The Biblical Jesus- Growing in Perfection

                 The Biblical Jesus- Growing in Perfection

Contrary to tradition, Jesus was the human messiah-the Son of God- born from a virgin. Not God in the Flesh or to be confused as God the Son, part of the Trinity. God the Father is Jesus' literal father. Jesus died for our sins as an acceptable sacrifice for his people-the elect. See Ecclesiastes 7:20 and 1 Kings 8:46.

As it states in Hebrew 2:10, 5:8-9, Jesus grew in perfection through his suffering and trials. He was not born perfect (no verse to support this) or ever claimed to be perfect, but he has committed his whole life to God the Father. Jesus was upright, blameless, and just. In Deuteronomy 32:4, we can see how the word perfect can be used in Hebrew. Perfect is Tamim (wholesome with integrity), Just is Sadiq (pleasing in character), and Righteous is yasar (to meet an expectation). However, these words are used very interchangeably in scripture. In Luke 1:36, we can see how the Greek word is used with variation as well. Righteous/Just is Dikaios, Blameless is amemptos, and Perfect is Teleioo in Phillipians 3:12, which means to bring into maturity/complete a process.

 

The institutional church alleges that scripture talks about Jesus' perfection in passages such as 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:21-24, 1 John 3:5, Hebrews 4:15, and Isaiah 53:9. In the Bible, perfect can mean morally upright, blameless, unblemished, completed, and wholesome in character. It can also mean a completion of a process. In contrast, the modern use of perfect means to be flawless in all areas and situations. This latter example is foreign to the Bible. Therefore, it should not be used in that way to describe Bible characters especially with Jesus. The institutional church has presupposed their modern definition of perfection unto Jesus and then switches to the definition with other characters in scripture. That is being inconsistent. Below, I will discuss how these terms are used all throughout scripture in support of my argument.

 

 

 

One Can Be Considered Sinless In A Particular Situation

1 Corinthians 7:28 King James Version But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.

 

Judges 11:27 King James Version Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.

 

1 Samuel 19:4 King James Version And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to theeward very good

 

1 Samuel 24:11 King James Version Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

 

NOTE: Each of these stories focused on a particular situation. It doesn't mean that person was completely sinless in every situation. Even though they sinned, their life was not characterized by lawlessness, but Biblical perfection, which is to be morally upright , innocent, and blameless. However, when we come to Jesus, the institutional church is inconsistent with this interpretation. Jesus was the first man with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. See 1 John 3:7-9. The Holy Spirit gave him the ability to endure such persecution and trials from Satan and  the Pharisees faithfully.

 

 

 

Blemish- Animals

Exodus 12:5 English Standard Version 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats

 

Exodus 29:1 English Standard Version 29 “Now this is what you shall do to them to consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. Take one bull of the herd and two rams without blemish

Leviticus 22:25 English Standard Version 25 neither shall you offer as the bread of your God any such animals gotten from a foreigner. Since there is a blemish in them, because of their mutilation, they will not be accepted for you.”

 

NOTE: In addition to no infirmities/disabilities, does that mean the lamb, bulls, and rams were completely obedient? They never resisted their masters or fought with other animals? No, they were considered ACCEPTABLE in the preparer's sight under the standards of the Law. 

Blemish-People

2 Samuel 14:25 English Standard Version 25 Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

NOTE: Israel was attracted by Absalom's external demeanor even thought he was not a man of integrity. In their eyes, he can do no wrong.

Job 11:15 English Standard Version 15 Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear.

NOTE: If Job repents of the alleged charge of sin, he will be clear and blameless.

Job 31:7 International Standard Version If I have stepped away from the way, or if my heart covets whatever my eyes see, or if some other blemish clings to my hands.

Daniel 1:4 English Standard Version 4 youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.

NOTE: Daniel and his friends are in good external societal standing.

Song of Solomon 4:7 New American Standard Bible 7 “You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish on you.

NOTE: Her lover can do no wrong. He is flawless in her eyes.

NOTE: Jesus didn't practice lawlessness (For example law keeping and pagan rituals-which he didn't), he was considered righteous with no sin before God the Father. He was committed to the true intent of the Law while the people of his generation settled for idolatry-law keeping.

 

 

 "Jesus Didn't Sin" Passages

Hebrews 4:15 English Standard Version  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

NOTE: This is in regards to his trials-not every life situation. Despite everything he experienced, he remain committed and faithful to his Father's mission.

 

Job 1:22 English Standard Version 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

 

Job 2:10 English Standard Version 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

 

Job 7:20 English Standard Version 20 If I sin, what do I do to you, you watcher of mankind? Why have you made me your mark? Why have I become a burden to you?

 

 

Job 10:14 English Standard Version 14 If I sin, you watch me and do not acquit me of my iniquity.

 

 

Job 33:9 English Standard Version 9 You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me. 

NOTE: Compare with 1 Peter 2:22 and 1 John 3:5. Job is claiming moral innocence, not flawless perfection.

 

 

NOTE: In all his trials, Job did not sin just like Christ did not sin in his trials.  Again, Job didn't sin in this particular situation with God. It doesn't mean Job didn't sin at all. Job admits his sin in a hypothetical manner . This is because he cannot figure out why he was suffering.  He repents ultimately for challenging God at the very end. See Job 7:21, 13:23, 14:17,15:14, 42:5-6. Also, another thing to consider is that in Job 33:9, Elihu accuses Job by saying “he is without transgression and no iniquity is in him,” we can come to the conclusion that this phrase can be applied to Jesus as well. Whether the accusation is true or not for Job, Elihu accused him of being something that is within the confines of human ability. Job was not a supernatural human being. Likewise, because Jesus responded righteousnessly towards Satan and the Pharisees even in suffering, it doesn't mean he didn’t sin in other situations. His life was characterized by faithfulness and obedience to God.  Jesus was committed to obeying the spirit of the Law (the two greatest commandments-Loving God and his neighbor), not the letter of the Law (613 commandments based on tradition).

 

1 Peter 2:20-24 English Standard Version 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you AN EXAMPLE, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

 

NOTE: Jesus did good and suffer for it. It doesn't mean he was perfect in the modern sense. In 2 Peter 2:15-16, the will of God is to do good and silence the foolish people. Christ chose to do good and lived as a servant of God. "Sin" and "do good " are contrasted with each other in verse 2:20. Peter is not asking the saints to do something impossible. Christ is our example. He chose to do good. What he exactly did right is outlined in verse 23. That's it.  To say he was born with modern perfection is reading something that is foreign to the text. A similar concept can be found in Psalm 17:3, 26:1, 39:1, 141:3; James 1:26. The "No deceit in his mouth" phrase has nothing to do with modern perfection. It is used for other saints in scripture. See Revelation 14:4-5, Isaiah 53:9, Zephaniah 3:13, Psalm 32:1-5.

 

"Other Passages about Sinlessness"

Jeremiah 2:35 English Standard Version 35 you say, ‘I am innocent; surely his anger has turned from me.’ Behold, I will bring you to judgment for saying, ‘I have not sinned.’

NOTE: This is referring to a pattern of sin. Not just a one-time event. Jerusalem was blind to their sins. They had a faux innocence since they were worshipping Yahweh along with idols. Similar phrasing.

 

Jeremiah 50:20 English Standard Version 20 In those days and in that time, declares the Lord, iniquity shall be sought in Israel, and there shall be none, and sin in Judah, and none shall be found, for I will pardon

those whom I leave as a remnant.

NOTE: This is not referring to modern perfection. It's about a morally upright lifestyle honoring God. See 1 John  1:8-10 and 3:6-10. Similar language is used of Jesus. This is to be declared morally innocent.

 

Ezekiel 28:15 King James Version 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

NOTE: This is not referring to modern perfection.  The Ruler of Tyre changed his allegiance of supporting the Jews to turning his back on them. The Ruler of Tyre is a man. See Ezekiel 28:2,9

 

Numbers 23:21 King James Version 21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.

NOTE: The Jews were not completely sinless. Their past sins were covered by God up to this point. As we see later, in Numbers 25, they turned to a more serious sinful lifestyle: sexual idolatry.

 

 

 

 

Noah (Genesis 6:9), Abraham (Genesis 17:1), Asa (1 Kings 15:14), Hezekiah  (2 Kings 20:3) and Job (Job 1:1) were also Perfect

Genesis 6:9 King James Version 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

 

NOTE: This does not that mean that the other 7 survivors were practicing lawlessness. If anything, Shem and Japheth were "perfect" too. Ham is debatable. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been on the ark in the first place. Noah stood out from his entire generation just like Jesus stood out before his own generation. Biblical perfection is synonymous with blamelessness and moral uprightness. Perfect=blameless=morally upright (KJV)=2 Samuel 22:33,1 Kings 8:61, 11:4 15:3, 2 Kings 20:3; 1 Chronicles 12:38, 28:9, Luke 1:6

 

 

 

Sanctification through Suffering makes a Human Perfect

1 Peter 1:6-7 English Standard Version 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

 

Job 23:10-12 English Standard Version 10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. 11 My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. 12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.

 

NOTE:  See also John 4:34; Hebrews 2:10; 5:9; Luke 13:32.

 

James 1:4 English Standard Version 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 

2 Corinthians 12:9 English Standard Version 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

Philippians 3:12 English Standard Version  12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

 

Philippians 3:15 King James Version 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

 

Luke 13:32 King James Version 32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

 

Hebrews 2:10 New International Version 10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.

 

 

Hebrews 5:8-9 English Standard Version 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

 

 

Hebrews 7:26-28 English Standard Version 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been MADE PERFECT forever.

 

 

John 17:17-19 New American Standard Bible 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

 

Hebrews 10:14 English Standard Version 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

 

 

Hebrews 11:40 English Standard Version 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

 

 

Hebrews 12:23 English Standard Version 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

 

NOTE: These passages focuses on the concept of becoming perfect through suffering. In contrast to the Old Testament's Biblical Perfection-moral uprightness and commitment to God, the New Testament expands the definition of perfection as something achieved through trials and tribulations/fulfillment. This is why Paul said he was not yet perfect. Jesus needed to go through suffering in order to obtain biblical perfection as an example for His elect. Both Jesus and Paul had to go through sanctification. Jesus needed to go through sanctification first in order to be an acceptable sacrifice for the elect. Once he was sanctified in perfection, Jesus was able to use the Holy Spirit in order to sanctify his people. If he was divine, as traditionally believed, sanctification would be pointless because he was already without fault. We see similar phrasing about the same process in Ephesians 5:27 and Philippians 2:14-18. This process was humanly possible to do. If you want, you can even say the Holy Spirit helped Christ like the Holy Spirit helps us. That is true as well. In Philippians 3:3-6 and Galatians 3:1-3, we can see that Christ was sanctified in the Holy Spirit and not in the flesh. Those who engage in law keeping were being sanctified in the flesh- the process of perishing. The skeptic would say that Jesus was just made perfect as a High Priest to avoid the fact that he was a human who completed sanctification. For example, the subheading in John 17 is Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer.” Yet, the words High Priest are nowhere to be found in that passage. Yes, Jesus was made perfect to become the Heavenly High Priest for his brothers and sisters. That is true, but it doesn’t neglect his sanctification process to be cleansed by God. Just like the High Priest needed to be cleansed before performing his duties in Leviticus 16, Jesus needed to be cleansed and made perfect in order to perform those duties. Instead, he was “bathed” in spit and his own blood.

 

 

 

 

The High Priest/Prince Offers Sacrifices for Himself and His People

Hebrews 5:1-8 English Standard Version 5 For EVERY HIGH PRIEST chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, SINCE HE HIMSELF IS BESET WITH WEAKNESS. 3 Because of this HE is obligated to offer sacrifice for HIS OWN SINS just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

 

5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus (See Romans 8:3) offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence (not modern perfection). 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered (becoming an acceptable sacrifice for his elect).

 

Romans 8:3 English Standard Version 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh (humanity), could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

 

NOTE: It is acknowledged that Jesus identifies with the weaknesses of mankind. Romans 8:3 identifies Jesus in "the likeness of sinful flesh." This hurts the Doctrine of Total Depravity  because they admit that Jesus was not born totally depraved, yet scripture tells says us differently here.

 

2 Corinthians 5:21 English Standard Version 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.

 

NOTE: It is debated by other translations that sin should be a sin offering. This is not about Jesus being perfect in the modern sense. He was an acceptable and approved sacrifice from the Father. These other translations with sin offering includes the Anderson NT, Haweis NT, Mace NT, and Worsley NT.

 

Ezekiel 45:22 English Standard Version 22 On that day the prince shall provide for himself and all the people of the land a young bull for a sin offering.

 

NOTE: Acts 23:5 states that the High Priest can be referred to as a Prince. Jesus is that Prince.

 

 

The High Priest has infirmities/weaknesses

Hebrews 4:15 English Standard Version  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

 

Hebrews 5:2 English Standard Version 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.

 

Hebrews 7:28 English Standard Version 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

 

Romans 8:3 English Standard Version 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh (humanity), could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh.

 

Matthew 8:17 English Standard Version 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.

 

NOTE: Illnesses and weaknesses are synonymous with human frailty. If Jesus the human messiah, didn't have the ability to sin, he couldn't relate to us.