The Person of Jesus Christ

Primary Text: John 1:1–14

John 1:1–14 KJV 1900

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

INTRODUCTION (10 minutes)

Imagine, if you will, the very fabric of reality — space, time, energy, and matter — coalescing into a magnificent cosmic tapestry governed by laws so precise that the universe itself could only come into being by design. Modern science reveals a cosmos expanding from a singularity, a beginning point where time itself commenced, and all physical laws sprang into existence.

Into this grand stage steps a figure described in John 1:1 with words that challenge even the greatest scientific minds: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This “Word” is not a mere idea or abstract principle but a Person — eternal, uncreated, preexisting before all that science can measure or explain.

John continues: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” Here is a truth that transcends science’s reach, a miraculous incarnation where the eternal entered time, the infinite entered the finite. It is as if the boundless energy governing the stars chose to become the fragile substance of human flesh — a concept both staggering and sublime.

C.S. Lewis once observed that Christianity is “a doctrine which is at the very centre of the universe.” The Gospel reveals that the ultimate explanation of existence is not found in impersonal laws or chance but in a Person who speaks the universe into being and walks among His creation.

“The probability of a functional protein arising by chance is about as likely as a blindfolded person throwing a dart and hitting a tiny bullseye the size of an atom on a dartboard at the other end of the universe — twice in a row.”

This vivid illustration is used to communicate the near impossibility of complex biological molecules (like proteins) assembling randomly without intelligent design or guidance.

Matthew 22:42 — “What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?” That question, asked by Jesus Himself, is the most important question you will ever answer. Your answer determines your eternal destiny.

Today, we’re looking at the Person of Jesus Christ—not just from an emotional or devotional standpoint, but through the careful, biblical lens that Emery Bancroft lays out in Elemental Theology. This is a foundational doctrine. If we misunderstand who Jesus is, we will misunderstand the Gospel itself.

Transition: Let me illustrate why this matters so much.

Illustration (Scientific/Historical): In architecture, the cornerstone determines the alignment and stability of the entire structure. Archaeologists have uncovered Herodian-era stones in Jerusalem weighing over 500 tons—cut with perfect precision without modern machinery. If the cornerstone is flawed, the entire building is compromised.

In the same way, Christ is the “chief cornerstone” of our faith (Ephesians 2:20

Ephesians 2:20 KJV 1900

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

If we get His identity wrong, the whole structure of our belief collapses. That’s why the Person of Christ is the first and most essential doctrine we must understand.

1. THE DEITY AND HUMANITY OF CHRIST (15 minutes)

Doctrinal Definitions:

Deity — Jesus is fully and truly God, possessing all the attributes of God.

Humanity — Jesus is fully and truly man, possessing a real human body, mind, and soul.

Bancroft’s Emphasis: Christ did not cease to be God when He became man. In the incarnation, He added humanity to His deity—He is one person with two complete natures.

Scripture (KJV):

John 1:1 — “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:14 — “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”

Colossians 2:9 — “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

Illustration (Scientific/Historical): Light travels at 186,282 miles per second, and it takes just over 8 minutes for sunlight to reach earth. In its essence, it is pure energy, yet when it passes through our atmosphere, it becomes visible and tangible in its warmth. In a far greater way, the eternal Son of God “passed through” the atmosphere of humanity in the incarnation—fully God, yet fully man.

Historically, the Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451) affirmed this: “Truly God and truly man… in two natures, without confusion, change, division, or separation.” This has been the faith of the Church for nearly two millennia.

Transition: But Christ didn’t just come to show who God is—He came to accomplish a work that no one else could.

2. THE WORK OF CHRIST (10 minutes)

Doctrinal Definitions:

Atonement — Christ’s sacrificial death satisfied God’s justice and reconciled man to God.

Substitution — Christ took our place, bearing the penalty for our sins.

Propitiation — Christ’s sacrifice turned away God’s righteous wrath.

Bancroft’s Emphasis: Christ’s work is the heart of the Gospel. He didn’t come just to inspire, or preach, or prophecy, but to save—by paying the penalty of our sins.

Scripture (KJV):

1 Peter 2:24 — “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…”

1 Peter 3:18 — “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God…”

1 John 2:2 — “And he is the propitiation for our sins…”

Luke 19:10 (KJV):

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Illustration (Scientific/Historical): Roman crucifixion was one of the cruelest forms of execution ever devised. The historian Josephus called it “the most wretched of deaths.” Victims could hang for hours or days, dying from suffocation, blood loss, or shock.

Medical studies show that the spear thrust recorded in John 19:34—piercing the heart and lungs—was a definitive sign of death. Roman soldiers were trained executioners; failure to kill would mean their own execution.

Christ endured this willingly, fulfilling Isaiah 53—written over 700 years before His birth. This was not accidental; it was the predetermined plan of God for our salvation.

Transition: The story doesn’t end at the cross. Without the resurrection, His death would be meaningless.

3. THE RESURRECTION AND LORDSHIP OF CHRIST (10 minutes)

Doctrinal Definitions:

Resurrection — Christ’s bodily rising from the dead, never to die again.

Lordship — His absolute authority over all creation.

The resurrection validates everything Jesus claimed about Himself. Lordship means He has the right to rule our lives.

Scripture (KJV):

Matthew 28:6 — “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”

Philippians 2:9–10 — “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him…”

Acts 2:36 — “…God hath made that same Jesus… both Lord and Christ.”

Illustration (Scientific/Historical): The resurrection is one of the best-attested events in ancient history:

Over 500 eyewitnesses saw Him alive (1 Corinthians 15:6

1 Corinthians 15:6 KJV 1900

6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

The Roman guard at the tomb faced the death penalty for failure.

The Jewish historian Josephus mentions Jesus’ crucifixion and the early belief in His resurrection.

Here is the most famous passage from Josephus—often called the Testimonium Flavianum—which mentions Jesus’ crucifixion and the early belief in His resurrection:

Most scholars agree this passage has been interpolated—meaning Christian copyists likely added or modified parts of it.

“Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man; if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.”

"Now around this time lived Jesus, a wise man... He won over both many Jews and many Greeks. Pilate... condemned him to the cross... those who first loved him did not cease... To this day the tribe of Christians named after him has not disappeared."

Scientifically, dead bodies do not revive themselves—this was a direct act of God. Historically, nothing else explains the radical transformation of the apostles, who went from hiding in fear to boldly proclaiming the risen Christ at the cost of their lives.

Transition: If Jesus is risen and Lord, then the question is: How will you respond?

4. THE BELIEVER’S RESPONSE (10 minutes)

Doctrinal Definitions:

Repentance — Turning toward God with a changed heart and mind.

Faith — Trusting in Christ alone for salvation.

Justification — God’s legal declaration that the believer is righteous in Christ.

Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone—no works can earn it.

Scripture (KJV):

Acts 3:19 — “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”

Acts 16:31 — “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”

Romans 5:1 — “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Illustration (Historical): In 1829, George Wilson was sentenced to death for robbery and murder. President Andrew Jackson granted him a pardon—but Wilson refused it. The case went to the Supreme Court, which ruled: “A pardon is only effective if accepted.”

Christ’s death has purchased salvation for all, but only those who repent and believe receive its benefits. Rejecting Christ is like refusing the pardon—you bear the penalty yourself.

CLOSING (5 minutes)

Recap:

True God and True Man — scientifically and historically reasonable.

Perfect Sacrifice — verified by Roman execution records and prophecy.

Risen Lord — supported by historical testimony and transformed lives.

Call to Respond — repentance and faith required.

Acts 4:12 — “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Final Appeal: History affirms Him, science bows before Him, and Scripture proclaims Him. But you must answer the question: “What think ye of Christ?” Will you bow to Him as Lord today?