p. 5 | The Second Person of the God-head-Jesus Christ

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 22, 1910

The Second Person of the God-head—Jesus Christ

By M. E. Steward

M. E. STEWARD

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” Rev. 5:12.

CHRIST had an existence before he came to earth.

1. He had glory with the Father “before the world was.” John 17:5.

2. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:1, 14.

3. Christ was with the Israelites in the wilderness. 1 Cor. 10:4, 9.

Jesus Christ united humanity to divinity.

1. “Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.” 1 Tim. 3:16.

2. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: . . . and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom.” Our Redeemer is a union of the divine and the human, and will ever remain such; for he will rule on the throne of David “from henceforth even forever.” Isa. 9:6, 7.

3. Jesus took upon himself our nature that he might be capable of death. And that he might be a “merciful and faithful high priest,” he “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:15. He patiently endured the utmost cruelty that men and devils could suggest. “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.” Heb. 7:25.

Christ is like unto the Father.

1. “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” John 14:9.

2. He “is the image of the invisible God.” Col. 1:15.

3. “I and my Father are one.” John 10:30. Christ is one with God morally, mentally, and in purpose in the very

same sense in which he prayed that his disciples might be one. John 17:21.

The Son of God was perfect.

1. He kept all his Father's commandments. John 15:10.

2. He was “made perfect through sufferings.” Heb. 2:10.

3. “In the character of Christ was blended such majesty as God had never displayed to fallen man, and such meekness as man had never developed. Never before had there walked among men one so noble, so pure, so benevolent,—he was quick to catch the first intimation that help was needed,—so simple, so full of plans and purposes to do good to humanity. The majesty of heaven clothed himself with the humility of a child. Meekness and gentleness were the distinguishing characteristics of Christ. Christ's favorite theme was the paternal tenderness and abundant grace of God.”

Our Saviour is—

1. Omnipotent. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matt. 28:18.

2. Omniscient. Equally with the Father in Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Col. 2:2, 3.

3. “The Father . . . hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” John 5:22. His voice will raise the dead. John 5:25. He is the heir of all things. Heb. 1:2.

Jesus is our Substitute, our Advocate, our Redeemer.

1. When the human race fell in Adam, immediately Christ stepped into the sinner's place to accomplish three things: (a) To fulfil all the claims the law had on the repentant sinner; (b) to restore both spiritual and physical life, with everything else that was lost in the fall; (c) to save believing, obedient man eternally. Every human being is indebted to Christ for everything.

2. Christ is more than a Saviour from Adam's fall. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Rom. 5:20. Jesus not only secures the sinner's pardon, but gives him grace to keep from sinning. And he can and will so transform the nature that every thought and impulse will be pure, unselfish, and heavenly.

3. Wonderful love will give to the faithful child of God, who endures to the end, eternal life,—a life that measures with the life of God; ever uplifting, expanding, and strengthening the faculties to perceive, understand, and appreciate; unutterable and ever-increasing happiness! The saints are “the riches of the glory of his inheritance,” and ever will be.

Sanitarium, Cal.