The following is a brief confession from a series written for my Systematic Theology classes.
I believe Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity and fully divine by his own admission (Luke 22:70; John 10:30), the testimony of the Apostles (Matt 16:16; Col 1:19, 2:9; Heb 1:3), and the confirmation of the Father (Matt 3:17; 1 John 5:9). He is, like the Father and the Holy Spirit, eternal (John 8:58; Heb 7:3; Rev 22:13). Having existed from the beginning (John 1:1), He was not created, but by Him all things that are were made (John 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2).
I believe that Jesus Christ voluntarily left his Heavenly place, humbling himself, he became fully man (Phil 2:7; John 1:14), all the while retaining the entire nature of God in a single person (John 17:21-23). He was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:18), and born of the virgin Mary (Isa 7:14; Luke 1:31). As a man, he experienced the full range of human emotion (Matt 26:37; Luke 4:2; John 4:6).
I believe that Jesus Christ was tempted just as all men are (Heb 4:15), yet lived a sinless life (2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:22). His perfect obedience to the law (Rom 5:19) made Him the only sufficient sacrifice for the sins of mankind (Heb 9:26, 28). Though He was convicted of nothing (John 18:38), he was condemned to death (Matt 27:26; Mark 15:15: John 19:16), and crucified (Matt 27:50). Three days later He conquered death and rose again (Acts 2:24), fulfilling messianic prophecy (1 Cor 15:3), and atoning for the sins of all who would repent and believe in Him (John 11:25; Rom 5:6; 2 Cor 5:15; 1 Pet 2:24, 3:18).
I believe that Jesus Christ ascended bodily into Heaven where He now sits at the right hand of God, the Father (Mark 16:19; Luke 22:69, 24:51; Acts 1:9; Eph 1:20), ruling (Phil 2:9-10; Heb 1:9; 1 Pet 3:22) and interceding on our behalf (Rom 8:34; Heb 2:17, 7:25; 1 John 2:1). He is the head of the Church (Eph 5:23; Col 1:18). Just as He departed, He will return again (Acts 1:11; Titus 2:13; Heb 9:28) as the final and righteous judge (Matt 7:21-23; 2 Cor 5:10) of all men, living and dead (1 Pet 4:5).
