Show notes for Episode 5 of The Micro Bible Studies Podcast.
Understanding the miracle of the Incarnation of Christ is vital to Christianity as a whole.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
This Bible verse points at one of the most important aspects of our faith as Christians: the Incarnation. Something so important that on Sundays we recite a statement of faith known as the Nicene Creed and it contains this fact:
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man.
The Nicen Creed was finalized at the Second Ecumenical Council held in Constantinople in the year 381. It's over 1,600 years old. That means that this idea of the incarnation is something from the very beginning of Christianity.
Jesus is the son of God.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Christmas is the Christian holiday that celebrates this miracle of the Incarnation of Christ, but it has been so secularized that few people realize its significance.
How would we explain this miracle to someone completely unfamiliar with Christianity? During the holiday season we often hear "Jesus is the reason for the season." In order to understand the reason for the season we need to understand the incarnation, and that requires us to understand the fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
“But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law” Galatians 4:4
Misunderstanding the incarnation leaves Old Testament prophecies unfulfilled undermines the significance of the cross at Calvary, and diminishes the importance of the resurrection.
Jesus is indeed the son of God. But he is also God; one person but two natures. Jesus has a human nature and a divine nature. This leads to a discussion of the Trinity.
We believe in a Triune God: three persons, one God. We believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is indeed described in Holy Scripture. In the episode, a few key verses are reviewed in light of this.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” John 1:1
Notice that the word was with God. It shows it is distinct yet in relationship with. In the following verse the pronoun "he" is used: "He was in the beginning with God." A pronoun is used for a person, so this indicates the word is a person.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19
This verse names the three persons of the Trinity.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14
This verse also shows the three persons of the Trinity.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it clearly:
The Old Testament had several prophecies related to the Incarnation of Christ. In the episode, a few key verses are reviewed related to this. First, a review of the Fall of Man, followed by a short discussion of the Protoevangelium, and continuing on with quotes from Isaiah, Micah, and Psalms:
Genesis 1:18
Genesis 2:15
Genesis 2:17
Genesis 3:6
Genesis 3:15 (Protoevangelium)
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6
Micah 5:2
Psalm 2:7
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
This verse shows the great miracle that the Incarnation of Christ truly is.
In the history of the Church, several teachings that are contrary to true doctrines of the Church have been spread. These are called heresies. Two main heresies related to the Incarnation of Christ are:
Arianism: a heresy that claims Jesus was created
Nestorianism: a heresy that claims that Jesus had two persons in one body
The truth of Jesus is: one person with two natures, one fully human and one fully divine; Jesus was begotten, not made, consubstantial with the father.
A few key verses are reviewed that prove the human nature of Jesus as well as his divine nature.
Human Nature verses:
John 1:14
Luke 2:6-7
Philippians 2:7
Hebrews 2:14
Luke 2:52
1 Timothy 2:5
Mark 4:38
John 11:35
Matthew 9:11
Divine Nature verses:
John 8:58
John 14:1-7
John 5:18
Colossians 1:15-20
John 1:1-3
Luke 22:70
Key takeaways from the Incarnation of Christ:
Divinity came down to humanity in order to take humanity back into divinity (The Ascension)
See CCC 665
God's absolute love for us
Jesus fully experienced our humanity, including temptations, but never sinned
Fulfillment of centuries of prophecy
Finally, relevant parts of the Catechism are discussed:
CCC 457
CCC 458
CCC 459
CCC 460
Related Posts
