1

Introduction

In this assignment it deals about the importance of humanity of Christ, speciality of Jesus
humanity, Biblical evidence for Jesus humanity, Heresies related to humanity of Jesus and the
implication of the humanity of Jesus.

1. Importance of humanity of Christ

God is high above man, He cannot be known by unaided human reason. God act independently
Himself known to man. There is also gap between spiritual and moral gap created by man’s sin.
Man cannot raise himself to the level of God by his own sin. The incarnation of deity and
humanity were united in one person. The work accomplished in Christ’s death, or its
applicability to human being, depends upon the reality of his humanity just as the efficacy of it
depends upon the genuine of his deity. Jesus intercessory ministry is dependent upon his
humanity.1

2. Speciality of Jesus humanity

Jesus was holy in nature, for the prince of this world had nothing in him John 14:30 and he was
without sin (Heb.4:15). He was holy in conduct for he was separate from sin (Heb. 7:26). He
committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth, Christ is an example of sinless
perfection. Christ had genuine love, Paul says that the love of Christ… surpasses knowledge
(Eph. 3:19). Christ’s love goes out, in the first place, toward his father John 14:31. Christ love
also goes to men in general. He was truly humble, though Christ was equal with God, but he
emptied himself, took on the form of a servant was made in the likeness of men, humbled
himself and died on the cross. He who was rich, for our sakes became poor and he was born in
a stable, for there was no room for him in the inn Luke 2:7. Jesus lived a life of prayer, before
he takes a great task of his ministry Mark 1:35-38, before choosing his twelve disciples Luke
6:12f, and before he went to Calvary (Matt 26:38-46).He also prayed after great success John
6:15. He was an incessant worker. His work consisted of teaching Mark 6:31, preaching Mark
1:38f, casting out demons Mark 5:12f, healing the sick (Matt. 8,9), saving the lost (Lk.7:48,
19:9), raising the death (Matt.9:25, Lk. 7:14, Jh 11:43), calling and training his workers (Matt.

1
Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books House, 1985), 706.
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10, Lk.10). As a worker, he was characterized by courage (John 2:14-17, 3:3, 19:10f),
thoroughness (Matt.14:36, Jh.7:23), impartiality (Matt.11:19) and tact (Mk. 12:34, Jh.4:7-30).2

3. Biblical evidence for Jesus humanity

The scriptures are well known that Jesus Christ was fully human in every aspect, yet without
sin (Heb. 4:15) indeed he is called “the man, Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5). 3 Jesus had a human
body, he was born with a human body which he grew and developed his statured Luke 2:52. 4
He was born just as all human babies are born (Lk. 2:7).5 Jesus had a human mind, he increased
in wisdom Luke 2:52, says that he went through a learning process like all other children do, he
learn how to eat, talk, read, write etc.(Heb 5:8). This learning process was part of the genuine
humanity of Christ. And also he talks about the day of his returning, but on that day or that
hour no one knows not even the angels in heaven, nor the son, but only the Father Mark 13:32. 6
Jesus had a human soul and human emotions, Jesus wept (Jh. 11:35) when he stood by Lazarus
grave.7 The humanity was complete included both material and immaterial aspects (Matt.
26:38, Lk. 23:46).8 Jesus experience hunger and thirst Luke says that when Jesus fasted for
forty days in the wilderness he felt hungry (Lk. 4:2).He was thirsty when he was in his journey,
sat down by the well. He needs water to sustain his body. Jesus also got tired physically, and
when he got tired he rested. John said Jesus was wearied with his Journey John 4:6. Jesus was
human flesh and blood, like any other human and he suffered human pain. Crucifixion inflicts
an atoning death, and he experience every moment of it pain. His pain was both physical and
emotional while on the cross he cried out in agony, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken
me?” (Matt. 27:46). He experience human death. The Bible repeatedly testifies the death of
Jesus in (Matt. 16:21, Rom. 5:8, I Cor. 15:3). He was “put to death in the body” (I Pet 3:8).9

2
Henry Clarence Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology (Michigan: Eerdmans, 1993), 225-228.
3
Norman L. Geisler, Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics (Michigan: Baker Books, 2000), 202.
4
Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology (USA: Victor Books, 1982), 251.
5
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Leicester:Inter- Varsity
Press, 2000),532.
6
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology…….,533.
7
Norman L. Geisler, Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics……, 203.
8
Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology……, 294.
9
Norman L. Geisler Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics….,203.
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4. Heresies related to humanity of Jesus

4.1 Docetism

In the late first century Marcion and Gnostics taught that Christ only appeared to be a man
(dokeo) which means “to seem or to appear”. Literally it means that Jesus only seemed to be
human.10 The Apostle John refers to this false teaching in I John 4:3. 11 Docetism is in essence a
Christology influence by basic Greek assumptions of both Platonic and Aristotelian varieties.
The idea of Plato was the gradations of reality spirit or mind or thought is the highest. Matter or
material is less real. According to Aristotle humanity of Christ is divine impassibility, which
God cannot change, suffer, or even be affected by anything that happens in the world. The
streams of thought have different but both emphasize God’s transcendence and absolute
difference from and independence of the material world. God could not really have become
material because all matter is evil, and he is perfectly pure and holy. He could not have exposed
himself to the experiences of human life. Humanity of Jesus, his physical nature, was simply
and illusion, not a reality. Jesus was more like a ghost, than a human being. Christology fined a
solution that deity and humanity were united in one person. While the humanity was real and
complete, the humanity was only appearance. The church recognized the loss of Jesus
humanity and real connection between him and men.12

4.2 Apollinarianism

Apollinaris was appointed as bishop, in Laodicea around A.D 361, he taught that the one
person of Christ had a human body but not a human mind or spirit of Christ were from the
divine nature of the son of God.13 Apollinarius and his follower’s interpret Jesus consisted of
two parts of humanity (body and a soul) and one part deity (a soul). Jesus in fact consist of two
parts humanity (a body and a soul) and one part deity (a soul), but the result of formula is
2+1=2. The basis of idea is that Jesus lacked nothing of humanity, which means that he had a
human soul as well as a divine soul but it did make him a double or divided personal. The
divine element in Jesus was not only ontologically superior to the human element, but also
constituted the more important part his person (the soul and the body), the divine was doubly
10
Charles C. Ryrie, Basis Theology….., 251.
11
Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology…., 729.
12
Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology….., 729-730.
13
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology…, 554.
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superior. The church concluded that the Apollinarianism had also the same practice of the
humanity of Jesus as Docetism. They noted that Apollinarius claimed, Christ lacked the most
characteristic part of humanity (human will, reason, and mind). Thus the Apollinarian doctrine
was condemned at the Council of Constantinople in 381.14

5. Implication of the humanity of Jesus

The doctrine of the full humanity of Jesus has great importance for Christian faith and
theology. i. The atoning death of Jesus can truly avail for us. It was not like others human race
who died on the cross, but he was one who truly offers a sacrifice on behalf.

ii. Jesus can truly understand with and intercede for us, for he has gone through it all himself
(Heb 4:15).

iii. Jesus manifests the true nature of humanity. He has not only what perfect humanity is but he
also has exhibited it.

iv. Jesus is an example of human being. He is not some superstar but one who has lived where
men’s live. It can look to him as a model of the Christian life. There must be full dependence
upon the grace of God.

v. Human nature is good. Jesus took upon himself full human nature to remind that human
being is not to be evil, but is it good.

Vi God is not totally transcendent. He is not so far removed from the human race.

The incarnation was real and complete. In John 1:14 says that “the Word became flesh and
made his dwelling among us and we have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only,
…….full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).15

14
Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology……,731-732.
15
Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology….., 737-738.
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Conclusion

From the above mentioned it brings a clear picture that Jesus is fully humanity in every
aspects, yet without sin, he has a special quality in which human beings does not have. He is
also born like human beings, he died on the cross, he truly offers a sacrifices on behalf, he truly
intercede for us, and he set a good example for human beings.

Bibliography

Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Books House, 1985.

Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine Leicester: Inter- Varsity Press, 2000.

Geisler, Norman L. Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Michigan: Baker Books, 2000.

Ryrie Charles C. Basic Theology. USA: Victor Books, 1982.

Thiessen, Henry Clarence. Lectures in Systematic Theology. Michigan: Eerdmans Pub. 1993.