Incarnation: Representation Requires FULL Identification [Apollinarianism]

Introduction:

[Image] Apollinarius was the Bishop of Laodicea, and he was a great defender of the deity of Jesus — that Jesus is God. Unfortunately, in his defense of this great truth he also became a proponent of the “incomplete” humanity of Christ. According to Stephen J. Wellum, Apollinarianism held to Jesus taking upon himself a human body but not a human soul [will, mind, and psychology]. [Wellum, Stephen J., God the Son Incarnate (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2016], p. 297-299.

[Subject] It is very important that we understand the humanity of Christ because if Jesus was not completely human then he could not completely represent mankind; thus Jesus would be an inadequate substitute and mankind would could not be completely delivered. Representation requires full identification [modified from Stephen Wellum, God the Son Incarnate, Wheaton, p. 223]

[Need] The question that drives us today then is, “Why can I be hopeful of complete deliverance because of Jesus complete humanity?”

[Text] Hebrews 2:14-18

Hebrews 2:14–18 KJV 1900

14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

[Preview] (1) Our need extends beyond mere bodily corruption, (2) but God’s solution also extends beyond the mere bodily incarnation of Jesus, so (3) we must believe in the complete humanity of Jesus for hope of complete deliverance.

Body:

[Problem] Our need extends beyond mere bodily corruption

[show me] Hebrews 2:17 - reconciliation for the sins of the people.

As we read this passage, we do not get the idea that we are purely broken in our bodies. Notice: (i) The tone of the passage Hebrews 2:14-15 through the language. There is a spiritual warfare alluded to; there is the devil, people who are living physically but under bondage their entire lifetime…etc. There is more than the mere physical body in view in this passage, but it is not less. (ii) Notice the God in the passage (2:17). The matters in this passage are matters pertaining to the eternal God, who is a Spirit and must be worshipped in spirit and in truth — again, reminding us that the passage is more than just about the physical, material body but certainly not less than this. (iii) Notice the language of reconciliation [here a payment that is applied through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ - propitiation].

In at least these three ways we see that we are a people who are in need, and the tone, the God, and language of payment in the passage show that this need is not just one that is about broken bodies. The need is more than mere bodily corruption. Ephesians 2:1-4 provides a robust insight to our need to have redeemed minds.

Illustration: If the engine is broken, a new paint job on the vehicle will do no good.

[Explain] In like manner, we cannot limit our need to purely the external. We are in need both bodily, but we are in need in mind, psyche, and will.

[Payload] When we speak about our sinfulness, we can be really adept at talking about of what we say, what we do; but the scripture also speaks about sinful thoughts, sinful desires, and sinful choices. Galatians 5:19-21.

If we don’t understand our root problem, we might tend towards a double-life where we allow and justify internal sin, but treat lightly mental, emotional sin.

A Christian who is living a double life is a Christian who has NOT believing the fullness of the Incarnation & his own Corruption.

[Solution] God’s solution also extends beyond the mere bodily incarnation of Jesus

[show me] Hebrews 2:14,16,17 - partakers of flesh and blood; took on him the seed of Abraham; to be made like unto his brethren; a merciful and faithful...

Notice that the passage makes absolutely clear that Jesus had a body. The terms flesh and blood. That is not the question though. The question is whether the word flesh would entail that Jesus took on more than a human body. Did Jesus also take on take upon himself also a human will, human mind, and human psyche?

The teaching of Apollinarius was that Jesus took upon himself a human body but not a human soul [specifically, will, mind, and psyche]. There is a great problem with the teaching of Apollinarius, but in order to understand the problem, we must begin by understanding the representative position of the Person of Jesus Christ. Jesus must stand as a representative of mankind fully, if he will fully represent man. This representation of Jesus has to be broken down into two parts: who Jesus is as a Human, and what Jesus does as a Human. It is not only important what Jesus does that matters, but it matters who Jesus is. Here is what I mean:

In representing mankind in mind: Jesus had to have a life of pure thinking that proceeded from a human mind.

In representing mankind in will: Jesus had to have a life of pure decision-making that proceeded from a human will.

In representing mankind in passion: Jesus had to have a life of pure feelings that proceeded from a human soul.

Jesus could not fully represent mankind if he was not fully man.

Illustration: Dwayne, the Rock, Johnson was a professional, fake wrestler. He now stars in quite a few Hollywood films. He also has a stunt double. Tanoai Reed (cousin) looks the part and acts the part, but there are also things that must be true about the stunt double, if he is going to step in to rightly represent the Rock....

[Explain] In like manner, for Jesus to rightly represent mankind, he must be fully human and not merely do what humans do rightly. Hebrews 2:17. “In all things” means “in every respect” Jesus was made like his brethren.

Wellum, “In other words, to come according to the plan of God, the Son could not take on a partial or pseudo human nature.” [Wellum, God, the Son Incarnate, p. 223]

[Payload] When we speak of God’s solution we must not only speak of what Jesus has done but of who Jesus is. Jesus is the Complete representative Man for corrupted mankind, which means Jesus has a fully human nature which includes a human mind, will, and psyche. Hebrews 4:15.

[Application] We must believe in the complete humanity of Jesus for hope of complete Deliverance

[show me] Hebrews 2:14 that he might destroy him that had the power of death

Several references in these verses confirm that there is deliverance. (i) First, there is the destruction of death (v. 14) (ii) Second, there is the reconciliation for sins (v. 17). The incarnation makes it possible for Jesus to die as a human being and to represent mankind before God.

Illustration: How sufficient is your arbitrator before God? Recently, the Kyle Rittenhouse case has been all over the news. Of note, both the prosecutor and the defense attorneys have received quite a bit of attention. In particular, the prosecutor was publicly scolded by the judge for some basic case law matters. This is a reminder that in our legal system, men who represent other men are sinners who make mistakes. The question is whether you want another sinful man representing you with God over the sinner that you are, or would you rather have the perfect Man as your representative.

[Explain] Who is your representative with God? I Timothy 2:5

[Payload] So, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ today! Will you receive him? [power to change]

[show me] Hebrews 2:18 he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Here we are confronted with the reality that previously Jesus was NOT able to help those who were tempted, at least not help them from the point of full human experience. The only way to rightly understand this statement is to see that Jesus is presently able to and actively helping those who are in temptation. How? He is doing so as a human who endured as fully human.

“[Jesus] lived not in sublime detachment or in ascetic isolation, but “with us”, as “the fellow-man of all men”, crowded, busy, harassed, stressed and molested. No large estate gave him space, no financial capital guaranteed his daily bread, no personal staff protected him from interruptions and no power or influence protected him from injustice. He saved us from along side us.” [Wellum quoting Macleod, p. 226]

He knows how to deliver his people from sin of the mind, sin of the desires, and sin of the soul because he endured as fully human, yet without sin.

Illustration: If we diminish the full truth of the incarnation, we will tend towards seeking help for our evident, symptomatic temptations rather than our root sinfulness.

An assistant professor of a university made recent headlines for what one commenter called “trying to normalize the term MAP [Minor Attracted Persons]”.

“Using a term about what someone is attracted to doesn’t indicate anything about the morality of that attraction” - Stated by the asst. professor [https://www.foxnews.com/us/old-dominion-professor-statement-minor-attracted-persons; Accessed 11/19/21]

The idea that we are not accountable for our desires and that our desires expressed are how we become the true us, is in conflict with the Biblical, Christian worldview - the reality of what we needed in the Incarnation.

As Christians, our desires (be they attractions or distractions) are fallen and in need of as much redemption as my words and deeds.

[Payload] So, trust fully in the help that is only found in Jesus. He does know what you are enduring in your mind, your will, and your soul!

If we don’t consider carefully the fullness of Jesus’ humanity:

we may become frustrated or hopeless about our thought life.

we might think that loving God with our whole person (1st and great command) is not possible.

we might fall into the trap of “I can’t help but think...”

we might allow self-directed thoughts to control our fears/anxieties...

Bridge to Conclusion:

Conclusion:

The question that drives us today then is, “Why can I be hopeful of complete deliverance because of Jesus complete humanity?”

To answer that we have looked at Hebrews 2:14-18. (1) Our need extends beyond mere bodily corruption, (2) but God’s solution also extends beyond the mere bodily incarnation of Jesus, so (3) we must believe in the complete humanity of Jesus for hope of complete deliverance.

[RHETORICAL] But, isn’t this how we live? Don’t all Christians recognize that Jesus’ incarnation means that he is saying that our minds, wills, and souls are completely corrupted? NO.

Conclusion:

[Bumper Sticker Idea] Representation requires FULL identification [modified from Stephen Wellum, God the Son Incarnate, Wheaton, p. 223]

[Illustrate it] Have you ever seen someone who is doing the right thing but who is in a wrong frame of mind; or have you ever done the right thing with a wrong attitude? Jesus did not just come in the flesh to save you ONLY from a body that is corrupt but from a mind, will, and soul that is corrupt.

Positive/Negative Example

Full Identification of Jesus mean:

that He cares about your thought life. (Philippians 4:4-9)

that we are to be fighting with evil thoughts (favoritism, lust, covetousness…etc)

that our mind belongs to the LORD — we are stewards.

that we are responsible for what we think

Meditations in the Word aid in the war against Distractions of the World.

that He cares about your choices (will).

(learning to say “no” to you so that you can say “yes” to God for the benefit of others)

that He cares about your emotions. (Hebrews 4:15) (He sympathizes fully with you, so bring your hurt to Him confidently).

He feels what you feel more fully than you feel it, so go to Him with your feelings!

[Unbeliever] Have you believed on Jesus as the only fully perfect human, as your representative before God?

Everyone has two options of representation with God: Either they have SELF-REPRESENTATION or SAVIOR-REPRESENTATION.

Final Clear Statement

We can be hopeful of complete deliverance because Jesus was completely human.