The Treatise on the Resurrection

 How did the Lord proclaim things while he existed in flesh and after he had revealed himself as Son of God? He lived in this place where you remain, speaking about the Law of Nature - but I call it 'Death'. Now the Son of God, Rheginos, was Son of Man. He embraced them both, possessing the humanity and the divinity, so that on the one hand he might vanquish death through his being Son of God, and that on the other through the Son of Man the restoration to the Pleroma might occur; because he was originally from above, a seed of Truth, before this structure had come into being. In this many dominions and divinities came into existence.The Nag Hammadi Library The Treatise on the Resurrection

**A Christadelphian Perspective on the Nature and Mission of Jesus Christ**

The text from the Nag Hammadi Library's "The Treatise on the Resurrection" raises profound questions about the nature and mission of Jesus Christ, particularly concerning his dual identity as both human and divine. From a Christadelphian perspective, these concepts align in some ways with our understanding of Jesus, but there are significant distinctions rooted in our rejection of Trinitarianism and the emphasis on the unity of God.

**The Nature of Jesus Christ**

Christadelphians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but not as the "second person" of an eternal trinity. Rather, Jesus is the manifestation of the One Eternal Creator, the Almighty God, who is "above all and through all" (Ephesians 4:6), and "out of whom are all things" (Romans 11:36). This Creator, who is Spirit, dwells corporeally in heaven and fills the universe through His Spirit effluence. By this Spirit, He begot Jesus, making Him His Son. Jesus, therefore, had two aspects in his earthly life: the divine nature of the Father dwelling within him and his own human nature, born of a woman, of the lineage of David.

Jesus was God manifested in the flesh, yet during his mortal life, he shared in the nature of humanity. This means he experienced all the effects of Adam's transgression, including suffering and death. This understanding is crucial because it emphasizes Jesus' full participation in human experiences and his ability to overcome them through divine power. The Apostle Paul refers to this as the "mystery of godliness" – "God manifest in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16).

**Jesus’ Mission and the Concept of Restoration**

The mission of Jesus Christ is deeply connected to the idea of restoration, which Christadelphians interpret as the restoration of all things to their intended state by God, as spoken by the holy prophets (Acts 3:21). This restoration is not merely a spiritual or mystical concept but has significant political and eschatological dimensions. It refers to the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth, where Jesus will reign as King.

The concept of Pleroma, or fullness, in the context of the Kingdom of God, reflects the ultimate goal of divine restoration. Jesus, as the Son of Man and Son of God, plays a crucial role in this process. His death and resurrection are pivotal events that made this restoration possible. By overcoming death, Jesus laid the groundwork for the future resurrection of all believers and the eventual renewal of creation.

**Dual Nature: Humanity and Divinity**

In "The Treatise on the Resurrection," there is an emphasis on Jesus’ dual nature, described as possessing both humanity and divinity. From a Christadelphian perspective, while Jesus indeed embodied both natures, it is essential to clarify that his divinity was not an inherent part of his personhood but was the presence of the Father dwelling in him through the Holy Spirit. This indwelling empowered Jesus to fulfill his mission and to reveal God's character to humanity. His humanity ensured he could truly represent and redeem humankind.

**Vanquishing Death and Restoring the Pleroma**

Jesus’ resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian hope. It signifies the defeat of death, not just for Jesus himself but for all who are united with him through faith. This victory over death is a crucial aspect of the restoration to the Pleroma – the fullness of God's Kingdom. It is through Jesus’ resurrection that believers have the assurance of their future resurrection and participation in the eternal Kingdom of God.

**Conclusion**

From a Christadelphian viewpoint, the teachings found in "The Treatise on the Resurrection" resonate with the core beliefs about the nature and mission of Jesus Christ, albeit with important distinctions. Jesus is the Son of God, not as part of a trinity, but as the unique manifestation of the One True God. His life, death, and resurrection are central to God's plan to restore all things, culminating in the establishment of His Kingdom on earth. This restoration, often referred to as the Pleroma, reflects the fullness of God’s purpose, where Jesus’ victory over death ensures the future hope of eternal life for all believers.

Certainly! I’ll integrate the teaching of God manifestation into the analysis of the phrase “originally from above, a seed of Truth, before this structure had come into being. In this many dominions and divinities came into existence” from "The Treatise on the Resurrection," focusing on the Christadelphian doctrine of God manifestation.

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**A Christadelphian Perspective on “Originally from Above, a Seed of Truth, Before This Structure Had Come into Being”**

The phrase from "The Treatise on the Resurrection" introduces rich theological concepts that intersect with Christadelphian beliefs about the nature of Jesus Christ and the divine plan for creation. This analysis will explore the implications of these concepts, focusing on the Christadelphian doctrine of God manifestation and the understanding of spiritual dominions and entities.

### **God Manifestation: Understanding Jesus Christ**

Christadelphians hold that Jesus Christ is the manifestation of the One Eternal Creator, rather than being a pre-existing divine person or a member of a trinity. The doctrine of God manifestation is central to our understanding of Christ’s nature and mission. This teaching asserts that God revealed Himself through Jesus, not by personal pre-existence, but through divine purpose and agency. 

The concept of Jesus being "originally from above" refers to his divine origin in the sense that he was begotten by the Spirit of God (Luke 1:35). This divine origin is integral to the idea of Jesus as the "seed of Truth." In Christadelphian belief, Jesus was not a pre-existing being but was the culmination of God’s purpose and truth manifested in the flesh. Jesus embodies God's Word and serves as the ultimate expression of divine will and truth (John 1:14). Thus, the phrase “a seed of Truth” can be interpreted to mean that Jesus is the manifestation of divine principles and promises, which were laid out by God from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).

### **Before This Structure Had Come into Being**

The phrase “before this structure had come into being” refers to a pre-temporal divine plan rather than a pre-existing Christ. From a Christadelphian perspective, this means that God's plan for Jesus was established before the creation of the world, not that Jesus Himself existed in a conscious form before his birth. Ephesians 1:4 states that believers were chosen “in Christ before the foundation of the world,” illustrating that God’s redemptive plan through Christ was conceived from eternity. This does not imply that Christ existed before his human birth but that God’s purpose for him was part of a divine blueprint established from the beginning.

### **Dominions and Divinities**

In Christadelphian theology, the "many dominions and divinities" mentioned in the text reflect the various spiritual powers and entities created by God. Colossians 1:16-17 asserts that “by him all things were created,” including all spiritual and material realities. These dominions and divinities are part of the created order, serving God’s purposes and existing under His sovereign authority. Christ’s role as the Son of God includes the function of mediator and ruler over these spiritual realms, as seen in Ephesians 1:20-22, which declares that Christ has been exalted above all powers and authorities.

Christ’s mission, therefore, involves reconciling these dominions and divinities to God. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus achieved victory over death and established the foundation for the eventual restoration of all things to their intended harmony under God’s Kingdom (Colossians 1:19-20). This reconciliation is not a personal victory of Christ alone but the manifestation of God’s larger plan for the ultimate restoration of creation.

### **Reconciliation and Restoration**

The reconciliation of all things through Christ’s work is central to the Christadelphian belief in the future restoration of God’s Kingdom. Jesus’ role as the "seed of Truth" and his divine mission entail not only spiritual redemption but also the future establishment of God's Kingdom on earth. Acts 3:21 speaks of a time when “heaven must receive [Christ] until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.” This restoration encompasses the spiritual renewal of humanity and the physical renewal of the world.

### **God Manifestation and the Divine Plan**

The doctrine of God manifestation is essential in understanding how Jesus Christ, as a seed of Truth, fits into God’s plan. In Christadelphian theology, Jesus did not exist as a divine person before his birth but was the embodiment of God’s purpose and truth in human form. His mission was to reveal God’s character and bring about the plan of salvation. This doctrine emphasizes that God’s divine will and truth were made manifest through Jesus’ life, teachings, and sacrificial death, thereby fulfilling the redemptive promises made through the prophets and establishing the foundation for the future Kingdom of God.

### **Conclusion**

In conclusion, the Christadelphian perspective on the phrase “originally from above, a seed of Truth, before this structure had come into being. In this many dominions and divinities came into existence” integrates several key theological principles. Christadelphians understand Jesus as the manifestation of God’s truth rather than a pre-existing divine entity. This view aligns with the belief that Jesus’ divine origin and role as the “seed of Truth” are part of God’s eternal plan, which was revealed through his human life and mission. The existence of spiritual dominions and divinities reflects the created order under God’s sovereign control, and Christ’s work through his death and resurrection aims to reconcile all things and fulfill God’s promise of restoration. This perspective maintains the unity of God and emphasizes the significance of Jesus as both the Son of God and the Son of Man in the divine plan for the world’s redemption and ultimate restoration.