Overview of Paul’s theology of the person and work of Christ
Paul believed that Christ was at the center of everything and that what the law could not do, Jesus, being the sacrificial Lamb of God did.[1] In so doing, He fulfilled the law which was impossible for man to keep on his own accord. What the first man, Adam, could not do, the Son of Man did and therefore, freed us from the chains of the law to which we were bound.[2] The Bible lets us know that it is not through our own works that we are saved but by faith in believing in the Christ that we have eternal life. Our human works are not qualified as credit towards salvation and we see evidence of this when Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be with Him in Paradise. There was nothing that the thief had done to earn salvation and yet, he was justified by faith in Jesus alone.[3] Paul pointed out that we are not to live as heathens just because we are not under the confines of the law but because of Jesus fulfillment of it, we will present fruit as a representation of being in Christ.[4] Therefore, our relationship with Him is manifested for others to see and experience the goodness of Him based on our faith independent of personal works.
Paul spoke of the law as like a reflective mirror showing our stains represented by sin and yet, through the blood of Jesus that covers us, our sin-stained life no longer shows in the mirror, but a reflection of who He is. We are therefore joint heirs in Christ because we have become one with Him in the New Covenant for the old one was done away with. It is important that we understand the work that Jesus did on the cross was an atonement for the sins of man. The Old Testament sacrifices were temporary and could not permanently remove sin but was a prelude to the ultimate Sacrifice who would take away the sins of the world.
Paul let us know that theology and authority were given and granted to him personally by Jesus Christ as having received such on his way to Damascus.[5] This was such a defining moment in his life as was the persecution of Stephen that he watched and concurred with taking place.[6] Paul’s theology was also passed on to him from some of the other apostles such as Peter, Barnabas, and other believers.[7] Paul’s rabbinic training also help to form his theology under to teaching of Rabban Gamliel ha-zaqen who was a greatly recognized and respected teacher of the law during Paul’s time.[8] Earlier scriptures also contributed to Paul’s theology as he makes mention of having passed down what he learned to those he taught in his writings.[9]
When explaining being “in Christ” to a non-believer, I would give them the example of being in a marital covenant with their spouse. When they took their marital vows (if married), they promised to be faithful, honor, obey, etc., till death do them part. They fell in love with the person they got to know and desired to share their lives with that person. They want to see that person happy and will do whatever they can to please that spouse and provide a happy home. It is the same way with being in Christ. He showed us love by dying on the cross for us while we were in a broken condition. Therefore, we decided to commit to Him and in doing so, we come united to Him (being in Him) as part of that commitment to be faithful, love and honor Him for who He is. The fruit that we bear shows our commitment to Him and that while being “in Christ” we are united as one body of believers and through Him, we are thereby saved through faith.
[1] Gal. 3:13-14 (King James Version).
[2] Rom. 5:14-17 (New International Version).
[3] Luke 23:42-43 (New International Version).
[4] Rom. 6:15-18 (New International Version).
[5] Gal. 1:11-13 (New International Version).
[6] Acts 7:37-38 (King James Version).
[7] Donald A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 2008), 370-371.
[8] Risto Santala and Michael G. Cox, Paul, the Man and the Teacher in the Light of Jewish Sources (Jerusalem: Keren Ahvah Meshihit, 1995), 29-30.
[9] 1 Cor. 15:3-5 (New International Version).
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