2-Minute Theology - TRINITY BIBLE CHURCH

The Divine Works of the Holy Spirit: Part 3 - Generating Christ's Humanity

4/24/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Divine Works Of The Holy Spirit: Part 3 - Generating Christ’s Humanity

The virgin birth of Christ is significant in guaranteeing the sinlessness of Christ’s humanity. However, another significant aspect, which guarantees Christ’s sinless humanity is the Holy Spirit’s role in the conception (Matthew 1:20).

for the Child who has been conceived (gennáō) in her is of the Holy Spirit. - Matthew 1:20

The term conceived (gennáō) in Matthew 1:20 mean to father or create. The verb is in the passive voice indicating that Mary did not conceive the Child through normal means of conception. Instead, it implies that the Holy Spirit created the humanity of Christ within Mary’s womb. The Holy Spirit did not create Christ’s deity. Christ, as the Second Person of the Godhead eternally possessed deity.

The Holy Spirit’s role in the generating of Christ’s humanity is explained in Luke 1:35 — “The Holy Spirit will come upon (epérchomai) you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow (episkiázō) you.” The verb will come upon (epérchomai epí) describes the Holy Spirit resting upon and operating within a person. The verb overshadow (episkiázō) refers to the exercising of divine power within Mary’s womb. In a similar fashion to the Holy Spirit hovering over the deep on the first day of creation, so He rested upon Mary and created the humanity of Christ.

Regarding this work, Lewis Sperry Chafer stated, “He brought the humanity of Christ into being. It is too often assumed that Mary the mother of Christ contributed His humanity and that the Holy Spirit contributed His deity; but a moment’s reflection would disclose that the deity of Christ was His own from all eternity and therefore was not originated at the time of His birth. He became incarnate when His eternal Person took on the human form.… The Spirit caused the humanity of Christ to originate and that is His act of generation.”(1) While Christ was born of a woman, His humanity was generated by the Holy Spirit.

ENDNOTES:

Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, 8 vols. (Dallas: Dallas Seminary, 1948), 6:33.

The Humanity of Christ: Part 23 - The Temptation of Christ

12/23/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Humanity Of Christ: Part 23 - The Temptation Of Christ

Jesus was tempted in all things does not indicate that He experienced every type of temptation. The phrase in all things can be rendered in all areas. All areas of temptation are defined in 1 John 2:16, namely, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Matthew 4:1-11 entails how Jesus was tempted in these three areas.

First, Jesus was tempted in the area of the lust of the flesh.

And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. - Matthew 4:3

Second, Jesus was tempted in the area of the lust of the eyes.

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me. - Matthew 4:8-9

Third, Jesus was tempted in the area of the pride of life.

Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will command His angels concerning You; and On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone. - Matthew 4:5-6

Also is it is worth noting that Jesus responded to temptation by quoting Scripture, particularly the Torah. To the lust of the flesh temptation, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3.

He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. - Deuteronomy 8:3

Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:4-5, 13, in response to the lust of the eyes temptation.

Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. […] You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. - Deuteronomy 6:4-5, 13

To the temptation in the area of the pride of life, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6:16.

You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah. - Deuteronomy 6:16

The Humanity of Christ: Part 22 - A Human Nature Is Not A Sin Nature

12/23/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Humanity Of Christ: Part 22 - A Human Nature Is Not A Sin Nature

While Jesus was one hundred percent human does not necessitate Him possessing a sin nature. When God created humanity, they did not possess a sin nature. A sin nature was inherited at the time of the Fall. Because Adam sinned as the head or representative of the human race, the sin nature is passed down through the male progenitor.

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— - Romans 5:12

That Jesus was virgin born guarantees that He did not inherit a sin nature. Furthermore, Jesus is still one hundred percent God. Thus, Christ has two natures — one human and one divine. These two natures are intertwined in one Person, the God-man. These two natures cannot be separated. They are forever fused.

Jesus’ divine nature cannot sin. First, Jesus is immutable; that is, He does not change.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. - Hebrews 13:8

Second, Jesus is omnipotent or all powerful.

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. - Hebrews 1:3a

The ability to sin would imply that Jesus is powerless against temptation. Third, Jesus is omniscient.

and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man. - John 2:25

Sin is deceptive. For sin to be deceptive, one would have to be ignorant of truth or facts. Jesus is all-knowing means Jesus cannot be deceived by sin. Since Jesus’s divine nature is not able to sin, so His human nature is not able to sin.

The Humanity of Christ: Part 21 - Impeccability

12/19/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Humanity Of Christ: Part 21 - Impeccabillity

Throughout His ministry, Jesus was repeatedly tempted to sin. Though Jesus was able to be tempted, He was without sin. This statement presents two points of view of which only can be correct — peccability or impeccability.

Peccability teaches that Jesus was able not to sin. Thus, it is implied that Jesus had the ability to sin or not to sin. The argument for peccability is made on the idea that the temptation to sin was only genuine if it were possible for Jesus to sin. Those who hold this view claim that if Jesus could not sin, the temptation was unreal, and therefore, Jesus cannot sympathize with His people.

Impeccability teaches that Jesus was not able to sin. Thus, Jesus could not sin. The capability for sin has nothing to do with the genuineness of a temptation. In the case of Jesus, the purpose of the various temptations was to demonstrate that Jesus was sinless and that He was the Son of God. As well, one must consider that it was not Satan who initiated the temptation, but the Holy Spirit.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. - Matthew 4:1

If Jesus were able to sin, then the Holy Spirit would be guilty of inviting Him to sin, which is something that God cannot do.

Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. - James 1:13

Thus, Jesus was impeccable; that is, He was not able to sin!

The Humanity of Christ: Part 20 - The Eternal God-Man

12/19/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Humanity Of Christ: Part 20 - The Eternal God - Man

At the incarnation, Christ entered into a state of humanity, while retaining His deity. While Jesus remains the God-Man for all eternity, at His Resurrection, His human body was changed.

having become (gínomai) as much better then angels, - Hebrews 1:4

The participle having become (gínomai) means to be or exist in a particular state or condition. Some translations render having become as being made. However, this leads to a false doctrine that the Son was created.

Having become means that there was a change to Christ's body. The change of body does not mean that Christ ceased to be human. His body is still flesh and blood. Previously, Christ’s human body was able to die, now His body is eternal. Redeemed believers’ will receive a similar body at the Rapture.

For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. - 1 Corinthians 15:53

Several other changes to Christ’s body are noted in Scripture. One, He could enter closed rooms.

So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst. - John 20:19

Two, Christ could bodily disappear.

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. - Luke 24:30-31

Three, His body could enter in Heaven.

And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. - Acts 1:9

Four, Christ’s body radiated glory.

I saw one like a son of man… His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. - Revelation 1:12-16

The Humanity of Christ: Part 17 - The Kenosis Defined

12/12/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Humanity Of Christ: Part 17 - The Kenosis Defined

The addition of a human nature without a lost or diminishing of divine nature involves the kenosis. Kenosis is the doctrine of Christ’s self-emptying at His incarnation.

who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. - Philippians 2:6-8

The term emptied (kenóō) means to divest oneself of something. Some have claimed that Christ emptied Himself of His deity. Others claim that He exchanged His deity for humanity. However, Scripture states that in Christ, “all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form (cf. Colossians 2:9).”

Christ’s self-emptying was a divesting Himself of His privileges. First, He divested Himself of His heavenly glory.

Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. - John 17:5

Second, Christ divested Himself of His authority.

I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. - John 5:30

Third, He divested Himself of His eternal riches.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. - 2 Corinthians 8:9

Fourth, Christ divested Himself of His relationship with the Father.

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? - Matthew 27:46

The Humanity of Christ: Part 16 - The Hypostatic Union, Proofs Six and Seven

12/12/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Humanity Of Christ: Part 16 - The Hypostatic Union, Proof Six And Seven

There are seven proofs from the Old Testament that Christ exists as both God and man.

The first proof from Psalm 2:7 establishes that Christ in the flesh is the Second Person of the Godhead seated at the Father’s right hand. The second proof from 2 Samuel 7:14 establishes that Christ in the flesh is both the Son of God and the Heir of David, who will reign. The third proof from Psalm 97:7 establishes that Christ will return as God in human flesh. The fourth proof from Psalm 104:4 establishes that Christ created angels and that they continue to serve Him as both God and man. The fifth proof from Psalm 45:6-8 establishes Christ deity and authority are forever.

The six proof is from Psalm 102:25-27 — “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands; They will perish, but You remain; And they all will become old like a garment, And like a mantle You will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end,”

Initially, this statement was applied to God the Father, but Paul applies it to God the Son. Hence, he presents the Son as Creator — in the beginning, the Son created the earth and the heavens. Though the created realm is temporal, Jesus is eternal. As a garment, the created realm changes and wears out, but Jesus is immutable.

The seventh proof is from Psalm 110:1 — “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies A footstool for Your feet.” Here, the equality between the Father and Son is emphasized. The Son’s redemptive work is complete, and He is sitting to the right of His Father, the King. One who sits as the right hand of the king is equal to the king.

The Humanity of Christ: Part 15 - The Hypostatic Union, Proof Five

12/9/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Humanity Of Christ: Part 15 - The Hypostatic Union, Proof Five

Paul provides seven proofs that Christ is both God and man from the Old Testament, in Hebrews 1:5-14.

The first proof is from Psalm 2:7. It establishes that Christ in the flesh is the Second Person of the Godhead seated at the Father’s right hand. The second proof is from 2 Samuel 7:14. It establishes that Christ in the flesh is both the Son of God and the Heir of David, who will reign. The third proof is from Psalm 97:7. It establishes that Christ will return as God in human flesh. The fourth proof is from Psalm 104:4. It establishes that Christ created angels and that they continue to serve Him as both God and man.

The fifth proof is from Psalm 45:6-8 — “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness above Your companions.” This proof emphasizes Jesus’ deity and authority. Jesus is God, and His throne or authority is forever. The scepter is an Old Testament allusion that the Seed-Son, who came through Abraham, Judah, and David would be King.

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. - Genesis 49:10
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth. - Numbers 24:17

Furthermore, God anointed Jesus above His companions. His companions are the angels. The anointing referred to is the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which occurred at His baptism.

You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him - Acts 10:38

The Humanity of Christ: Part 14 - The Hypostatic Union, Proofs Three and Four

12/9/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Humanity Of Christ: Part 14 - The Hypostatic Union, Proofs Three And Four

Paul provides seven proofs that Christ is both God and man from the Old Testament, in Hebrews 1:5-14.

The first proof is from Psalm 2:7. It establishes that Christ in the flesh is the Second Person of the Godhead seated at the Father’s right hand. The second proof is from 2 Samuel 7:14. It establishes that Christ in the flesh is both the Son of God and the Heir of David, who will reign.

The third proof is from Psalm 97:7 — “And let all the angels of God worship Him.” The text is prophetic of the Son at the Second Coming. Jesus will return in the same manner in which He departed — in human flesh.

This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven. - Acts 1:11

When Jesus returns, He will come in judgment, and the angels will worship Him. That angels worship Christ at His return demonstrates that He is still divine.

The fourth proof is from Psalm 104:4 — “Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers a flame of fire.” The terms winds and fire are metaphors for angels. The term ministers (leitourgós) refers to one who works in the service of a deity. It is a term that depicts religious service or devotion. That Christ makes these angels and ministers indicates that He created them. Hence, angels are servants, whereas Jesus is Lord. Angels continue to serve Christ, even in Him humanity, demonstrating that He is still divine.

The Humanity of Christ: Part 13 - The Hypostatic Union, Proof Two

12/5/2020

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Humanity Of Christ: Part 13 - The Hypostatic Union, Proof Two

Christ is one hundred percent God while also one hundred percent human. Paul provides seven proofs from the Old Testament, in Hebrews 1:5-14, that demonstrate that the Christ maintained His divine nature while also having a human nature.

The first proof is from Psalm 2:7 —“You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” It establishes that Christ in the flesh is the Second Person of the Godhead seated at the Father’s right hand.

The second proof is from 2 Samuel 7:14 — “I will be a Father to Him And He shall be a Son to Me.” This quote comes from the Davidic Covenant made between God and David, which establishes an heir that will reign from David’s throne forever. Thus, Paul uses this quote to establish Jesus, the Son of God as the Heir of David, who will reign (Isaiah 9:6-7).

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. - Isaiah 9:6-7

Additionally, the titles of Father and Son establish the relationship between the First and Second Person in the Godhead. These two titles reveal the unique relationship that exists between them. No angel has ever enjoyed such a relationship as the one between the Father or the Son.