Part 1 · Belief 4 — The Doctrine of God
The Son
What we believe
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly human, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God's power and was attested as God's promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to heaven to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things.
Draft lesson — pending pastoral review. This guided lesson is being prepared and has not yet been approved. Study it prayerfully alongside the Scriptures, and check back as it is finalized.
Everything in this study comes to a point in one Person: Jesus Christ. He is not merely the best teacher who ever lived or a good man we admire from a distance. The Bible makes a breathtaking claim — that the eternal God, without ceasing to be God, became one of us. He had a mother. He grew tired and hungry. He wept at a grave. And He did it all to reach you. If you remember nothing else from this whole journey, remember this: God came near, and His name is Jesus.
Truly God
John opens his Gospel with no slow build-up: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:1, 14). Jesus is the eternal Son, through whom "all things were made" (John 1:3). He could say, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30), and "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). This is why we worship Him — not as a great prophet, but as God Himself come to us.
Truly human
Without ever ceasing to be God, the Son became fully human. He was born of Mary, grew up in an ordinary town, and worked with His hands. He was "tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). Because He became one of us, He understands you from the inside — your tiredness, your sorrow, your struggle. "We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses" (Hebrews 4:15). When you pray, you are heard by Someone who has walked your road.
He died and rose for you
Why did God become man? To take your place. "Christ died for our sins... he was buried... he was raised on the third day" (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4). On the cross, the One who never sinned bore the weight of every sin — yours included — so you could go free. And three days later, the grave could not hold Him: He rose, alive forever. His resurrection is God's receipt that the debt is fully paid. The same Jesus is coming again — and everything in this study is leading you to meet Him.
Search the Scriptures
Isa. 53:4-6; Dan. 9:25-27; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; 10:30; 14:1-3, 9, 13; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17-19; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 2:9-18; 8:1, 2.
Reflect
Read slowly through one chapter that shows Jesus in action — Mark 1, or Luke 15, or John 11. As you read, ask just one question: "What is He like?" Watch how He treats the sick, the ashamed, the grieving. That is exactly how He feels toward you. This week, talk to Him as a real and living Person — because He is.
Check your understanding
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