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Below we have shown biblical answer to the survey questions, followed by the Christmas story in the overall plan of God.

Why did Jesus Christ primarily come to earth?

• To bring the promised Kingdom to the Jews Matthew 3:7; Matthew 4:17; Matthew 4:23; Matthew 6:10; Matthew 10:7
• To bring salvation to the world Matthew 1:21; Matthew 20:28; Matthew 28:19-20
• To be an example of a holy life 1 Peter 2:21
• To urge a communal and a socialistic society
• To urge an orderly society, with freedom to pursue God and life without state interference
• To show God’s power
• To show mercy to man

Why was Christ born a man?

• To be a holy example
• No one would believe Him if He was spirit alone
• God demanded a sufficient sacrifice for sins which had to be a perfect man; Christ fulfilled this role Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:16
• Christ was not really God at birth and only as a man could He work to become a god
• Christ was not really man but just appeared like a man

Why was Christ born of a virgin?

• To fulfill prophecy Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 7:14
• He was not really born of a virgin
• He was not really a man, so was not born of a virgin
• To show that he was begotten of God by the Holy Spirit; all man, all God Hebrews 9:14-17; 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 John 4:2-3; 1 John 5:1
• It was not really necessary

Why was Christ from the lineage of King David?

• To fulfill prophecy 2 Kings 7:12-16
• As a sign that Christ really was Messiah 2 Kings 7:12-16; Matthew 22:42-42: Psalms 110:1: John 7:42
• It was an important historical link to Israel’s greatest King of Israel
• He did not really descend from the line of David
• It was not really necessary

What is the promised Kingdom Christ intended to bring?

• Any place where God exists
• Heaven
• All of creation
• The church
• The Old Testament prophesies both a future physical and spiritual kingdom to the Jews Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 2:44; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Revelation 20-21
• The promised kingdom will include the Gentiles Hosea 1:10; Hosea 2:23
• A place where Christ will reign as king 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalms 110:1; Revelation 19:10-16; Revelation 20:4
• The spiritual aspects of the kingdom are currently manifested by the Holy Spirit in Christians Romans 8:9; Ephesians1:13-14; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Ezekiel 37:14; Colossians 1:13
• There really is no kingdom of Christ

What is the meaning of the term ‘Christ’?

• It is a title of authority
• It is a title of deity
• It has no specific meaning
• It is Jesus’s last name
• It means the ‘anointed one’ derived from the biblical Hebrew title ‘Messiah’ 1 Samuel 2:10,35: Psalm 45:6-7
  It signifies that Jesus came to earth as a man
• It has no specific meaning

The salvation that Christ brought is obtained by?

• Doing more good works than bad
• God giving grace based on good works
• God giving grace after doing all the good works possible
• Grace giving grace through the sacraments in combination with performing good works
• God’s forgiveness by faith alone through Christ’s death for sins on the cross Ephesians 2:2-10; Romans 3:23-26; Romans 10:9
• There is no salvation

Context of the Christmas story in the overall plan of God 

Israel – This chosen people was God’s to provide a way for people of the world to seek and obey Him. Israel’s history can be conveniently divided between several time periods.

Theocracy – God’s intention for Israel was they become a royal priesthood, a holy nation and His unique people (Exodus 19:5-6). In redeeming them he promised them a rest, safety and a land (Deuteronomy 12:9-12). Unfortunately, following their redemption through the Red Sea, Israel immediately sinned and tempted God at Massa (Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95:7-11), and they fell into judgement. Israel’s judgment will not end until the great tribulation just before Christ’s future return to reign on the earth. God desired to lead Israel as a theocracy, through his representative Moses, then Joshua, into the promised land which would be their rest, a place of peace symbolizing their final holy Kingdom under Messiah. Israel failed to take the land, however, as God directed. For this reason, and continued unfaithfulness, they suffered resulting attacks from heathen countries in and around the promised land (described in the book of Judges). Ultimately, Israel then longed for a king like other nations so they could attain a superficial stability instead of faithfully seeking God and the greater benefits of being His people (1 Samuel 8).

The kings – God graciously allowed a king, as the Israelites requested, through the leadership of Samuel. This change ended the theocracy. However, Israel chose Saul, the wrong King, and God ultimately provided His choice, David (1 Samuel 16), who initiated the line of Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12-16). God later confirmed David by a covenant (Davidic Covenant) promising him an eternal throne, house and kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16); God later upheld again these promises (Psalm 89:20 through 132:8). Israel under David reached its height of power and under his son, Solomon, symbolized the glory power and riches of the Messianic kingdom (Matthew 12:42).

Key Messianic prophecies –David was known as a person after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). Accordingly, God used David to bring forth numerous Messianic prophecies often reflecting Christ’s own affliction. Below are some, but not all, the important Davidic prophecies:

• • Psalm 2:7-8 – This passage predicts the resurrection of Messiah (Acts 13:33).
  • Psalm 8:4 – This passage indicates Messiah as Son of God, being made lower than the angels for a period of time before glorification. Further, Messiah would come and assess His people.
  • Psalm 16: 8-10 – Speaks to the resurrection of Messiah.
  • Psalm 22 – Describes Messiah’s death on the cross.
  • Psalm 34:20 – States that Messiah’s bones would not be broken on the cross (see also John 19:36; Exodus 12:46).
  • Psalm 45: 6-7 – Messiah is God, righteous and eternal.
  • Psalm 49:15 – Messiah will redeem us.
  • Psalm 68:18 – Ascension of Christ.
  • Psalm 69,109 – Messiah will be betrayed.
  • Psalm 110:1,4 – Messiah will have all enemies under his feet and is from the order of Melchizedek (see also Genesis 14; Hebrews 7).

The prophets – After Solomon, Israel continued in sin and Israel was split into separate northern and southern kingdoms. God graciously helped Israel by revealing His will through the prophets. The age of the prophets started with Elijah and was initiated by miracles. Ultimately, important new revelation, given through the ensuing major and minor prophets (e.g., Isaiah and Hosea), warned Israel of coming judgment and urged repentance but also gave further details of the coming glorious Messianic kingdom. Nonetheless, Israel continued in sin and God carried away the especially sinful northern kingdom and its 10 tribes to Assyria 722 BC, and ultimately the southern Kingdom at the beginning of the 6^th century BC to Babylon for a 70-year exile. Following the exile, many Israelites in Babylon returned to the southern kingdom to Judah where they rebuilt the temple within the walls of Jerusalem. However, God left them in a time of prophetic silence until the coming of the Messiah 400 years later (inter-testament period). Major Messianic prophesies are given in both the major and minor prophetic books:

• • Isaiah 7:14 – Messiah would be born from a virgin.
  • Isaiah 9:1-6 – Messiah is God and will have a just government.
  • Isaiah 11:1-2 – Messiah will come from a poor region in Samaria.
  • Isaiah 42:1-4 – The gracious aspect of Messiah’s ministry.
  • Isaiah 53 – Messiah will die for our sins.
  • Isaiah 59:20-21 – Messiah will bring salvation and the Holy Spirit.
  • Isaiah 61:1-2 – Messiah will have a ministry of good new, physical as well as emotional healing and providing liberty.
  • Jeremiah 31:31-34 – The New Covenant which includes the kingdom promise and Holy Spirit.
  • Zechariah 9: 9-11 – Messiah as king will arrive poor and on a donkey.
  • Zechariah 12:10 – Messiah will be pierced.
  • Zechariah 13:7 – Messiah will be struck and Israel scattered.
  • Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5; Isaiah 40:3 – God will send a forerunner, as Elijah, to urge Israel to repent. This was John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11-15).

The Gospels – At the right time God send his only begotten Son to the world to fulfill his promise of the coming Messiah who would save people from their sins (Isaiah 59:20-21). In doing so He presented the Kingdom to the Jews indicating they should believe in Him as Messiah to save their souls (Matthew 3:7; Matthew 4:16; Matthew 10:7; John 3:3,16). God sent John the Baptist as the prophesied forerunner (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5).

• Jesus proved His Messiahship through:
  • His lineage from King David (2 Samuel 7:14: Matthew 1, Luke 3).
  • The virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14: Matthew 2:15).
  • He would be called out of Egypt (Matthew 2:15).
  • Fulfillment of specific Old Testament prophecies (please see prior section).
  • His power and purity at the temptation (Matthew 4:1-12).
  • His miracles (Isaiah 61:1 fulfilled in Luke 4:16; Isaiah 42:1-4 fulfilled in Matthew 12:7-10).
  • The witness of God the Father (Matthew 3:14, Matthew 17:7, John 12:28).
  • The witness of the Spirit (Matthew 3:14).
  • His teaching in parables (Matthew 13:39; Psalm 78:2).
  • His death (Matthew 27).
  • His resurrection (Psalm 2:7-8, 16:8-10).

Course of his ministry – The Jews rejected Christ’s claim of Messiahship (Matthew 12:22-45). They crucified Him in an unjust death on the cross for which He died for our sins to provide a way of salvation. On the third day, Christ was resurrected from the dead (Matthew 28:1-10) to provide eternal life for all those who believe, by faith alone. He then appeared to the disciples, to the women and to 500 others (I Corinthians 15:4-7). At Pentecost (Acts 1) He ascended from the Mount of Olives to heaven where He sat down at the right hand of God the Father and sent His Spirit to begin the church (Acts 2:4).