Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Incarnation" refers to the Christian doctrine that the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Holy Trinity, took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. This foundational belief is central to Christian theology, affirming that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. The Incarnation is a mystery that underscores the profound love and humility of God, who entered into human history to accomplish the work of salvation.
Biblical FoundationThe doctrine of the Incarnation is rooted in Scripture, with key passages highlighting its significance.
John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." This verse emphasizes that the "Word," identified as Jesus, took on human nature and lived among humanity, revealing the glory of God.
Philippians 2:6-7 further elaborates on the nature of the Incarnation: "Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." Here, the Apostle Paul describes the humility of Christ, who, though divine, willingly assumed human form to serve and redeem mankind.
Theological SignificanceThe Incarnation is essential for understanding the person and work of Jesus Christ. It affirms that Jesus is the unique mediator between God and humanity, as stated in
1 Timothy 2:5: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." By becoming incarnate, Jesus bridges the gap caused by sin, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the atonement of sins.
The Incarnation also highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah.
Isaiah 7:14 prophesies, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." The name "Immanuel," meaning "God with us," signifies the divine presence among His people through the person of Jesus Christ.
Christological ImplicationsThe Incarnation is central to Christology, the study of the nature and work of Christ. It asserts the hypostatic union, the theological term describing the union of Christ's two natures—divine and human—in one person. This union is without confusion, change, division, or separation, as articulated in the Chalcedonian Definition of 451 AD.
The Incarnation also affirms the sinlessness of Christ.
Hebrews 4:15 declares, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin." Jesus' sinless life is crucial for His role as the spotless Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (
John 1:29).
Practical ImplicationsThe Incarnation has profound implications for Christian life and practice. It calls believers to emulate the humility and self-giving love of Christ, as encouraged in
Philippians 2:5: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." The Incarnation also assures believers of God's intimate involvement in human affairs, providing comfort and hope in the midst of life's challenges.
Moreover, the Incarnation underscores the value and dignity of human life, as God Himself chose to become human. This truth inspires Christians to uphold the sanctity of life and to engage in acts of compassion and justice, reflecting the character of Christ in the world.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
That act of grace whereby Christ took our human nature into union with his Divine Person, became man. Christ is both God and man. Human attributes and actions are predicated of him, and he of whom they are predicated is God. A Divine Person was united to a human nature (
Acts 20:28;
Romans 8:32;
1 Corinthians 2:8;
Hebrews 2:11-14;
1 Timothy 3:16;
Galatians 4:4, etc.). The union is hypostatical, i.e., is personal; the two natures are not mixed or confounded, and it is perpetual.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of clothing with flesh, or the state of being so clothed; the act of taking, or being manifested in, a human body and nature.
2. (n.) The union of the second person of the Godhead with manhood in Christ.
3. (n.) An incarnate form; a personification; a manifestation; a reduction to apparent from; a striking exemplification in person or act.
4. (n.) A rosy or red color; flesh color; carnation.
5. (n.) The process of healing wounds and filling the part with new flesh; granulation.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
INCARNATIONin-kar-na'-shun.
SeePERSON OF CHRIST.
Greek
2602. katabole -- a laying down... follows. 2602 ("foundation-plan") typically relates to Christ's
incarnation,
ie coming to earth in the flesh to be our Redeemer. This
...2320. theotes -- deity
... to " (, 906). 2320 () focuses on Christ through Hisincarnation and shown
throughout His perfect life of faith (cf. Heb 12:2). [For...
Library
TheIncarnation.
... I. THEINCARNATION.... An ideal man might have been created, God's ideal of man might
have been realized, and still we should have had noincarnation....
On theIncarnation of the Word
On theIncarnation of the Word. <. On theIncarnation of the Word Athanasius.
Table of Contents. Title Page. Chapter 1 Creation and the Fall....
On theIncarnation and Redemption
... Lesson 7 ON THEINCARNATION AND REDEMPTION. "Incarnation" means to take flesh,
as a body. Here it means Our Lord's taking flesh, that...
TheIncarnation and Birth of Christ
... TheIncarnation and Birth of Christ. A Sermon (No.57). Delivered... blood. It
is hisincarnation which fattens the soil of our hearts....
The Holy Spirit and theIncarnation of the Word. ...
... PREACHING. INTRODUCTION Chapter 3 The Holy Spirit and theIncarnation of the
Word.? The Holy Spirit and theIncarnation of the Word. We...
Introduction to the Treatise on theIncarnation of the Word.
... Introduction to the Treatise on theIncarnation of the Word.... How this necessity
is met in theIncarnation is shewn in the pages which follow....
The Holy Spirit and theIncarnation of the Word. ...
... PREACHING. INTRODUCTION Chapter 3 The Holy Spirit and theIncarnation of the
Word.? The Holy Spirit and theIncarnation of the Word. We...
Praise for theIncarnation.
... CHRISTMAS Hymn 37 Praise for theincarnation. John Newton 7,7,7,7. Praise for the
incarnation. Sweeter founds than music knows. Charm me, in EMMANUEL'S name;...
That Christ was Before theIncarnation God from Everlasting. As we...
... Book IV. Chapter I. That Christ was before theIncarnation God from everlasting....
Chapter I. That Christ was before theIncarnation God from everlasting....
Faustus Objects to theIncarnation of God on the Ground that the...
... Faustus objects to theincarnation of God on the ground that the evangelists are
at variance with each other, and thatincarnation is unsuitable to deity....
Thesaurus
Incarnation (1 Occurrence)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
INCARNATION. in-kar-na'-shun. See PERSON OF
CHRIST. Multi-Version Concordance
Incarnation (1 Occurrence).
...Parousia
... For instance the word in Ignatius, Philadelphians, ix.2, means theIncarnation.
Or theIncarnation is called the first Parousia, as in Justin, Trypho, xiv....
Kenosis
... "Kenosis," then, the corresponding noun, has become a technical term for the
humiliation of the Son in theincarnation, but in recent years has acquired a...
Comparative
... RELATION OF CHRISTIANITY TO ETHNIC FAITHS AND THEIR TENETS 1. Karma 2. God 3. The
Summum Bonum 4. Self-Revelation of God 5.Incarnation 6. Salvation 7. Faith 8...
Exaltation (9 Occurrences)
... The doctrine of the Lutheran church refers the act to the human power of the Lord
Himself, which byincarnation had been endowed with attributes of Deity....
Angel (209 Occurrences)
... Joshua 5:13, 15), of the Angel of the Lord, were doubtless manifestations of the
Divine presence, "foreshadowings of theincarnation," revelations before the...
Virgin (62 Occurrences)
... touches upon the central mystery of the Lord's person in such a way as to involve
either a very important contribution to the doctrine of theincarnation or a...
Birth (357 Occurrences)
... touches upon the central mystery of the Lord's person in such a way as to involve
either a very important contribution to the doctrine of theincarnation or a...
Johannine
... THEINCARNATION 1. Historical Antecedents of the Logos-Doctrine 2. The Logos-Doctrine
in John 3. TheIncarnation as Delineated in the Fourth Gospel 4. The...
Ascension (1 Occurrence)
... It is the culmination of theIncarnation, the reward of Christ's redemptive work,
and the entrance upon a wider sphere of work in His glorified condition, as...
Resources
What is the meaning of the Incarnation of Christ? | GotQuestions.orgHow can the Incarnation be reconciled with God's immutability? If God cannot change, then how can He become man? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the doctrine of eternal Sonship and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.orgIncarnation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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