Christadelphian Belief about Jesus Christ: Let’s go back to chapters 12 to 25 of the book of Genesis, where we are told that God chose a man from among all others and promised that the whole world would be blessed through him. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a descendant of this man. At the time of Jesus’ birth in the land of Israel, many people were expecting a savior and a king. They were all aware of the divine promises and were expecting someone powerful and great to drive out the Romans, their conquerors, and become their king.
Jesus was Jewish and lived in what is now called Israel, which at that time was part of the Roman Empire. The birth of Jesus was a miracle, as his mother was a virgin. His father was none other than Almighty God. Jesus is the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary. He is the same “Son of God” mentioned in John 5:19: “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.”
It is true that Jesus said in John 10:30: “I and the Father are one.”
What Jesus meant was that he and his Father were united in purpose and intent, and he prayed that his disciples would also be one in the same way. This is seen in John 17:21: “I in them and you in me, so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”(Christadelphian)
The Bible tells us very little about the childhood of Jesus. The gospel narrative quickly moves to his baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. This baptism was not a simple sprinkling of water on the head. It took place in the river, and afterward, as we read in Mark 1:10-11, they came up out of the water: “Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'” (Mark 1:10-11)
Throughout his life on earth, Jesus was tempted in every way, but he never sinned. Look at these verses, all from the book of Hebrews. They show that Jesus shared our human nature when he lived on earth, as we read in Hebrews 2:9: “But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”
Jesus knew he was the Son of God and was destined to rule over all the kingdoms of the world. During his time in the wilderness, he envisioned these kingdoms and their splendor. But Jesus also knew from the Old Testament that before he could reign over the world, he had to die. An example of this can be seen in Isaiah chapter 53.
Jesus was arrested, tried, and convicted of claiming to be a king. According to the gospel of John, chapter 18, he was crucified, and his body was hung on a cross between two thieves.
Jesus Christ “was tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) Therefore, Jesus, having human nature, had to die; but because he had committed no sin, he was not deserving of death. This allowed God to raise Jesus from the dead without breaking His own law, which states, “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)
After the resurrection, God gave Jesus a new nature—one that would no longer die because of Adam’s sin and one that could no longer be tempted to sin. We can receive forgiveness for our sins by connecting to Jesus’ sacrifice through baptism, confession, and repentance. When Jesus returns, we can also conquer death.(Christadelphian)
Christadelphian Beliefs about Jesus Christ
With the resurrection from the dead, Jesus confirmed his identity as the Son of God and the work of atonement, redemption, reconciliation, and salvation. The resurrection was a real, material, and physical awakening of Jesus’ body from the dead. After his resurrection, he appeared to his disciples at various times over 40 days to strengthen their faith. As we read in Acts chapter 1, he then ascended to heaven, as described in Acts 1:9: “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” (Acts 1:9)
Although Jesus is now in heaven, he will not remain there forever. When Jesus parted from his disciples on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem and was taken up to heaven, two angels appeared and told the disciples, as we read in Acts 1:10-11: “They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'” (Acts 1:10-11)
Read more : What do Christadelphians believe about the soul?
Jesus Christ will return to the earth, to the same Mount of Olives. The same Jesus whom his disciples could touch and talk to, who had a body of flesh and bones, will come again. At that time, the whole world will have to accept the reality of his resurrection, as proof that he truly is the Son of God. Zechariah 14:4 tells us: “On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.” (Zechariah 14:4)
The gospel of Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7 contain Jesus Christ’s valuable teachings on how to live rightly. These three chapters are generally known as the “Sermon on the Mount.” The first sentence Jesus spoke in Matthew 5:3 is: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
This brings hope for all who believe in him!
What Does Jesus Christ Mean to Me? He has transformed and influenced my life, and he is my hope, spiritual nourishment, and reason for existence. He is my strength in all situations. He is my way of approaching God, my friend, and my savior. He can be the same for you too!(Christadelphian)
