The Created Humanity and Divine Spirit of Christ

Yes, the human nature of Jesus Christ was created, as He was both truly God and truly manTA 156.1+1. While He is the eternal Word who was with the Father before the world was, in the incarnation He combined His divinity with a created human nature that was identical to our ownTA 156.1+2.

The Nature of Christ's Humanity

• A Created Human Nature: The human nature of Jesus was created and did not possess even angelic powers; it was human and identical to our ownTA 156.1.

• Identical to Ours: He took the nature of man with the possibility of yielding to temptation, assuming all the liabilities, infirmities, and weaknesses that encompass the fallen human race7ABC 449.3+1.

• The Seed of David: According to the flesh, Jesus was made of the seed of David Romans 1:3. This means He took upon Himself the likeness of sinful man, as it is only sin that causes death, yet He Himself knew no sin 2 Corinthians 5:21PTUK September 24, 1891, page 216.7.

• Divine-Human Union: Christ did not exchange His divinity for humanity but combined the two, such that the human existed in the divine natureSpTA07 24.2+1.

The Purpose of His Human Form

• Our Example: Jesus lived a perfect human life to show what God is willing to do for us and to provide an example of what we may become through His gracePC 83.3+1.

• Our Conqueror: He met temptations using only the weapons available to human beings—the Word of God—to conquer on our behalf Matthew 4:41SM 255.1.

• Our Substitute: Because He took part in flesh and blood, He was able to destroy the one who had the power of death through His own death Hebrews 2:14.

The Mystery of the Incarnation

The incarnation is a profound mystery of godliness that human science cannot explain5BC 1130.6+1. We are to accept this truth by faith, just as we accept the mystery of the Spirit speaking through human instrumentsPTUK March 10, 1892, page 79.3. It is a mystery that will not be fully understood until the redeemed are translated21MR 418.6. Jesus remains the link that binds earth to heaven, having been made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death Hebrews 2:9LTJMB4 40.2.

The blending of the human and divine natures in the person of Jesus Christ is a profound mystery where each nature retained its own essential properties while being joined in a single, inseparable union6MR 112.2+2. This mysterious union was not a transformation of one nature into the other; the Godhead was not made human, nor was the human deified by this connection6MR 112.2+2.

The Integrity of the Two Natures

• Distinct but United: In Christ, the two natures were mysteriously blended, yet the divinity did not destroy the humanity, and the humanity remained in its integrity to reveal the divineTDOC 46.2+2.

• Essential Properties Retained: The divine nature was not humanized, and each nature retained its essential character and properties within the Saviour6MR 112.2+1.

• Fullness of the Godhead: While He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, in Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily Colossians 2:96MR 112.2+1.

• The Death of Christ: When Christ was crucified, it was His human nature that died, as it would have been impossible for Deity to sink and die21MR 418.5+2.

The Reality of His Humanity

• Identical to Our Own: Christ took upon Himself a human body and a human mind with all their peculiar properties, consisting of bone, brain, and muscle16MR 181.3+1.

• A Created Nature: His human nature was created and did not possess even the power of angels; it was identical to our own nature, though without the taint of sin16MR 181.3+2.

• Human Faculties: As a man of our flesh, He possessed the reason, conscience, memory, will, and affections of a human soul united with His divine nature16MR 181.3+1.

• Susceptibility to Temptation: Because He took man's nature, He was capable of yielding to temptation; otherwise, His battle with Satan would have been a farce Hebrews 4:1516MR 181.3.

The Purpose of the Union

• A Golden Chain: The humanity of the Son of God is the golden linked chain that binds our souls to Christ and, through Him, to God7BC 904.10+1.

• Power for Humanity: Christ combined the human with the divine to give the human race a power they could gain by no other means—the power to follow His teachings to the letterFE 534.4+1.

• A Sympathetic High Priest: By taking human nature, Christ fitted Himself to understand our trials and sorrows, qualifying Him to succor all who are tempted Hebrews 2:17-182T 201.1+1.

• Demonstrating Obedience: He assumed human nature to demonstrate to the entire universe that humanity, when united with the divine, can become entirely obedient to the law of GodPUR February 16, 1905, par. 6+2.

An Unexplainable Mystery

• Beyond Human Definition: The limited capacity of man cannot define or explain the blending of these two natures; it is a mystery before which man must wonder and be silent7BC 904.5+1.

• The Mystery of Godliness: This incarnation is the great and profound mystery of godliness, hidden for ages but now made manifest 1 Timothy 3:165BC 1130.6+1.

• Acceptance by Faith: While we cannot fathom this union with our short human measuring lines, we are privileged to be partakers of the divine nature and thus enter to some degree into the mystery7BC 904.5+2.

The divine Spirit that dwelt in a temple of flesh is Jesus Christ Himself, the eternal Word who combined His divinity with humanity John 1:1, 14CE 77.1+1. This mystery of God manifest in the flesh means that the Creator adopted our nature to reach the fallen race Hebrews 2:1420MR 196.3+1. This same Spirit of Christ is promised to dwell in every believer, transforming the character into the divine similitude 1 John 3:242MR 12.5+1.

The Divine Spirit in Humanity

• The incarnation of Christ is the great mystery of godliness, where divinity was clothed with humanity so that God Himself inhabited a human temple 1 Timothy 3:16CE 77.1+1.

• Jesus did not lose His divine identity but combined it with a human nature that was identical to ours, yet without the taint of sin17MR 24.2+2.

• This union allowed the Savior to reveal the character of the Father to a world that had received false impressions of the Deity18MR 380.1+1.

• In His humanity, Christ perfected a character through perfect obedience, making it possible for us to also become partakers of the divine nature 2 Peter 1:4SpTA07 24.2+1.

The Indwelling Spirit in Believers

• Those who receive Christ by faith experience the Holy Spirit implanting a new nature and molding the human character until the image of Christ is perfected2MR 12.5+1.

• The Spirit of Jesus in the heart of a believer recognizes Jesus in the hearts of others, creating a bond of unity and loveST October 17, 1892, par. 1+1.

• Our bodies are intended to be the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to glorify God in both our body and spirit 1 Corinthians 6:19-20PrT January 30, 1890, par. 8+1.

• Through the indwelling of the Spirit, the "mind of Christ" is exemplified in the believer, leading to a life of unselfishness and holiness Philippians 2:518MR 193.2+1.

The Relation to the Spirit of Antichrist

• The spirit of antichrist is specifically defined by the denial that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh 1 John 4:2-3AA 554.2+1.

• Satan seeks to obscure the mystery of the incarnation because it is the only means by which humanity can be restored to the moral image of GodDA 506.4+2.

• While Christ represents "divinity in humanity" to save, the "man of sin" represents a human power exalting itself as God, sitting in the temple of God to usurp His prerogatives 2 Thessalonians 2:3-414MR 162.2+1.

• Those who reject the truth of Christ's nature fall under the strong delusions of the enemy, who personates Christ and works lying wonders to deceive the world 2 Thessalonians 2:9-119MR 362.1+1.

• The final conflict centers on whether one will honor God’s law through the power of the indwelling Spirit or follow the mandates of the antichristian power Revelation 14:9-12GC 450.1+1.

...silence in this matter is the only eloquence. This love is past all language to describe. It is the mystery of God in the flesh, God in Christ, and divinity in humanity. Christ bowed down in unparalleled humility, that in his exaltation to the throne of God, he might a...— CE 77.1 (1894)

...erlasting life.” God showed his love for us by adopting our nature, in the person of his Son. God himself inhabited humanity, making us partakers of the divine nature, that by the incarnation and death of his only begotten Son, our adoption as heirs of God and joint...— YI December 16, 1897, par. 3 (1852)

...perfect obedience to every requirement of God, he procured redemption for all who will be obedient. The divine nature is imparted to those who receive and acknowledge him as their Saviour. They become partakers of the divine nature, overcoming the assaults of Satan and escaping the corru...— RH August 31, 1905, par. 13 (1851)

... of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God; and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.&rdquo— ST September 3, 1894, par. 6 (1874)

2 John 1:7

7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

1 John 4:2-3

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Yes, the scripture stating that "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" signifies that Christ Himself, through His representative the Holy Spirit, dwells within the believer as a personal, living Savior to provide victory over sin, self, and the enemy6BC 1112.1+1. This experience is the very essence of Christianity, moving beyond theoretical doctrine into a practical, spiritual union where the same life that Christ lived in Judea is reproduced in His followers todayGCB December 1895, page 632.3+1.

The Presence of Christ through the Spirit

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the actual presence of Jesus Christ in the soul12MR 261.1. While the Father and the Son are personally in the heavenly sanctuary, they are invisibly present in the heart of the believer through the agency of the ComforterTDOC 221.3.

• A Real Representative: The Holy Spirit is Christ’s actual representative, and to have the presence of the Spirit is to have the presence of Christ Himself dwelling in the heart by faithGCB December 1895, page 632.3+1.

• The Fulfillment of the Promise: When Jesus promised, "I will come to you," He referred to this advent of the Comforter, which brings the believer into a bond of spiritual unity with the GodheadPTUK July 12, 1894, page 433.7+1.

• Evidence of the Presence: This indwelling is not a matter of feeling but is evidenced by the "fruits of the Spirit"—love, joy, peace, and long-suffering—which are the outward manifestations of the life of Christ in the soul12MR 261.1+1.

Empowerment for Victory

The purpose of Christ coming in the flesh was to demonstrate that humanity, when united with divinity, does not commit sinTe 107.1. By dwelling in us, He imparts that same victorious power to our livesARSH September 29, 1896, page 621.7.

• Victory over Sin: Christ is a complete Savior who conquers not only the acts of sin but the very tendencies to commit sin, providing mastery over natural inclinations that corrupt the soulTe 110.1+1.

• Victory over Self: The indwelling Savior enables a man to gain the victory over a stubborn will and the "hungering ambition for worldly honor" through a process of self-sacrifice and entire surrender17LtMs, Lt 55, 1902, par. 18+1.

• Victory over Satan: Because Christ conquered the adversary in human flesh, His victory becomes ours when He dwells within; the "beaten foe" cannot overcome the soul that is hidden in ChristPTUK October 26, 1893, page 465.10+1.

• The Mystery of the Gospel: This is "the mystery which hath been hid for ages," which is "Christ in you, the hope of glory" Colossians 1:26-27.

The Spirit of Antichrist and the Incarnation

Believing and confessing that "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" is the definitive test of whether a spirit is of God or of the antichrist 1 John 4:2-3.

• A Continuous Reality: The scripture does not merely say Christ came in the past, but that He is come in the flesh, highlighting His ongoing identification with and indwelling of human flesh todaySITI May 21, 1896, page 323.1+1.

• The Antichrist's Denial: The spirit of antichrist seeks to separate Jesus from the human family by denying His actual union with our fallen, sinful flesh, thereby striking at the heart of the experience of "Christ in you"PTUK September 15, 1898, page 581.5+1.

• Satanic Deception: Satan works to divert minds from this personal, indwelling presence by substituting it with outward forms, "uncouth" emotional demonstrations, or the false claim that Christ’s coming is merely a secret, individual experience at deathDD 10.1+1.

Requirements for the Indwelling

For the soul to be a fit temple for this divine inhabitant, certain conditions must be met through the grace of God16LtMs, Ms 14, 1901, par. 42.

• Emptying of Self: The heart must be emptied of self-importance and self-sufficiency before it can be filled with the Holy SpiritTSA 80.4+1.

• Obedience to the Law: Willful violation of God's requirements silences the voice of the Spirit; holiness is only found in harmony with God's standard of righteousnessGC 472.3.

• Physical Temperance: Because the body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, strict compliance with the principles of temperance is required to maintain a clear mind capable of recognizing the Spirit’s voicePH100 51.2.

This amazing truth ensures that while we struggle in mortal, sinful bodies, we are not left to our own strength, for "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" 1 John 4:4PTUK November 17, 1898, page 723.8.

The Lord Jesus Christ is indeed the Comforter, for the Holy Spirit is His own representative and the manifestation of His divine presence in the soul12MR 260.1+1. While the nature of the Holy Spirit remains a sacred mystery, the scriptures and inspired testimonies identify this Comforter as the omnipresence of the Spirit of Christ, sent by the Father in His name to abide with the believer foreverULe 20.5+1.

Christ as the Indwelling Comforter

Jesus personally identified Himself with the coming Comforter when He promised His disciples, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" John 14:18YI December 13, 1894, par. 4. This "another Comforter" is the Spirit of truth, who is none other than Christ Himself, divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereofPrT May 30, 1895, par. 7. By this divine agency, Christ is able to be omnipresent, dwelling in the hearts of His people in every place at once6BC 1112.1+1.

• The Spirit of His Son: God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, and it is this Spirit that recreates, refines, and sanctifies human beings Galatians 4:6GW 286.3.

• The Life of Christ in the Soul: The influence of the Holy Spirit is literally the life of Christ in the soul, working through everyone who receives Him6BC 1112.1.

• A Personal Relation: A genuine conversion requires teachers and students to have a personal relation to a living Saviour through the practical knowledge of the operations of the SpiritCT 359.1.

• A Divine Attendant: Those who have faith in this divine Companion will be gifted with power to clothe the message of truth with sacred beautyGW 97.1.

The Work of the Indwelling Spirit

When one is fully emptied of self, the vacuum is filled by the inflowing of the Spirit of Christ, which brings the will of man into subjection to God2SAT 93.1+1. This indwelling presence is not a mere influence but the working of the three highest powers in heaven—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost—who gave themselves to the plan of redemption7ABC 442.5+1.

• Victory Over Sin: To those who ask Him, Jesus imparts the Holy Spirit to deliver the believer from the pollution and controlling power of sin1SM 394.3+1.

• An Abiding Presence: When Christ’s words take possession of us, He becomes an abiding presence, controlling our thoughts, ideas, and actionsSpTA09 77.1.

• A Well of Water: An indwelling Saviour becomes as a well of water springing up into everlasting life, watering the hearts of others5BC 1134.2+1.

• The Seal of Redemption: The Holy Spirit of God is the agent whereby believers are sealed unto the day of redemptionRH May 8, 1900, par. 5+1.

Warnings Against Misconceptions

It is a subtle and mischievous error to believe that the second advent is merely Christ’s coming to the individual at death; His personal coming in the clouds is a distinct event from the gift of His SpiritDD 10.1. Furthermore, we must distinguish the genuine moving of the Holy Spirit from "uncouth" demonstrations, such as drums and dancing, which confuse the senses and are not of God5MR 107.3.

...that He should leave them, go to His Father, and send the Holy Spirit to be His successor on earth. The Holy Spirit is Himself, divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof. Christ would represent Himself as present in all places by His Holy Spirit,—as the Omnipresent. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will ...— PrT May 30, 1895, par. 7 (1885)

... to define just what the Holy Spirit is. Christ tells us that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, and the Comforter is the Holy Ghost, “the Spirit of truth, which the Father shall send in my name.” John 14:26.] “I will pray the Father, and he shall send you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” [Verses 16, 17.] This refers to the omnipresence of the Spirit of Christ, called the Comforter. Again Jesus says, “I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit,...— 7LtMs, Lt 7, 1891, par. 14

22, 23 Ephesians 5:9. The Indwelling of the Spirit—The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul. We do not see Christ and speak to Him, but His Holy Spirit is just as near us in one place as in another. It works in and through every one who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of the Spirit...— 6BC 1112.1 (1956)

The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption. In order fully to carry out this plan, it was decided that Christ, the only begotten Son of God, s...— PH148 5.3 (1901)

...]. Christ was about to depart to His home in the heavenly courts. But He assured His disciples that He would send them another Comforter, who would abide with them forever. To the guidance of this Comforter all who believe in Christ may implicitly trust. He is the Spirit of truth, but this truth the world can neither discern nor receive— 12MR 260.1 (1990)

When his words of instruction have been received, and have taken possession of us, Jesus is to us an abiding presence, controlling our thoughts and ideas and actions. We are imbued with the instruction of the greatest Teacher the world ever knew. A sense of human accountability and of human influence, gives character to our views of life and of daily duties. Jesus Christ is everything to us,—the first, the last, the best in everything. Jesus Christ, his Spirit, his character, colors everything; it is the warp and the woof, the very texture of our entire being. The words of Christ are spirit and life. We cannot, then, center our thoughts upon self; it is no more we that live, but Christ that liveth in us, and he is the hope of glory. Self is dead, but Christ is a living Saviour. Continuing to look unto...— SpTA09 77.1 (1897)