Life and Teachings of Christ (Unit 2) PDF

From the Pauline Epistles, the following can be derived Jesus was a descendant of Abraham the patriarch. Jesus was a direct descendant of King David. Jesus was “born of a woman”, which suggests that Paul knows of and confirms the virginal conception of Jesus. Jesus was bo...

From the Pauline Epistles, the following can be derived Jesus was a descendant of Abraham the patriarch. Jesus was a direct descendant of King David. Jesus was “born of a woman”, which suggests that Paul knows of and confirms the virginal conception of Jesus. Jesus was born and lived in poverty. Jesus was born under and lived Jewish law. Jesus had a brother named James, and other brothers, unnamed. Jesus was meek and mild. He ministered primarily to Israel and Jews. He washed the feet of His disciples. He instituted a memorial meal on the night He was betrayed. He was cruelly treated by the Romans. He gave testimony before Pontius Pilate. He was killed by the Jews of Judea. He was buried. He was raised on the third day and was seen on multiple occasions by the living. The Centrality of Paul’s Thought: At the centre of Paul’s conception of Christianity is the Person of Christ. Paul describes Jesus as our Messiah Son of God Wisdom The Second Adam The Stone of Prophecy (Stone the builder refuses turns the head corner stone)  Paul’s locus classicus (most know action) is connecting the pre-pauline notion of pre-existence to Jesus Christ, “All things were created for him and by him” Paul speaks of one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ Paul also Explains Christ’s Humanity by Saying He Was: Born of a Woman Made under the Law The earliest Church, which was created by Paul, worshiped Jesus as the Messiah and Lord. Others thought of Christ as the “Elect One”, or the supernatural Son of Man. The apolistic kerygma (greek word for proclamation) and the pre-Pauline Paradosis are also seen as a fulfillment of prophecy. Much of Paul’s theology goes back to Pre-Pauline thoughts about Christ. For example, the title Messiah - graecise as Christos was not understandable to gentiles who lacked Jewish background. The proof that this was largely unintelligible to hellenists is seen in their corruption of it into Christos. The same thought is observable in Paul’s letter; Christos has ceased except in a few places, to be a title of office and has become almost a proper name. Pre-Pauline Paradosis (Another Name for Paradosis is Tradition) - Was an Oral Tradition Christ has died for our sins according to scripture He was buried He was raised He visited Cephus  He visited his disciples after This concept is seen in the Book of Acts and the Pauline Epistles 1st Corinthians. Other Epistles include: Romans, 2nd Corinthians, Philippians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, Timothy (1,2), Thessalonians - 1,2 , Philemon) The early christians preached the death and resurrection of Christ. They saw Christ’s life as the fulfilment of prophecy. It is believed that they selected certain Old Testament “Pericope” portions from the prophets, certain Psalms, etc. - to document and elucidate the main themes of their proclamation. Paul did the very same as he was not the first to apply many things said about Jesus in his writings such as Jesus being a cornerstone (Isaiah mentions Jesus as such), or him sitting at God’s right hand (as is seen in the book of Psalm). Paul’s Conception of the Spirit Paul and the early Church shared the ideas on the Spirit in terms of signs and wonders of the Spirit and tongues. In visions, revelations, boldness to preach and to pray, Paul was no less than the early disciples. For Paul as for the early church, the Spirit is a gift. The primitive Church and Paul agree in describing the signs of the Spirit’s presence - notable “powers” and “joy”. The charismata or grace-gifts of the Spirit in the early chapters of Acts correspond to those enumerated by Paul. What Paul did Differently Links the Spirit with the living Christ. For Paul, being in Christ is the same as being in the spirit.  Paul Chritianises the Spirit. He attributed personality to the Spirit. Paul ethicised the conception of the Spirit’s operation. He showed that the Spirit is not only a power of glossolalia but much more dynamic. Paul explains that the christian life is controlled by the Spirit. It gives life to our mortal bodies. En Christo Being In Christ is a major aspect in Paul’s teaching. The foundation of Paul’s Christian faith was his experience of the rise of Christ on the road to Damascus. He was converted not only spiritually but also intellectually. He learned that Jesus was not only the Messiah but also the Son of God. To be in Christ means to unite yourself with the Lord and be one with him in Spirit; to be changed and made brand new. In Christ also means in community. N.B.: Throughout his writing, Paul gave Jesus a title that was reserved strictly for God in the old testament of Lord. He explained multiple times that a person could not be a Christian without believing that. Four Hymns about Jesus are seen in the book of Luke: The Magnificat: Mary’s Song - The Virgin Mary responds to her cousin Elizabeth’s greeting by glorifying God and thanking Him for choosing her to bear His son. The Benedictus: Zechariah’s Song - Zechariah ‘s joy at the birth of his son is seen, and thanks and praise is given to God for the gift of his life. It also foreshadows the ministry of John the Baptist.  The Gloria in Excelsia: Song of the Angels - This hymn is a praise to God to celebrate Jesus’ birth. To mark a moment of joy and celebration, highlighting the significance of Christ’s birth as a transformative event for humanity. The Nunc Dimittis: Song of Simeon - The text expresses themes of salvation, light and the fulfilment of God’s promise, not only for his son to be sent but also for having Simeon lay his eyes upon him. It highlights the idea that Jesus is a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. The Philippian Hymn (Christological Hymn) - Written by Paul: States the existence of Christ before the incarnation; Christ’s pre-existence and is followed by His emptying of Himself. It is through the Greek word “Kenoun” the “kenosis-theory” of the incarnation. Kenosis did not mean the self-extinction of a divine being into a mere man, but is the same with him who humbled himself. According to Paul it signified a firm determination not to hold fast and selfishly cling to equality of state with God. The Colossian Hymn - This hymn was introduced during a time where the church was being heavily influenced by Gnosticism. It celebrates Jesus’ reign, first as the Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos and as the head of the church and the One who reconciles every broken thing to God by what He accomplished on the cross. The Petrine Hymn - The hymn speaks of Jesus’ sinlessness. He explains that Jesus was the perfect truth, he had no cover-up about himself. Not only did Jesus suffer innocently; His reaction to suffering was immaculate. Christ Emptied Himself With a combination of divinity and humanity, Jesus opened himself up to humiliation on the cross in the ultimate sense. Christ did not use his attributes for himself, but to satisfy others. Words to Know Prototokos: Firstborn Protoktistos: First created Cronus: Time measured Kairos: God's decided time to act. When Paul calls Jesus the firstborn he does not mean in time but in quality. Symbolic Representation of the Four Gospel Writers Matthew: Human Face Mark: The Lion Luke: The Ox John: The High Flying Eagle These are the four faces of the cherubim which support the throne of God in Ezekiel’s visions. Prerogatives Unique to God Alone Only God alone should be praised. Only God can forgive sins. Only God can judge. Only God can give eternal life. Only God can save. The Christians Brought Holidays (Holy days) Music Places of Charity  Science Technology Human Rights Education Social Classes Hospitals Non-Transferable Traits of God Eternality Omnipotence (all powerful) Omniscience (all knowledgeable) Omnipresence (presence is everywhere at once) Sovereignty Summary of How The Early Christians Saw Jesus: Matthew: Saw and presented Jesus in His Messianic role as the promised king and fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures. (Behold, your king) Mark: Presented Jesus as the Lord’s servant who has traveled the paths of service and sacrifice. (Behold my servant) Luke: Saw and presented Jesus as the perfect manhood of the Saviour of the world and friend of sinners. (Behold the man) John: Saw and presented Jesus as the Son of God who made flesh, the one who pitched his tent in the midst of humanity. (Behold your God)