6. Incarnation Flashcards
What is incarnation?
The Christian belief that God came to Earth in human form as Jesus.
Key ideas about the incarnation
- The empathy that Jesus has with humans helps Christians feel closer to God
- Jesus experienced the stresses of being human-good,bad,hunger,fear,suffering
- Jesus was fully human and fully God
- God loves humans, so he was ready to share in humanity fully
Why did God need to send his son?
Throught the Old Testament, God promised to send the Jews a ‘Messiah’.
What was the annunciation?
The announcement to Mary that she will be the mother of Jesus - the Son of God.
What parts of the Bible tell the stories of the incarnation being announced?
Luke 1:26-38
Matthew 1:18-24
What happens in Luke’s account?
This account focuses on Mary’s role in the incarnation and tells of when Gabriel visited Mary and tells her that she will conceive and give birth to a son named Jesus, who will be the Son of God. She is told that he will be conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. God gives Mary the choice of being Jesus’ mother, because free will of humans is important to God. Mary is confused and hesistates but gives her consent. Gabriel’s message is for all Jews, as his birth fulfills God’s promises to them, and Jesus is fully human and fully God.
Quote for Mary consenting to be Jesus’ mother in Luke’s account?
‘let it be with me according to your word’
Quote about Jesus’ future from Luke’s account?
“He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High” Luke 1:32
What happens in Matthew’s account?
Focuses on Joesph’s part in the incarnation. It tells of how Joseph planned to break up with Mary because she was pregnant before they were married. An angel visited Joseph in a dream and told him that it was right to marry Mary, because her child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. The angel confirms that Jesus is being sent to Earth by God to save humanity from its sins. The angel also calls Jesus by the name ‘Emmanuel’. This is a Jewish name meaning ‘God is with us’ which confirms that Jesus is the Son of God.
What does the name Jesus mean?
God saves
Quote about Jesus from Matthew?
‘….for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit..he will save his people from their sins’
Matthew 1:20b-21
Similarities between Luke’s and Matthew’s accounts?
- Both feature an angel
- Both show full consent being given
- In both Jesus is talked of as the Son of God
- Mary is a virgin in both
- Angel announces his birth in both
- Jesus was conceived by the power of God
- God worked through humans to bring about his plan for humanity
Differences between Luke’s and Matthew’s accounts?
Angel in real life in Luke’s but in dream in Matthew’s
Mary told in Luke’s but Joseph told in Matthew’s
Jesus also reffered to as Emmanuel in Matthew’s
Mary intially questioned role but Joseph didn’t
What is the Trinity?
The unified form of the three persons that make up God.
Who is the Son of God?
The 2nd person of the Trinity, also reffered to as the Word of God. The Word became human in the form of Jesus, and is sometimes called ‘the Word of God made flesh’.
What does John 1:1-4 teach us about the nature of the Word of God?
The Word of God is eternal.
The Word of God is God and is God’s self-expression and ‘voice’ through humans.
The Word of God is also distinct from God, although they are united and co-exist. The Word of God is how God expresses his power, live and guidance to the people.
Quote for the Word of God is eternal?
‘In the beginning was the Word’
Quote for the Word of God is God?
‘the Word was God’
Quote for the Word of God is distinct from God?
‘the Word was with God’
Quote for the Word of God is how God expresses his power and love?
‘What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people’
What is ‘grace’ and how does it link to Jesus?
It means ‘free gift’ and Jesus is God’ free gift to humans and is an expression of God’s love for humanity.
What does the quote, ‘And the Word became flesh and lived among us’ confirm?
The Word has always existed but took on human form and nature to live on Earth as Jesus.
Why do Christians’ belive that Jesus was fully human?
Because he lived a complete human life filled with human experiences and emotions.
Info about the title ‘the Son of Man’
Emphasises Jesus’ human nature
Jesus used this phrase when he talked about the suffering he would have to endure during his crucifixion.
Why do Christians believe that Jesus was the Son of God?
Because he was fully God.
Quote of when Jewis confirms to the Jewish High Priest that he is the Son of God?
‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One’
‘I am’
When does Jesus refer to both his humanity, and his divinity?
‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power’ Mark 14:62
Two meanings of ‘Son of Man’?
- General title for a normal human being
- A title for someone who has been given power and authority by God
What is a symbol for Christians?
A simple design that represents something more complex. Christians value them as a simole way of expressing deep religious beliefs.
What does Ichthus literally mean?
The Greek word ichthus means ‘fish’. Christians also use this as an acronym, where the letters represent Greek words that make up the phrase, ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour’.
When was the Ichthus symbol used?
In the early days of Christianity, it was used as a delcaration of their faith as it showed that they belived Jesus was the Son of God and the Saviour. This was a time when Christians could be persecuted for their faith. It could be quickly drawn and erased to show they were Christians or to indicate where Christian meetings were being held.
What does the ‘Alpha and Omega’ symbol mean?
Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This shows that God and Jesus are involved in everything from beginning to end.
When is or has the Alpha and Omega symbol been used?
Have been used in Christianity since at least the first century and are reffered to in the Book of Revelation.
The symbols are used in churches, vestments, and Christian art. They have a special place on the Paschal candle (the candle lit at the Easter Vigil to represent the Risen Christ).
What does the Chi-Rho symbol mean?
It is a monogram formed from the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ, when written in capitals. The symbol is a reminder of the death of Jesus. It has great power to inspire Christians because it reminds Christians that Jesus was sent by God to save humanity through his death.