How can Jesus be both all God and all man? Does the Church of God (Seventh Day) teach this?
First, it is important to understand that as divine, God exceeds our ability to grasp all that He is. Thus, it is imperative we receive in humility whatever God reveals of Himself to us. The mysteries of God are still true regardless of whether humanity understands them. However, on this topic of the nature of Jesus Christ, the Bible’s revelation is clear. The “how” may not be as easily grasped, but the truth of God’s Word remains.
Taking the last question first, yes, the Church of God (Seventh Day) teaches Jesus is both divine and human. From our Statement of Faith #2: “From eternity, the Son was with the Father, shared the Father’s glory as the pre-incarnate Word, and with Him created and sustains all things. Jesus the Christ (Messiah) was born of the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, thus uniting two natures — human and divine.”
In discussing your first question, we realize Jesus of Nazareth did not become both God and man by His divinity being turned into flesh. Rather, His divine nature took on the nature of created humanity. As such, in understanding that the divine Son added to Himself all the attributes of a human, the unity of His being and person was retained, now as both God and man.
As an illustration, there exists the rational nature of a person and the uniqueness of their fleshly body. Each is fully relevant, yet both are contained in a unity as one being. For some, this exercise is futile, rightfully insisting on “what sayeth the Word of God.” A brief look into the Word of God reveals that, yes, the Bible also teaches Jesus walked on this earth as both fully God and fully man.
Scripture declares Jesus is truly God (John 20:28; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8) and truly human (Romans 1:2-4; 1 John 4:2, 3). John 1:1, 14 reveals this union, or Incarnation, best: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
Further, Jesus claimed the divine name “I Am” (John 8:58). He understood Himself to be fully God. To validate His divinity for humanity, Jesus did things only God can do (Mark 2:1-12; Luke 7:48-50). But Jesus also displayed the weaknesses and vulnerabilities possible only to one who is fully man (Luke 19:41; John 19:28; cf Philippians 2:5-11).
Understanding Jesus as both God and man is of fundamental importance for a valid Christology. Apostle Paul states that affirming the divinity of Jesus is required to be saved (Romans 10:9). And the apostle John emphatically warns that those who deny Christ’s true humanity are promoting the doctrine of antichrist (2 John 1:7).
The apostles understood and declared Jesus as fully God and fully man. With the Word of God as the authority for God’s revelation to us and the foundation of the apostles as the basis of the church, we do well to receive the clearest revelation the Bible offers us without trying to make it “fit” the confines of human understanding, thus compromising the mystery of who God is.
More on this doctrine may be found in This We Believe, available through the Bible Advocate Press (cog7.org/books/).
— Elder Chip Hinds
