Jesus Had the Power To Sin, But The Character Not To Sin

Jesus Had the Power To Sin, But The Character Not To Sin


Heb 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest [who is] unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but [One] having been tried in all [respects] in the same way [we are, yet] without sin.

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A Vain Question?

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In the name of Christianity Christians many times get hung up on “vain” discussions. Paul stated in the Pastorals to “shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” Believe me godliness does increase when Christians get together to ponder these “deep” questions. I will give some examples later. The subject of one of these “babblings” Christians like to ponder is, “Could Christ have sinned?” The frustrating thing is that there are many more topics to discuss and learn. We know Christ did not sin and since we know that I really don’t see a real need for much discussion of this topic. But the interesting thing is that the issue is discussed amongst Christians when the Bible is clear and tells us of Christ – His nature and work. I believe the answer is important for answering others apologetically, however amongst Christians I personally don’t see the need to bring up the question over and over unless someone needs discipled in this area of Christology.. I certainly hope your elders are instructing you in the doctrine of Christology.
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Am I being to difficult here? Perhaps! I just have heard this question a hundred times. So in the name of being fair I will weigh in on the answer and then seek to see if it is in line with the official doctrine of the Church and perhaps we can lay this to rest once and for all.
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My Summary Statement After Research:
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It was possible that Jesus, being God, could have sinned since being omnipotent he had the power to perform any particular act. As a person Jesus has such a character that would be morally impossible for Him to have sinned.
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The temptation of Christ was never a felt temptation of an inducement to evil but different from fallen man He is our High Priest. Able to sympathize with our weaknesses for He tried in all [respects] in the same way [we are, yet] without, or “apart from” sin.
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Confessional and Creedal Statements of the Church:
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The Church has officially studied the question and here is the answer of Christ’s Church officially. It does show that my research from the bible and my summary answer above is correct. :
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1) Article 15 Of the Thirty-Nine Articles”
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XV. Of Christ alone without Sin. - Christ in the truth of our nature was made like unto us in all things, sin only except, from which he was clearly void, both in his flesh, and in his spirit. He came to be the Lamb without spot, who, by sacrifice of himself once made, should take away the sins of the world; and sin (as Saint John saith) was not in him. But all we the rest, although baptized, and born again in Christ, yet offend in many things; and if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
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2) Westminster Confession of Faith
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8:2 The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fulness of time was come, take upon Him man’s nature (Joh_1:1, Joh_1:14; Gal_4:4; Phi_2:6; 1Jo_5:20), with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin (Heb_2:14, Heb_2:16, Heb_2:17; Heb_4:15): being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance (Luk_1:27, Luk_1:31, Luk_1:35; Gal_4:4). So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion (Luk_1:35; Rom_9:5; Col_2:9; 1Ti_3:16; 1Pe_3:18). Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man (Rom_1:3, Rom_1:4; 1Ti_2:5).
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8:3 The Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified, and anointed with the Holy Spirit, above measure (Psa_45:7; Joh_3:34), having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col_2:3); in whom it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell (Col_1:19); to the end that, being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth (Joh_1:14; Heb_7:26), He might be thoroughly furnished to execute the office of a mediator and surety (Act_10:38; Heb_7:22; Heb_12:24). Which office He took not unto Himself, but was thereunto called by His Father (Heb_5:4, Heb_5:5), who put all power and judgment into His hand, and gave Him commandment to execute the same (Mat_28:18, Joh_5:22, Joh_5:27; Act_2:36).
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8:5 The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience, and sacrifice of Himself, which He, through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of His Father (Rom_3:25, Rom_3:26; Rom_5:19; Eph_5:2; Heb_9:14, Heb_9:16; Heb_10:14); and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto him (Dan_9:24, Dan_9:26; Joh_17:2; Eph_1:11, Eph_1:14; Col_1:19, Col_1:20; Heb_9:12, Heb_9:15).
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ISBE
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The Christ Sinless:
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“Here the sinlessness of the Incarnate Son is affirmed. It needs no elaborate argument to show that this is the affirmation of Scripture. It is not only, as we are reminded above, definitely taught there. Yet more is it implied in the mysterious (and morally miraculous) phenomenon of the Lord's evidently total immunity from the sense of sin, His freedom from inward discord or imperfection, from the slightest discontent with self. It is not too much to say that this representation is self-evidential of its truth to fact. Had it been the invention of worshipping disciples, we may say with confidence that they (supposed thus capable of "flee handling") would have been certain to betray some moral aberrations in their portraiture of their Master. They must have failed to put before us the profound ethical paradox of a person who, on the one hand, enjoins penitence and (with a tenderness infinitely deep) loves the penitent, and, on the other hand, is never for a moment penitent Himself, and who all the while has proved, from the first, a supreme moral and spiritual magnet, "drawing all men to him." Meanwhile the Scripture represents the sinlessness of the Incarnate Lord as no mere automatic or effortless condition. He is sensitive to temptation, to a degree which makes it agony. His sinlessness, as to actual experience (we are not here considering the matter sub specie aeternitatis), lies in the perfect fidelity to the Father of a will, exercised under human conditions, filled absolutely with the Holy Spirit, willingly received.” (ISBE)
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Sin In Vain Babblings
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In these type of discussions sin increases for some state one opinion and one another. Some I hear calling one person a heretic and another one gets mad. One says they are from the only “church” and unless you hold what they say you are of Rome and an idolater. One said oh you see it as a “non-essentiual” so in essence they say get outta here.” What stupidity and weaknesses seen in such situations. It seem to me that a hold could be put on the discussion, and if some need to discuss it, take time for the purpose of truly studying the issue then come back and “share” what you have found in your personal study and in the official doctrine of the Church through the solid covenants and studies of your ministers. Our prayer needs to be for patience and unity and discipline and time to set aside to come together and encourage one another. Don’t vain babble and sin. Ok!
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What do you think?