the essential orthodox doctrines 1. god’s unity 2. god’s tri-unity 3. human depravity 4....

The Essential Orthodox Doctrines 1. God’s unity 2. God’s tri-unity 3. Human depravity 4. Mary’s virginity 5. Christ’s purity 6. Christ’s deity 7. Christ’s humanity 8. God’s mercy 9. Faith’s necessity 10. Christ’s atoning death

11. Christ’s bodily resurrection 12. Christ’s bodily ascension 13. Christ’s priestly session 14. Christ’s second coming [15. Bible’s infallibility] [16. Literal interpretation]

The Essential Orthodox Doctrines 1. God’s unity 2. God’s tri-unity 3. Human depravity 4. Mary’s virginity 5. Christ’s purity 6. Christ’s deity 7. Christ’s humanity 8. God’s mercy 9. Faith’s necessity 10. Christ’s atoning death

11. Christ’s bodily resurrection 12. Christ’s bodily ascension 13. Christ’s priestly session 14. Christ’s second coming [15. Bible’s infallibility] [16. Literal interpretation]

Christ’s SinlesnessChrist’s Sinlesness

Copyright Norman L. Geisler 2007Copyright Norman L. Geisler 2007

OutlineOutlineI. The Biblical Basis

II. The Creedal Statements

III. The Doctrinal Importance

IV. Some Objections Considered

I. The Biblical Basis



IV. Some Objections Considered

I. The Biblical BasisI. The Biblical BasisA. Those Who Knew Him Best “For we . . . have one who has been tempted in every way,

just as we are—yet was without sin” (Heb. 4:15). “Christ [is] a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19). “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his

mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the

unrighteous…” (1 Peter 3:18). “He is righteous” (1 Jn. 2:29). “He is pure” (1 Jn. 3:3). “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us….” (2 Cor.

5:21). “Which of you convicts me of sin?” (Jn. 8:46). He is “holy, innocent, unstained, separate from sinners”

(Heb. 7:26

A. Those Who Knew Him Best “For we . . . have one who has been tempted in every way,

just as we are—yet was without sin” (Heb. 4:15). “Christ [is] a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19). “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his

mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the

unrighteous…” (1 Peter 3:18). “He is righteous” (1 Jn. 2:29). “He is pure” (1 Jn. 3:3). “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us….” (2 Cor.

5:21). “Which of you convicts me of sin?” (Jn. 8:46). He is “holy, innocent, unstained, separate from sinners”

(Heb. 7:26

I. The Biblical BasisI. The Biblical BasisB. His Enemies and Others Judas: “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Mt.

27:4). Pilate: “I am innocent of the blood of this just person” (Mt.

27:24). Pilate’s Wife: “Have nothing to do with that just man…” (Mat.

27:19). A Centurion: “Certainly this was a righteous man” (Lk.

23:47). A Centurion: “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Mt. 27:54). The Thief on the Cross: “This man has done nothing

wrong” (Lk. 23:42). The Herodians: “Teacher, we know that you are true, and

teach the way of God in truth: nor do you care about anyone, for you do not regard the person of men” (Mt. 22:16).

B. His Enemies and Others Judas: “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Mt.

27:4). Pilate: “I am innocent of the blood of this just person” (Mt.

27:24). Pilate’s Wife: “Have nothing to do with that just man…” (Mat.

27:19). A Centurion: “Certainly this was a righteous man” (Lk.

23:47). A Centurion: “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Mt. 27:54). The Thief on the Cross: “This man has done nothing

wrong” (Lk. 23:42). The Herodians: “Teacher, we know that you are true, and

teach the way of God in truth: nor do you care about anyone, for you do not regard the person of men” (Mt. 22:16).

I. The Biblical BasisI. The Biblical BasisC. The Accusations Against Him The Romans: He claimed to be “King of the Jews” (Jn.

19:19)--which He was (Lk. 23:3). The Pharisees: “This fellow does not cast out demons except by

Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons” (Mt. 12:24). This He got for healing a demon possessed, mute, and blind man.

Passer’s By at the Cross: “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days” (Mk. 15:29)-- which he did in his resurrection (Jn. 2:19-21).

The High Priest and Sanhedrin: “You have heard the blasphemy! [that He claims to be the Christ, the Son of God] What do you think? And they all condemned Him to be worthy of death” (Mk. 14:64). But He proved to be the Son of God.

A Crowd: “We found this fellow subverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ the King” (Lk. 23:2). But He paid taxes (Mt. 17:27) and was Christ.

C. The Accusations Against Him The Romans: He claimed to be “King of the Jews” (Jn.

19:19)--which He was (Lk. 23:3). The Pharisees: “This fellow does not cast out demons except by

Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons” (Mt. 12:24). This He got for healing a demon possessed, mute, and blind man.

Passer’s By at the Cross: “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days” (Mk. 15:29)-- which he did in his resurrection (Jn. 2:19-21).

The High Priest and Sanhedrin: “You have heard the blasphemy! [that He claims to be the Christ, the Son of God] What do you think? And they all condemned Him to be worthy of death” (Mk. 14:64). But He proved to be the Son of God.

A Crowd: “We found this fellow subverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ the King” (Lk. 23:2). But He paid taxes (Mt. 17:27) and was Christ.

I. The Biblical BasisI. The Biblical BasisD. The Character of Christ 1. He taught and lived the highest ethic of the Sermon on the

Mount (Mt. 5-7) which included: a. The Golden Rule (7:12) b. Do not judge others (7:1) c. Love your enemies (5:44) d. Do not retaliate (5:38-39) e. Don’t be a hypocrite (7:5) f. Don’t lust in your heart (5:27) g. Be merciful (5:7) h. Keep your word (5:37) i. Help the poor (6:3-4) j. Forgive others (6:12) k. Don’t make money your God (6:24) 2. He loved little children (Mk. 10:13-14).

D. The Character of Christ 1. He taught and lived the highest ethic of the Sermon on the

Mount (Mt. 5-7) which included: a. The Golden Rule (7:12) b. Do not judge others (7:1) c. Love your enemies (5:44) d. Do not retaliate (5:38-39) e. Don’t be a hypocrite (7:5) f. Don’t lust in your heart (5:27) g. Be merciful (5:7) h. Keep your word (5:37) i. Help the poor (6:3-4) j. Forgive others (6:12) k. Don’t make money your God (6:24) 2. He loved little children (Mk. 10:13-14).

D. The Character of ChristD. The Character of Christ 3. He wept over the death of a friend (Jn. 11:35).

4. He set the example of servanthood by washing the disciple’s feet (Jn. 13:1f.).

5. He lived a life of poverty (Mt. 8:20). 5. He healed the ear of one of the mob who came

to crucify him (Lk. 22:51). 6. He loved and chose as an apostle a man he

knew would betray him (Mt. 10:4; Jn. 17:12). 7. He never spoke in his own defense, even

against false accusations (Mt. 27:12-14). 8. He died for his enemies (Rom. 5:8-10). 9. He forgave his crucifiers (Lk. 23:34).

3. He wept over the death of a friend (Jn. 11:35). 4. He set the example of servanthood by

washing the disciple’s feet (Jn. 13:1f.). 5. He lived a life of poverty (Mt. 8:20). 5. He healed the ear of one of the mob who came

to crucify him (Lk. 22:51). 6. He loved and chose as an apostle a man he

knew would betray him (Mt. 10:4; Jn. 17:12). 7. He never spoke in his own defense, even

against false accusations (Mt. 27:12-14). 8. He died for his enemies (Rom. 5:8-10). 9. He forgave his crucifiers (Lk. 23:34).

A. The Apostles’ CreedA. The Apostles’ Creed• I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator

of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried…. The third day He arose again from the dead.

• I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried…. The third day He arose again from the dead.

B. The Nicene Creed (325) B. The Nicene Creed (325)• We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made…. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human.

• We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made…. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human.

C. The Chalcedonian Creed (451)C. The Chalcedonian Creed (451) Following, then, the holy fathers, we unite in

teaching all men to confess the one and only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This selfsame one is perfect both in deity and in humanness.…He is of the same reality as God as far as his deity is concerned and of the same reality as we ourselves as far as his humanness is concerned…like us in all respects, sin only excepted.…For us and on behalf of our salvation, this selfsame one was born of Mary the virgin, who is God-bearer in respect of his humanness.

Following, then, the holy fathers, we unite in teaching all men to confess the one and only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This selfsame one is perfect both in deity and in humanness.…He is of the same reality as God as far as his deity is concerned and of the same reality as we ourselves as far as his humanness is concerned…like us in all respects, sin only excepted.…For us and on behalf of our salvation, this selfsame one was born of Mary the virgin, who is God-bearer in respect of his humanness.

III. The Doctrinal ImportanceIII. The Doctrinal ImportanceA. A sinner can’t save us from sin He “was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin”

(Heb. 4:15).B. God can’t accept an imperfect sacrifice “He Himself is the propitiation [satisfaction] for our

sins…” (1 Jn. 2:2 cf. Ex. 12:5).C. Our debt can’t be paid by another debtor. “Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust that

He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).D. A drowning person can’t rescue anyone. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that

which was lost” (Lk. 19:10).

Conclusion: A sinful savior can’t save sinners. Only a sinless Savior can save sinners.

A. A sinner can’t save us from sin He “was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin”

(Heb. 4:15).B. God can’t accept an imperfect sacrifice “He Himself is the propitiation [satisfaction] for our

sins…” (1 Jn. 2:2 cf. Ex. 12:5).C. Our debt can’t be paid by another debtor. “Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust that

He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).D. A drowning person can’t rescue anyone. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that

which was lost” (Lk. 19:10).

Conclusion: A sinful savior can’t save sinners. Only a sinless Savior can save sinners.




IV. The Moral Importance





IV. The Moral ImportanceIV. The Moral ImportanceA. Jesus was the perfect moral example. 1. “Follow me just as I follow Christ” (1 Cor.

11:1). 2. “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us

an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21).

3. “I press toward the goal for the prize…in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).

B. The perfect example must be perfect.C. Therefore, Christ must be perfect.

A. Jesus was the perfect moral example. 1. “Follow me just as I follow Christ” (1 Cor.

11:1). 2. “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us

an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21).

3. “I press toward the goal for the prize…in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).

B. The perfect example must be perfect.C. Therefore, Christ must be perfect.





V. Some Objections Considered





V. Some Objections Considered

V. Some Objections ConsideredV. Some Objections Considered A. Objection from warning about Hell: Anyone who threatens people with eternal

Hell lacks proper kindness. Jesus did this.

Response: If there is a Hell, anyone who does not warn

people about it lacks proper kindness! Jesus said there is a Hell (Mt. 5:29-39; 25:41;

Lk. 16). As God, He ought to know! Hence, He was eminently kind to warn

people of it.

A. Objection from warning about Hell: Anyone who threatens people with eternal

Hell lacks proper kindness. Jesus did this.

Response: If there is a Hell, anyone who does not warn

people about it lacks proper kindness! Jesus said there is a Hell (Mt. 5:29-39; 25:41;

Lk. 16). As God, He ought to know! Hence, He was eminently kind to warn

people of it.

V. Some Objections ConsideredV. Some Objections Considered B. Objection from Vindictiveness Anyone who pronounces woes on his enemies

is vindictive (Mt. 23). Response: 1. Denouncing evil is not vindictive; otherwise

all law-enforcers would be vindictive. 2. Anyone who does not condemn evil and

hypocrisy, as Jesus did, is morally flawed. 3. Jesus was not vindictive: 1) He taught us to

love our enemies (Mt. 5:44); 2) He forgave His crucifiers (Lk 23:34).

B. Objection from Vindictiveness Anyone who pronounces woes on his enemies

is vindictive (Mt. 23). Response: 1. Denouncing evil is not vindictive; otherwise

all law-enforcers would be vindictive. 2. Anyone who does not condemn evil and

hypocrisy, as Jesus did, is morally flawed. 3. Jesus was not vindictive: 1) He taught us to

love our enemies (Mt. 5:44); 2) He forgave His crucifiers (Lk 23:34).

V. Some Objections ConsideredV. Some Objections Considered C. Objection from Drowning Pigs Anyone who unnecessarily drowns pigs is unkind.

Jesus did this (Mt. 8:30-32).

Response: 1. Jesus did not drown the pigs. His simply

cast the demons out who did it. 2. Jesus was more interested in saving

people than pigs. 3. As Creator He owns all things and has

the right to take their life (Deut. 32:39; Job. 1:21).

C. Objection from Drowning Pigs Anyone who unnecessarily drowns pigs is unkind.

Jesus did this (Mt. 8:30-32).

Response: 1. Jesus did not drown the pigs. His simply

cast the demons out who did it. 2. Jesus was more interested in saving

people than pigs. 3. As Creator He owns all things and has

the right to take their life (Deut. 32:39; Job. 1:21).

V. Some Objections ConsideredV. Some Objections Considered

D. Objection from Getting Angry Jesus was angry with the money changers in

the temple (Mk. 11:15-19). Response: Anger is not necessarily sinful.

1. God demonstrated righteous indignation (Ex. 4:14; Num. 12:9; Psa. 2:5).

2. Paul said, “Be angry but do not sin” (Eph. 4:26).

3. Jesus was justly angry at those who had profaned the Temple of God.

D. Objection from Getting Angry Jesus was angry with the money changers in

the temple (Mk. 11:15-19). Response: Anger is not necessarily sinful.

1. God demonstrated righteous indignation (Ex. 4:14; Num. 12:9; Psa. 2:5).

2. Paul said, “Be angry but do not sin” (Eph. 4:26).

3. Jesus was justly angry at those who had profaned the Temple of God.

V. Some Objections ConsideredV. Some Objections Considered

E. Objection from Cursing the Fig Tree Jesus cursed the fig tree simply because it

had no fruit (Mt. 21:19). Response: Anger is not necessarily sinful.

1. But Jesus was not responding in anger. 2. He used it as a dramatic visual aid. 3. His point was to condemn the outward

appearance of being godly without any real fruitfulness.

E. Objection from Cursing the Fig Tree Jesus cursed the fig tree simply because it

had no fruit (Mt. 21:19). Response: Anger is not necessarily sinful.

1. But Jesus was not responding in anger. 2. He used it as a dramatic visual aid. 3. His point was to condemn the outward

appearance of being godly without any real fruitfulness.

the essential orthodox doctrines 1. god’s unity 2. god’s tri-unity 3. human depravity 4....

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