Incarnation Flashcards
The incarnation
Means “made flesh”. God takes on human form
The meaning of the incarnation
Jesus was fully human and fully God
He experienced human life- God knows it’s difficulties
God’s love helps Christians feel closer to him
God shared in humanity fully
Emmanuel
A jewish name meaning God is with us.
Features of Luke’s annunciation
The focus is on Mary’s role
Mary has a choice (free will)
Gabriel’s message is for all believers
Luke’s annunciation summary
Tells the story of how Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel who told her Jesus’ll be concieved through the power of the Holy Spirit
Quote from Luke’s annunciation
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High”
Luke 1:32
Matthew’s annunciation features
Focus is on Joseph’s role
Jesus is sent to Earth by God to save humans
named “Emmanuel” - confirms Jesus’ll be the son of God
Summary of Matthew’s annunciation
Joseph planned to divorce Mary but an angel visits him in a dream and tells him Mary’s child was concieved by the Holy Spirit
Quote from Matthew’s annunciation
“For the child concieved in her is from the Holy Spirit…he will save people from their sins”
Matthew 1:20-21
Similarities between Luke and Matthew’s annunciation stories
God works through human beings to carry out his plans for them
Mary was a virgin
Jesus was conceived by the holy spirit
An angel annonced Jesus’ birth
(God) Father
Monotheist, judge, creator and source of all things.
We serve him through prayer and love
He brings us life
(God) Holy Spirit
Power in the world today
Helps people to pray
Represented by a dove
Is a witness
Always present
(God) Son
God in human form
Light of the world
Helps connect us with God
Helps deliver the word of God
We pray to God in Jesus’ name
Joins us with other believers
The word of God
The Word (Jesus) is:
-eternal
-God’s self expression
-giver of life, light and guidance
-united with God yet distinct from him
“The word was God, and the word was with God…and the word became flesh.”
Son of man
Emphasises Jesus’ fully human side
Jesus began teaching that the son of man must undergo great sufferring (Mark 8:31)
The Son of God
When on trial in Jewish court for blasphemy he is asked if he is the messiah, son of God, blessed one and he replies “I am” (Mark 14)
Shows that he is fully God
He limited himself to the human condition while on Earth
(Teachings of John’s Gospel) “In the beginning was the word”
The word existed before all things. Other gospels only show when the word was a human. But this shows it existed before everything else
(Teachings of John’s gospel) “The word was God”
A word is an expression of one’s thoughts and Jesus is an expression of God
(Teachings of John’s gospel) “The word was with God”
Suggests there is a distinction between God and the word.
The word is the expression of God’s power
(Teachings of John’s gspel) “ The word became flesh”
Statement of the incarnation.
The word is a part of God which took on human nature and became a full human being
(Teachings of John’s gospel) The word as an expression of love
Jesus is God’s gift to humans and helps us learn how to respond to God’s love.
Jesus’ teachings were an offer we could accept or reject.
Christians believe following God is a choice
Ichthus
A greek word meaning fish. Whoever recognised the sign of the fish believed in “Jesus Christ, the son of God and saviour”. Used by Christians being ruled by romans and jews because it was easy to draw and only recognised by christians
Letters of Ichthus
I- Iesous (Jesus)
Ch- Christos (Christ)
Th- Theou (of God)
U- Uios (son)
S- Soter (savior)
Alpha and Omega
First and last letters of the greek alphabet. Jesus and God are involved in everything from begining until end. Used to refer to them in the book of Revelations. Used in Churches, vestements and drawings and the Paschal Candle (the candle used at Easter to show the risen Christ)
Chi-Rho (looks like an x on top of a p)
Forms first letters in the greek word for christ. It is an affirmation that Jesus is the messiah and the annointed one of God who was sent to save the world
Why would Christian symbols still be used today
Christians are still persecuted in places like North Korea, Somalia, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan