TEACHING REGARDING-TWO NATURES
There is a common misconception today among the evangelical and reformed camps which teach that man has two natures. These same teachers claim that Jesus had two natures, sometimes acting as God and some times acting as man. A question comes to mind: Who would decide which nature should function when? Did Jesus and the Father fight it out for control? I think not! A very popular ministry states that these two natures "are separate yet act as a unit. This is called the Hypostatic Union." They also claim that Jesus's humanity was divine and acted as God when he saw the need. These conclusions not only are causing a great deal of confusion, they are not biblical. Jesus made clear explications about his humanity by stating in John 5:30 "I can of my own self do nothing". Who was speaking here? -- if this was God we have a problem; Jesus made twelve claims similar to this in the Gospel of John alone. He as a man was totally absent of any volitional power, yet many claim that this man, who clearly stated that he had no power, possessed a private deity nature which acted independently of the Father. This polytheistic teaching is very confusing both regarding the life of Christ and the role of man.
Jesus stated in John 14:10 "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." Jesus here stated that it was the Father that was doing the work through his humanity. He did not have a split personality but simply expressed his union with the Father as the source of all his workings. Jesus also stated in Mark 10:17b,18; when a man stated to him, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." Why did he say this? The simple truth is that he was only a man apart from the indwelling holy spirit of the Father. He was not born omnipotent into the womb of Mary. He was born a man and became a human being, helpless and without personal power of his own.
In Acts 2:22-23 it states very clearly where Jesus's
power to perform miracles came from; "Men
of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty
works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your
midst, as you yourselves know--, this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite
plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of
lawless men." We see very plainly
that all the works, wonders and signs Jesus did were performed by the Father working
through the son. Jesus was the vessel, branch expression of the Father's power.
Many use this teaching to define Christians as sinners instead of saints. No where will
you find Paul or any of the new covenant teachers stating this. A Christian is a saint
because of his identity in Christ not because he behaves correctly all the time. "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever
them that are sanctified." ( Heb 10:14 KJV)
This is not a positional truth it is a reality today because "that which is perfect has come" and is now dwelling in His tabernacle.
Michael Nevins, Union Life Ministry Center
Another Look At Two Natures by Brian Coatney
The Fallacy of Having Two Natures by Norman Grubb