WLC 37

Q37. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

Christ the Son of God became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance, and born of her, yet without sin.

Proof texts

• John 1:14 — [14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
• Matt. 26:38 — [38] Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”
• Luke 1:27,31,35,42 — [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. [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. [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,
• 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.
• 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.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited John 1:14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q21 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. HC Q29 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q21 · HC Q29 · HC Q37 · BC 5.2 · BC 5.3 · BC 5.4 · BC 5.5 · BC 5.6 · CD 2.1 · 1689 8.1