Topical Encyclopedia
The doctrine of the deity of Christ is a cornerstone of Christian theology, affirming that Jesus Christ is fully God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father. This entry explores the concept of Christ as unsearchable, equally with the Father, drawing from scriptural references and theological insights.
Unsearchable Nature of ChristThe unsearchable nature of Christ refers to His infinite wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, attributes that are inherently divine. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, exclaims the depth of the riches of God's wisdom and knowledge: "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" (
Romans 11:33). This passage, while directly referring to God, is equally applicable to Christ, who embodies the fullness of the Godhead.
In
Colossians 2:3, Paul further emphasizes that in Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" . This statement underscores the divine attribute of omniscience, affirming that Christ possesses an unsearchable depth of understanding, akin to that of the Father.
Equality with the FatherThe equality of Christ with the Father is a fundamental tenet of the doctrine of the Trinity. The Gospel of John provides profound insights into this relationship. In
John 1:1, the evangelist declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" . This verse establishes the pre-existence and divinity of Christ, the Word, affirming His equality with God.
Furthermore, Jesus Himself asserts His unity with the Father in
John 10:30, stating, "I and the Father are one" . This declaration of oneness is not merely a statement of purpose or mission but an affirmation of shared essence and nature.
In
Philippians 2:6, Paul writes of Christ, "Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped" . This passage highlights Christ's pre-incarnate divine status and His voluntary humility in the incarnation, without relinquishing His equality with the Father.
Theological ImplicationsThe unsearchable and equal nature of Christ with the Father has profound theological implications. It affirms the mystery of the Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons yet one in essence. This mystery is beyond human comprehension, reflecting the unsearchable nature of God.
The recognition of Christ's deity and equality with the Father is essential for understanding the work of salvation. Only one who is fully God could atone for the sins of humanity, bridging the gap between God and man. The unsearchable riches of Christ's grace and love are made manifest in His redemptive work, offering eternal life to all who believe.
In summary, the unsearchable and equal nature of Christ with the Father is a profound truth that underscores His divinity and central role in the Christian faith. Through scriptural revelation, believers are invited to worship and adore the mystery of Christ, who is God incarnate, the eternal Word, and the Savior of the world.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Proverbs 30:4Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? who has gathered the wind in his fists? who has bound the waters in a garment? who has established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell?
Torrey's Topical TextbookMatthew 11:27
All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Sons of God
... What fiery lips shall ever speak of his possessions, of his
riches,"the unsearchable riches of God in Christ Jesus. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/the sons of god.htm
The Intercession of Christ
... But Christ being come an high priest of good things ... us, If we believe, or trust in
God, to believe ... He has distributed, for it is unsearchable and inexhaustible ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlvii the intercession of.htm
John Chapter xii. 37-43
... sounding such an abyss, of searching into what is unsearchable. ... by the apostle, when
he said, "God forbid that I ... in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate liii john chapter xii.htm
The Epistle to the Ephesians.
... the saints, and of the household of God, being built ... of the apostles and prophets,
Christ Jesus himself ... to preach Unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 95 the epistle to.htm
Of Justification by Christ
... "How unsearchable is his ... ways past finding out!" Now know we of a truth, O God, that
thou ... hast not with-held thy Son, thine only Son Jesus Christ," from thus ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/of justification by christ.htm
Salvation to the Jews
... how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past ... therein is the righteousness
of God revealed from ... It is of this gospel of Christ, equally efficacious for ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 35 salvation to the.htm
The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
... how unsearchable are His judgements, and His ways past finding out ... His character
and righteous demands; he tells of Christ meeting God's demands, and ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter four the sovereignty of.htm
From the Latin.
... listen to his own words: "How unsearchable are God's ... that he "knew nothing, save
Jesus Christ, and Him ... to its merits, it was necessary, as God foreknew there ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen de principiis/from the latin.htm
Columban.
... one then venture to search into the unsearchable essence of ... of the stature of the
fulness of Christ; in which ... he writes, on the other hand: "May God bless him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/columban.htm
God's Restraining Power.
... in which sense we may say everything is unsearchable to us ... so with us, who have not
merely a God working apart from us, but to whom Christ has promised to ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xii gods restraining power.htm
Resources
What does it mean to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Christ consciousness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean "to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21)? | GotQuestions.orgChrist: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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