Christ: His Purpose in Coming PDF

3 CHRIST: HIS PURPOSE IN COMING  Why did Christ have to come to Earth? There are many views of the purpose for Christ's coming and death on the cross. Let's look first at the false views of Christ's coming and death. UNSCRIPTURAL VIEWS OFCHRIST'S COMING AND DEATH TheAccident The...

3 CHRIST: HIS PURPOSE IN COMING  Why did Christ have to come to Earth? There are many views of the purpose for Christ's coming and death on the cross. Let's look first at the false views of Christ's coming and death. UNSCRIPTURAL VIEWS OFCHRIST'S COMING AND DEATH TheAccident Theory Christ'sdeath was an accident. He never intended to die on a cross. First, it was prophesied that Christ would die. Look up the fol lowing OldTestament passages and match each verse with the corresponding description of Christ's death made many years before He actually came to Earth. Psalm 22:6 A. Despised by the people 2. Psalm 22:7 B. Rejected by men 3. Psalm 22:14 C. Divided garments 4. Psalm 22:15 D. Laughed to scorn; mocked 5. Psalm 22:16 E. Thirty pieces of silver 6 Psalm 22:18 E. Wounded for our sins 7. Isaiah 53:3 G. Bones out of joint 8. Isaiah 53:4 H. Pierced hands and feet 9. Isaiah 53:5 I. With rich in death 10. Isaiah 53:7 J. Lamb led to slaughter 11. Isajah 53:9 K. Smitten, punished by God 12. Zechariah 11:12 L. Tongue sticks to mouth What do these Scriptures prove about Christ's coming? 18  death. Notice also that Christ talked about His coming 10:17-18 Read Matthew 16:21, Mark 9:30-32, and John Christ said. and state in your own words what resurrection If Christ knew so much about His death and beforehand, could it have been an accident? The Martyr Theory Christ was killed because He was faithful to His principles and to what He considered His duty. From Him we can learn faithfulness to truth and duty His example can teach us to repent of our sins and to reform. Thisview of Christ's death teaches that salvation comes through following the example of Christ. Look up thefollowing verses and state how we are saved. 1. Ephesians 2:8a 2. 1 Peter 1:18-19 3. John 1:12 Christ's In the following verses we are told to follow example (1 John 2:6; 1 Pet. 2:21, 24; Matt. 11:29). To whom were these verses written? Is it possible for an unsaved person to follow Christ's perfect example? Why or why not? Give Scripture to Support your answer. 19  If Christ was nothing more than a martyr, then His death is no more meaningful than Stephen's-or that of any other martyr. In Acts 4:12, what does Peter say about Christ that proves Christ's death to be more than simple martyrdom? The Governmental Theory The benevolence of God requires that He make an example of suffering in Christ to show us that sin is displeasing in His sight. God's government of the world requires display of His wrath against sin. It is true that Godis displeased with the sin ofmankind. But whatkind ofperson did God chooseto show Hisdispleasure against sin? See 2 Corinthians 5:21 and 1 Peter 3:18. If God wanted only to show His displeasure for the sins of the human race, why would He choose His divine, innocent Son, not guilty human? The Love of God Theory Christ died just to show people howmuch God loved them. From then on they would know how God felt toward thenn. He died to communicate humanity's real worth to God. It's true that God demonstrated His love by sending Christ to die (Rom. 5:8; John 3:16), but people did not need such a sacrifice to know that God loved them. They should have known this before Christ came. Psalmn 103 is just one of many songs of praise to God for Hislove, and it was written long before the time of Christ. Look again at 2 Corinthians 5:21. Why does this verse say Christ was made sin for us'? 20  What reason does 1 Peter 3:18 give for Christ's death? Christ's death reveals God's love, but God's love is not the reason for Christ's death. BIBLICAL REASONS FOR CHRIST'S COMING AND DEATH Now let's see the biblical reasons for Christ's coming. He Canme to Fulfill the Promises of God After each reference, list the prophecy that Christ ful flled. 1. Genesis 3:15 2. Isaiah 7:14 3. Micah 5:2 4 Isaiah 9:6 5. Zechariah 11:13-14 6. Isaiah 53:12 He Came to Reveal the Father State in your own words what John 1:18 and 14:9 mean. 21 He Came to Become a Faithful High Priest Christ came in the flesh so that He could understand our condi tion, situation, and temptations-and so be qualified as a High Priest. faithful Read Hebrews 5:1-2 and write in your own words how and why the Old Testanment high priests were chosen. As you understand it, what does Hebrews 2:17-18 mean? And what does Hebrews 4:15-16 mean? He Came to Put Away Sin Read Hebrews 9:26. What does the end of the verse say that Christ did? Turn to 1John 3:5. What does this verse mean? What does Mark 10:45 say was Christ's purpose in com ing to Earth? 22 He Came to Destroy the Works of the Devil Read 1 John 3:8b and state why the Son of God was manifested. What does Hebrews 2:14-15 mean? He Came to Give Us an Example of aHoly Life Though Christ did not state explicitly that He came to give us an example, that purpose is strongly implied in the Scriptures. What do the following verses instruct us to do? 1 John 2:6 1Peter 2:21 He Came to Prepare for the Second Coming The sacrifice of Christ saves us now from the power, penalty, in this sin and guilt of sin. Yet you and Iare still forced to exist ful world, with all of its temptations and evil. Christ's salvation the redeemed assures us that He will oneday return and rapture of sin. unto Himself, freeing us finally from the very presence How does Paul describe his earthly condition and heay enly hopein Romans8:22-23? 23 Complete This Section Without Looking Back at the Lesson 1. List the four false views of Christ's coming and death, and then refute each with Scripture. 2. List the seven reasons Christ came to Earth to die, and then give Scripture to prove your answer. 24 Verses to Memorize Hebrews 4:15 2 Corinthians 5:21 25