The denial of Christ in doctrine refers to the rejection or distortion of the fundamental truths about Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture. This denial can manifest in various forms, including the rejection of His divinity, His humanity, His atoning work, or His resurrection. Such denials are considered heretical within orthodox Christianity and are addressed throughout the New Testament.

Divinity of Christ

One of the central tenets of Christian doctrine is the divinity of Christ. The Gospel of John affirms this truth: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Denying the divinity of Christ undermines the very foundation of the Christian faith, as it contradicts the biblical revelation of Jesus as God incarnate. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the divine nature of Christ, stating, "For in Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9).

Humanity of Christ

Equally important is the affirmation of Christ's humanity. The denial of His true humanity is addressed in the early church, particularly in the context of Gnostic teachings that claimed Jesus only appeared to be human. The Apostle John counters this by asserting, "By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God" (1 John 4:2). The genuine humanity of Christ is essential for His role as the mediator between God and man.

Atoning Work of Christ

The denial of Christ's atoning work on the cross is another significant doctrinal error. The New Testament clearly teaches that Jesus' death was a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Paul writes, "God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness" (Romans 3:25). Denying this aspect of Christ's work negates the core message of the Gospel, which is the forgiveness of sins through His sacrificial death.

Resurrection of Christ

The resurrection of Christ is a cornerstone of Christian doctrine, and its denial is addressed by Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians: "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17). The resurrection is not only a testament to Christ's victory over death but also a guarantee of the future resurrection of believers. Denying the resurrection undermines the hope of eternal life promised in the Gospel.

Warnings Against False Teachings

The New Testament contains numerous warnings against false teachings and the denial of Christ in doctrine. The Apostle Peter cautions, "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them" (2 Peter 2:1). Similarly, Jude warns of those who "deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4).

Conclusion

The denial of Christ in doctrine poses a significant threat to the integrity of the Christian faith. The New Testament writers consistently affirm the essential truths about Jesus Christ and warn against any teachings that deviate from these foundational beliefs. Upholding the true doctrine of Christ is vital for maintaining the purity and unity of the Church.Mark 8:38
Whoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 1:8
Be not you therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be you partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Explanation of the Lord's Question About his Mother and his ...
... Apelles and Marcion, Who Support Their Denial of Christ's ... in favour of the reality
of Christ's flesh, wilfully ... those who were admiring His doctrine said that ...
/.../tertullian/ on the flesh of christ/chapter vii explanation of the lords.htm

The Doctrine of Apelles Refuted, that Christ's Body was of ...
... Chapter VI."The Doctrine of Apelles Refuted, that Christ's ... than their teacher, concede
to Christ real flesh ... effect, however, on [7022] their denial of His ...
/.../tertullian/ on the flesh of christ/chapter vi the doctrine of apelles.htm

Faustus Explains the Manich??an Denial that Man was Made by God as ...
... 1. Faustus said: We are asked the reason for our denial that man is made by ... life
that we are formed by God, which is the general doctrine of Christ and His ...
/.../faustus explains the manichaean denial.htm

He Then Clearly and Skilfully Criticises the Doctrine of the ...
... tread, but lets them down into the pitfall of the denial of Christ. ... his discourse,
he sees the dangerous downfall of idolatry lying beneath the doctrine. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 7 he then clearly.htm

The Extent and Reasonableness of Self-Denial
... will be put concerning the foregoing doctrine: for too many, unwilling to take Christ's
easy yoke ... all those commands concerning self-denial, and renouncing ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the extent and reasonableness of.htm

Christ's Refutation of the Sadducees, and Affirmation of Catholic ...
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that because Christ denied that ... what is now encountering the denial of the ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xxxvi christs refutation of the.htm

The Doctrine of Christ.
... But it is not if we consider what the denial of the Person of our holy and blessed
Lord means. God grant unto us, who hold the doctrine of Christ, a divine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the doctrine of christ.htm

1 John ii. 22, 23
... He shows the danger to religious faith in general from the denial of Christ; the
close connection between the doctrine of Jesus as the Christ, which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john ii 22 23.htm

On the Flesh of Christ
... Chapter VI.--The Doctrine of Apelles Refuted, that ... are Correlative Circumstances,
and in Christ's Case His ... and Marcion, Who Support Their Denial of Christ's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ on the flesh of christ/

Faustus Abhors Moses for the Awful Curse He Has Pronounced Upon ...
... to Christ, and so, because the curse goes along with death, would lead to the denial
of the true death of Christ. 7. The believer in the true doctrine of the ...
/.../faustus abhors moses for the.htm

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