BC 5.3

5.3. The Incarnation

So then we confess that God fulfilled the promise made to the early fathers and mothers by the mouth of the holy prophets when he sent the only and eternal Son of God into the world at the time appointed. The Son took the "form of a slave" and was made in "human form," (Phil. 2:7) truly assuming a real human nature, with all its weaknesses, except for sin; being conceived in the womb of the blessed virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, without male participation. And Christ not only assumed human nature as far as the body is concerned but also a real human soul, in order to be a real human being. For since the soul had been lost as well as the body, Christ had to assume them both to save them both together. Therefore we confess (against the heresy of the Anabaptists who deny that Christ assumed human flesh from his mother) that Christ shared the very flesh and blood of children; (Heb. 2:14) being the fruit of the loins of David according to the flesh, (Acts 2:30) descended from David according to the flesh; (Rom. 1:3) the fruit of the womb of the virgin Mary; (Luke 1:42) born of a woman; (Gal. 4:4) the seed of David; (2 Tim. 2:8) the root of Jesse; (Rom. 15:12) descended from Judah, (Heb. 7:14) having descended from the Jews according to the flesh; descended from Abraham- having assumed descent from Abraham and Sarah, and was made like his brothers and sisters, yet without sin. (Heb. 2:17, Heb 4:15) In this way Christ is truly our Immanuel- that is: "God with us." (Matt. 1:23)

Proof texts

• Phil. 2:7 — [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
• 1 Tim. 2:5 — [5] For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
• 1 Tim. 3:16 — [16] Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
• Heb. 2:14 — [14] Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
• Acts 2:30 — [30] Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,
• Rom. 1:3 — [3] concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh
• Luke 1:42 — [42] and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
• Gal. 4:4 — [4] But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
• Jer. 33:15 — [15] In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
• Isa. 11:1 — [1] There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
• Heb. 7:14 — [14] For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
• Rom. 9:5 — [5] To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
• Matt. 1:23 — [23] “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
• Gen. 26:4 — [4] I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,
• 2 Sam. 7:12-16 — [12] When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. [13] He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. [14] I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, [15] but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. [16] And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”
• Ps. 132:11 — [11] The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: “One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.
• Luke 1:55 — [55] as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
• Acts 13:23 — [23] Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.
• 2 Cor. 5:21 — [21] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
• Heb. 7:26 — [26] For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
• 1 Pet. 2:22 — [22] He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
• Matt. 1:18 — [18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
• Luke 1:35 — [35] And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy — the Son of God.
• Gal. 3:16 — [16] Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
• Heb. 2:16-17 — [16] For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. [17] Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
• Heb. 4:15 — [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Phil. 2:7 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 26 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. HC Q29 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

HC Q29