1. What Is Truth?

Key Points

Truth is not merely intellectual knowledge but is embodied in Jesus (John 14:6

KJV ⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

CEV ⁶ “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father.

). His life, death, and resurrection reveal God’s character—love, justice, and mercy intertwined.

Pilate's question, "What is truth?" reflects a relativistic worldview, contrasting with Jesus’ claim to be the embodiment of absolute truth.

"The truth as it is in Jesus is the great attraction, drawing the hearts of all who long for something higher and purer than this world can offer." - Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 309

Challenges

How can Adventists engage a world that increasingly views truth as relative?
How do we ensure our understanding of "truth" aligns with the full revelation of God through Scripture and the life of Christ?

2. What Happened to Jesus When He Died?

Key Points

Adventists affirm that Jesus fully experienced death as an unconscious state, aligning with the biblical depiction of death as sleep (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10

KJV ¹⁰ Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

CEV ¹⁰ Work hard at whatever you do. You will soon go to the world of the dead, where no one works or thinks or reasons or even knows anything.

His death paid the penalty for sin, satisfying the demands of justice while extending mercy (Romans 6:23

KJV ²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

CEV ²³ Sin pays off with death. But God's gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.

; 1 John 4:10

KJV ¹⁰ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

CEV ¹⁰ Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven.

"Death could hold dominion over Him no longer. Jesus arose from the dead, a triumphant conqueror." - Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 209

Challenges

How do we reconcile the physical and spiritual aspects of Jesus’ death, knowing His humanity died but His divine nature remained immortal?
Addressing misunderstandings about Jesus’ death being a mere "appearance."

3. Did Jesus Truly Die? Can Divinity Die?

Key Points

Jesus’ human nature died on the cross, but His divine nature is eternal and cannot die. The divine and human natures of Christ are distinct yet united (Philippians 2:6-8

KJV ⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

CEV ⁶ Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain equal with God. ⁷ Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us. ⁸ Christ was humble. He obeyed God and even died on a cross.

The death of Jesus’ human nature is sufficient because He bore the sins of the world in His humanity (Isaiah 53:5-6

KJV ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

CEV ⁵ He was wounded and crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, he made us completely well. ⁶ All of us were like sheep that had wandered off. We had each gone our own way, but the Lord gave him the punishment we deserved.

"In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. He who had said, 'I lay down My life, that I might take it again,' came forth from the grave to life that was in Himself." - Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 530

Challenges

How do we explain the hypostatic union (the full humanity and divinity of Christ) without diminishing either nature?
Addressing theological objections that claim a “dying God” contradicts divine immortality.

4. Did Jesus Die to Save All Mankind?

Key Points

Jesus’ death provides atonement for the sins of the entire world (1 John 2:2

KJV ² And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

CEV ² Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world's people.

; John 3:16

KJV ¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

CEV ¹⁶ God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.

). Salvation is universally offered but conditional upon individual acceptance (John 1:12

KJV ¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

CEV ¹² Yet some people accepted him and put their faith in him. So he gave them the right to be the children of God.

; Revelation 22:17

KJV ¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

CEV ¹⁷ The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”Everyone who hears this should say, “Come!”If you are thirsty, come! If you want life-giving water, come and take it. It's free!

God’s justice and mercy ensure that salvation is inclusive (offered to all) yet exclusive (effective only for those who accept Christ).

"Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves." - Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 62

Challenges

Addressing universalist claims that all will automatically be saved regardless of belief or repentance.
Balancing the concept of Christ’s atonement with the responsibility of human response.

5. What Does the Resurrection Confirm?

Key Points

The resurrection validates Jesus’ divinity, the efficacy of His sacrifice, and the hope of eternal life for believers (1 Corinthians 15:17-22

KJV ¹⁷ And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ¹⁸ Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. ¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. ²⁰ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. ²¹ For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

CEV ¹⁷ Unless Christ was raised to life, your faith is useless, and you are still living in your sins. ¹⁸ And those people who died after putting their faith in him are completely lost. ¹⁹ If our hope in Christ is good only for this life, we are worse off than anyone else. ²⁰ But Christ has been raised to life! And he makes us certain that others will also be raised to life. ²¹ Just as we will die because of Adam, we will be raised to life because of Christ. ²² Adam brought death to all of us, and Christ will bring life to all of us.

For Adventists, the resurrection underscores the great controversy theme, showcasing Christ’s victory over Satan, sin, and death.

"The fact that He rose from the grave is proof of His divine character and the certainty of His victory over death and the grave." - Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1111

Challenges

How do we address skepticism or modern scientific objections to the resurrection?
How can Adventists emphasize the hope of resurrection in a world focused on temporal solutions?

6. Practical Applications for Adventists

Sabbath and the Cross: The Sabbath commemorates God's creative power and connects with Jesus' rest in the tomb, symbolizing both creation and redemption.

"The Sabbath is a sign of creative and redeeming power; it points to God as the source of life and knowledge." - Ellen G. White, Education, p. 250
Living the Truth: Adventists are called not only to believe but live the truth, reflecting Christ’s character in love, justice, and mercy.

"A profession of Christ without practice is powerless." - Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 272
Mission and Evangelism: The cross and resurrection compel Adventists to share the gospel globally, emphasizing the Three Angels’ Messages as a call to accept Jesus and live in obedience to God.

"The message of the cross is to go forth in clear, distinct lines." - Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 20

Reflection Questions

If Jesus is the embodiment of truth, how does this shape our understanding of Scripture, doctrine, and daily living?
What does Jesus' death and resurrection reveal about God's character and His ultimate plan for humanity?
How do we, as Adventists, balance the mystery of Jesus' divinity and humanity in proclaiming the gospel?

This lesson challenges believers to deepen their understanding of central Adventist truths and integrate them into their lives, reflecting God’s character to the world.