Affirms
Christ is the eternal Word who existed with God before the Incarnation
The ICOC affirms the eternal pre-existence of Christ as the divine Word (John 1:1), agent of creation, and second person of the Trinity. Christ's pre-existence is essential to the ICOC's high Christology and its affirmation of the Incarnation as a voluntary act of divine self-giving.
This theological conviction is expressed in ICOC worship and discipling teaching, which emphasizes the greatness of Christ's sacrifice: the eternal Son of God humbled himself to enter human existence in order to save humanity. This motivates the total commitment expected of ICOC disciples in return.
Key Distinctions
- Preexistence affirmed:
- affirmed — the Son/Logos eternally pre-existed the Incarnation
- Ot identity:
- the eternal Word and agent of creation (John 1:1-3); identified with YHWH in various OT theophanies
Scripture References
Sources
- ICOC Statement of Belief