Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 96:381 (Jan 1939)
Article: The Seven-fold Purpose of the Incarnation
Author: Howard C. Zabriskie

BSac 96:381 (Jan 39) p. 71

The Seven-fold Purpose of the Incarnation

Howard C. Zabriskie

Introduction

There is no truth more clearly attested by Scripture than the fact of the Incarnation. Many have tried in vain to disprove this cardinal doctrine. Volumes have been written to show that Christ Jesus was not the Son of God, but one after another of these writings has passed into oblivion. If this doctrine should be proved false, all the hopes of Christendom would instantly crumble into dust, for the Incarnation of Christ is one of those pillars without which the Christian faith could not stand.

There are many passages of Scripture that give obvious testimony to the fact that Christ although being God became man. While all Scriptures that touch on this subject cannot be examined, a few should be noticed in passing. Perhaps one of the most important portions of Scripture dealing with this truth is found in the opening chapter of John’s Gospel. There we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. And the Word was made [became] flesh, and dwelt among us...” (John 1:1, 2, 14).

The word λόγος has a variety of meanings in the Greek, but here it manifestly speaks of a person. Verse 3 removes all doubt that such is the case, for no inanimate object could be correctly called the Creator of all things. John declares that this λόγος was the agent of creation. He who was with God and at the same time was God became flesh. One could not hope for a clearer declaration of the fact of the Incarnation.

BSac 96:381 (Jan 39) p. 72

Another portion of the Word which pictures this truth with equal vividness is Philippians 2:5–7. Paul says in verses 6 and 7 of this passage: “Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”

Here again one finds that the Scripture emphatically states that Christ was in the form of God and was equal with God, but that He became like a man. Other passages, such as Galatians 4:4, and Romans 1:3–4, could also be dealt with profitably, but these will suffice to show that the Bible leaves no doubt as t...