Christ is fully God and fully man! The Book of Hebrews is crucial to this key understanding, and as we continue with our study in Hebrews, we’ll be analyzing chapter 2 verses 5 – 18 to cover the Christ’s dual nature and more.  It’s fascinating how so much doctrinal truth is concentrated in chapter 2 and why it’s essential to read the Bible book by book and verse by verse.  We at Illuminating Faith advocate for a verse for verse and book by book study rather than jumping around and approaching it from a topical standpoint alone. We’ll see why Christ is fully God and fully man.

Beginning with verse 5, the author of Hebrews states, “For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels”.  This is in reference to God who is establishing the coming millennial kingdom for His Son, Jesus Christ.  Furthermore, we see the author refuting an elevated role for angels and establishing the role that angels are subservient to mankind and to Christ Jesus.  Once again, the author returns to the original argument that angels are not above Jesus and their primary role is to serve mankind.  Angels are God’s creation, and they are not the saviors of mankind.  As we proceed with the verse 6 – 8, we see the author references Psalm 8:4-6 directly “What is man that you are mindful of him, And the son of man that you visit him?  For You have made him a little lower that the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor”.  This further validates (all though obvious to most Bible literate believers), that you can not have the New Testament without the Old Testament, and the Old Testament speaks about the coming of Christ as well as various prophesies explicating His second coming.  This last portion is referencing Christ – regarding God the Father crowning His Son Jesus Christ with glory and honor.  Glory and honor came after Christ suffered for us, was crucified, buried and resurrected on the 3^rd day.  Verse 9 states “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone”.  This is the glory and honor written by the author in reference to what God the Father has endowed to His Son.

Verse 10 is one of significant verses that begins to explain our adoption to the family of God and redemption to the Father through the acts of our Lord Jesus Christ.  “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  This is a continuation of the glory and honor explained by the author that Christ has received by the Father for His suffering.  Christ’s Godship is established, His role in the creation with the two other persons of the Holy Trinity, and the end result which is Christ receiving us as his children.  Hence, the title, Christ Is Fully God and Fully Man is important for all believers to understand the explanation regarding His dual nature. In Colossians 1:16 “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him”, and in Hebrews 5:8 (which will also go over in detail), the author further elaborates on Christ’s suffering by stating the following, “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered”. 

We can combine verses 11 through 13 to make one concrete point, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ has an active role in the life of the believer as well as having fellowship with Christ.  As we take Holy communion and remember what Jesus has done for us on the cross – His suffering, we are reminded by the author that we are not simply adopted children who are neglected, rather Jesus is in Heaven rejoicing for our work we do for Him.  The King of Kings, the Creator of the Heavens and Earth declares us before the other saints in heaven and celebrates our walk in the faith for our Lord. Such an amazing God who has reached down from heaven and truly through His actions and abundance of love for mankind, reunified us to Him.  Obviously, those who receive Him as Lord and Savior can enjoy this blessed gift. It’s absolutely crucial to fully grasp that Christ Is Fully God and Fully Man. During Later studies when we discuss Hebrews chapter five, we’ll learn why God the Son had to assume a fleshly body as this was the plan of the God the Father and the means for salvation.

“For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”

And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”

Proceeding in this study, we come to verses 14 – 18 and the author states the following:

“14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

Starting with verse 14, we learn something spectacular about the reason why God the Father and the Son proceeded in this model for salvation.  First, it’s apparent that the Son had to become a man in order to fully experience being human which resolves two issues: 1) He is able to relate to us, understand our struggles, therefore intercede on our behalf to the Father, and 2) We as humans can’t blame God by saying He doesn’t understand us, therefore, how can He judge us if He doesn’t understand the sinful nature of man. 

Secondly, we understand that the Son’s incarnation was a prerequisite to being the last sacrifice, as an innocent and blameless could assume the sins and be slaughtered in our stead.  As such, this allowed for Jesus to overcome death through His actions and in Romans 10:9 Paul the Apostle states “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”  Hence, we, we who receive the Lord Jesus Christ are snatched from the hands of Satan are saved.  Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and Satan cannot snatch us from Jesus. 

Lastly, verses 16 through 18 further explain this point by initially returning the main premise that God’s intention is to help restore mankind’s relationship with Him, and we who are believers, and a part of the Church are also part of the spiritual seed of Abraham.  Galatians 3:29 states “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”  An additional point to make which is paramount is the fact that Jesus who has been tempted will help overcome temptation.  We go back to the understanding of He who suffered understands the struggle of mankind because He too was once a man. We hope that this Bible studies series in Hebrews is helping you further understand some of the key points of the faith. We believe that the title, Christ Is Fully God and Fully Man encapsulates this study.

If you haven’t received the Lord yet and realize that you want to be a part of God’s family, it’s as simple as a prayer to obtain salvation.  Salvation is about the heart and the acknowledgment that you can not attain salvation through works.  The Apostle Paul states in Romans 10:9-10, 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Pray this prayer: Lord Jesus I know that I am a sinner and I ask you to forgive me of my sins. I receive you as my Lord and Savior, please come into my heart and write my name in your Book of Life. I receive you Father God, Son and Holy Spirit, and I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.