“Rather, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” — Philippians 2:7–8 (BSB)
“For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God…” — Hebrews 2:17 (BSB)
“For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.” — Hebrews 4:15 (BSB)
“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law…” — Galatians 4:4 (BSB)
The Nicene Creed affirms this truth: “For us and for our salvation, He came down from heaven… and was made man.”
Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, He grew and learned (Luke 2:52), experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, sorrow, joy, and grief. He was tempted, yet remained sinless. His real suffering and death on the cross demonstrate that He was not pretending to be human—He truly took on our condition.
This has deep theological meaning: As the Second Adam, He obeyed where the first Adam failed. As our Representative, He lived a righteous life in our place. As our High Priest, He is able to sympathize with our weakness. As our Redeemer, He suffered and died bodily to save both body and soul.
Article II of the Thirty-Nine Articles teaches: “The Son… took Man’s nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance: so that two whole and perfect Natures… were joined together in one Person, never to be divided…”
J.C. Ryle wrote: “Never let us forget that our Lord had a real body and a real soul. He is not only God for our strength, but man for our sympathy.”
Contemporary Anglican theologian Dr. Ashley Null explains: “Jesus took on everything that we are—our frailty, our flesh, our limitations—so that He could restore us fully, not partially. His humanity was the bridge to our healing.”
Because Jesus is fully human, we can come to Him with confidence and trust. He knows our pain, our struggles, our temptations—not theoretically, but experientially. He sanctifies human nature from the inside out. As the risen and ascended Lord, He remains human forever, the firstfruits of the resurrection, seated at the right hand of the Father.
Irenaeus saw Christ’s full humanity as essential to redemption.
St. Athanasius (c. 296–373 AD): “The Word did not merely appear in a body, but truly became human—so that He might offer His body for our bodies and His soul for our souls.” — On the Incarnation, 8
Athanasius emphasized that Christ’s true humanity made His sacrifice effective.
St. Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376–444 AD): “He was not ashamed to call us brothers, for He became what we are, that He might make us what He is.” — Commentary on John, 1.14
Cyril praised the humility and purpose of the Incarnation.
St. Gregory Nazianzus (c. 329–390 AD): “Do not let anyone mislead you with empty words: He was not a phantom. He was fully man, and everything that is human, apart from sin, He took to Himself.” — Oration 39.13
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
St. Thomas Church
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St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
