Picturing Theology

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P i c t u r i n g T h e o l o g y

The Center and Circumference: Christianity Is Jesus Christ (continued)

all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

B. According to the Scriptures, God was in the person of Jesus Christ reconciling the world unto himself. 2 Cor. 5.18-21 (ESV) - All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. [20] Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [21] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. C. Jesus alone is the sole deliverer, redeemer, and reconciler of humankind back to God. • He is the just One who died for us unjust ones, in order to bring us to God, 1 Pet.3.18. • His is the only name under heaven given to us in order that we must be saved, Acts 4.12 (ESV) - And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” • He alone is the One who became God’s Christus Victum in order to raise and become our Christus Victor , Col. 2.13-15 (ESV) - And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,[14] by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. [15] He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.