Topical Bible: The Power of Christ: Exhibited in Giving Eternal Life

Bible > Topical > The Power of Christ

◄ The Power of Christ: Exhibited in Giving Eternal Life ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The power of Christ, as exhibited in His ability to grant eternal life, is a central tenet of Christian theology and a profound demonstration of His divine nature. This power is rooted in His identity as the Son of God and is intricately linked to His redemptive work on the cross and His resurrection. The New Testament provides numerous passages that highlight this aspect of Christ's ministry, underscoring His authority and the transformative impact of His gift of eternal life.

Scriptural Foundations

The Gospel of John is particularly rich in its exposition of Christ's power to give eternal life. In John 10:28, Jesus declares, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand." This verse emphasizes the security and permanence of the life that Christ imparts to His followers. It is a life that transcends physical death and is safeguarded by the omnipotent hand of the Savior.

In John 17:2-3, Jesus, in His high priestly prayer, articulates the essence of eternal life: "For You granted Him authority over all humanity, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." Here, eternal life is defined not merely as unending existence but as a relational knowledge of God and His Son, a profound communion that begins in the present and extends into eternity.

The Role of Faith

The power of Christ to bestow eternal life is accessed through faith. John 3:16, perhaps the most well-known verse in the Bible, encapsulates this truth: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Faith in Christ is the means by which individuals receive the gift of eternal life, highlighting the grace of God and the necessity of personal trust in Jesus as Savior.

The Resurrection and Eternal Life

The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian hope for eternal life. In John 11:25-26, Jesus proclaims to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die." This declaration not only affirms Christ's power over death but also assures believers of their future resurrection and eternal existence with Him.

The Assurance of Eternal Life

The assurance of eternal life is a recurring theme in the writings of the Apostle John. In 1 John 5:11-13, he writes, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." This passage underscores the certainty and present reality of eternal life for those who are in Christ, providing believers with confidence and hope.

Conclusion

The power of Christ in giving eternal life is a testament to His divine authority and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Through His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection, Jesus offers a life that is abundant, secure, and everlasting to all who place their faith in Him. This gift of eternal life is not only a future promise but a present reality that transforms the believer's relationship with God and their perspective on life and death.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 17:2
As you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jesus Life-Giver and Judge.
... incurable on the Sabbath resulted from and exhibited His perfect ... object lesson, a
sign of the power of Jesus ... life on the moment by believing Christ's word, so ...
/.../xiii jesus life-giver and judge.htm

Christ's Intercessory Prayer.
... many as believed Christ, to them He gave power to become ... was by being one with the
Father Christ revealed Him; it was the Father's will His life exhibited. ...
/.../xvi christs intercessory prayer.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... in the posterity of David, Christ was exhibited to the ... ancient people but empty show,
if the power of Christ's ... By the death of Christ, the veil of the temple ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

Jesus the Resurrection and Life.
... recording this miracle; firstly, because it exhibited Jesus as ... raised Lazarus He
has a power to which ... life, therefore, rather than immortality Christ speaks of ...
/.../xxiii jesus the resurrection and.htm

Gentiles Seeking Christ.
... in the age of the Savior, exhibited for Gentiles ... The Christian's ambition should
be to follow Christ, to be ... before him falls upon his soul with terrific power. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/gentiles seeking christ.htm

The New Covenant: a Covenant of Grace
... to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus"; when he tells us of "the grace
of God" exhibited in the ... good work." Grace is not only the power that moves ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter xiv the new covenant .htm

On the Offices of Our Lord Jesus Christ
... 61:1,) or, "the gospel to the poor;" (Matthew 11:5;) because it exhibited GRACE
and ... May God grant, through his Son, Jesus Christ, in the power and efficacy ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 14 on the offices.htm

The Last Discourses of Christ - the Prayer of Consecration.
... as, from its contrast to what Heathenism exhibited, affording such ... in accordance
(even as') with the power or authority ... was the Father's gift to Christ of the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the last discourses.htm

Character of the Gospel.
... declares after the resurrection that all power in heaven ... spiritual views which are
constantly exhibited in John. ... beholds a significance in every act of Christ. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/character of the gospel.htm

The Brazen Serpent.
... all that is needed is trust in Christ, the belief ... He is exhibited crucified"it is
our part to trust in Him, to appropriate for our own use His saving power. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/viii the brazen serpent.htm