Doctrine 4 - Incarnation of Christ

Doctrine 4 - Incarnation of Christ
Jesus Christ is the incarnate, visible representative of God in the flesh, who was born of a virgin woman, lived a humbled, mortal and human life as all earthly beings, suffered a painful death, was buried in a grave to signify his execution, and rose again on the third day, bodily, to prove he was fully man.

The Identity of Jesus’ Humanity
What is the difference from his deity?

1. Divine nature – Eternal attributes of God.
2. Human nature – Earthly attributes of a human.

Why is this important?
The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is foundational to the Christian faith because if Jesus was just Divine, then he could not die. God cannot die because he is eternal. However, if God becomes flesh, he becomes mortal and can die. And if he becomes mortal, he can live a righteous life. Jesus in his humanity fulfilled the law by living a sinless life in order to provide a righteous sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.

“Jesus was like us in every respect but one: he was without sin. Jesus had to be fully human to serve as our perfectly obedience representative. Just as Jesus had to be human to live in our place, he also had to be human to die in our place.” – Dr. Wayne Grudem

There are several main streams of evidence that prove Jesus was a Man.

1. Old Testament portrays the Messiah as a Man.
A. Isaiah 7:14 says, “…Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

B. Isaiah 9:6 says, “Unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given…”

The prophecies regarding the Messiah expressed that he would have a human nature and live as a mortal being. Jesus was prophesied to be a Man!

2. The Gospels portray Jesus Christ as a Man.
A. Virgin Birth – Born as a human.
(Matt. 1:18; 2:11, 21; Luke 2:6-7, 16; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4)

B. Herod’s Census/Escape to Egypt – Fled because of threat on human life.
(Matt. 2:13, 16)

C. The Visit by the Wise Men – Looking for a boy who is King.
(Matt. 2:2, 11)

D. Childhood Growth – Developed skills as all children.
(Luke 2:27, 34, 40, 43, 51, 52)

E. Baptism by John the Baptist – Bodily immersed in water by John’s own hands.
(Matt. 3:13-17)

F. Social Interaction - Publicly known as just a man.
(Luke 4:16; John 7:14-15; John 8:6)

G. Physical Infirmities – He had physical and emotional characteristics that all humans have.
(Matt. 4:2 hungry, John 19:28 thirsty, Matt. 8:24 sleeps; Matt 23:37 & John 11:35 cries, Hebrews 2:18 tempted)

H. Jewish Trial – He was condemned because he was a man claiming to be God.
(Matt. 26:61)

I. Roman Trial – He was identified as an innocent man by Pilate.
(Matt. 27:19)

J. Death at the Cross – He died a physically painful human death.
(Matt 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46)

K. Bodily burial in tomb – He was physically buried as a dead man.
(Luke 23:50-55)

L. Bodily Resurrection – He rose again in the same human body.
(Luke 24:15-17; Luke 24:36-43, John 20:24-28)

M. Bodily Ascension – He ascended to heaven in his glorified body.
(Acts 1:9-11)

3. The Apostles portrayed Jesus as a Man.
A. He has the title of being a Man.
(1 Timothy 2:5-6)

B. He was a perfect example of a Man.
(Philippians 2:5-8)

Jesus was like us in every way, however, he was sinless. This separates Jesus Christ from all other human figures on earth. Jesus Christ was the perfect, obedient, and righteous Man who lived.

A. He knew no sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
B. He was tempted but did not sin (Hebrews 4:15)
C. He alone was not a law violator, but lived a perfect life in obedience to the law to atone for our sins (Romans 5:15-21)

Wrapping Up.
1. Deepen your understanding and grow in the knowledge of the love of Christ, and how he came to this earth, from eternity, to take his life for our place so we could have salvation!

2. Embrace the glorious message of the gospel in you hearts to live more like Jesus! We were saved to life, therefore we should live to serve.

3. Remember the words of Jesus when he said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)