Jesus Christ (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

Beliefs & teachings about Jesus' incarnation

What is incarnation?

• The word incarnation means “becoming flesh” 

• It is used to describe the Christian belief that God took human form as Jesus and lived and died in the world

• The belief that Jesus is God in human form is hugely significant

  • The birth of Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Christ coming to earth as the Saviour who was promised by God

  • Jesus as “the Son” is part of the the Trinity, which is the idea that God is present in three forms (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit)

The nature and importance of Jesus Christ

• For Christians, the incarnation shows that Jesus was fully God (divine) and fully human

• This is very important for a number of reasons

  • If God was human, then he understands what it means to be human and can experience human feelings such as suffering and love

  • If God was divine, it means that he is the all-powerful creator of everything and is worthy of praise and worship

• There are many biblical quotes that show Christians that Jesus should be viewed as human

  • Jesus had a human body (Luke 24:39)

  • Jesus was born to a human mother, Mary, as a normal baby (Luke 2:7)

  • Jesus got tired (John 4:6), hungry (Matthew 4:2) and thirsty (John 19:28)

  • He prayed to God (John 17)

  • He showed human emotions such as amazement (Matthew 8: 10) and sorrow (John 11:35)

  • Jesus died (Romans 5:8)

• There are also many quotes that demonstrate to Christians that Jesus was divine

  • Jesus was resurrected after death (Mark 16:1–20)

  • Jesus was omnipotent (Matthew 28:18)

  • Jesus was omniscient (John 21:17)

  • People worshipped and prayed to Jesus (Matthew 2:11)

  • Jesus performed miracles, such as turning water into wine (John 2:1–11)

  • Jesus forgave sins (Mark 2:5–7)

What does the Bible say about incarnation?

• When Jesus was born, God became present on earth as a human and as the second part of the Trinity — the Son

  • This is referred to as the incarnation of Jesus, as it was when God took on human form, becoming fully God and fully human at the same time

• The Bible contains passages that support the Christian view that Jesus was God in human form

• The idea of Jesus being God incarnate begins with the birth of Jesus

• In the Bible, the Virgin Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel who told her:

  • That she was to have a son 

  • He would be named Jesus 

  • He would be a divine baby

• The gospels teach that Jesus had a human birth, the story of which is referred to as the nativity

• Many Christians celebrate Christmas to remember that God the Son was born in the person of Jesus

• The events of Jesus’s life are central to the Christian faith and are what many of the Church’s teachings are built upon

• Four key events of Jesus’s life offer proof and evidence of him as God incarnate and fulfil the prophecies of the Old Testament

  • The birth of Jesus

  • His crucifixion and death

  • His resurrection

  • His ascension