Fully divine and fully human; eternal Son; Lord and Savior of all
The Church of God (Cleveland) affirms Chalcedonian Christology: Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully divine and fully human, united in one person without confusion or separation. He is true God of true God, yet became incarnate as the man Jesus of Nazareth, born of Mary, died on the cross, and rose from the dead on the third day.
Jesus is confessed as Lord (the exalted Christ) and Savior (the one through whom redemption is accomplished). His divinity is affirmed in statements such as 'In the beginning was the Word' (John 1:1) and declarations of his resurrection and exaltation. His humanity is affirmed in his real temptations, sufferings, and death. The Church teaches the virgin birth as essential to understanding Jesus's sinlessness and unique identity as God incarnate.
Key Distinctions
- Natures formula:
- two complete natures (divine and human) united in one person without confusion
- Conciliar affiliation:
- Council of Chalcedon (451) affirmed as orthodox expression
Scripture References
Sources
- Church of God in Christ Jesus Book of Doctrines and Discipline
- Council of Chalcedon (451) — affirmed as faithful Christological definition