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Date:         Thu, 22 Jun 1995 09:39:06 +0200
Reply-To: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel 
Sender: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel 
From: Teus Benschop 
Subject:      Catechism, 22
To: Multiple recipients of list CHR-EXP 

The  last  question  and answer in the previous  number  was  about  the
Godhead of Christ; it was confessed that He was the Son of God.

 Q. Do you not believe that he also became man?

  A. Yes: for he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin
Mary.

Christ is God. Then the questioner asks if He is only God, and no  more,
or  if we believe that He also became man. The answer reads: Yes, He  is
also  Man.  Like all men are born of women, so is also Jesus born  of  a
woman. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the virgin  Mary.
That  He was conceived by the Holy Ghost indicates His Godhead. That  He
was born of Mary, a member of mankind, indicates His human nature.
      The  next text proves that He is conceived of the Holy Ghost,  and
born of Mary: "And the angel answered and said unto her (Mary), The Holy
Ghost  shall  come  upon  thee,  and the  power  of  the  Highest  shall
overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be  born  of
thee  shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35) Also John  says  that
"the Word was made flesh." (John 1:14)


 Q. Is his Godhead then changed into humanity?

 A. No; for the Godhead is immutable.

When  Christ was first God, and later became Man, it may be asked, then,
if  His Godhead is changed into humanity. He was God, and became Man, so
has  there been a change? The answer is: No, that cannot be. Any  change
in  the  Godhead is impossible, for the Godhead is immutable. God cannot
cease  to  be; He cannot change; He is forever the Same. "For I  am  the
LORD, I change not". (Malachi 3:6)


 Q. How is he then become man?

 A. By assuming the human nature into a personal union with his divine.

When  God  stays  God, and yet, became Man, how is that  possible?  When
there  is  not the least change, how then can He become Man? The  answer
is:  His  Godhead  did not change, but He added the  human  nature  unto
Himself.  He assumed the human nature, together with His divine  nature,
into one personal union. Now there were two natures. A human nature  and
a  divine  nature. Both natures were united in one Person.  The  apostle
Paul  says  this, when he writes that Christ is born of the  forefathers
according to the flesh, and that he is also God. "Whose are the fathers,
and  of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is over all, God
blessed for ever." (Romans 9:5)


 Q. Did he then bring his human nature from heaven?

  A.  No; but he took it on him of the Virgin Mary, by the operation  of
the Holy Ghost, and is thus become like unto his brethren in all things,
sin excepted. Heb. 2:17 and 4:15.

Jesus Christ did not take His human nature from heaven, but He is a true
Man.  He is born like all people are born. He got His human nature  like
all  people  get it, namely through the common birth. Jesus Christ  took
the human nature on Him of the virgin Mary, by the operation of the Holy
Ghost.  In  this way, by becoming true Man, He is become like  unto  His
brethren  in  all things (except sin of course, for He is without  sin).
"Forasmuch  then as the children are partakers of flesh  and  blood,  he
(Jesus)  also  Himself likewise took part of the same."  (Hebrews  2:14)
Christ  was  both God and Man in one Person. We, children of  men,  were
made  of  flesh and blood; therefore He likewise took part of flesh  and
blood.


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Teus Benschop  |  t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl  |  editor of the list Chr-Exp

           "A Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel"

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file: /pub/resources/text/ipb-e/cate: cat-022.txt

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