Read the Westminster Standards in a year.

Shorter Catechism

Q 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul,1 being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her,2 yet without sin.3

Larger Catechism

Q 37. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

A. Christ the Son of God became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul,4 being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance, and born of her,5 yet without sin.6


  1. Philippians 2:7

    but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

    Hebrews 2:14

    Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

    Hebrews 2:17

    Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (ESV)

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  2. Luke 1:27

    to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.

    Luke 1:31

    And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

    Luke 1:35

    And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. (ESV)

    ↩︎
  3. 2 Corinthians 5:21

    For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

    Hebrews 4:15

    For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

    Hebrews 7:26

    For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

    1 John 3:5

    You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. (ESV)

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  4. John 1:14

    And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

    Matthew 26:38

    Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”

    Philippians 2:7

    but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

    Hebrews 2:14-17

    Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

    Luke 2:40

    And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

    Luke 2:52

    And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

    John 11:33

    When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. (ESV)

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  5. Luke 1:27

    to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.

    Luke 1:31

    And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

    Luke 1:35

    And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

    Galatians 4:4

    But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, (ESV)

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  6. Hebrews 4:15

    For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

    Hebrews 7:26

    For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

    2 Corinthians 5:21

    For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

    1 John 3:5

    You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. (ESV)

    ↩︎


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Copyright © Tim Hopper. Based on Calendar of Readings in the Westminster Standards by Dr. Joey Pipa. Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.