Is Jesus an Avatar? The word “Avatar” refers to the incarnation of a deity in human form. This concept is quite common in Hinduism. Hindus believe their gods can take on physical appearance; it is most often connected with the god Vishnu. They see Jesus as the reincarnation of Vishnu. Therefore, some Hindus believe Jesus is an avatar.
“After eight days, (after Jesus’ resurrection), His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed (John 20:26-29).”
“By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God (1 John 4:2).”
This idea is similar to the Christian heresy that says that Jesus’ didn’t appear bodily, but He was a spirit who only seemed human. Thus, He didn’t feel pain.
If true, this heresy completely changes how a Christian would look at Jesus’ passion and resurrection. If true, Jesus didn’t suffer for our sins, and His return to life wasn’t a bodily resurrection but an incarnation.
“For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).”
In Hinduism, the avatar arrives to restore righteousness.
This aspect of Hindu is like one of Jesus’ purposes, but it doesn’t compare to what Jesus does”
“Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place (Daniel 9:24).”
One of the most essential missions of the Messiah is to bring in everlasting righteousness. To give salvation to all who believe in Him (John 1:12). To bring a peaceful reign to the entire earth:
“And the wolf will dwell with the lamb,
And the leopard will lie down with the young goat,
And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little boy will lead them….
They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain,
For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
As the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:6,9).”
Jesus is Fully Human and fully God
The Holy Spirit conceived Him, and the virgin Mary gave Him birth (Matthew 1:20-21). He has taken on flesh from then on, and that incarnation is permanent. He was crucified (and felt the pain) and was resurrected bodily (Joh. 19:16-30; 20:24-29). That physical body could eat and it bore the scars of Jesus’ crucifixion.
Is Jesus an Avatar or the Incarnation of God?
Jesus is not a mysterious god who comes and goes in various forms. He is God incarnate whose mission is to bring in everlasting righteousness to the universe. This mission is ongoing, but we can have that righteousness ourselves before God now by believing in His Name. You can read more about who is Jesus here.
We invite you to watch the Great news for you video on this page if you would like to believe in Jesus today.
