The Bible -- Its Person (Part 2)

IV. WHY CHRIST BECAME A MAN

Christ came to earth to ransom man from his sin.  The ransom price was death.  The reason He could pay the price and no one else, was because He was not guilty of the same crime, namely sin, that afflicted man.  But as God, He could not die; therefore, He became a man so He could die.

A. DECLARATION OF HIS DEATH

·        Isaiah 52:12 – 53:12

·        Matthew 16:21

B. REASON FOR HIS DEATH

·        Christ died for man because of His great love (I John 4:10).

·        Man’s sin made Christ’s death necessary (Romans 3:23).

·        Christ died that He might share His eternal life (John 12:20-24).

C. RESULTS OF HIS DEATH

·        God saw His death as payment for the sins of all men (I Peter 2:21-24).

·        Christ is our substitute; He died in our place (I Peter 3:18).

·        His death displays the love of God for sinners (Romans 5:8).

V. HOW CHRIST’S WORK IS APPROPRIATED

A. FALSE IDEAS

·        Try and do good.

·        Keep the Ten Commandments.

·        Join a church.

B. APPROPRIATED BY FAITH

The Key word is “believe”.  Look up and read the following verses aloud.

·        John 3:16

·        John 3:36

·        John 5:24

·        Acts 16:25-31

The word “believe” in these verses denotes a heart belief, not just a head belief.  There are two types of belief.  One is an intellectual assent, while the other is a heart appropriation.  You can believe many things with your mind without believing them in your heart.

·        Romans 10:9

This is a key verse to show how to appropriate the work of Christ.