Friendly Theology: Barclay’s Catechism – Chapter 3 (part 2)

Note:  Due to the Holiday this post, originally scheduled for Monday, has been moved to Wednesday.

CHAP. III. (cont.)

Of Jesus Christ being manifest in the Flesh, the Use and End of it.

Q. After what manner was the Birth of Christ?

A. Now, the Birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph (before they come together) she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost [Matt. 1:18].

And the Angel said unto her, Fear not Mary, for thou hast found Favour with God: And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy Womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call his Name Jesus: He shall be Great, and shall be called The Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David. Then said Mary unto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a Man? And the Angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: Therefore also that Holy Thing, that shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God [Luke 1:30-32,34-35].

Q. Was Jesus Christ, who was born of the Virgin Mary, and supposed to be the Son of Joseph, a True and Real Man?

A. Forasmuch as the Children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood, he also himself took part of the same, that through Death he might destroy him that had the Power of Death, that is, the Devil [Heb. 2:14].

For verily, he took not on him the Nature of Angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham; wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his Brethren, that he might be a Merciful and Faithful High Priest, &c. [Heb. 2:16-17].

For we have not an High Priest, which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities; but was in all Points tempted as we are, yet without Sin [Heb. 4:15].

And the Gift by Grace, which is by one Man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. [Rom. 5:15]

But now is Christ risen from the Dead, and become the First Fruits of them that slept; for since by Man came Death, by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead [1 Cor. 15:20-21].

Q. After what manner doth the Scripture assert the Conjunction and Unity of the Eternal Son of God in and with the Man Christ Jesus?

A. And the Word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his Glory, the Glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father) full of Grace and Truth [John 1:14].

For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the Words of God; for God given not the Spirit by Measure unto him [John 3:34].

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil; for God was with him [Acts 10:38].

For it pleased the Father, that in him should all fulness dwell [Col. 1:19].

For in him dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily [Col. 2:9].

In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge [Col. 2:3].

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One of the most profound and difficult mysteries of Christianity is the nature of Jesus. In the second part of Barclay’s chapter on the manifestation of Jesus Christ Barclay clearly affirms the divinity and the humanity of Jesus Christ. Jesus was simultaneously man and God.

Barclay quotes the angel speaking to Mary and saying that her son “shall be Great, and shall be called The Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David.” The Angel also says, “that Holy Thing, that shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God.” Jesus is the divine person of God who has come to earth.

Jesus was also a true and real man. The Divine became flesh so that through death he might destroy the power of death and offer the gift of grace. It is through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we have been given the opportunity for salvation. “But now is Christ risen from the Dead, and become the First Fruits of them that slept; for since by Man came Death, by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead.”

The last question, in my opinion, is the most profound. After what manner is the conjunction and unity of the Eternal Son of God in and with the Man Jesus Christ? This is an important question; but I am not convinced it is answerable. The best answer may by Colossians 1:19: “For it please the Father, that in him should all fullness dwell.” We ask how? God says, “because I said so.”

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