The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man’s nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin; so that two whole and perfect natures—that is to say, the Godhead and manhood—were joined together in one person; never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God and very man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men.

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As the WORD of God incarnate, Jesus is, and has always been, the “Face of God”. He reveals to us the fullness of who God is and represents Him to creation. His life and ministry are one of the most well-documented and established facts of ancient history. 

Only Jesus, being fully Divine and fully Human, could reconcile lost Humanity with God through His self-limiting incarnation, crucifixion, death, bodily resurrection, and ascension into heaven, where He is seated at the Father's right hand. This is why He is called the Messiah or Christ, literally “the Anointed One”, because there is only one God and Savior. There is only one way to Him, Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

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Reflect on the following Biblical texts. What are your thoughts on the way they reveal this doctrine to us? Discuss your answers with your pastor/group leader.

Psalm 2:1-12

Isaiah 9:1-7 (cf. Isaiah 43:1-11) 

Matthew 1:1-2:23 / Luke 1:1-2:40 (cf. 2 Samuel 7:1-17) 

Matthew 26:1-28:20 (cf. Psalm 22:1-31 and Daniel 7:13-14) 

John 1:1-34 (cf. Exodus 33:18-23) / John 3:1-21 / John 14:1-21 / John 17:1-5 / John 20:24-29

Acts 1:1-14 

Romans 5:1-21 (cf. Isaiah 53:1-12) 

Galatians 4:1-7 

Philippians 2:5-11 

Colossians 2:9-15 

Hebrews 1:1-2:18 

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Use the following questions to summarize what you have learned about this Article of Faith. Discuss your answers with your pastor/group leader. (*Adapted from Wesley’s Catechism questions 18-23.)

Why is Jesus called the Christ?

How did the Son of God, being fully God, become fully Human as well? 

For what purpose did God the Son become the incarnate Christ? 

How is God’s justice an expression of His love? 

How does this doctrine affect the practice of our faith? 

Notes: