God in the Flesh (Incarnation): Difference between revisions

'''God’s coming in the flesh [Incarnation]''' is the essence of Christianity.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Incarnation-Jesus-Christ |title=Incarnation |website=Britannica  |publisher=|date= |year= |author= |page= |series= |isbn= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://watv.org/bible_word/incarnation-of-god/ |title=Christianity Is a Religion That Believes in Incarnation of God |website=WATV.org |publisher=  |date= |year= |author= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> Two thousand years ago, the early Church believed in [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]], and now Christians, who are more than 30% of the world's population,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://research.lifeway.com/2022/01/31/7-encouraging-trends-of-global-christianity-in-2022/ |title=7 Encouraging Trends of Global Christianity in 2022 |website=Lifeway Research |publisher=  |date=January 31, 2022 |year= |author= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote=}}</ref> believe in Him as God who came in the flesh.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=1+Timothy+2%3A5&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=1 Timothy 2:5 |publisher= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Romans+9%3A5&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Romans 9:5 |publisher= }}</ref> The reason the early Church believed in Jesus as the Savior was that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Bible concerning Christ. The Bible also prophesies that Christ will come again in human form for the salvation of mankind.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Hebrews+9%3A28&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Hebrews 9:28 |publisher= }}</ref> The prophecy about [[Second Coming Jesus (Second Coming Christ)|Second Coming Christ]] [[Ahnsahnghong]], whom [[World Mission Society Church of God|the Church of God]] believes in, is also clearly recorded in the Bible just like His first coming.

[https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?docId=2379462&cid=50762&categoryId=51369 Christianity] is a religion based on faith in God who came as a man. The word ''[https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?docId=2375073&cid=50762&categoryId=51365 Christ]'' is a transliteration of the Greek word ''Χριστός (Christos)'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://biblehub.com/greek/5547.htm|title=Christos |website=Biblehub |publisher=  |date= |year= |author= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote=}}</ref> which means the ''[https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?docId=1200241&cid=40942&categoryId=31534 anointed] one''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jesus |title=Jesus |website=Britannica |publisher=  |date= |year= |author= |page= |series= |isbn= }}</ref><ref>{{인용 |url= |title=Christian History |website= |publisher= Wiley-Blackwell |date=March 4, 2013|year=|author=Alister McGrath |page= |series=1st edition |isbn= |quote=}}</ref> The Bible records many prophecies about God the Savior who comes as a man. One of them is the prophecy written by the prophet Isaiah. Around 700 B.C., Isaiah prophesied that God Almighty would be born as a child, meaning as a person.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Isaiah+9%3A6&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Isaiah 9:6 |publisher= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Isaiah+7%3A14&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Isaiah 7:14 |publisher= }}</ref> This prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus, who is the center of Christian faith.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity |title=Christianity |website=Britannica |publisher=  |date= |year= |author= |page= |series= |isbn= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url= |title=Unbroken Cord: Israel and the Church |website=WestBow Press |publisher=  |date=August 23, 2016 |year= |author= D. H. Withers |page= |series= |isbn= |quote=}}</ref>

{{quote5 |내용= '''The LORD''' appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw '''three men''' standing nearby. |출처= [https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Genesis+18%3A1-2&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 Genesis 18:1–2]}}

{{quote5 |내용= This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. . . . ”She will give birth to '''a son''', and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”|출처= [https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+1%3A18-21&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 Matthew 1:18–21]}}

{{quote5 |내용= He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and '''like a root out of dry ground'''. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, '''nothing in his appearance that we should desire him'''. |출처= [https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Isaiah+53%3A2&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 Isaiah 53:2]}}

Although Jesus is God Almighty in nature, He came as a man and His appearance was not different from ordinary people. Physically, He was the son of Joseph and Mary,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+6%3A42&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=John 6:42 |publisher= }}</ref> and his occupation was a carpenter. Also, Jesus ate food when he became hungry, and sat down and rested for a while when he got tired after a long trip. Thus, what He ate, dressed, or his daily routine were nothing special.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Luke+24%3A24-43&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Luke 24:24–43 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+4%3A6&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=John 4:6 |publisher= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url= |title=6. Christology 1: The Person of Christ, The Theology of B. B. Warfield: A Systematic Summary |website= |publisher= Crossway |date=September 2, 2010 |year= |author=Fred G. Zaspel |page= |series=0 edition |isbn=|quote=}}</ref> Today, people believe in Christ, seeing the holy images and paintings that depicted Him. However, 2,000 years ago, Jesus was rejected by the Jews because He looked like an ordinary man.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Mark+6%3A3&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Mark 6:3 |publisher= }}</ref> The Jews did not accept Jesus as their Savior because Jesus ate without washing His hands or He was with tax collectors and prostitutes, who were looked down on in their society.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Luke+11%3A38&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Luke 11:38 |publisher= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+11%3A18-19&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 11:18–19 |publisher= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Luke+15%3A1-2&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Luke 15:1–2 |publisher= }}</ref>

Apostle Paul, who is considered a [https://www.britannica.com/topic/saint holy saint] by Christians today, was called a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 2,000 years ago.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+24%3A5&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 24:5 |publisher= }}</ref> It was because he believed in Christ who came as a man. Not only Paul, but also the apostles such as John, Peter, and Philip, and the saints of the early Church, kept their faith in Jesus even though they were persecuted.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+15%3A20-21&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=John 15:20–21 |publisher= }}</ref> Apostle John, who was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, wrote in the Bible that God, who was from the beginning, came in the flesh and made His dwelling among people. Apostle Paul said that Jesus appeared as a man, but that He was in very nature God.

{{quote5 |내용= In the beginning was the Word, and '''the Word''' was with God, and the Word was God. . . . The '''Word''' became '''flesh''' and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. |출처= [https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+1%3A1%2C14&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 John 1:1,14]}}

{{quote5 |내용= Who, '''being in very nature God''', did not consider equality with God something to be grasped... And being found '''in appearance as a man''', he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! |출처= [https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Phillipians+2%3A5-8&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 Phillipians 2:5–8]}}

The apostles accepted Jesus as their Savior because they believed that Jesus was the Savior who fulfilled the prophecies of the Bible. In the Old Testament, there are prophecies about God coming as a man hundreds of years before Jesus was born. The prophecies are as follows: The Savior would be conceived in the body of a virgin;<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Isaiah+7%3A14&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Isaiah 7:14 |publisher= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+1%3A18-23&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 1:18–23 |publisher= }}</ref> the One whose origins are from of old, meaning God, would be born in Bethlehem;<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Micah+5%3A2&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Micah 5:2 |publisher= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+2%3A1-6&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 2:1–6 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> and the King of Israel, or the King of Zion (God) would come to [[Jerusalem]] by riding a donkey.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Zechariah+9%3A9&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Zechariah 9:9 |publisher= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+21%3A2-11&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 21:2–11 |publisher= }}</ref> In the Bible, Jesus is called ''[https://www.gominno.com/parents/who-is-emmanuel/ Immanuel]''. It means God came in the flesh to save His people and be with them.<ref>Chapter 12 About the Trinity, ''THE MYSTERY OF GOD AND THE SPRING OF THE WATER OF LIFE Melchizedek Pub. Co., Ltd'', Ahnsahnghong, pg. 86</ref> According to this prophecy, Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies of the Bible as He was born in the form of a man, lived a life for the salvation of mankind, and died on the cross.

The fundamental reason God came in the flesh is to save all mankind.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+3%3A16&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=John 3:16 |publisher= }}</ref> In the Bible, it is written that the wages of sin is death, but that the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Romans+6%3A23&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Romans 6:23 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> There is no way for sinners to pay the wages for their sins, which is death, on their own. Therefore, only God, who is free from sins,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=1+John+3%3A5&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=1 John 3:5 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> carried mankind’s sins and died on the cross instead, so that mankind could be atoned. The day before Jesus died on the cross, He established the [[Passover|Passover of the new covenant]] with bread and wine representing His flesh and blood, and granted us the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. The next day, He fulfilled the covenant that He promised through the Passover by enduring the sacrifice of His flesh being torn on the cross and His blood being shed.</br>

In the Old Testament, the [[book of Micah]] prophesied that God would teach us the way of truth in the last days.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Micah+4%3A1-2&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Micah 4:1–2 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> In other words, Jesus will come a second time and tell us the truth, which will lead us to salvation. The truth that Jesus established for salvation is the New Covenant Passover. However, in A.D. 325, after the early Church era, the New Covenant Passover was abolished at the [[Council of Nicaea]]. The way to salvation, which Jesus opened at His first coming, disappeared. Therefore, Christ is to come a second time to restore the truth of life and save mankind.

{{quote5 |내용= Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear '''a second time''', not to bear sin, but to bring '''salvation''' to those who are waiting for him |출처= [https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Hebrews+9%3A28&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 Hebrews 9:28]}}

The way to recognize Christ who comes again in the form of a man can be found in the history of the early Church. At that time, the religious leaders who saw the physical aspects of Jesus rejected Him, the Savior, but the apostles and the saints, who saw the prophecy and fulfillment of the Bible, received the Savior. In this age, the Bible is the only way to recognize Second Coming Christ because the Bible is the only book that testifies about the Savior.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+5%3A39&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=John 5:39 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> At His first coming, Jesus testified about Himself as Savior through the Bible. When [[John the Baptist]] asked, “Are you the One who is to come?” Jesus told the prophecies of the Bible.<ref>Chapter 4 “Are You the One Who Was to Come?”, ''God the Father and God the Mother Melchizedek Pub. Co., Ltd'', Kim Joo-Cheol, pg. 36</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+11%3A2-5&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 11:2–5 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> Moreover, when the disciples who were on their way to Emmaus did not recognize Him, Jesus testified about Himself through the Bible.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Luke+24%3A27&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Luke 24:27 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> The Bible prophesies when, in what form, and with what sign Christ will come again. The most important sign concerning His second coming is the Passover of the new covenant. The prophet Isaiah prophesied that in the future, God would hold a banquet with the aged wine, and that He would swallow up death forever.  

{{quote5 |내용= On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of '''aged wine'''—the best of meats and the finest of wines. . . . '''he will swallow up death forever'''. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; |출처= [https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Isaiah+25%3A6-9&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 Isaiah 25:6–9]}}