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The Person and Work of Jesus Christ in Theology

The person and work of Jesus Christ are central to Christian theology, encompassing his divine and human nature, and his redemptive actions for humanity. The name "Christ" itself is a Greek translation of the Hebrew "Messiah," meaning "Anointed One," signifying his consecration to a redemptive role as Prophet, Priest, and King [6].

Jesus' identity is rooted in his divine nature as the Son of God [4, 14]. He is described as "the Word" (Greek: Logos) in John's writings, indicating his role as the revealer of God and his pre-existence with God from the beginning [5]. As the Word, he "was God" and was instrumental in the creation of all things [5]. This divine nature is further emphasized by statements that he is one with the Father [4] and the image of God [4]. The Gospel of Matthew begins by tracing Jesus' genealogy, establishing his lineage as "the son of David, the son of Abraham," connecting him to key figures in Israel's history and messianic prophecies [1].

The work of Christ is multifaceted, beginning with his earthly ministry and continuing through his actions from heaven [7]. His earthly work involved both "doing and teaching" [7]. He is identified as the Messiah, the Servant of God, who brings salvation to the nations [9]. His miracles served as evidence of his divine authority, prompting belief even if his spoken words were initially doubted [8].

Key aspects of Christ's work include:

The love of God is particularly manifested towards Christ, who is described as the "especial object" of God's love [2]. Christ, in turn, abides in this love [2]. To act "in the name of the Lord Jesus" means to act in harmony with his identity and under his authority [11]. The understanding of Christ's person and work provides believers with spiritual discernment to know God [12]. The consistency of the doctrine concerning Jesus Christ, the Son of God, underscores his unchangeable nature [14].

Sources

  1. Matthew “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. -- Matthew 1:1”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Church, The — Belongs to God -- 1Ti 3:15. The body of Christ -- Eph 1:23; Col 1:24. Christ, the foundation-stone of -- 1Co 3:11; Eph 2:20; 1Pe 2:4,5. Christ, the head of -- Eph 1:22; 5:23. Loved by Christ -- Song 7:10; Eph 5:25. Purchased by the blood of Christ -- Ac 20:28; Eph 5:25; Heb 9:12. Sanctified and cleansed by Christ -- 1Co 6:11; Eph 5:26,27. Subject to Christ -- Ro 7:4; Eph 5:24. The object of the grace of God -- Isa 27:3; 2Co 8:1. Displays the wisdom of God -- Eph 3:10. Shows forth the praises of God -- Isa 60:6. God defends -- Ps 89:18; Isa 4:5; 49:25; M”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Word, The — (Gr. Logos), one of the titles of our Lord, found only in the writings of John (John 1:1-14; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 19:13). As such, Christ is the revealer of God. His office is to make God known. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:18). This title designates the divine nature of Christ. As the Word, he "was in the beginning" and "became flesh." "The Word was with God " and "was God," and was the Creator of all things (comp. Ps. 33: 6; 107:20; 119:89; 147:18; Isa. 40:8).”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Christ — Anointed, the Greek translation of the Hebrew word rendered "Messiah" (q.v.), the official title of our Lord, occurring five hundred and fourteen times in the New Testament. It denotes that he was anointed or consecrated to his great redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King of his people. He is Jesus the Christ (Acts 17:3; 18:5; Matt. 22:42), the Anointed One. He is thus spoken of by Isaiah (61:1), and by Daniel (9:24-26), who styles him "Messiah the Prince." The Messiah is the same person as "the seed of the woman" (Gen. 3:15), "the seed of Abraham" (Ge”
  7. Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 1 (introduction): INTRODUCTION--LAST DAYS OF OUR LORD UPON EARTH--HIS ASCENSION. (Act 1:1-11) former treatise--Luke's Gospel. Theophilus--(See on Luk 1:3). began to do and teach--a very important statement, dividing the work of Christ into two great branches: the one embracing His work on earth, the other His subsequent work from heaven; the one in His own Person, the other by His Spirit; the one the "beginning," the other the continuance of the same work; the one complete when He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, the other to continue ti”
  8. John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 10:37: But if I do,.... Works, which none but God can do: though ye believe not me; what Christ said in his doctrine and ministry, though they paid no regard to that, and did not receive his testimony, on the credit of him the testifier, as they ought to have done: believe the works; not only that they are true and real, and not imaginary and delusory; but for the sake of them believe the above assertion, that Christ is the Son of God, he and his Father being one; or take such notice of these works and miracles, consider the nature, evidence, and importance of them, and t”
  9. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 12:15: 12:15-21 This summary of Jesus’ ministry clarifies Jesus’ nature as the Messiah, the Servant of God who will bring salvation to the nations (see Isa 42:1-4).”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:30: 1:30 When people are united . . . with Christ Jesus, God makes them righteous, holy, and free (see 6:11; Rom 3:21-26; 5:17-21). This work of Christ is an expression of God’s wisdom.”
  11. Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:17: 3:17 as a representative of the Lord Jesus (literally in the name of the Lord Jesus): In the Bible, a person’s name represents that person. To do something in the name of the Lord Jesus is therefore to act in a way that is in harmony with his identity and under his authority.”
  12. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 5:20: Summary of our Christian privileges. is come--is present, having come. "HE IS HERE--all is full of Him--His incarnation, work, and abiding presence, is to us a living fact" [ALFORD]. given us an understanding--Christ's, office is to give the inner spiritual understanding to discern the things of God. that we may know--Some oldest manuscripts read, "(so) that we know." him that is true--God, as opposed to every kind of idol or false god (Jo1 5:21). Jesus, by virtue of His oneness with God, is also "He that is true" (Rev 3:7). even--"we are in ”
  13. 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 5:19: That God was in Christ - This is the doctrine which this ministry of reconciliation holds out, and the doctrine which it uses to bring about the reconciliation itself. God was in Christ: 1. Christ is the same as Messiah, the Anointed One, who was to be prophet, priest, and king, to the human race; not to the Jews only, but also to the Gentiles. There had been prophets, priests, and kings, among the Jews and their ancestors; and some who had been priest and prophet, king and priest, and king and prophet; but none have ever sustained in his own person the three”
  14. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 1:19: Proof of the unchangeableness of the doctrine from the unchangeableness of the subject of it, namely, Jesus Christ. He is called "the Son of God" to show the impossibility of change in One who is co-equal with God himself (compare Sa1 15:29; Mal 3:6). by me . . . Silvanus and Timotheus--The Son of God, though preached by different preachers, was one and the same, unchangeable. Silvanus is contracted into Silas (Act 15:22; compare Pe1 5:12). in him was yea--Greek, "is made yea in Him"; that is, our preaching of the Son of God is confirmed as ”
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