Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Primary
What this passage establishes
Matthew applies Immanuel to Jesus: God has come to be with us.
Why it matters in the argument
These passages identify who is revealed in Jesus: not a lesser god or a separate divine being, but the one invisible God made known in genuine human life.
Apostolic connection
Apostolic Christology holds the full deity and full humanity of Jesus together. God did not stop being Spirit; He came and acted in the flesh He truly assumed.
Common misunderstanding
Saying God was manifested in flesh does not erase Christ’s humanity, and recognizing genuine Sonship does not require an eternal second divine center beside God.
How to use it in conversation
Move from a direct identity text to an incarnation text, then to image, indwelling, and fullness passages.
Scripture connections
See which passages advance, clarify, or answer the argument