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Study 04 of 18

Chapter 3: Christ as Man

Christ's incarnation was a real, substantial identification with humanity.

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Jones builds upon the foundation of Christ's divinity to explain the meaning of His humanity as described in Hebrews 2. He argues that just as Christ’s likeness to God was not a mere form but a substance, His likeness to men is also a likeness in nature and substance. Christ became a man, 'lower than the angels,' to reach humanity where it is—lost in sin and subject to death. Jones stresses that Jesus is 'THE MAN' who came to regain the dominion lost by the first Adam. By becoming one of us, Christ shows that He is not ashamed to call us brethren. This chapter emphasizes the profound 'oneness' between Christ and humanity, a oneness that is not merely symbolic but a vital reality of His work to restore what was lost.

Key points

  • Christ's likeness to men is in nature and substance, just as His likeness to God is.
  • Jesus is the 'last Adam' who came to regain the dominion lost by the first Adam.
  • Christ became 'a little lower than the angels' to taste death for every man.
  • Christ and humanity are 'all of one'—one flesh, one nature, one substance.

Key texts

  • Hebrews 2:5-9
  • Romans 5:12
  • Hebrews 2:11

From the book

Chapter 3 · Belief 4 · Read this chapter

  • “The likeness of Christ to God is in substance as well as in form. And the likeness of Christ to man is in substance as well as in form.” (ch. 3)
  • “We do “see Jesus” as man, come to have all things put in subjection under Him.” (ch. 3)
  • “So that just as certainly as, on the side of God, Jesus and God are of one—of one Spirit, of one nature, of one substance; so, on the side of man, Christ and man are “of one’—of one flesh, of one nature, of one substance.” (ch. 3)

Put it into practice

  • Read Hebrews 2 and note why Christ became human.
  • Meditate on Jesus as your brother who understands your humanity.
  • Reflect on what it means that Christ identified with you in your fallen state.
  1. Comprehension

    1. How does Jones describe the 'likeness' of Christ to humanity?

  2. Doctrinal Clarity

    2. Who is the 'last Adam' and what is His purpose?

  3. Comprehension

    3. Why did Jesus become 'a little lower than the angels'?

  4. Scripture

    4. What does it mean that 'He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one'?

  5. Doctrinal Clarity

    5. Why was the first chapter of Hebrews necessary to understand the second?

  6. Contrast

    6. What happened to the dominion originally given to man?

  7. Doctrinal Clarity

    7. Why is it important that Christ was not ashamed to call us brethren?

  8. Application

    8. How does Jesus' identification with you in His human nature affect your prayer?