Conceived by the Spirit and Born of the Virgin – John 1:1-18
Jesus is God in the flesh, a doctrine known as the incarnation. As the Apostle John points out the Creator joins His creation and demonstrates what it means to be human. Jesus teaches us how to delight in the goodness of the creation he calls good.
Summary of the Apostles’ Creed.
The Apostle’s Creed is a summary of the Christian faith that depicts the full story of scripture. The Apostle’s Creed contains one of the most concise summaries of the Christian faith in straightforward scriptural language. It follows the narrative arch of scripture from creation to incarnation, crucifixion to resurrection, and Pentecost to life everlasting.
The Apostle’s Creed reminds us that our story and church are rooted in an ancient faith. There is no singular author by which this creed can be traced, rather it is the work of the Western Catholic Church. Though, it seems to have grown out of Peter’s confession in Matthew 16:16. Its origin is as a baptismal confession, those that are laying down their life to join Christ in his death and resurrection (Romans 6:4) confess this as their new reality and guiding story.
The Apostle’s Creed is not simply a routine repetition of doctrine but rather our pledge of allegiance to one God– Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is not a routine repetition of doctrine. It is a liturgical poem meant to move our heart as a pledge of allegiance to the triune God revealed in the person of Christ.
The fragile, messy human life of Jesus shows us God is personal and cares about the most mundane things in our life as well as our most significant moments.
Bible Study Note: Pay attention to literary style! It helps us understand what the author is trying to communicate.
The incarnation makes it possible to know God in ways never before possible.
“In God’s Incarnation, in the human Jesus of Nazareth, the Absolute became relative, the Almighty a baby, the Ancient of Days nowadays, the divine-human, the eternal temporal, the immortal mortal, the infinite finite.” - Dale Bruner
In order to understand the incarnation of Christ & the virgin birth, one must understand the beginning of creation & Israel’s history as told in the holy scriptures.
Jesus shows us a new way to be human.
The life of Jesus is our road map, not just on how to act but how to live life to the fullness of God’s intent!
It’s not a question of seeing God, but of seeing with God.
To be human is to be connected to reality and appreciate it.
Spiritual Practice: Slow down & find the beauty in the mundane, connect to reality & appreciate it.