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One African church father, Tertullian, lived in the 2nd and 3rd century A.D. Many call him “the founder of Western theology.” He is most noted for combating Gnosticism—a false teaching that denied Christ lived in a human body. Tertullian insisted God’s Son became human yet retained His full divine nature. As a full human being, Christ bore our sins in His own body on the Cross. He arose and now lives forever and serves as our High Priest. Tertullian’s teaching is in accord with Hebrews chapter 7, which says, “Because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners, and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven” (24–26). This means our salvation is complete; we are saved from the penalty of sin, being saved from the power of sin, and one day we shall be saved from the presence of sin. Such a complete salvation is why we live for Christ and serve Him with all our energy.
