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FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF #9: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ
by Pastor Mike Fortune
August 30, 2014
ShareFaith Vid: This Is Amazing Grace Passion of Christ John 3:16
- Jesus lived a sinless life because you can't (1 Peter 2:21-22; Isaiah 64:6; Psalm 143:2; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Revelation 15:4; EGW Quotes)
- Jesus' death made atonement for your sinful life (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews2:17; Leviticus 16:2)
- Jesus' resurrection proves Jesus is God, we're forgiven, and right with God throughout the ages (Romans 1:2-4; 1 Corinthians 15:17; Romans4:25; Ephesians 2:4-7)
Fundamental Belief #9: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ
In Christ’s life of perfect obedience to God’s will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God’s law and the graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and transforming. The resurrection of Christ proclaims God’s triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow.
1 Peter 2:21-22
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.
Isaiah 64:6
6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.
Psalm 143:2
2 Don't put your servant on trial, for no one is innocent before you.
Psalm 143:2 (NKJV)
2 Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous.
Ecclesiastes 7:20
20 Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.
Revelation 15:4
4 For you alone are holy.
Ellen White
Christ is our pattern, the perfect and holy example that has been given us to follow. We can never equal the pattern; but we may imitate [italics, mine] and resemble it according to our ability. When we fall, all helpless, suffering in consequence of our realization of the sinfulness of sin; when we humble ourselves before God, afflicting our souls by true repentance and contrition; when we offer our fervent prayers to God in the name of Christ, we shall as surely be received by the Father, as we sincerely [italics, mine] make a complete surrender of our all to God. - Review and Herald, February 5, 1895.
Ellen White
Since we are sinful, unholy, we cannot perfectly obey the holy law. We have no righteousness of our own with which to meet the the claims of the law of God. But Christ has made a way of escape for us...He lived a sinless life. He died for us, and now He offers to take our sins and give us His righteousness. - Steps to Christ, p.62
Ellen White
In His life Jesus of Nazareth differed from all other men...He is the only true model of goodness and perfection. - In Heavenly Places, p.14
Ellen White
The divine beauty of the character of Christ, of whom the noblest and most gentle among men are but a faint reflection... - In Heavenly Places, p.63
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
Hebrews 2:17
17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.
Hebrews 2:17 (NKJV)
17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation [ἱλάσκομαι hilaskomai] for the sins of the people.
Leviticus 16:2
2 The LORD said to Moses, 'Warn your brother, Aaron, not to enter the Most Holy Place behind the inner curtain whenever he chooses; if he does, he will die. For the Ark's cover [ἱλάσκομαι hilaskomai in the Greek Old Testament]—the place of atonement—is there, and I myself am present in the cloud above the atonement cover.'
Romans 1:2-4
2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David's family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:17
17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.
Romans 4:25
25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
Ephesians 2:4-7
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.