Continued from our previous post.

V. He has ALL power, physical and spiritual. As often expressed, Power over the body as well as the soul. Many believing the latter are too apt to exclude the former. As a Healer he confirms his word and establishes his authority. “Lo I am with you always even unto the end of the age.” Matt 28:20. “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven…and they went forth and preached the word everywhere, the Lord working with them confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16:19,20.

By whatever means the apostles confirmed the word, it was by the power of the Lord Jesus working with them or the above scripture has no force.

Examples of confirmation by healing diseases: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk, and he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” Acts 3:6,7. The case is the man, lame from his birth, who sat at the gate of the temple, called Beautiful. And Peter said: “Eneas, Jesus Christ makes thee whole, arise and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him and turned to the Lord.” Acts 9:34,35. Bear in mind Christ is Lord. They turned to him, because these things were done by his authority and power.

Examples of confirmation by the destruction of life are given us in the case of Ananias and Sapphira. “And great fear came upon all the church and upon as many as heard these things.” “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.” Acts 5:11.

Healing is the Lord’s usual method, but the Lordship of Christ is illustrated by his power over life, either to kill or to make alive.

Examples of confirmation by raising the dead. Raising the dead is the climax of physical healing; the power which can do the one can do the other.

“But Peter put them all forth and kneeled down and prayed; and turning him to the body, said: Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes and sat up, and …he presented her alive…and many believed on the Lord.” Acts 9:40-42. The case is very clear, and that the Lord’s agency is recognized by the people is clear, because of their turning to him in consequence. He prayed to the Father, doubtless; no other prayer seems to be scriptural; but had Peter neglected Christ’s teaching – “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will do it,” we cannot suppose his prayer would have been answered.

Another case: “Eutychus… fell down from the third loft and was taken up DEAD. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him, said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him…. And they brought the young man ALIVE, and were not a little comforted.” Acts 20:9-12.

His life was restored, by a similar method to that used by Elijah in raising the widow’s son, (1 Kings 17:17-23); and Elisha raising the Shunamite’s son, (2 Kings 4:34,35.)

That Christ has power to restore natural life, is not only clear by virtue of his Lordship, but by these examples. Power is a cause to produce results; if never exercised, it would at least be vain. These are samples and assurances of the coming Restitution of all.

VI. His power over mankind is secured by the Ransom.

Ransom (verb), to recover by paying the price.

Ransom (noun), the price paid for recovery.

The ransom (the price paid) has relation to the thing bought as its equivalent.

Note the value of Christ’s death. “There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the MAN Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time.” 1 Tim 2:5,6. Human for human (a man for a man) is the legal ransom. He became a man that he might “give his life (Greek., psuchee – the natural life,) a ransom for many.” Matt 20:28.

It was the human life. “We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels (a natural man, a human being), for the suffering of death…that he by the grace of God might taste death for every man (every human being).” Heb 2:9.

“He took not the nature of angels, (if he had done so he could not have died – Luke 20:36), but he took on him the seed of Abraham.” Verse 16.

This enabled him both to sympathize with and to redeem. “Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself took part of the same, (not that he might die for himself, as one of us, but) that through death he might destroy… the devil and deliver” from death those who, while they lived, were afraid to die. (See Heb 2:14,15).

It was not the preexistent life, (the life he had prior to becoming a MAN) but “A body (a natural or earthly body) hast thou prepared me. …Lo, I come to do thy will, O God….By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Heb 10:5-10. “Since by man (Adam) came death, by man (Christ) came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Cor 15:21,22. The making “alive” of the 22 verse is clearly the raising “of the dead” of the 21.

“I am he that lives and was dead…and have the keys of Hades and of death.” Rev 1:18. Hades is the state of natural death, and the Key is the symbol of power.

VII. As Lord, Christ gives immortality. This is the greatest life and work. All the lesser steps have reference to this great outcome.

“The first man Adam was made a living soul (a natural man); the last Adam (the Second Adam) was made a quickening spirit.” 1 Cor 15:45. Adam gives the natural body, which is mortal; Christ gives the spiritual body, which is immortal. (See context.)

“I give unto them (believers, that is those obedient believers who have taken up their crosses and followed in the Masters footsteps, who have fully consecrated themselves to the Lord and who have, in the end made their calling and election sure, having been found faithful unto death) eternal life (Greek: Zoee).” John 10:28.

He hath “abolished death (by the ransom) and brought LIFE (psuchee) AND (additionally) IMMORTALITY (Zoee) to light (the former to all mankind, the latter to all believers, those found faithful now during the acceptable time, the Gospel age).” 2 Tim 1:10.

He gives life to all, “And became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Heb 5:9.

“The Resurrection TO ALL mankind, and the Zoee to all believers (who follow in the Masters footsteps of a full consecration, to the doing of the Father’s will.) “

Truly, Christ is Lord of all – angels, men, condition and things. – God in Christ is our Redeemer and Savior. Our dependence is well established by the word.

He has the highest claims on our hearts and lives, on account of the ransom paid, and the glorious expression of his love in this and all else he does for us.

May a “patient continuance in well doing” secure for us the “glory and honor and immortality,” which he has promised. Rom 2:7. R61