The Nurse Theologian

The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” ~ Ephesians 2:8 (NASB) Salvation is the gift of God, every part of it, for we are not saved because we believe in Christ, we believe in Christ because we are saved by grace through faith; faith is, therefore, the vehicle through which we are brought to Christ. “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith...God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” ~ Ephesians 3:17 & 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NASB) Fellowship with the Son is an effectual calling. Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” ~ John 6:37 (NASB)

We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” ~ John 1:12 (NASB) To receive Him means to welcome Jesus into every part of your life. To believe in His name means that you personally trust Him. 1 “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.” ~ Titus 3:5 (NASB) We are not saved by good works or church membership; salvation comes solely, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. The washing here is spiritual cleansing which baptism outwardly symbolizes. 2 1. ESV Global Study Bible Notes. 2. Ibid.

Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day. 1 Corinthians 15:4 Christ was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Mark 16:19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. Acts 17:31 He (God) has fixed a day in which He (God) will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him (Christ) from the dead.

Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time. “And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” ~ Luke 2:7 (NASB) “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.” ~ Galatians 4:4 (NASB) Isaiah 53:3 (NASB) “He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?’ that is, ‘MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?’” ~ Matthew 27:46 (NASB) “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the p

Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies. Psalms 110:3 (NASB) says, “Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power.” Isaiah 33:22 (NASB) says,  “For the LORD is our judge, The LORD is our lawgiver, The LORD is our king; He will save us.” The apostle Paul said of Christ, “For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:25 (NASB) Jesus said to His disciples, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” ~ Matthew 28:18 (NASB)

Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. ~ Hebrews 9:27-28 (NASB) Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ~ Hebrews 2:17 (NASB) Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. ~ Hebrews 7:25 (NASB)

Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. Irenaeus, a third generation Christian, born 130 AD, died 202 AD, understood the Lord in terms of a Shepherd guiding His sheep. He believed that Christ guides his elect with his two hands: the Word and the Spirit. “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” ~ John 1:18 (NKJV) “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” ~ John 14:26 (NASB) “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” ~ John 20:30-31 (NASB)