Hawkeye
Senior Member
The Dual Nature of Christ
From the Bible we see that Yeshua Ha masshiach had two distinct natures in a way that no other human being has ever had. One nature is human or fleshly; the other nature is divine or Spirit. Yeshua was both fully man and fully God. The name Yeshua refers to the eternal Spirit of God (the Father) dwelling in the flesh. We can use the name Yeshua to describe either one of His two natures or both. For example, when we say Yeshua died on the cross, we mean His flesh died on the cross. When we say Yeshua lives in our hearts, we mean His Spirit is there.
Below is a comparative list that will illustrate what we mean when we say Yeshua had two natures or a dual nature. Table 8: The Dual Nature of Yeshua Ha masshiach
As a man, Yeshua But as God, He:
1 Was born a baby Luke 2:7 Existed from eternity Micah 5:2; John 1:1-2
2 Grew mentally, physically, spiritually, socially Luke 2:52 Never changes Hebrews 13:8
3 Was tempted by the devil Luke 4:2 Cast out devils Matthew 12:28
4 Hungered Matthew 4:2 Was the Bread of Life and miraculously fed multitudes John 6:35; Mark 6:38-44, 52
5 Thirsted John 19:28 Gave living water John 4:14
6 Grew weary John 4:6 Gave rest Matthew 11:28
7 Slept in a storm Mark 4:38 Calmed the storm Mark 4:39-41
8 Prayed Luke 22:41 Answered prayer John 14:14
9 Was scourged and beaten John 19:1-3 Healed the sick Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24
10 Died Mark 15:37 Raised His own body from the dead John 2:19-21; 20:9
11 Was a sacrifice for sin Hebrews 10:10-12 Forgave sin Mark 2:5-7
12 Did not know all things Mark 13:32 Knew all things John 21:17
13 Had no power John 5:30 Had all power Matthew 28:18; Colossians 2:10
14 Was inferior to God John 14:28 Was equal to God - was God John 5:18
15 Was a servant Philippians 2:7-8 Was King of kings Revelation 19:16
We can resolve most questions about the Godhead if we properly understand the dual nature of Yeshua. When we read a statement about Yeshua we must determine if it describes Yeshua as a man or as God. Moreover, whenever Yeshua speaks in Scripture we must determine whether He is speaking as man or as God. Whenever we see a description of two natures with respect to Yeshua, we should not think of two persons in the Godhead or of two Gods, but we should think of Spirit and flesh.
Sometimes it is easy to get confused when the Bible describes Yeshua in these two different roles, especially when it describes Him acting in both roles in the same story. For example, He could sleep one minute and calm the storm the next minute. He could speak as man one moment and then as God the next moment. However, we must always remember that Yeshua is fully God and not merely an anointed man. At the same time, He was fully man, not just an appearance of man. He had a dual nature unlike anything we have, and we cannot adequately compare our existence or experience to His. What would seem strange or impossible if applied to a mere human becomes understandable when viewed in the context of One who is both fully God and fully man at the same time.
Shalom
Excerts from systematical Theology oF Calvin.
From the Bible we see that Yeshua Ha masshiach had two distinct natures in a way that no other human being has ever had. One nature is human or fleshly; the other nature is divine or Spirit. Yeshua was both fully man and fully God. The name Yeshua refers to the eternal Spirit of God (the Father) dwelling in the flesh. We can use the name Yeshua to describe either one of His two natures or both. For example, when we say Yeshua died on the cross, we mean His flesh died on the cross. When we say Yeshua lives in our hearts, we mean His Spirit is there.
Below is a comparative list that will illustrate what we mean when we say Yeshua had two natures or a dual nature. Table 8: The Dual Nature of Yeshua Ha masshiach
As a man, Yeshua But as God, He:
1 Was born a baby Luke 2:7 Existed from eternity Micah 5:2; John 1:1-2
2 Grew mentally, physically, spiritually, socially Luke 2:52 Never changes Hebrews 13:8
3 Was tempted by the devil Luke 4:2 Cast out devils Matthew 12:28
4 Hungered Matthew 4:2 Was the Bread of Life and miraculously fed multitudes John 6:35; Mark 6:38-44, 52
5 Thirsted John 19:28 Gave living water John 4:14
6 Grew weary John 4:6 Gave rest Matthew 11:28
7 Slept in a storm Mark 4:38 Calmed the storm Mark 4:39-41
8 Prayed Luke 22:41 Answered prayer John 14:14
9 Was scourged and beaten John 19:1-3 Healed the sick Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24
10 Died Mark 15:37 Raised His own body from the dead John 2:19-21; 20:9
11 Was a sacrifice for sin Hebrews 10:10-12 Forgave sin Mark 2:5-7
12 Did not know all things Mark 13:32 Knew all things John 21:17
13 Had no power John 5:30 Had all power Matthew 28:18; Colossians 2:10
14 Was inferior to God John 14:28 Was equal to God - was God John 5:18
15 Was a servant Philippians 2:7-8 Was King of kings Revelation 19:16
We can resolve most questions about the Godhead if we properly understand the dual nature of Yeshua. When we read a statement about Yeshua we must determine if it describes Yeshua as a man or as God. Moreover, whenever Yeshua speaks in Scripture we must determine whether He is speaking as man or as God. Whenever we see a description of two natures with respect to Yeshua, we should not think of two persons in the Godhead or of two Gods, but we should think of Spirit and flesh.
Sometimes it is easy to get confused when the Bible describes Yeshua in these two different roles, especially when it describes Him acting in both roles in the same story. For example, He could sleep one minute and calm the storm the next minute. He could speak as man one moment and then as God the next moment. However, we must always remember that Yeshua is fully God and not merely an anointed man. At the same time, He was fully man, not just an appearance of man. He had a dual nature unlike anything we have, and we cannot adequately compare our existence or experience to His. What would seem strange or impossible if applied to a mere human becomes understandable when viewed in the context of One who is both fully God and fully man at the same time.
Shalom
Excerts from systematical Theology oF Calvin.
