Topical Bible: The Power of Christ: As Man, is from the Father

Bible > Topical > The Power of Christ

◄ The Power of Christ: As Man, is from the Father ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The doctrine of the power of Christ as man being derived from the Father is a profound aspect of Christology, emphasizing the unique relationship between Jesus Christ and God the Father. This concept is rooted in the understanding of Jesus as both fully divine and fully human, and it highlights the submission and obedience of Christ to the Father during His earthly ministry.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides several passages that illustrate the power of Christ as man being granted by the Father. In the Gospel of John, Jesus frequently acknowledges His dependence on the Father for His works and authority. John 5:19 states, "Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does." This verse underscores the unity and cooperation between the Father and the Son, with the Son's actions being a direct reflection of the Father's will.

Furthermore, in John 5:30 , Jesus declares, "I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear, and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." Here, Jesus emphasizes His role as the obedient servant, whose power and authority are exercised in accordance with the Father's will.

The Incarnation and Humility

The incarnation of Christ is central to understanding His power as man. Philippians 2:6-7 describes how Jesus, "being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." This self-emptying, or kenosis, is a voluntary act of humility, where Christ, while retaining His divine nature, chooses to live in complete dependence on the Father.

In His humanity, Jesus demonstrates perfect submission to the Father, relying on Him for strength and guidance. This is evident in His prayer life, as seen in Luke 5:16 , "Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray." Through prayer, Jesus sought communion with the Father, drawing upon His power and wisdom.

Miracles and Authority

The miracles performed by Jesus during His earthly ministry further illustrate the power given to Him by the Father. In John 14:10 , Jesus explains, "Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works." The miraculous works of Christ serve as a testament to the divine authority bestowed upon Him by the Father, affirming His identity as the Son of God.

Additionally, Jesus' authority to forgive sins, as demonstrated in Mark 2:10 , "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," is a clear indication of the power entrusted to Him by the Father. This authority, which is divine in nature, is exercised by Christ in His role as the mediator between God and humanity.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The empowerment of Christ by the Father is also closely associated with the work of the Holy Spirit. At His baptism, the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus, marking the beginning of His public ministry (Matthew 3:16-17). The Spirit's presence signifies the Father's endorsement and the divine power that enables Jesus to fulfill His mission.

In Luke 4:18 , Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, proclaiming, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor." This anointing by the Spirit is a manifestation of the Father's power, equipping Jesus for His redemptive work.

Obedience unto Death

The ultimate demonstration of Christ's submission to the Father's will is found in His obedience unto death. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays, "Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42). This prayer encapsulates the essence of Christ's earthly mission: to accomplish the Father's will through His sacrificial death on the cross.

Through His obedience, Jesus not only fulfills the Father's redemptive plan but also exemplifies the perfect model of reliance on divine power. His resurrection, as declared in Romans 6:4 , "Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father," is the ultimate vindication of His divine authority and the power granted to Him by the Father.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Sinner's Need of Christ
... man in his weakness and helplessness with the Source of infinite power. ... And the only
way to God is Christ. ... the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 2 the sinners need.htm

Dead with Christ.
... slain." Beloved brother, your Boaz, your Christ, your all-sufficient Saviour, is
a Man of whom ... If we are to experience the full power of what Christ can do ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/ix dead with christ.htm

Christ, the Great Teacher
... Jesus Christ recognized this desire of man to know his standing with God and
He proclaimed not only the power, but the Fatherhood of God. ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study i christ the great.htm

The Attractive Power of God
... by the heavenly Father with the might of His divine power. ... we should know that before
our Lord Jesus Christ was born ... draw them with the cords of a man." It was ...
/.../eckhart/meister eckharts sermons/i the attractive power of.htm

Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life
... OF CHRIST, AS THE LIFE, WHICH IS UNDER THE PREVAILING POWER OF UNBELIEF ... HOW SHALL
ONE MAKE USE OF CHRIST AS THE LIFE, WHEN ... NO MAN COMETH TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brown/christ the way the truth and the life/

Names of God and of Christ, their Meaning and Power.
... Names of God and of Christ, their meaning and power. ... and arranged all things by Him,
is called Christ, in reference ... For He was made man also, as we before said ...
/.../the second apology of justin for the christians/chapter vi names of god and.htm

Christ
... that man in Christ is the archetype of God and God in Christ the archetype of man. ...
reason about him, are touched by his love, held by his power, and filled ...
//christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christ.htm

God's Love for Man
... Through transgression the sons of man become subjects of ... are placed where, through
connection with Christ, they may ... The thought has a subduing power upon the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 1 gods love for.htm

The Sermon that the Reverend Father in Christ
... it, but all your care is, that no lay man do read ... which I would so gladly have, that
is, power so to ... God, your souls' health, and the edifying of Christ's body ...
/.../sermons on the card and other discourses/the sermon that the reverend.htm

The Man Christ Jesus
... But what help will mine be unless the Divine Spirit be with me, that the word spoken
may be with power? II. ... Christ Jesus is the second man, the Lord from ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the man christ jesus.htm