The Symbol of Chalcedon (451 A.D.)
With the Church throughout the ages, we believe that “the only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continues to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever,” (WSC 21). This statement of truth is the very foundation of the gospel; it is our hope as Christians. In Jesus Christ, the almighty eternal God humbled himself to become a lowly man in order to save guilty men by offering himself as an atoning sacrifice in their place.
In theological terms, it is critical that we recognize that both Jesus’ divine nature and his human nature are essential to his role as our Redeemer. If Jesus were only divine, he could not truly function as a representative of men. If Jesus were only man, his sacrifice would not be of sufficient worth to cover the sins of the elect. But, as the unique God-Man, Jesus’ sacrifice in our place was both infinite in value due to his divinity and truly representative of mankind due to his humanity.
A proper understanding of Jesus Christ’s nature as our Redeemer is critical for God’s people. For this reason, these truths have been ardently defended against prevalent errors throughout the ages. In 451 A.D., after centuries of debates, a creedal statement was written in order to faithfully express a proper view of these complex realities. The Symbol of Chalcedon remains a pillar and buttress of truth by which our God has greatly blessed his people. We commend it to you for reflection.
The Symbol of Chalcedon (451 A.D.)
We, then, following the holy fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures; inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the prophets from the beginning have declared concerning him, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.