Topical Encyclopedia The phrase "The One Raised Up" is often associated with Jesus Christ, who is central to Christian theology as the resurrected Savior. This concept is deeply rooted in the New Testament and is pivotal to the understanding of Jesus' divine nature and His role in salvation history.Old Testament Foreshadowing The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies and typologies that foreshadow the coming of the Messiah, who would be "raised up" by God. For instance, in Deuteronomy 18:15, Moses speaks of a prophet whom God will raise up: "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him." This prophecy is seen as a precursor to the coming of Christ, who fulfills the role of the ultimate prophet, priest, and king. New Testament Fulfillment In the New Testament, the concept of being "raised up" is most explicitly connected to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospels recount the resurrection as the cornerstone of Christian faith. In Matthew 28:6, the angel declares to the women at the tomb, "He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He lay." The Apostle Paul emphasizes the significance of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." This passage underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the centrality of the resurrection in the gospel message. Theological Significance The resurrection of Jesus, as "The One Raised Up," is foundational to Christian doctrine. It signifies victory over sin and death, affirming Jesus' divine nature and His authority as the Son of God. Romans 1:4 states, "and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." Furthermore, the resurrection assures believers of their own future resurrection and eternal life. In John 11:25-26, Jesus proclaims, "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. Do you believe this?" Christ's Exaltation The concept of being "raised up" also extends to Christ's exaltation and ascension. Philippians 2:9-11 describes this exaltation: "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Implications for Believers For believers, the resurrection of "The One Raised Up" is not only a historical event but also a source of hope and power for daily living. Ephesians 1:19-20 speaks of the "incomparably great power for us who believe," which is "the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms." In summary, "The One Raised Up" refers to Jesus Christ, whose resurrection is the pivotal event in Christian theology, affirming His divinity, fulfilling prophecy, and providing the foundation for the hope of eternal life for all who believe. |