Understanding The Bible
STUDY REFERENCE
Clarence E. Mason's "Christology"
PART-3: THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST

BY THE AUTHOR
Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
1970

  1. THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST (Chafer, Vol. 5, pp. 39-52)
    Chafer, p. 42: "No human mind can ever grasp the significance of the occurrence and consequence of the incarnation. That a Person of the Godhead should become one of the human family--the sphere of His own creation--with a view to remain­ing in that form, though glorified, throughout eternity, must continue an insoluble mystery to the creatures of this world."

    1. Old Testament anticipation

      1. Types
        Acacia wood - Christ's humanity (Ex. 26:15; Isa. 53:2) Veil of tabernacle - Christ's body (Ex. 26:31; Mt. 26:26; 27:50; Heb. 10:20).

      2. Prophecies
        Isa. 7:14; 9:6; 11:1; Mic. 5:2-3

    2. The birth
      Must have His own identified human spirit, soul, and body. Otherwise there would ever be the question regarding the genuineness and per­manency of His humanity. Therefore the process must be more than possessing or appropriating some existing human being. This would be simply an indwelling. (Chafer, pp. 47-50; Bancroft, pp. 50-53)

    3. The fact of the virgin birth (Mt. 1:18-25; Lk. 1:26-35)
      The belief arose from the fact. Commonly it is urged that His virgin birth proves His deity. The opposite is true. How else could God unite Himself with the human family but uniquely? His deity demands and gives credence to His virgin birth.

    4. The meaning of the fact

      1. The historical reality of His person

      2. His deity (Jn. 1:1)

      3. His sinlessness--the hope of humanity (Jn. 18:38*; Mt. 27:19,24)
        (*Note: Dr. Mason's original notes listed Jn. 8:48 as the above reference, which has been corrected by the editor)

 

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