Our Lord Jesus Christ: Fully God, Fully Man— Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Perspective

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church upholds the profound truth that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, united in one composite nature, without division, without separation, without confusion, and without alteration.

• Composite: The one nature is not a simple mixture but a unique union.

• Without division: Christ's nature is not divided into separate parts (divine and human).

• Without separation: The divine and human natures are not separate within Christ.

• Without confusion: The two natures are not blended or mixed together.

• Without alteration: Neither the divine nor human nature is changed in the union.

This sacred mystery is illuminated through both His divine actions and His human experiences.

Evidence for Christ's Divinity:

• When Christ calms a storm with divine authority (Matthew 8:23), restores sight through a miracle (John 9:6), forgives sins with absolute power (Mark 2:5), walks on water (Mathew 14:22), enters a locked room (John 20:26), and transforms water into wine (John 2:1-11), His divinity shines through.

• The pronouncements of the Father (Matthew 3:16-17), the descent of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 17:5), the angelic speak (Luke 2:11), and the prophetic pronouncements (Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 2:11) all affirm His divine nature.

Proof for Christ’s Humanity:

• Jesus' birth as a vulnerable infant (Matthew 2:11), His need for sleep (Matthew 8:23), His use of physical means for healing (John 9:6), His participation in a wedding celebration (John 2:1), His limitations by a physical body (Mark 2:4), and His shared act of eating after resurrection (Luke 24:42) all demonstrate His complete humanity.

The Mystery of the Incarnation (ሥጋዌ/ ሰው መሆን):

This union of perfect divinity and perfect humanity in Christ remains a sacred mystery. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church emphasizes that He is not two separate beings, but one being comprised of both divine and human natures.
Saint Theophilus expresses this beautifully: "He was born of a virgin as a man; He did all our works except sin. He glorified human nature by appearing when he became human in a special and wonderful way" (Father Theophilus 69:7).

In Conclusion:

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church honors the glorious mystery of Jesus Christ. He is both fully God, possessing divine power and authority, and fully man, sharing our human experiences. In Him, divinity and humanity are united, offering humanity the path to redemption and the promise of eternal life.