The incarnation of the Son of God is one of the most glorious truths of the Christian faith. It proclaims that the eternal Son, the second person of the Trinity, took on human nature to redeem sinners and reconcile them to God. This doctrine is at the heart of the gospel and essential to our understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done. Rooted in Scripture and articulated in the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF), especially Chapter 8, this truth inspires worship, strengthens faith, and provides hope to believers. For Christians in Greenville, South Carolina, the doctrine of the incarnate Son is a source of both comfort and mission as we proclaim the Savior to a world in need.
The Eternal Son of God
Before considering the incarnation, we must begin with the eternal identity of the Son. The WCF (Chapter 8.1) affirms:
“It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man; the Prophet, Priest, and King; the Head and Savior of His Church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world.”
The Son is eternal, uncreated, and fully divine. John 1:1-2 declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” Jesus Christ, the Son, is of the same essence as the Father and the Holy Spirit, co-equal and co-eternal, as the Nicene Creed also affirms.
As the eternal Son, He existed in perfect glory and fellowship within the Godhead before the foundation of the world (John 17:5). Yet, in the fullness of time, He took on human flesh to accomplish the work of redemption.
The Mystery of the Incarnation
The incarnation is the astounding truth that the eternal Son of God became fully human while remaining fully divine. As John 1:14 declares, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
1. Two Natures, One Person
The WCF (8.2) explains the incarnation as follows:
“The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon Him man’s nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin.”
In the incarnation, Jesus did not cease to be God. Instead, He added a true human nature to His divine nature. These two natures, divine and human, are united in one person, without confusion, change, division, or separation. This is known as the hypostatic union, a central teaching of historic Christianity.
2. The Virgin Birth
The miraculous means by which the Son took on human nature was through the virgin birth. The angel told 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). This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
The virgin birth underscores that Jesus is both fully God and fully man, conceived by the Holy Spirit yet born of a human mother.
3. True Humanity
Jesus took on a true human nature, including a body and a soul. He experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, and sorrow. He grew in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52) and was tempted in every way, yet He remained without sin (Heb. 4:15). His full humanity was essential to His work of redemption, as He represented humanity in His obedience and sacrifice.
The Purpose of the Incarnation
The incarnation was not an end in itself but the means by which the Son accomplished the work of redemption. The WCF (8.1) states that Jesus was chosen and ordained as Mediator between God and man. This mediatorial role is seen in His offices as Prophet, Priest, and King.
1. Jesus as Prophet
As the incarnate Son, Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. Hebrews 1:1-2 declares, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.” Jesus proclaimed the truth of God’s kingdom, taught with divine authority, and revealed the Father’s character and will (John 14:9).
2. Jesus as Priest
Jesus came to offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin. The WCF (8.5) explains:
“The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience and sacrifice of Himself, which He, through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of His Father; and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto Him.”
Through His atoning death on the cross, Jesus bore the penalty of sin, satisfying God’s justice and securing forgiveness for His people. As the risen Savior, He continues His priestly work by interceding for us at the right hand of the Father (Heb. 7:25).
3. Jesus as King
As the incarnate Son, Jesus is the King who reigns over His church and all creation. Matthew 28:18 records His declaration, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” He exercises His sovereign rule to subdue His enemies, protect His people, and bring about the final consummation of His kingdom.
The Benefits of the Incarnation for Believers
The incarnation is not merely a theological truth but a source of immense blessing for believers. It assures us of God’s love, provides the basis for our salvation, and gives us hope in the midst of life’s challenges.
1. Reconciliation with God
Through His incarnation, Jesus bridged the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. As 1 Timothy 2:5 declares, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” In Greenville and beyond, this truth is the heart of the gospel we proclaim: that through faith in Christ, sinners can be reconciled to God.
2. Sympathy and Intercession
Because Jesus is fully human, He understands our struggles and weaknesses. Hebrews 4:15-16 assures us, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
This is a great comfort to believers, whether in Greenville or elsewhere, as we face trials and temptations. We can trust that our Savior knows our pain and intercedes for us.
3. Victory over Sin and Death
Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus triumphed over sin, death, and the devil. His incarnation made this victory possible. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
This victory gives believers hope for eternal life and strength to live in obedience to God’s will.
The Call to Worship the Incarnate Son
The incarnation of Jesus Christ calls us to respond with worship and obedience. Philippians 2:10-11 declares that at the name of Jesus, “every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
In Greenville, this truth shapes our worship and mission as a church. We gather to glorify the incarnate Son, proclaim His gospel, and live as His redeemed people in the world.
Conclusion
The doctrine of the incarnate Son is at the heart of the Christian faith. It reveals the mystery and majesty of God’s plan of redemption, accomplished through the eternal Son who became fully human while remaining fully divine. As articulated in Scripture and the Westminster Confession of Faith, this truth calls us to worship, trust, and proclaim Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.
For believers in Greenville, South Carolina, this doctrine is both a foundation for faith and a motivation for mission. As we reflect on the incarnation, may we echo the words of the apostle Paul: “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15). Let us live in awe of the incarnate Son and proclaim His gospel to a world in need of His grace.