Christology, the study of the person and work of Jesus Christ, is central to the Christian faith. Understanding who Christ is and what He has accomplished is foundational to salvation and to our relationship with God. The Word of God emphasizes the unique role of Christ in God’s redemptive plan across the dispensations. Christ is revealed in Scripture as fully God and fully man, the promised Messiah, and the coming King who will reign over the earth in the Millennial Kingdom.
This essay will explore the key aspects of Christology: the deity and humanity of Christ, the hypostatic union, His incarnation, life and ministry, atonement, resurrection, ascension, and second coming. Each of these topics underscores Christ’s central role in God’s eternal purpose and plan for humanity.
Words: 1669 / Time to read: 9 minutes
The Deity of Christ
The deity of Christ is a cornerstone of Christian doctrine. Scripture unequivocally affirms that Jesus Christ is fully God, possessing the same divine essence as the Father and the Holy Spirit. His deity is affirmed through His divine names, attributes, works, and direct statements found in both the Old and New Testaments.
Biblical Evidence for Christ’s Deity
- Divine Names: Jesus is called “God” in multiple passages, affirming His divine identity.
- John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
- Titus 2:13 – “While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
- Divine Attributes: Christ possesses attributes that belong to God alone:
- Eternality (John 8:58) – “Before Abraham was born, I am.”
- Omniscience (John 2:24-25) – Jesus knew what was in the hearts of men.
- Omnipotence (Matthew 28:18) – “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
- Immutability (Hebrews 13:8) – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
- Divine Works: Christ performed works that only God can do:
- Creation (Colossians 1:16) – “All things have been created through Him and for Him.”
- Forgiveness of sins (Mark 2:5-7) – Only God can forgive sins.
- Worship and Honor: Jesus accepted worship, which is due to God alone (Matthew 14:33; John 20:28).
From a dispensational perspective, Christ’s deity is essential in understanding His role in each dispensation, from His pre-incarnate work to His future reign as King.
The Humanity of Christ
Equally important to Christ’s deity is His full humanity. The incarnation brought the eternal Son of God into the human experience, allowing Him to fulfill His role as the perfect mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).
Biblical Evidence for Christ’s Humanity
- Human Birth: Christ was born of a woman, fulfilling prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 2:7).
- Physical Limitations: Jesus experienced hunger (Matthew 4:2), thirst (John 19:28), fatigue (John 4:6), and sorrow (John 11:35).
- Growth and Development: Luke 2:52 records that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, emphasizing His full humanity.
- Temptation: Christ was tempted in every way, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
The humanity of Christ affirms that He truly took on flesh and became like us in every respect, apart from sin, in order to redeem mankind.
The Hypostatic Union
The hypostatic union refers to the mysterious union of Christ’s divine and human natures in one person. This doctrine teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, without division or confusion of natures.
- John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”
- Colossians 2:9 – “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
Dispensational theology recognizes that this union enables Christ to fulfill distinct roles in different dispensations—as the suffering servant in His first coming and the reigning King in His second coming.
The Incarnation
The incarnation refers to God the Son taking on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. This event marks the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the beginning of Christ’s earthly ministry.
Purpose of the Incarnation
- To Reveal God to Mankind (John 14:9).
- To Provide Salvation (Galatians 4:4-5).
- To Defeat the Works of the Devil (1 John 3:8).
The incarnation is foundational in dispensational theology, as it introduces a new dispensation—the age of grace—where Christ’s redemptive work is central.
The Life and Ministry of Christ
Christ’s earthly ministry was marked by teaching, miracles, and fulfilling the Law. His ministry can be categorized into three phases:
- Proclamation of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:17).
- Demonstration of His Authority (John 20:30-31).
- Preparation of the Disciples (John 14-16).
Christ’s ministry offered a foretaste of the coming Millennial Kingdom while preparing the way for the Church Age.
The Atonement
The atonement refers to Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross, which satisfied God’s justice and provided redemption for sinners.
- Isaiah 53:5 – “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us.”
The atonement is a central theme in dispensational theology, highlighting Christ’s role as the Lamb of God and the ultimate fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system.
The Resurrection
The resurrection of Christ is the cornerstone of Christian faith, demonstrating His victory over sin and death.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – “Christ died for our sins… He was buried, and He was raised on the third day.”
- Romans 1:4 – Christ was “declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.”
His resurrection guarantees the future resurrection of believers and is essential to dispensational eschatology.
The Ascension
The ascension of Christ marked His return to the Father and His current role as our High Priest and Advocate.
- Acts 1:9-11 – Christ ascended visibly into heaven and will return in the same manner.
- Hebrews 7:25 – He “lives to intercede for us.”
The Second Coming
Christ’s return is a future event that will occur in two phases:
- The Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
- The Glorious Second Coming (Revelation 19:11-16).
Dispensational theology emphasizes the literal fulfillment of these events, distinguishing between Christ’s coming for the Church and His return to establish His Millennial Kingdom.
Conclusion
The doctrine of Christ, or Christology, is the very heart of the Christian faith. The person and work of Jesus Christ form the foundation of God’s redemptive plan, spanning across the dispensations and culminating in His ultimate reign. From eternity past, Christ existed as God the Son, co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. His deity is attested throughout Scripture, as He possesses the divine attributes, performs the works of God, and rightfully receives worship. At the same time, Christ’s humanity is essential to His role as the perfect Mediator. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and fully experienced the human condition, yet without sin. In the hypostatic union, the two natures of Christ—divine and human—exist in perfect harmony, enabling Him to accomplish the work of salvation.
The incarnation of Christ is the turning point in God’s redemptive plan, as the eternal Word became flesh to dwell among humanity. His life and ministry were marked by divine authority and compassion, as He proclaimed the coming kingdom, performed miraculous signs, and revealed the heart of the Father. However, the ultimate purpose of His coming was to offer Himself as the atoning sacrifice for sin. The cross stands as the greatest demonstration of God’s love and justice, where Christ bore the penalty for sin, satisfying God’s righteous demands and providing the way for reconciliation. His atoning work, rooted in the Old Testament sacrificial system, is the fulfillment of God’s promise to redeem fallen humanity.
The resurrection of Christ is the ultimate confirmation of His victory over sin and death. It provides believers with the assurance of their own future resurrection and secures the hope of eternal life. Through His ascension, Christ took His place at the right hand of the Father, interceding on behalf of believers and preparing for His return. His ongoing work as High Priest ensures that believers have continual access to the Father and the sustaining power to live the Christian life.
From a dispensational perspective, Christ’s role is seen distinctly within each age of God’s program. In the Old Testament, He is revealed in types and prophecies as the coming Messiah. In the New Testament, He fulfills these promises as the suffering servant who will one day return as the reigning King. The current Church Age focuses on Christ as the head of the Church, while the future will see Him return in power and glory to establish His Millennial Kingdom, fulfilling God’s covenant promises to Israel.
The second coming of Christ is the great hope of the Church and the climax of God’s plan for history. Dispensational theology distinguishes between Christ’s coming for His Church at the Rapture and His return to establish His earthly kingdom. At the Rapture, believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, receiving glorified bodies and being united with Him forever. Following the Tribulation period, Christ will return in glory to judge the nations and inaugurate His thousand-year reign, bringing justice, peace, and righteousness to the earth.
Understanding the person and work of Christ should lead believers to greater worship, deeper faith, and steadfast obedience. As the only mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ offers salvation to all who believe in Him. His finished work on the cross and His ongoing ministry in heaven provide comfort and assurance in the present, while His promised return offers hope for the future. The study of Christology enriches our understanding of God’s purposes and calls us to live in light of His sovereign plan, eagerly awaiting the day when we will see Him face to face.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
