4. Axioms

These axioms are derived primarily from the christocentric Chalcedonian creed as the person of Christ is the anchor for this work. Some axioms regarding the Father and Holy Spirit are included derived from the previous Nicene-Constantinopolitan creed. These ecumenical creeds are universally agreed by the 3 major branches of Christianity - Catholicism, Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy. All 3 creeds can be found in the Appendix of this document.

Colossians 2:2-4 ESV
[2] that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, [3] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.[4] I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

The first axiom is the basis of this entire work which I assert to be both a self-evident truth and supported by the below scriptures (many more could be cited).

John 1:17-18 ESV
[17] For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [18] No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

The remainder of the axioms are derived from the aforementioned creeds which in turn are supported by scripture.

Axiom 1
The incarnation of Jesus Christ reveals the fundamental nature of reality. Jesus is the Word of God, the I AM.  He is the Fathers revelation from heaven to us about the nature of God, man and reality. His very existence is a statement.

Axiom 2
Jesus Christ was one person with two natures, fully God and fully man. These natures are inseparably united in his one person.

Axiom 3
Jesus' divine nature is homoousios ( "of the same essence") with God the Father. Ie. Jesus' divine nature shares the same essential properties of the Divine Nature that the Father has - Jesus being the image of the invisible Father.

Axiom 4
Jesus' human nature is homoousios ("of the same essence") with humanity, sharing the same essence as all humans. Ie. He took to himself all essential properties of what it means to be human, both physical (e.g. human physical body) and immaterial (eg. Human Mind, human will, human soul etc) yet was 1 person. Genuinely experiencing human life just as we do (Hebrews 2-4).

Axiom 5
Jesus never sinned, being blameless his entire life.

Axiom 6
Jesus' divine and human natures are distinct, unconfused, and unmixed.

Axiom 7
The unity of Jesus' person does not diminish the distinction between his two natures.

Axiom 8
Each nature retains its own properties and attributes.

Axiom 9
Christ is one and the same Son, perfect in divinity and perfect in humanity.

Axiom 10
Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, who is rightly called Theotokos ("God-bearer" or "one who gives birth to God").

Axiom 11
Christ operates His two natures in harmony, each according to its own attributes.

Axiom 12
The one God exists eternally as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence, equal in power and glory. Ie the Father is not the Son, nor the Spirit; the Son is only the Son, The Father is only the Father etc.

Axiom 13
The triune persons of God abide in one another without losing their distinct personhood (perichoresis). - expanded on in the principles section.

Axiom 14
The Holy Spirit is homoousios ("of the same essence") with the Father and the Son, being the third person of the Trinity, not merely a force.

Axiom 15
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in theosis, the concept by which believers are changed into the likeness of Jesus Christ in this life. Jesus truly is our older brother.

Axiom 16
The Holy Spirit indwells believers, immediately empowering and consecrating them for ministry to God and service to man. He is the Spirit of adoption for all those who trust in Christ, as per 1 John 3 and Romans 8. He is the experiential inner witness that we are indeed forgiven, reconciled and truly children of God.

1 John 3:24 ESV
[24] Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Romans 8:9 ESV
[9] You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

Romans 8:14-17 ESV
[14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” [16] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

After reading these axioms remember 'Nature" or "essence" is the "what" something is eg. Divine God, Human or Angel or trees or dogs etc. "hypostasis" or "person" is the "who" someone is (or "that" something is if in reference to impersonal things). The "who" (ie person) is not a component of "what" (ie nature) something is but rather a particular instantiation of the nature (eg "that" tree, or "that" man over there). If you understand this distinction well, you will clearly understand both who and what Jesus is and who and what the triune God is. You will also understand who and what we are, looking at Jesus, who became exactly "what" we are, while also remaining "what" the Father is, being only one "who" - the eternal only begotten Son of the Father.

But this is what leads the heretics astray: that they look upon nature and person as the same thing.
John of Damascus