The Gospel Five

Five Fundamental Truths About Jesus

1. The Incarnation

Incarnation is actually not a Bible word, that is, it does not occur in the Bible. However, while the word itself does not occur, the thought does. Incarnate comes from Latin: in + carnes, in flesh. This thought is most definitely in the Bible:

And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14

The Word was made flesh, became a man. What is he talking about, the Word was made flesh? Who is this Word? He tells us at the very beginning of chapter 1:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
2 The same was in the beginning with God.  
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

This is who is referring to when he says:

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...

and then

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

The Word was made flesh, the only begotten Son of God became a man.

Does the Bible tell us how this happened? Yes! In the first chapter of the first book of the New Testament, the Gospel According to Matthew, we read:

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Luke, in the first chapter of his gospel, gives more detail:

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?  

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 

He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

This was prophesied in the Old Testament by Isaiah the prophet:

7:14 Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given...

This is one of the greatest events in the history of creation! But, Why would God send his Son to earth to become a man?

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son...

The Gospel begins on this note: God loved the world so much that He sent His only begotten Son into the world that He might save sinners; the Son was made flesh that he might rescue those who had wandered far from God.