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Orthodox Doctrine (Summary of Christian Divinity)
Metropolitan Platon of Moscow, tr. Pinkerton, 1814
21. Part 2, Section 21: Of the Acts of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ spent his life in the most perfect fulfilment of the law; proved his divinity by glorious miracles; and fully made known the will of his heavenly Father.
Our Saviour having begun his life in persecution, was bred up under his blessed mother, and, as he advanced in years, he “waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him;” Luke ii. 40. Being twelve years old, by his wise questions he put to silence the most eminent of the Jewish doctors, so that those who heard him were astonished at his understanding; Luke ii. 46. When about thirty years old, he was pleased to receive baptism at the hands of John, the greatest of the prophets; not that he had any need of baptism himself, being without sin, but that he might sanctify for us, by his own holy person, this spiritual bath, which he hath appointed for the washing away of our sins, and in order to show, by his own example, the need we have to be baptised.
After this most important event, the whole fountain of his divine wisdom was opened, and he began to display his heavenly philosophy and most holy doctrine, such as mankind could never hear from any one else. He showed in what the real happiness of man consists; and this he placed in poverty of spirit, in tears and humility, in meekness and mercy, amid persecution and reviling, which was altogether contrary to the wisdom of this world. He explained to us what virtue and vice are, and commanded us to search out their essence, not in external acts, but in the thoughts and intentions of the heart. He taught us the difference which exists between God and the world, between truth and falsehood, and between good and evil. While he overturned superstition and hypocrisy, which are hateful to God, he accused the human race of hard-heartedness, of unbelief, and of universal error. He pointed out the way by which we can attain to the mercy of God; assuring us of the inexpressible blessings of a future life, and proclaimed himself to be the Saviour, sent to deliver the world. All these doctrines, which are of themselves worthy the acceptation of every one, he confirmed by many glorious miracles. By healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, casting out devils, and raising the dead, he clearly displayed his divinity: so that the multitudes of people that followed him, with astonishment said, “It was never so seen in Israel!” Matth. ix. 33. Moreover, his doctrine was the more effectual, from his whole life and actions being as it were a most pure and holy mirror of every virtue. For he “did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth,” 1 Peter ii. 22. In this way he perfectly fulfilled his office as a prophet. All the saving doctrines of Christ are contained in the Gospel, which divine book we ought to hold as the most perfect rule of faith and virtue.