Topical Bible: Character of Christ: Holy

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The holiness of Christ is a central tenet of Christian theology, reflecting His divine nature and moral perfection. The term "holy" signifies being set apart, pure, and free from sin. In the context of Christ, holiness is both an intrinsic attribute and a testament to His divine mission.

Biblical Foundation

The holiness of Christ is affirmed throughout the New Testament. In the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel announces to Mary, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35). This declaration underscores the divine origin and sanctity of Jesus from conception.

In the book of Acts, Peter refers to Jesus as "the Holy and Righteous One" (Acts 3:14), emphasizing His moral purity and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. The holiness of Christ is not merely an absence of sin but an active embodiment of righteousness and divine purpose.

Christ's Sinlessness

The sinlessness of Christ is a critical aspect of His holiness. The author of Hebrews writes, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). This passage highlights that, despite facing temptations common to humanity, Christ remained untainted by sin, setting Him apart as the perfect mediator between God and man.

Holiness in Ministry

Christ's holiness is evident in His earthly ministry, where He consistently demonstrated authority over sin and evil. In Mark 1:24, a demon-possessed man recognizes Jesus, exclaiming, "What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!" . This acknowledgment by spiritual adversaries underscores the divine authority and purity inherent in Christ.

Furthermore, Jesus' teachings and actions consistently reflected His holy character. He called His followers to a higher standard of righteousness, as seen in the Sermon on the Mount, where He declared, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). This call to holiness is rooted in His own example and divine nature.

Holiness and Redemption

The holiness of Christ is integral to the redemptive work accomplished through His death and resurrection. As the spotless Lamb of God, Jesus' sacrifice was sufficient to atone for the sins of humanity. Peter writes, "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed... but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot" (1 Peter 1:18-19). The imagery of a lamb without blemish underscores the necessity of Christ's holiness for the efficacy of His atoning sacrifice.

Implications for Believers

The holiness of Christ serves as both a model and a source of empowerment for believers. Through union with Christ, Christians are called to pursue holiness in their own lives. The Apostle Paul exhorts the church, "For God did not call us to impurity, but to holiness" (1 Thessalonians 4:7). This call to holiness is made possible through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, who conforms believers to the image of Christ.

In summary, the holiness of Christ is a foundational aspect of His character, underscoring His divine nature, sinlessness, and redemptive mission. It serves as a model for Christian living and a source of hope for believers seeking to reflect His purity and righteousness in their own lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 1:35
And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Ghost shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 4:27
For of a truth against your holy child Jesus, whom you have anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
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Revelation 3:7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things said he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens;
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Library

Of the Fact that Matthew, Together with Mark, had Specially in ...
... who had taken it in hand to give an account of the kingly character of Christ, had
a ... as it was the priest's want to enter all alone into the holy of holies ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter iii of the fact that.htm

How the Word is the Maker of all Things, and Even the Holy Spirit ...
... All this He has by participation of the character of Christ, of which we have spoken
above. And I consider that the Holy Spirit supplies to those who, through ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/6 how the word is.htm

The Test of Discipleship
... who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who ... of God, yet they realize that
their character is imperfect ... their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 7 the test of.htm

How to Become Like Christ.
... certainly vary with the resemblance of our character to that ... some apology for not
being like Christ, and has ... a world such as ours is to become perfectly holy. ...
/.../dods/how to become like christ/how to become like christ.htm

Prayer Incidents in the Life of Our Lord (Continued)
... Holy being can never exist without holy doing. ... The praying of Christ, then,
is not to be separated from the character of Christ. ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/ix prayer incidents in the.htm

Man's Own Character no Ground of Peace
... flaming sword that guards the access into the presence of the infinitely Holy One. ...
They will not take confidence from God's character or Christ's work, but ...
/.../bonar/gods way of peace/chapter ii mans own character.htm

God's Character Our Resting-Place
... The knowledge of that gracious character, as interpreted by the cross of Christ,
is the ... cannot reveal God to you, and that the Holy Spirit alone ...
/.../bonar/gods way of peace/chapter iii gods character our.htm

Growing up into Christ
... The regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit renewed his heart. The power
of the love of Christ wrought a transformation of character. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 8 growing up into.htm

The Work of the Holy Spirit
... XXXV. The Character of the New Testament Scripture. Tenth Chapter. THE CHURCH OF
CHRIST. XXXVI. ... The Government of the Church. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/

Jesus Christ an Example of Prayer
... The descent and abiding of the Holy Spirit in all His fullness, the opening ... The Christ
character, the Christ life, and the Christ spirit, must be ours if we ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/vii jesus christ an example.htm