Topical Bible: Man: Christ: Took on Him Nature of

◄ Man: Christ: Took on Him Nature of ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The doctrine of Christ taking on human nature is a central tenet of Christian theology, emphasizing the incarnation of Jesus Christ as both fully God and fully man. This profound mystery is rooted in Scripture and is essential for understanding the redemptive work of Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides a clear testimony to the incarnation of Christ. In the Gospel of John, it is written, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14). This passage underscores the reality that the eternal Word, who was with God and was God (John 1:1), took on human nature and lived among humanity.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this mystery in his epistle to the Philippians: "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" (Philippians 2:6-7). Here, Paul describes the humility and self-emptying of Christ, who willingly assumed human form to fulfill His redemptive mission.

Theological Significance

The incarnation is not merely a theological concept but a profound reality that has significant implications for salvation. By taking on human nature, Christ became the perfect mediator between God and man. As the author of Hebrews states, "Therefore He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people" (Hebrews 2:17). Christ's full identification with humanity enabled Him to offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin.

Moreover, the incarnation affirms the goodness of creation and the human body. By assuming human nature, Christ sanctified it, demonstrating that the material world is not inherently evil but can be a vessel of divine grace.

Christ's Humanity

Throughout the Gospels, the humanity of Christ is evident. He experienced hunger (Matthew 4:2), thirst (John 19:28), fatigue (John 4:6), and sorrow (John 11:35). These experiences affirm that Christ fully participated in the human condition, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). His genuine human emotions and physical needs highlight His solidarity with humanity.

Implications for Believers

The incarnation of Christ has profound implications for believers. It assures them of God's intimate involvement in the human experience and His profound love for humanity. As Paul writes, "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). This union of divine and human natures in Christ provides a model for believers to follow, calling them to live lives of humility, service, and love.

In summary, the doctrine of Christ taking on human nature is foundational to understanding His work of redemption and His ongoing relationship with humanity. Through the incarnation, believers are invited into a deeper communion with God, who became man to bring salvation to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 2:14,16
For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God Will Bestow Salvation Upon the Whole Nature of Man, Consisting ...
... and soul in close union, since the Word took it upon ... a complete man as well as a
spiritual man; saying thus ... to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ." [4478] Now ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter vi god will bestow salvation.htm

Christ Took Away not Only the one Original Sin, but all the Other ...
... Chapter 50."Christ Took Away Not Only the One Original Sin ... sin into the world, but
this man took away not ... man from many offenses: for each man, in addition to ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 50 christ took away not.htm

Guiltless and Without Sin.
... the ages the Church has confessed that Christ took upon Himself ... of flesh and blood,
He also Himself took part of the ... then that the Son of God became man in our ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xviii guiltless and without sin.htm

Christ Alone is Able to Teach Divine Things, and to Redeem Us: He ...
... Against Heresies: Book V Chapter I."Christ alone is able to ... and to redeem us: He,
the same, took flesh of ... as the mighty Word, and very man, who, redeeming us ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter i christ alone is able.htm

On the Flesh of Christ
... Chapter XIV.--Christ Took Not on Him an Angelic Nature, But the Human It ... the True
Doctrine of the One Lord Jesus Christ, Both God and Man, Thus Condemned. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ on the flesh of christ/

"If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have ...
... a step into the holy nature of the man Christ, that from ... Christ's Spirit, not only
because proceeding from him as from ... He took our flesh, that he might send us ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxiv if so be.htm

The Grace of God is Clearly and Remarkably Displayed in Raising ...
... by the same grace which made the man Christ Jesus free ... But, speaking of Christ Himself,
the evangelist John, after ... but by nature, by grace took our humanity ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 36 the grace of god.htm

Its Nature
... It is that Christ took our place literally, in order that we ... and that He regards
and treats the believing sinner as Christ. "It is not enough for a man to be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/5 its nature.htm

The Man Christ Jesus
... Christ Jesus is the second man, the Lord ... him they stood in the garden; in him, alas,
they fell when he broke the divine command, and the Lord took up the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the man christ jesus.htm

The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Salvation
... The first sin of man was the refusal to be ... mighty God" descended from highest heaven
and took upon Him ... That which differentiated the Life of Christ from all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the godhood of god/4 the absolute godhood of.htm