How did Christ, being the Son of God become man?
Christ the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul; being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.
Proofs
- Christ the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true body, (Hebrews 2:14, 17; 10:5)
- and a reasonable soul; (Matthew 26:38)
- being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, (Luke 1:27, 31, 34–35, 42; Galatians 4:4)
- yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Did Christ assume a body?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: A body hast thou prepared me, (Hebrews 10:5)
Was this a true human body?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he was made in the likeness of men, (Philippians 2:7)
Had it all the properties of a body like ours?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have, (Luke 24:39)
Was it liable to sinless infirmities?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He was hungry and weary, (Matthew 4:2)
Was it capable of suffering?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He hath reconciled us in the body of his flesh through death, (Colossians 1:21)
And was it requisite that he should assume such a body?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, (Hebrews 2:17)
Section 2
Had Christ a real human soul?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, (Isaiah 53:10)
Was it a rational soul?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he increased in wisdom, (Luke 2:52)
And endowed with natural passions?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: My soul is exceeding sorrowful, (Matthew 24:38)
And capable of a separation from the body?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He poured out his soul unto death, (Isaiah 3:12)
Was Christ’s human nature greatly abased?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I am a worm, and no man, (Psalm 22:6)
And greatly exalted?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For in him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead, bodily, (Colossians 2:9)
Section 3
Did Christ come into the world in an ordinary way?
Answer: No.
Proof: For the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, (Jeremiah 31:22)
Was he conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, (Luke 1:35)
And born of a virgin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a (Isaiah 7:14)
Had Christ a reputed father?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Is not this Joseph's Son, (Luke 4:22)
But was he no more than a reputed father?
Answer: No.
Proof: For as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph (before they came together) she was found with child by the Holy Ghost, (Matthew 1:18)
Section 4
Was Christ born at the appointed time?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: When the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his (Galatians 4:4)
And at the appointed place?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: To you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, (Luke 2:11)
And of the appointed stock?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he took upon him the seed of Abraham, (Hebrews 2:16)
Did the prophets foretell his birth?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: As God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, (Luke 1:70)
And did the angels celebrate it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: There was a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, (Luke 2:13)
Section 5
Was Christ perfectly holy?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He was holy, harmless and undefiled, (Hebrews 7:26)
Was he free from original corruption?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me, (John 14:30)
And from actual sin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He did no sin, (1 Peter 2:22)
Was it necessary that he should be so?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Such an High Priest became us, (Hebrews 7:26)
Would his sufferings otherwise have been ineffectual?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he must, through the eternal Spirit, offer himself without spot, (Hebrews 9:14)