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The Announcement of Jesus' Birth & Belgic Confession Articles 17-19 | Lesson 2 | Nuggets

Writer's picture: Arne VersterArne Verster

Updated: Feb 2

Nugget: A concise and accessible explanation of a topic, written with the assistance of Gemini Deep Research and checked by humans. Belgic confession retrieved from https://www.wscal.edu/belgic-confession/ Note: Lesson 1 was accidentally overwritten and will be re-uploaded in the future.



Introduction


Welcome back, everyone! In our last lesson, we started our journey through the Bible and the Belgic Confession. Today, in Lesson 2, we're going to dive into one of the most incredible stories in all of Scripture: the announcement of Jesus' birth, as told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. We will also be discussing what this event signifies, by taking a look at Articles 17, 18, and 19 of the Belgic Confession. Buckle up, because there are some amazing "nuggets" of truth to discover!


Part 1: The Announcement of Jesus' Birth - A Miraculous Beginning


The story of Jesus' birth is found in the first two chapters of Matthew and Luke, two of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which share similar perspectives). Let's explore some fascinating details:

  • A Virgin Birth: Both Matthew and Luke highlight the miraculous nature of Jesus' conception. Mary, a virgin, was betrothed to Joseph. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary (Luke 1:26-38) and announced that she would conceive a son by the Holy Spirit. This wasn't just any child; this would be the Son of the Most High, the promised Messiah! Matthew 1:18-25 tells us how Joseph, a righteous man, initially struggled with this news but was reassured by an angel in a dream.

  • The Lineage of Kings: Matthew 1:1-17 traces Jesus' genealogy back to Abraham and David, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's lineage. This was crucial for the Jewish people, who understood that the Messiah would come from the royal line of David.

  • Humble Beginnings: Luke 2:1-7 describes how Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem because there was no room in the inn. Think about that: the King of Kings, the Savior of the world, born in the most humble of circumstances! This foreshadows the kind of Savior He would be—one who came to serve, not to be served.

  • Angelic Proclamations: Luke 2:8-20 recounts how angels announced Jesus' birth, not to kings or rulers, but to shepherds tending their flocks. These shepherds, often considered lowly in society, were the first to hear the good news: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!" This was a truly revolutionary announcement!

  • Wise Men from the East: Matthew 2:1-12 tells the story of the Magi, wise men from the East, who followed a star to find the newborn King. They brought precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, symbolizing Jesus' kingship, divinity, and future sacrifice.

  • Fleeing to Egypt:  Matthew 2:13-15 reveals that Herod, the wicked king, sought to kill the infant Jesus. An angel warned Joseph in a dream, and the family fled to Egypt for safety, demonstrating that Jesus was protected, but that he faced opposition from the world.

These events surrounding Jesus' birth are not just historical facts; they are packed with theological significance, as we will see in the next section.

Part 2: Belgic Confession Articles 17, 18, and 19 - Understanding the Incarnation

Now, let's connect these events to what we believe as Reformed Christians. The Belgic Confession, written in the 16th century, articulates key doctrines of our faith. Today we focus on Articles 17, 18, and 19, which deal with the fulfillment of God's promise in Christ, the incarnation, and the two natures of Christ.

Article 17: The Rescue of Fallen Man

We believe that, when He saw that man had thus plunged himself into physical and spiritual death and made himself completely miserable, our gracious God in His marvelous wisdom and goodness set out to seek man when he trembling fled from Him.1  He comforted him with the promise that He would give him His Son, born of woman (Gal 4:4), to bruise the head of the serpent (Gen 3:15) and to make man blessed.2


This article takes us back to the very beginning, to the Garden of Eden. It reminds us of the fall of humanity, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, resulting in sin and separation from Him. They became mortal, experiencing physical and spiritual death, and were left in a state of misery.


But even in that dark moment, God's love and grace were evident. He didn't abandon humanity. Instead, as Article 17 says, He "set out to seek man when he trembling fled from Him." This is a beautiful picture of God's initiative in salvation. He is the one who pursues us, even when we are lost and afraid.


The core of Article 17 is the promise of redemption. God comforted humanity with the promise of a Savior, His Son, who would be "born of a woman" (Galatians 4:4). This promise is directly linked to Genesis 3:15, often called the "protoevangelium" or "first gospel," where God declares that the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent's head. This is the first glimmer of hope, the first prophecy of Jesus' victory over sin and death.


Article 17 powerfully connects this ancient promise to the events we read about in Matthew and Luke. The arrival of Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, is the fulfillment of God's promise made centuries earlier. It is the culmination of all the prophecies and expectations of the Old Testament. The birth of Jesus was not a random event, but a meticulously planned act of God's redemptive love, fulfilling all of God's promises. The phrase "born of a woman" is significant. It highlights Jesus' humanity, emphasizing that He was truly human, just like us. Yet, as we know from the Gospels, He was also uniquely conceived by the Holy Spirit, making Him both fully God and fully man.


The promise that the woman's offspring would bruise the serpent's head was fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through His sacrificial death on the cross and His triumphant resurrection, Jesus conquered sin, death, and the power of Satan. He made a way for us to be reconciled to God and to experience true blessedness.


This article also reminds us that Christ fulfilled the Law and the prophets, and made true the promise made to the fathers by the mouth of his holy prophets, when he sent into the world his only-begotten and eternal Son.

Article 18: The Incarnation of the Son of God


We confess, therefore, that God has fulfilled the promise He made to the fathers by the mouth of His holy prophets1 when, at the time appointed by Him,2 He sent into the world His own only-begotten and eternal Son, who took the form of a servant and was born in the likeness of men (Php 2:7).  He truly assumed a real human nature with all its infirmities,3 without sin,4 for He was conceived in the womb of the blessed virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit and not by the act of a man.5  He not only assumed human nature as to the body, but also a true human soul, in order that He might be a real man.  For since the soul was lost as well as the body, it was necessary that He should assume both to save both.


Contrary to the heresy of the Anabaptists, who deny that Christ assumed human flesh of His mother, we therefore confess that Christ partook of the flesh and blood of the children (Heb 2:14).  He is a fruit of the loins of David (Acts 2:30); born of the seed of David according to the flesh (Rom 1:3); a fruit of the womb of the virgin Mary (Lk 1:42); born of woman (Gal 4:4); a branch of David (Jer 33:15); a shoot from the stump of Jesse (Is 11:1); sprung from the tribe of Judah (Heb 7:14); descended from the Jews according to the flesh (Rom 9:5); of the seed of Abraham,6 since the Son was concerned with the descendants of Abraham.  Therefore He had to be made like His brethren in every respect, yet without sin (Heb 2:16-17, 4:15).

In this way He is in truth our Immanuel, that is, “God with us” (Mt 1:23).


Article 18 begins by reiterating the theme of fulfillment. God kept His promise, sending His Son "at the time appointed by Him." This emphasizes God's sovereignty over history and the precision of His plan. The Incarnation wasn't an afterthought; it was the climax of God's redemptive plan, set in motion long ago. God sent Christ into the world at exactly the right time, at a time that he prepared, to fulfill his promise and redeem mankind.


The article then quotes Philippians 2:7, stating that Jesus "took the form of a servant and was born in the likeness of men." This highlights the profound humility of the Incarnation. The eternal Son of God, who existed in glory with the Father, willingly emptied Himself and took on the nature of a servant. He came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). This is in line with what we learned in previous paragraphs about why He was born in such a humble way. This is an important paragraph to expand on, and we'll do so at the end of our discussion on Article 18.


Article 18 strongly affirms the true humanity of Jesus. He "truly assumed a real human nature with all its infirmities, without sin." He experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, and sorrow, just like us. However, He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). His sinlessness was essential for Him to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins.


Conceived by the Holy Spirit: The article emphasizes the miraculous conception of Jesus in the womb of the Virgin Mary "by the power of the Holy Spirit and not by the act of a man." This highlights the supernatural nature of the Incarnation. Jesus' birth was not an ordinary event; it was a divine act, demonstrating that He was no ordinary man.


Article 18 goes further, stating that Jesus assumed not only a human body but also a "true human soul." This was important because some heretical groups denied that Jesus had a human soul, claiming that the divine Logos replaced it. However, the Bible teaches that Jesus had a complete human nature, both body and soul. This was necessary for our salvation, as the article says, "For since the soul was lost as well as the body, it was necessary that He should assume both to save both."


The second paragraph of Article 18 addresses a specific heresy of the Anabaptists, who denied that Jesus took His human flesh from Mary. The Confession strongly refutes this error, citing numerous biblical passages that affirm Jesus' physical descent from David, Abraham, and ultimately, from Mary. This is important because it underscores the reality of Jesus' humanity and His connection to the promises made to Israel.


The article concludes by declaring that Jesus is "Immanuel," which means "God with us" (Matthew 1:23). This is the ultimate significance of the Incarnation. God didn't just send a messenger or a prophet; He came Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, to dwell among us, to reconcile us to Himself, and to bring us salvation.


Article 18 and kenosis: Jesus' emptying of himself


Kenosis is one of the most challenging aspects to understand of the Incarnation. The concept of Jesus emptying Himself is also known as the doctrine of kenosis. This is a crucial point to clarify, especially when addressing questions about Jesus' knowledge and limitations as a human being.


Let's break down what it means that Jesus "emptied Himself" and how it relates to His earthly ministry:


Philippians 2:5-8 is the Key Text:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself,
by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What "Emptied Himself" (Kenosis) Does NOT Mean:

  • It does NOT mean that Jesus ceased to be God. He did not give up His divine nature or attributes. The divine nature of Christ remained fully intact during his earthly ministry. He was fully God even while he was fully human. The Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, remained God throughout eternity.


  • It does NOT mean that Jesus was "less than God" during His earthly life.  He was and is eternally equal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.


What "Emptied Himself" (Kenosis) DOES Mean:

  • It means that Jesus voluntarily veiled or set aside the independent exercise of certain divine prerogatives. While on earth, Jesus chose not to always fully utilize or display the powers and privileges that were inherently His as God. For instance:


    • Omniscience (All-Knowing): As God, Jesus possesses all knowledge. However, in His human state, He sometimes operated within the limitations of human knowledge. The most common example is Mark 13:32, where Jesus says that He does not know the day or hour of His return. The Son of Man, in His human nature, learned and grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52). This doesn't mean He ceased to be omniscient in His divine nature, but He willingly accepted the limitations of human knowledge in His incarnate state.


    • Omnipresence (Present Everywhere): As God, Jesus is present everywhere at all times. But in His human body, He was geographically limited to one place at a time, just like any other human being.


    • Omnipotence (All-Powerful): As God, Jesus is all-powerful. Yet, during His earthly ministry, He often chose to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than independently exercising His divine power (Acts 10:38). This was part of His taking the form of a servant.


  • It means that Jesus took on the form of a servant. He humbled Himself, taking on the limitations and vulnerabilities of human existence. He experienced hunger, thirst, weariness, pain, and ultimately, death. He lived a life of obedience to the Father, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross. This act required him to be fully human, so that He could be the sacrifice for humanity's sin.


  • It means that Jesus fully identified with humanity. He became like us in every way, except without sin. This allowed Him to be our perfect representative, our High Priest, and our Savior.


Why Did Jesus Empty Himself?

  • To Fulfill the Father's Will: Jesus' primary purpose was to do the will of the Father (John 6:38). This involved becoming the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.


  • To Reveal the Father: Jesus came to reveal the Father to us (John 14:9). By living a life of perfect obedience and love, He showed us what God is truly like.


  • To Be Our Example: Jesus' humility and servanthood serve as a model for our own lives. We are called to follow His example of self-giving love (Philippians 2:5).


  • To Reconcile Us to God: Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for us to be reconciled to God and to receive eternal life.


Analogy to help Understand Kenosis

Imagine a king who, in order to understand and help his people who are suffering from poverty and oppression, decides to leave his palace, put on the clothes of a peasant, and live among them. He experiences their hardships firsthand, works alongside them, and ultimately uses his wisdom and resources (though hidden for a time) to bring about their liberation.

The king never ceases to be king. He still has all the authority and power of his royal position. But he temporarily sets aside the outward display of his kingship in order to accomplish a greater purpose.


Similarly, Jesus, the eternal Son of God, willingly set aside the independent use of some of His divine prerogatives in order to become human, live among us, and redeem us.

Article 19: The Two Natures in the One Person of Christ


We believe that by this conception the person of the Son of God is inseparably united and joined with the human nature,1 so that there are not two sons of God, nor two persons, but two natures united in one single person. Each nature retains its own distinct properties: His divine nature has always remained uncreated, without beginning of days or end of life (Heb 7:3), filling heaven and earth.2  His human nature has not lost its properties; it has beginning of days and remains created.  It is finite and retains all the properties of a true body.3  Even though, by His resurrection, He has given immortality to His human nature, He has not changed its reality,4 since our salvation and resurrection also depend on the reality of His body.5

However, these two natures are so closely united in one person that they were not even separated by His death. Therefore, what He, when dying, committed into the hands of His Father was a real human spirit that departed from His body.6  Meanwhile His divinity always remained united with His human nature, even when He was lying in the grave.7 And the divine nature always remained in Him just as it was in Him when He was a little child, even though it did not manifest itself as such for a little while.

For this reason we profess Him to be true God and true man: true God in order to conquer death by His power; and true man that He might die for us according to the infirmity of His flesh.


Article 19 of the Belgic Confession explains how Jesus can be both fully God and fully human at the same time. It teaches that at the moment of His conception, the divine nature of the Son of God was inseparably united with a human nature, making Him one person with two distinct natures. This means Jesus isn't two separate beings, but one person who is both completely God and completely human. Each nature kept its own characteristics: His divine nature remained eternal, uncreated, and present everywhere, while His human nature had a beginning, was finite, and had all the traits of a real human body. Even when Jesus was resurrected and given an immortal body, His human nature remained truly human. This is important because our own hope of resurrection depends on the reality of Jesus' physical body being raised.


Jesus's divine nature and his human nature are distinct and separate, not mixed together like ingredients in a cake. The human nature is fully human, with all the characteristics of being human—a physical body, human emotions, a human mind that grows in knowledge, etc. The divine nature is fully God, with all the characteristics of being God—eternality, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, etc. They don't blend to create a third, new nature. They remain distinct, yet perfectly united, in one single person, not two, in the person of Christ.


The language used in the article is important:


  • Without Confusion: The two natures are not confused or mixed. They retain their distinct properties.

  • Without Change: Neither nature changes the other. The divine nature doesn't become less divine, and the human nature doesn't become divine.

  • Without Division: They are not divided into two separate persons. Jesus is one unified person.

  • Without Separation: The two natures are inseparably joined together in one person. They are never separated, not even by death.


The article further emphasizes that these two natures were so closely joined together that not even death could separate them. When Jesus died, His human spirit left His body, but His divine nature stayed united with both His spirit and His body in the grave. His divine nature was always present, even when He was a child, though it wasn't fully displayed then. Because of this, we believe Jesus is both truly God, with the power to conquer death, and truly human, able to die for our sins. The article stresses that He needed to be both fully God and fully man to be our Savior: as God, He had the power to overcome death, and as man, He could experience death on our behalf. This union of two natures in one person is essential to our faith and assures us that Jesus is the perfect mediator between God and humanity.


Why is This Important?


The hypostatic union is "infinitely precious" because it means:


  • Jesus is a single point of focus for our worship. We don't worship two beings, but one: the God-man, Jesus Christ.

  • Jesus uniquely meets the longings of the human heart. We were made for God, and only the God-man can fully satisfy our deepest desires for both the infinite and the relatable.

  • Jesus' union of two natures is "for us." He became the God-man to save us, to reconcile us to God. The fact that His human nature is eternally joined to His divine nature is a constant reminder of God's unstoppable love for us. His divine nature gives him the power to atone for sin. His human nature allowed him to atone for our sin, as a human.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Let's take some time to reflect on what we've learned today. Here are some questions to consider:


1. What does the word Gospel mean?

The word "Gospel" literally means "good news." It refers to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

2. Why must Jesus be born of a virgin?

The virgin birth was necessary to show that Jesus' conception was a supernatural act of God, not a normal human event. It also fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 and demonstrates Jesus' sinlessness. Since all humans have a sinful nature that we inherited from Adam, and Jesus needed to be without sin, He needed to be born of a virgin, so that He would not inherit the sin nature of Adam.

3. What do we learn from Gabriel's announcement to Mary?


We learn that God chooses the humble and the unlikely to accomplish His purposes. Mary was a young, unmarried woman from a small town, yet God chose her to be the mother of His Son. We also learn about God's sovereignty and His ability to do the impossible.

4. What do we learn from the way in which Jesus was born about why He came to Earth?


The humble circumstances of Jesus' birth, in a stable, show that He came to identify with the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering. He came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.

5. What do we learn from the name Jesus, and the name Christ?


The name "Jesus" means "Yahweh saves" or "Savior". It highlights His mission to save people from their sins. The name "Christ" is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word "Messiah," which means "anointed one." It signifies that Jesus is the promised King and Deliverer.

6. Why did the angels announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds, people who weren't high in status, first?

This demonstrates God's concern for the lowly and the outcast. It also foreshadows that the Gospel message is for everyone, regardless of social status. God desires all people to know and experience His love.

7. Why and for whom does Christ bring peace?

Christ brings peace between God and humanity, reconciling us to God through His death and resurrection. He also brings inner peace to those who trust in Him. This peace is for all who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

8. Angels play an important role in the preceding chapters. What do they do today?

While we may not see angels in the same way as described in the Bible, we believe that they still serve God and minister to His people. They may protect us, guide us, and carry out God's will in unseen ways.

9. What do you understand under the two natures of Christ?

The two natures of Christ refer to His full divinity and full humanity. He is both fully God and fully man, without mixture or confusion. This is essential for our salvation, as only someone who is both God and man can be our Mediator and Redeemer.

Conclusion

The announcement of Jesus' birth is a story filled with wonder, hope, and profound theological truth. The Belgic Confession helps us to articulate and understand the significance of these events. As we continue our study, let's remember that the birth of Jesus was not just a historical event, but the beginning of God's plan to redeem humanity. It's a story that continues to change lives today. May we all be filled with the same joy and awe that the shepherds experienced when they heard the good news!

Next Steps

In our next lesson, we'll be moving on to discuss John the Baptist. Until then, I encourage you to re-read the passages we discussed today and to meditate on the incredible truth of the Incarnation.


May God bless you all!

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