I Know Who I AM: Understanding Who You Are in Christ

By Dr. Jerome Stokes

In I Know Who I Am, author Jerome Stokes helps you claim the authority provided by the Lord and to demonstrate it in your life. It is written for new converts as well as mature Christians and contains 52 chapters - one for each week of the year. As you study, pray and apply each affirmation, your confidence in God and in yourself will soar.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886854459

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I Know Who I AM

Understanding Who You Are in Christ

Dr. Jerome Stokes

ISBN 979-8-88685-444-2 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88685-445-9 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Dr. Jerome Stokes

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

My special thanks to God; my wife, Marsha;

Tamara Hundley; Michele Heard; and La Tonya Gibson

for their participation in the completion of this effort

Introduction

1

I Am an Amazed Believer

2

I Am an Anointed Vessel

3

I Am a Believer in Christ

4

I Am a Branch of Christ

5

I Am a Bright Future Believer

6

I Am a Chosen Vessel

7

I Am a Contender for the Faith

8

I Am a Covenant Believer

9

I Am a Determined Warrior

10

I Am a Diamond Christian

11

I Am a Disciple of Christ

12

I Am a Ditch Digger

13

I Am a Dominion Believer

14

I Am an Eagle Christian

15

I Am an Enclosed Believer

16

I Am an End-Time Servant

17

I Am an Enduring Believer

18

I Am an Experienced Believer

19

I Am a Fellowship Believer

20

I Am a First Love Believer

21

I Am a Flourishing Believer

22

I Am a Force to Be Reckoned With

23

I Am a Friend of God

24

I Am a Fruitful Believer

25

I Am a Giant Slayer

26

I Am Good Ground

27

I Am a Heaven-Bound Believer

28

I Am a Heavenly Citizen

29

I Am a Hungry and Thirsty Believer

30

I Am an Inspired Believer

31

I Am a Joint-Heir with Christ

32

I Am a Kingdom Finisher

33

I Am a Kingdom Harvester

34

I Am a Kingdom Wrestler

35

I Am a Launching Believer

36

I Am a Liberated Believer

37

I Am a Living Believer

38

I Am a Living Epistle

39

I Am a Magnifier of God

40

I Am a Miracle of God

41

I Am a Prayer Warrior

42

I Am a Privileged Believer

43

I Am a Rapture-Ready Believer

44

I Am a Resurrection Power Believer

45

I Am a Runner in a Race

46

I Am a Spiritually Hot Believer

47

I Am a Team Member

48

I Am a Thankful Believer

49

I Am a Victorious Believer

50

I Am a Wise Builder

51

I Am a Worshipper

52

I Am Who God Says I Am

About the Author

My special thanks to God; my wife, Marsha;

Tamara Hundley; Michele Heard; and La Tonya Gibson

for their participation in the completion of this effort

Introduction

These are challenging times. We live in a society that frowns on the beliefs of Christians, and government legislation is being passed that stands in direct contradiction to the Word of God. Even more troubling is the fact that the lines of distinction between believers and the world are gradually fading.

Many followers of Christ are experiencing an identity crisis. They don't know who or what they are. On Sunday, they are in church praising the Lord, but on Monday, they are playing games in a godless culture.

Research reveals that the number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation has doubled since 1990. And the percentage of self-identified Christians has substantially fallen. God is not dead, but He is certainly less of a force in our national politics and society.

It has become increasingly clear to me that we, as believers, contribute to this sad state of affairs when we do not know who we are in Christ and walk in this knowledge.

Since receiving salvation, it has been my desire to see those who know God's Son claim the authority provided by our Lord and Savior and demonstrate it by our actions. It is vital that we stand up and defend the Gospel. In order to do this, believers must be taught and reminded of our great position in Christ. We cannot mature in a walk we know little or nothing about.

Because of all this, I felt compelled to write this book.

Let me encourage every new convert as well as mature Christians to read these words repeatedly. It contains fifty-two chapters—one for each week of the year. As you study, pray, and apply each affirmation and principle, I believe your confidence in God and in yourself will soar.

When you have finished, go back and study each chapter again. You will be amazed how much you have grown in the Lord. Some may want to start a weekly Bible study in their neighborhood so others will find their identity in Christ.

It is my prayer that after reading this book, you will rejoice and triumphantly declare without a doubt, I know who I am!

1

I Am an Amazed Believer

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth?

Art thou come to destroy us: I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. (Mark 1:21–38)

Some of you, like me, have walked with the Lord for quite a while. You have come to realize, to a degree, the greatness of God. It is His desire that we build quality relationships with Him so we can receive further revelation of His greatness. When we do, we will become increasingly amazed by Him.

To be amazed is to be filled with wonder, or to marvel. It expresses a state in which one does not know what to do, say, or think. We often experience such a reaction to the many miraculous things the Lord does in our lives. Truly, we are blessed to belong to Him and to experience these wondrous blessings.

Jesus impacted those around Him

Jesus was in the process of launching His ministry. He went to Capernaum on the Sabbath and entered into the synagogue with those who accompanied Him. As He began to teach, the people were astonished by His doctrine and the authority with which He taught. They were moved by what He said.

A man with an unclean spirit was in the synagogue, and the unclean spirit cried out, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Hold thy peace, and come out of him.' After the unclean spirit had torn the man, he cried with a loud voice and came out of the man. The people were amazed and wondered what new doctrine it was because, with authority, He commanded the unclean spirits, and they obeyed. This was one act of Christ that caused amazement, but I want to consider more about Him.

We Are Amazed Believers

We are amazed by His marvelous birth

The birth of Jesus is familiar to most. It was unique in the history of the human race. We begin our existence at birth, but He lived from all eternity; before the world was, He was. Jesus was the God-man—not God indwelling a man, not a man deified but God and man, combining in one personality two natures without a mixing of such.

Jesus had a human mother but not a human father, and He was conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He came from a woman that had never been with a man. His birth was at the right time. There is no premature activity in divine providence. The moment had arrived, both prophetically and politically.

The period of the Mosaic Law had come to an end, and it was time for Christ to appear and bring the good news of the Gospel. His birth was the delivery of God to be with us. Jesus was God manifested in flesh, Immanuel. His birth was lowly: born in a stable and laid in a feeding trough—a smelly location.

It was a birth unlike any other in the history of mankind because it was God coming to dwell in the earth in flesh, a heavenly citizen taking on earthly citizenship.

We are amazed by His mission

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). He came to provide salvation to all. Isaiah 61 reveals what He would do to achieve His mission. There it says He would preach good tidings, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, announce the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God, give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Jesus came to reveal the invisible God (John 1:18), to fulfill prophecy (Genesis 3:15), to guarantee the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:8–17), to become the sacrifice for our sins (1 John 3:5; Mark 10:45), to reconcile man to God (2 Corinthians 5:19), to provide an example for believers (1 Peter 2:21), to furnish us with a High Priest (Hebrews 2:17), and to destroy the works of the devil (Hebrews 2:14).

It is amazing that Jesus achieved all of this, and more, to fulfill His mission. He was tortured, illegally tried, beaten, and crucified, but He completed His purpose. His amazing love for us helped drive Him to fulfill His mission. He so loved the world that He laid down His life for all. Jesus endured everything He was exposed to, and on the cross, He proclaimed, It is finished.

We are amazed by His miracles

A miracle is an event or action that contradicts known scientific laws. During His ministry, Jesus performed at least thirty-six miracles. He healed fevers, leprosy, paralysis, withered hands, internal bleeding, blindness, deafness, dropsy, and a severed ear. He rebuked demons that caused convulsions (Mark 1:25), insanity (Matthew 8:32), muteness (Matthew 9:33), unknown affliction (Matthew 15:28), blindness (Matthew 12:22), and paralysis (Luke 13:10–17). He raised the dead, a little girl (Matthew 9:25), a young man (Luke 7:14), and Lazarus (John 11:43–44). He fed some wedding guests (John 2:7–9), five thousand men and their families (Matthew 14:19), four thousand men and their families (Matthew 15:36), four disciples (Luke 5:5–6), and seven disciples (John 21:6). He miraculously provided tax money (Matthew 17:27). He miraculously cursed a fig tree (Matthew 21:19).

Miracles require God's supernatural power. They defy human reasoning, and can only be achieved by His divine strength. God is the Creator of all. He is, without any doubt, the only Miracle Worker.

We are amazed by His mercy

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us (Titus 3:4–5).

Mercy is the disposition to forgive or be kind to offenders. It is the aspect of God's love that causes Him to help such people, just as grace is the aspect of His love that moves Him to forgive the guilty.

Actually, mercy is in the air we breathe and in the light that shines upon us. It is mercy that kept us in the wombs of our mothers, enabled us to be born, keeps us during the days of our earthly pilgrimage, gives us the Lord's spiritual provision, enables us to have peace with God, and makes it possible for us to transition from an earthly abode to eternity with Christ.

Noted clergyman Charles Spurgeon said: The mercy of God flows freely. It wants no money and no price from thee, not fitness of frames and feelings, no preparation of good works, or penitence. Free as the brook which leaps from the mountain-side. Free as the sun that shineth. Free as the air that belts the earth. Free is the mercy of God in Christ.

The Lord's mercy is amazing. Where would we be without it?

We are amazed by His message

Jesus came to earth with the message of the Gospel and with the joyous good news of salvation. Through Him, redemption would be provided. The Gospel possesses the ingredients of every earthly and heavenly blessing. It is a compound of all the sweet traits of the Lord's character. The Gospel brings good tidings because it declares the Savior is born. Without the birth of Jesus, no one could be born of God.

Let's consider what this Gospel is called. It is the Gospel of God (Romans 1:1). It is the good news of the merciful attitude of God toward all. It is the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16). Christ's life, death, and resurrection manifested divine love and power. It is the Gospel of grace (Acts 20:24). It is unmerited favor bestowed on us containing the almightiness of God. It is the Gospel of your salvation (Ephesians 1:13). It is good news for our personal souls, and it meets our personal needs. It is the Gospel of the kingdom (Mark 1:14). It speaks of a kingdom that is to come when Jesus will reign. It is the everlasting Gospel (Revelation 14:6). It is the good news of the ages. It is eternally good and precious to every believer. It is the Gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4). He is now glorified and has become our Mediator before God's throne.

In the Gospel, we have something that could never have been invented by man, something that humanity could never discover without God's intervention and revelation, something that humanity has no substitute for. We have something that can never be made of a higher quality, something that neither God or man will ever be ashamed of, something which alone can solve the mystery of humanity's guilt and God's righteousness, and something that the angels desire to look into. The message of Christ is simply amazing.

We are amazed by His manifold works

O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom has thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches (Psalm 104:24). The psalmist refers to the Lord's manifold works because they come in many forms. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, makes the clouds His chariot, walks upon the wings of the wind, makes His angels spirits, laid the foundations of the earth, covered the earth with the deep, and it goes where He designates, and He appointed the moon for seasons. He is the Creator of all, the Governor and Ruler of all.

His love is amazing. He loves unconditionally and even loves the unlovable, both sinners and saints. His patience is amazing. He puts up with us and keeps developing our lives. He is patient when we go through our foolish times, our slack times, our slothful times, and our times of unfaithfulness.

It is simply amazing how He keeps our minds intact with all we deal with. He has made our financial ends meet when we run short. We are sustained by Him through layoffs and job losses. He keeps our bad habits from destroying us and provides deliverance from them. He comforts us when our relatives and close friends have passed from this life. He sustains those who experience bitter divorces.

Our bodies are healed by Him. He provides us with benefits, even when we experience bad situations. In the midst of our storms, He provides peace. He forgives us after we violate His Word and gives acceptance even when others reject us. He continually works with us and never gives up on you and me.

Miraculously, He restores our hearts, families, marriages, relationships, ministries, lives, and careers. It is unbelievable how great and good He is. Such knowledge makes us strive to be better in Him.

We know who we are. We are amazed believers.

2

I Am an Anointed Vessel

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27)

The work of the Lord's kingdom must be fulfilled. However, it will not be achieved without considerable warfare. Our warfare is spiritual, and to win, we must acquire God's power and operate with it accordingly. Therefore, He has provided us with the anointing. This gives us the ability to operate in the manner and with the power to accomplish the kingdom objectives He has established.

The work to be done cannot be achieved through the flesh. The challenges are too great, the attacks too frequent, and the demands too overwhelming. To assure that we can function in our callings at the highest, most powerful level, the Lord anoints us.

I am concerned and often burdened by the fact that some are trying to do a spiritual work through the flesh. They are using their personal skills, gifts, and abilities without the anointing of God. Kingdom objectives cannot be accomplished as the Lord desires without the empowerment of the Spirit. We must receive the anointing of God if we are to achieve.

The Old Testament Reveals Three Important Anointings

First, there was the anointing of priests (Leviticus 8:12). Aaron was anointed priest. Second, there was the anointing of kings (1 Samuel 16:13). David was anointed king. Finally, there was the anointing of prophets (1 Kings 19:16). Elisha was anointed to succeed Elijah.

The New Testament anointing of Jesus was for Priest, Prophet, and King (Luke 4:18). He operated in all three offices. There were also some other considerations. Among Hebrews, the actual anointing with the holy anointing oil was significant when someone was consecrated to a holy office or to a sacred use. There were medical anointings where oil was applied to the sick and to wounds (Mark 6:13). There were also hospitality anointings, where Jews anointed themselves with oil as a means of refreshing (Ruth 3:3).

Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him, thus Saul and David were anointed by Samuel. There were sacred vessel anointings, in which Israel's leaders anointed the tabernacle and its vessels. Additionally, priests were anointed to perform their specific ministry. Prophets were anointed to be enabled to proclaim God's word. Kings were anointed to rule their subjects. People were anointed for healing. Objects were anointed to be set aside for spiritual purposes.

John Speaks of the Anointing

The Apostle John informs us that through the Holy Spirit, we have received the anointing of God. The Holy Spirit continually abides in us, so we are anointed day and night. He said the Holy Spirit teaches us all things. From these statements of John, the importance of the anointing is apparent. There is emphasis on the significance of the anointing in our lives.

What is the anointing? Plainly and simply stated, it is the power of God—His directed power we need to live properly. It is what He gives us in order to overthrow the enemy and uproot his strongholds. It is the power He has given us to carry on kingdom business in spite of Satan's opposition; the power to destroy yokes and burdens.

The Anointing Is Essential

We are anointed for our callings

Each believer has a calling and has gifts. When we come to Christ as new converts, it is important that we discover what we are called to do. Our callings were determined by God before the foundation of the world. They are vital in the accomplishment of kingdom purposes.

We understand that because we are working for the Lord and functioning in those callings, we are going to be opposed. We can expect this. It is absurd to think we are going to take on the responsibility God has given us without there being any warfare. Some believers engaged in many literal fights when they were in the world system, but when they accept Christ, they complain about spiritual battles or warfare. This could be because when they were in the world, they were physically equipped and knew how to use their fists, but when they came to the kingdom, they did not take the time to learn how to engage in spiritual warfare.

Anointings took place in biblical times upon the acceptance of a new assignment. As believers take on new duties, we not only anoint them with oil, but the Holy Spirit anoints (empowers) them. The work of the Lord requires more than earthly power. The Holy Spirit anoints us to assure victory.

The apostles in the upper room remained there until they were endowed with godly power, until they were anointed. This anointing upon our callings enables us to function at God's desired level, empowers us to be effective, and guarantees victory. The anointing also indicates God's approval for us to operate in our respective callings.

We are anointed for impartation

We are anointed by the Holy Spirit so there can be a transference of the traits of God to us. Impartation is necessary as we become equipped for service. It is required to remove the ways of the flesh and put on the ways of Christ. It is required to put on the whole armor of God. It is required to enable believers to endure tests and trials. Impartation is necessary to prepare us.

Preparation for godly service is an ongoing process, and we need the anointing to successfully go through each step. It promotes our development for higher kingdom responsibilities.

Impartation is necessary to qualify us. We must be anointed to endure that which is necessary to make us ready for quality service. We need the power of the anointing to become ready for kingdom operation. Therefore, the Lord anoints us so we will have the power to receive what He needs to impart, enabling us to be used in the manner He desires. By this impartation, we receive the revelation of God's word, experiential knowledge, godly love, wisdom, and peace. It empowers us to overcome evil with good, fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12), endure hardness (2 Timothy 2:3), continue in the things we have learned (2 Timothy 3:14), and to stand, to war, and press on.

We are anointed for power release

We are anointed for our callings, for impartation, and for power release. As God's anointed ones, we receive that which He places within us. It is by the anointing, by the power of God that we receive from Him. Also, it is by the anointing that we are able to release that power. In Acts 3, Peter told the lame man, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee. He had the ability to release the power to bring healing to the disabled man.

Jesus also released the anointing when He spoke to a centurion (Matthew 8:13) and said, Go thy way, and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. The centurion's servant was healed. He released the anointing when He touched Peter's mother-in-law (Matthew 8:15), and her fever left her body. He released His power when He rebuked the winds and the sea (Matthew 8:26), when He cast the demons out of the maniac at Gergesenes (Matthew 8:28–32), and when He raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead (Matthew 9:25).

In these situations and many more, He released His power to help others. We are anointed by Him so He can use us to release power to fulfill His purposes in this world, to let His light shine through us, to manifest His power over our own flesh, to display unconditional love, and to lead the unsaved to Him.

The anointing is God giving Himself to the task through us. That is why the apostle Paul said, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Through us, the Lord gives Himself to our circumstances.

We must release the anointing. It breaks every bondage: And the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing (Isaiah 10:27). It removes burdens, hurts, abuses, painful cares of life, disappointment, and depression. This brings all forms of deliverance and healing, produces spiritual fruit, and resists the attack of the enemy.

We Are Anointed to Handle the Anointing

It takes godly empowerment to properly operate with the anointing.

The anointing sets us apart.

Those flowing with the anointing are readily distinguished from those who are not. It is important to note that though believers are anointed, all do not manifest it in their lives. It is through the manifestation and use of the anointing that we become set apart.

The anointing turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.

It enables us to operate by God's supernatural power. Young David, an ordinary shepherd, became extraordinary against the giant Goliath because of the anointing resting upon his life.

The anointing brings discernment of the truth (1 John 2:27).

This is essential to avoid being misled by false teachings. Additionally, it allows us to discern various types of spirits.

The anointing strengthens us with power in the inner man.

It brings renewal to our soul and spirit daily. But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16).

The anointing brings spiritual gifts.

These wonderful spiritual gifts are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8–10: For to one is given by the Spirit the Word of Wisdom; to another the Word of Knowledge by the same Spirit; To another Faith by the same Spirit; to another the Gifts of Healing by the same Spirit; To another the Working of Miracles; to another Prophecy; to another Discerning of Spirits; to another Divers Kinds of Tongues; to another the Interpretation of Tongues.

The anointing brings spiritual fruit.

These wonderful benefits are listed in Galatians 5:22–23: But the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance: against such there is no law.

The anointing enables us to pray (Romans 8:39).

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude 20).

We are anointed vessels. This touch of God empowers, strengthens our minds, and develops us into mature Christians. Therefore, we must always respect the anointing, for by it we overcome. That is why we achieve against all opposition and can demand the subjection of all demonic powers.

By the anointing we continue, even when we seem to be numb due to our struggles. Our growth is continual and we can, and do, build great works for the Lord. We succeed, and we continually prosper.

We know who we are. We are anointed vessels.

3

I Am a Believer in Christ

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 Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 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 Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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. (Matthew 1:18–23)

Each year, we celebrate the birth of Christ. Though the exact date is not known, it is generally accepted here in this nation to be December 25 or near that time. While we recognize this date, we stand with greater recognition of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We celebrate Him, but many of you are aware that there are a lot of groups and individuals who do not. They simply relegate Him to being another prophet.

Willmington's Guide indicates that there have been an estimated forty billion individuals who have lived on earth since man was created. All of these people share something in common in relation to their future, and that is the decision about how they will achieve their destinies. It is greatly dependent upon how we relate to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It is not possible for us to overemphasize the necessity of having a life with Christ. This concerns me because I believe we so often get caught up in the Christmas season that the real significance is missed. It is very important that we understand the incarnation of Christ.

The incarnation

This word is a theological term, and it simply makes reference to Jesus coming into the world in human form. The incarnation, or the coming of Christ, was spoken of in Scripture long before His arrival. It was indicated in the Old Testament that Jesus would come through the line of Abraham. Messiah would descend through the tribe of Judah, and He would be from the house of David. He would occupy the eternal throne and be called Emmanuel.

The prophets spoke of the fact that John the Baptist, as His forerunner, would be a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way for His coming. It was prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea and that wise men would find Him and bring gifts. It was also prophesied that He would be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Bible lets us know that when Jesus was baptized, a dove representing the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. It was indicated that when Jesus appeared, many would be healed of sicknesses and diseases. He would come and set the captives free. It was prophesied that Jesus would be despised and rejected of men. He would be a man of sorrow and would be acquainted with grief. His birth was not simply something that happened, but it was prophesied.

The prophets, in and of themselves, did not possess this knowledge. The words they spoke came from revelation given to them by God. Many today do not want to accept the fact that Jesus came in the flesh and was God manifested in human form.

Some false views concerning the incarnation

The first-century Ebionites denied the reality of Jesus's divine nature. The Gnostics denied that He had a human nature. The Arians affirmed Jesus's preexistence but rejected His deity. How in the world could He preexist and not be God? The Nestorians believed that two persons actually indwelt Jesus; one was human, and the other divine. The Eutychians carried it a little further than the Nestorians. They believed that both the human nature and the divine nature was in Christ and that the human was combined or mixed with the divine to make a third nature. It is very difficult for people to accept the miraculous aspects of the incarnation.

The incarnation was miraculous

It is a miracle that God took upon Himself the full nature of man, yet remained God. It is also miraculous that Jesus was both perfect God and perfect man without any comingling of the two natures. Theologically, it is called the hypostatic union—perfect God and perfect man, the divine in the human without any mingling of those two natures.

It is miraculous that a human body could be conceived within a mother's womb without an earthly father. This never occurred before in history. It is also a miracle that the power of the Holy Spirit could operate in Jesus from birth to death to resurrection.

Reasons for Christ Becoming Incarnate

He came to manifest God to man

In Christ, we see in human terms what God is like. Throughout history, man had heard about God. They had not seen Him but had been told of His attributes. In the incarnation, God manifested Himself and walked among humans.

It is imperative