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THE “TWO – FOLD STATE” OF CHRIST The different relationships of Jesus in God’s program

THE FIRST STATE: THE HUMILIATION OF CHRIST”

THE FOUR ASPECTS OF THE HUMILIATION OF CHRIST:

1. Incarnation2. Suffering3. Death4. Burial5. (Some include the “descent into hell”.)

THE “TWO – FOLD STATE” OF CHRIST The different relationships of Jesus in God’s program

THE SECOND STATE: THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST”

THE FOUR ASPECTS OF THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST:

1. Resurrection2. Ascension3. “Session” (At the right hand of God)4. Return

Did Jesus descend into hell?

• Question: What is your opinion of this statement? “Why did Jesus go to hell for us? He went there because the punishment of sin is for the soul to be cast into hell. Since Christ suffered the penalties and punishment for our sins, it stands to reason that He would have to suffer in hell, and He did!” – False view from a Prosperity teacher.

Did Jesus descend into hell?

• Did Jesus endure further suffering in hell after His death on the cross?

• The phrase “he descended into hell” does not occur in the Bible.

• It is contained in today’s version of “THE APOSTLES’ CREED”.

Did Jesus descend into hell?

The Apostles' Creed (as usually recited today)I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under

Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he

ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the

quick and the dead.I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the

communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen

Did Jesus descend into hell?

• The controversial background of the phrase in “The Apostles’ Creed”:–“The Apostles’ Creed” gradually took shape

from A.D. 200-750 A.D.–The earliest version of “The Apostle’s Creed”

is called “The Old Roman Creed”.– It was recited before being baptised as a

proclamation of personal faith.

Did Jesus descend into hell?

"The Old Roman Creed"I believe in God almighty

And in Christ Jesus, his only Son, our LordWho was born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary

Who was crucified under Pontius Pilate and was buriedAnd the third day rose from the dead

Who ascended into heavenAnd sitteth on the right hand of the Father

Whence he cometh to judge the living and the dead.And in the Holy Spirit

The holy churchThe remission of sins

The resurrection of the fleshThe life everlasting.

Did Jesus descend into hell?

• The phrase “he descended into hell” appeared in two versions by the theologian and monk Rufinus in A.D. 390.

• Many theologians believe that Rufinus merely meant that Jesus “descended into the grave”. (The Greek word “hades” can mean “grave”)

Did Jesus descend into hell?

• Not until A.D. 650 was the phrase included in “The Apostles Creed”.

• I believe that “The Apostles’ Creed” is more reflective of Scripture by leaving out this confusing phrase.

Significance Of The Ascension

• See Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11• The ascension shows that Jesus went to a

place.– Some theologians teach that Jesus passed into a

“ethereal state of being”.– Other s who deny the resurrection, deny the

ascension, saying that Jesus lives on merely as an inspiration to other people.

Significance Of The Ascension

• The ascension led to the full glorification of Jesus as the God-Man.–See John 17:5–Philippians 2:9

Significance Of The Ascension

• The ascension led to Christ’s sitting down at the Father’s right hand. (See Hebrews 1:3)– This is commonly called Christ’s “Session”.– Christ sitting was a fulfillment of Messianic

prophesy. (See Psalm 110:1)– Christ sitting indicates that He received authority

over the universe. (1 Peter 3:22)

Significance of the ascension

• The ascension and exaltation at God’s right hand led to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the church. (See Acts 2:33)

Significance Of The Ascension

• The ascension gives us confidence that we have a wonderful home in heaven. (John 14:2-3)

Significance Of The Ascension

• The ascension gives us a secure spiritual reality in heaven at our rebirth. (Ephesians 2:6)

Rapture Positions

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

The concept of the marriage supper is better understood in light of the wedding customs in

the time of Christ.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

There were three main customs:

1. A marriage contract was agreed upon by the parents of the bride and the bridegroom. The bride’s parents would give a dowry to the bridegroom or his parents. This was called the betrothal period, what we would today call the engagement. This period was the one Joseph and Mary were in when she was found to be with child

• Many Bible Scholars believe this is fulfilled when each individual believer places their faith in Christ.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

There were three main customs:

2. The second customary step usually occurred a year later, when the bridegroom, accompanied by his male friends, paraded to the house of the bride at midnight . The bride would know this was going to take place, and so would be ready, and they would join the parade that would end up at the bridegroom's home. This custom was described in the parable of the ten virgins in Matt. 25:1-13.

• Many believe this symbolizes the rapture of the church.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

There were three main customs:

3. After the bride and bridegroom arrived at the house, there was a great feast. This is the celebration in Cana (John 2:1-2).

• Many believe symbolizes the Marriage Supper of The Lamb in heaven. This is a great celebration with Jesus and His church.

The Bema Seat in Corinth

A raised platform where judgments were handed down

Megiddo

QUESTION: If a Jehovah’s Witness came to your door and said to you, “The Holy Spirit isn’t God. In fact, the Holy Spirit is not even a person but rather a force”, what would you say?

THE FIRST COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (A.D. 381)

“And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father; who

with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. In one Holy, Catholic, and

Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of

the world to come. Amen.”

The Council of Toledo (Spain) A.D. 587

“And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped

and glorified...”

THE CHANGE:“And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of

Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together

is worshipped and glorified...”

The Gift of Tongues: Six truths from the Bible

1. Tongues are a known language. (1 Cor. 14:6-12; Acts 2:1-12)

2. Tongues consist of praise and worship to God, not instruction to people. (1 Cor. 14:2, 13-17; Acts 2:11)

3. Tongues are to be publicly spoken as a sign to nonbelievers (who speak that language). (1 Cor. 14:22-25)

4. Tongues must be interpreted (“translated”) in a church setting. (1 Cor. 14:27-28)

5. Tongues are not for every believer. (1 Cor. 12:12-20, 27-30)

6. Love, not tongues, is the mark of a spiritual life. (1 Cor. 13:1)– Though many of the Corinthians spoke in tongues, they were carnal (1 Cor. 3:1-3).