is rooted in God's own holiness, as seen in the Old Testament command, "You shall be holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16) [1]. Christ's life provides the ultimate pattern for this commanded holiness.

God's profound love is supremely demonstrated in Jesus Christ. The Gospels portray Christ's love as sacrificial, culminating in his offering of himself for humanity (John 15:13; Romans 5:8) [10]. This act of self-giving love is presented as the model and motivation for Christian love (Philippians 2:5-8) [10]. God's love for Christ is also evident, as seen in the divine affirmation at Jesus' baptism and transfiguration, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 17:5) [4]. Conversely, the love of saints for Christ is a characteristic of true believers, manifested through obedience, service, and a willingness to prioritize Him above all else (John 14:15, 21, 23; Matthew 10:37) [4]. John Gill notes that the apostles "had a clear discerning of the love and grace of God, manifested in the mission of Christ into the world" [12]. The voluntary nature of Christ's passion, as discussed by John Chrysostom, further highlights this love, demonstrating that his sacrifice was not merely commanded but consented to, proving his promise of life to humanity [13].

The sincerity of God's character is also reflected in Christ. Jesus was an example of sincerity (1 Peter 2:22), and this quality is expected of ministers and believers alike [5]. Sincerity in love for God and Christ, in service, and in faith are all emphasized in the Epistles (Ephesians 6:24; Joshua 24:14; 1 Timothy 1:5) [5]. This attribute speaks to the genuine and unfeigned nature of God's dealings with humanity, mirrored in Christ's transparent and truthful life. The preaching of the Gospel itself is meant to be characterized by sincerity, in contrast to those who preach from impure motives (2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5) [5].

Beyond these specific attributes, the very person and work of Christ serve as the central fact of Christian preaching, embodying the "good message" (Greek: evangelion) of salvation [3]. The Gospels, as historical accounts, detail Christ's person and mission, with Matthew presenting him as the promised King, and Mark as a prophet mighty in deed and word [3]. The Epistles further articulate the theological implications of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Paul, for instance, declares himself an "apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God" (Ephesians 1:1), emphasizing the divine initiative behind Christ's mission [8].

The manifestation of God in the flesh through Christ is described as a "great mystery of godliness" (1 Timothy 3:16), where God is "manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up in glory" [9]. This incarnation is the ultimate demonstration of God's character, making the invisible God visible and tangible. The apostles, having witnessed Christ, were able to testify to his glory and the love of God manifested through him [12]. Their testimony, given with "great power," centered on the resurrection of the Lord Jesus (Acts 4:33), which further confirmed his divine identity and the truth of his claims [6].

The revelation of God's character in Christ is not merely for observation but for transformation. Believers are called to be "the Epistle of Christ, ministred by us, and written, not with yncke, but with the Spirite of the liuing God, not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart" (2 Corinthians 3:3) [7]. This implies that the character of God, demonstrated in Christ, is meant to be internalized and lived out by those who follow him. The grace of God, made plain in history by Christ Jesus, provides "the way to life" and is mediated through the proclamation of the Good News (2 Timothy 1:10) [14]. This ongoing manifestation of God's character through Christ and his followers continues to be a central theme in Christian theology.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory of God, The — Exhibited in Christ -- Joh 1:14; 2Co 4:6; Heb 1:3. Exhibited in His name. -- De 28:58; Ne 9:5. His majesty. -- Job 37:22; Ps 93:1; 104:1; 145:5,12; Isa 2:10. His power. -- Ex 15:1,6; Ro 6:4. His works. -- Ps 19:1; 111:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11. Described as Great. -- Ps 138:5. Eternal. -- Ps 104:31. Rich. -- Eph 3:16. Highly exalted. -- Ps 8:1; 113:4. Exhibited to Moses. -- Ex 34:5-7; 33:18-23. Stephen. -- Ac 7:55. His Church. -- De 5:24; Ps 102:16. Enlightens the Church -- Isa 60:1,2; Re 21:11,23. Saints desire to behold -- Ps 63:2; 90:16. God”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to Christ — Exhibited by God -- Mt 17:5; Joh 5:20. Exhibited by saints -- 1Pe 1:8. His personal excellence is deserving of -- Song 5:9-16. His love to us a motive to -- 2Co 5:14. Manifested in Seeking him. -- Song 3:2. Obeying him. -- Joh 14:15,21,23. Ministering to him. -- Mt 27:55; 25:40. Preferring him to all others. -- Mt 10:37. Taking up the cross for Him. -- Mt 10:38. A characteristic of saints -- Song 1:4. An evidence of adoption -- Joh 8:42. Should be Sincere. -- Eph 6:24. With the soul. -- Song 1:7. In proportion to our mercies. -- Lu 7:47. Supreme. -- ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
  6. Acts “With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. -- Acts 4:33”
  7. II Corinthians “II Corinthians 3:3 (Geneva1599) — In that yee are manifest, to be the Epistle of Christ, ministred by vs, and written, not with yncke, but with the Spirite of the liuing God, not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.”
  8. Ephesians “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: -- Ephesians 1:1”
  9. I Timothy “I Timothy 3:16 (Geneva1599) — And without controuersie, great is the mysterie of godlinesse, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, iustified in the Spirit, seene of Angels, preached vnto the Gentiles, beleeued on in the world, and receiued vp in glorie.”
  10. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 5:2: 5:2 Christ’s love is shown especially in his offering himself as a sacrifice for us (cp. 5:25; John 15:13; Rom 5:8). Christian love is motivated by and modeled after Christ’s sacrificial love (see Phil 2:5-8). • Paul draws on Old Testament imagery, where the smell of a burning sacrifice was a pleasing aroma to God (see Lev 1:9; 2:2; cp. Rom 12:1).”
  11. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 17:2: 17:2 Jesus’ appearance was transformed: Jesus’ inner, divine nature, previously veiled, was now disclosed so that the three caught a glimpse of his glory (see Exod 34:29-35; Ps 104:2; 2 Cor 3:12-18; Rev 1:16). Jesus’ followers will one day share in this glory (Matt 13:43).”
  12. 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 4:14: And we have seen, and do testify,.... This seems to be particularly said of the apostles, who had a clear discerning of the love and grace of God, manifested in the mission of Christ into the world; for though no man had seen his nature and his person, yet they had seen his love, and the exceeding riches of his grace, which he had shown forth in Christ Jesus; and they had also seen Christ, God manifest in the flesh; they had seen his glory, as the glory of the only begotten of the Father; they had seen him with their bodily eyes; they had seen his works and miracles; ”
  13. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: ; cure of, 199 , 200 . Parents, obedience to, how limited, 74 ; virtue of, aggravates the children's guilt, 75 . Participation, Christ received not grace by, 47 . Paschal Lamb, a type of Christ crucified, 319 . Passion of Christ, the, foretold darkly, its benefits plainly, 95 ; voluntary, 199 ; a proof that His promise of life to man should be fulfilled, 217 ; in what sense the cause of the Father's love towards Him, ib. ; proves His Resurrection, how, 218 ; His peculiar power shown therein, ib. ; was voluntary, ib. ; not commanded, but consented to”
  14. 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 1:10: 1:10 God’s gift of grace has been made . . . plain in history by Christ Jesus (see Rom 16:26; 1 Pet 1:20). • by the appearing: See study note on 1 Tim 6:14. • broke the power of death: See 1 Cor 15:26; 2 Thes 2:8; Heb 2:14. • the way to life: See 2 Tim 1:1; 1 Cor 15:53-54; Titus 1:2. • through the Good News: Salvation is provided by Christ, but its effects are mediated through proclamation of the Good News (see Titus 1:2-3; Rom 1:16-17; 10:14-15).”
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