Apollonarianism and Apollonarius

Lesson Goal: To understand Apollonarianism as a historical heresy, and through its error, deepen our appreciation for the biblical truth of Jesus Christ's complete humanity, its necessity for our salvation, and its relevance to our daily lives.

1. Introduction: Why Does Jesus' Nature Matter?

Imagine trying to understand Jesus. Is He just God pretending to be human? Is He a human who became God? These questions are not just academic; they touch the core of our faith and salvation. From the earliest days of Christianity, believers wrestled with how to understand Jesus as both fully divine and fully human.

Focus: We're going to look at a significant error from the 4th century, called Apollonarianism, which helps us understand the profound truth and importance of Jesus' complete humanity.

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, NLT)

2. The Historical Context of Apollonarianism

Who was Apollinarius? He was a bishop in Laodicea in the late 4th century (c. 310–390 AD). He was a well-intentioned theologian seeking to defend the full deity of Christ against Arianism (which denied Jesus' full divinity).

The Problem Apollonarius Addressed: How could Jesus be truly God and truly human without His two natures being confused, mixed, or compromised? It was a genuine theological challenge to explain how the infinite God could inhabit finite humanity.

Apollonarius' Flawed Solution:  He proposed that Jesus had a human body and a human soul, but that the divine Logos (the Son of God) took the place of a human spirit or rational mind. In other words, Jesus didn't have a fully human mind or will; His divine nature directed His human body and soul.

Why This Was a Problem: This teaching meant Jesus was not truly "man" in the full sense. He lacked a complete human nature, especially the very part of us that often struggles with sin—our intellect and will.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, NIV). How could Christ die for all of humanity if he didn't assume all of it?

As the great Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, regarding the incarnation, "He who saved us is truly man, though also truly God. This is a great mystery, but a most glorious and blessed truth. For our salvation depends on it." (Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David – concept, not direct quote on Apollonarianism but affirming full humanity).

3. Why Apollonarianism Was Declared Heretical

Theological Implications of a Partial Humanity:

Incomplete Representation: If Jesus did not have a complete human mind and will, how could He truly represent fallen humanity before God? Our sin is not just physical; it's a rebellion of the mind and will against God.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 4:15, CSB). To be tempted "in every way" means having a complete human nature susceptible to such temptations.

Incomplete Redemption: A core principle in Christian theology is "what is not assumed is not healed." If Christ did not assume a complete human nature, including a human spirit and mind, then our spirits and minds cannot be fully redeemed and restored by Him.

"For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, NLT). The solution for humanity's sin had to come through a true man, one who is also God.

Compromised Sympathy: If Jesus didn't experience the full range of human thought, emotion, and struggle in His own mind, how could He genuinely empathize with us? 

The Church’s Response: The First Council of Constantinople in A.D. 381 condemned Apollonarianism, affirming that Jesus Christ was fully God and fully human, possessing a complete human nature, including a human body, soul, and a rational human spirit/mind. This was crucial for maintaining the integrity of the gospel and the efficacy of Christ's saving work.

As Dr. Albert Mohler, a prominent Southern Baptist theologian, states, "To deny the full humanity of Christ is to deny the very possibility of our salvation, for only a truly human Son of God could perfectly obey, suffer, and die as our substitute." (Albert Mohler, concept frequently articulated in his theological writings).

4. Applications for Our Lives Today

The Perfection of Our Saviour: The complete humanity of Christ assures us that our Savior is perfect in every way needed for our salvation. He lived a truly human, sinless life under temptation and bore the full weight of human sin on the cross. His sacrifice is truly sufficient.

The Gospel: This truth underpins the gospel message: God, in His infinite love, sent His Son, fully God and fully man, to live the life we could not live and die the death we deserved, offering forgiveness and eternal life to all who repent and believe in Him (John 3:16).

2. The Empathy of Our High Priest: Because Jesus was truly human in every way (yet without sin), He truly understands our struggles, temptations, and weaknesses. We do not have a distant or unfeeling God; we have a Savior who has walked in our shoes.

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (Hebrews 4:16, NLT). We can approach Him confidently because He understands.

3. The Hope for Our Redemption: Christ's full humanity means that every part of us—body, soul, and spirit—can be redeemed, transformed, and glorified. He is not just saving a part of us but making us completely new in Him.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV).

4. Call to Worship: Understanding the depth of the incarnation—that the eternal God truly became a man, fully human yet without sin—should lead us to profound worship and gratitude for such an amazing and accessible Savior.

5. Conclusion

Summary: Apollonarianism, though well-intentioned, erred by denying Jesus' full human spirit/mind. The Church rightly condemned it, upholding the vital truth that Jesus is fully God and fully man. This doctrine is not merely ancient history; it is foundational to our understanding of salvation, the character of God, and our access to Him.  

Final Encouragement: Let us cherish the biblical truth of Jesus' complete humanity, knowing that we have a Savior who fully understands us, perfectly represents us, and completely redeems us.

Call to Action: Trust in this fully divine and fully human Savior, and live in light of His perfect sacrifice and empathetic understanding.