The Incarnation and Deity of Christ

Simply, we’re looking at what the Bible reveals regarding the simultaneous humanity and divinity of Jesus, “the Christ”.

Caveats The Bible DOES NOT strive to PROVE the humanity and divinity of Jesus… IT simply REVEALS IT as an over-arching storyline. By the N.T. Jesus explicitly is revealed as "God who became flesh”. Jn 1:1-18; Phil 2:6-80 The purpose of this message is to summarize* the revelation of this biblical theme. * Too many scriptures/concepts will be left out.

In the beginning… God’s intent for “mankind” God creates humankind (“Adam”) in His image. Gen 1:27ff Man was made to share in God’s dominion over creation. But, man failed. Gen 3 (Rom 5:12) God said another “seed of woman” (man) would “bruise the head” of the serpent. Gen 3:15 The rest of the Old Testament provides glimpses of a man who might fulfill God’s intent: Abraham? Moses? David? Daniel?

But no man fit the intended role of “Adam”… so God would send one.

The Coming “Christ” (Messiah) As Jewish history further unfolded, God revealed that He would send His future Messiah. Cp. Dan 9:24-25 The undeclared Messiah described as a “Son of Man” (“son of the human”) presented before the “Ancient of Days”. Dan 7:13-14

Enter Jesus. Born as a “man”… can he also be God?

“In the beginning…” again John’s gospel riffs off Genesis 1: Jn 1:1 The beginning when God created. Being present with–yet separate from–God. Being God. Cp. Phil 2:6-8 The word became flesh… Jn 1:14 (remember Gen 3:15?) “in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” Col 2:9 He is the image of the invisible God. Col 1:15 (cp. Gen 1:26)

Jesus: the “Son of man” doing divine things.

Points of view concerning Jesus, the “son of man” Who do people say the Son of Man is? Matt 16:13-16 Who on earth can forgive sins? Matt 9:6 (Mk 2:5-7) Hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN. Matt 26:64 (cp. Dan 7:13-14; Rev 14:14; Acts 7:56)

Significance of the Incarnate Christ

“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives…. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” Hebrews 2:14–18

“There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:9–13