The Creed: What We Believe
Fully God, Fully Man
Sunday, July 4th 2021

John 1:1,14

“who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell.”

Introduction
“The birth, life and death of Jesus sets the framework for our salvation”

I. Incarnation
“incarnation” refers to Jesus permanently taking on a human nature.

Scripture teaches that Jesus’ work of incarnation accomplished at least three things:
1) it gave God the Son the legal right to be the Davidic king

2) it gave him the mercy and sympathy he needed in order to be an effective high priest.

[Jesus] had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God … Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted Hebrews 2:17-18

3) the incarnation was necessary in order for Jesus to become an atoning sacrifice for sin.

“If the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! … For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ… For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:15-19

“Sometimes we as conservative, as evangelical Christians, so emphasize the deity of Christ that we forget that it’s really his humanity that saves us. Because Jesus became a true human being, he could suffer and die for us, for our sins. So, Jesus’ humanity is essential to our salvation.” Mark L. Strauss

II. Passion
“passion” comes from the Greek verb pascho, meaning “suffer.”

“If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:20-21

He descended into hell (study for yourself)

Old Testament – sheol; New Testament - hades

Luke 10:15; Acts 2:27-29; Luke 16:19-31

Jesus’ passion shows us what it means to be truly human in a fallen world. If even our perfect Lord had to suffer as he opposed and remedied sin, then surely we who are imperfect will also suffer.

III. Conclusion

Exaltation – next week