Paul’s Creed
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16 NIV)
The Church throughout time has summarized the gospel and the life of Christ in “creeds.” There as several declarations of core Christian beliefs. In the “Apostle’s Creed” we find these words about Jesus,
“I believe in…Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into Hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead….”
Paul’s declaration comes at the end of practical instructions about the qualifications and duties of elders and deacons. His concern is for the integrity of the Church. The Church was important to Paul and it should be to us, because it was established by Christ. Individuals must respond in faith and received Christ’s forgiveness of sin. But that new life brings people into the Church (God’s called out ones). It is a family with structure and responsibilities and accountability. This is because safeguarding the integrity of the Church is safeguarding the integrity of the One who established the Church.
So Paul ends these instructions with declaring how Christ’s Church was established. It was not in the mind of man, but in the divine plan of God. It was a “mystery” that motivates our godliness. Human thinking could not and would not have devised such a plan. God’s plan and mystery is beyond human comprehension.
Paul declares that Christ (The Messiah) appeared in the flesh. John declared in his gospel, “…the word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
The Holy Spirit provided the verification of Jesus as the Messiah, the eternal Son of God. Angels, saw Him and ministered to Him. Angels declared His birth to the shepherds. But we see two specific times angels “ministered” to Jesus. At the end of his fasting and temptation in the wilderness. “Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.” (Matthew 4:11 ESV) Then just before the cross as Jesus prayed in the garden. “An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” (Luke 22:43 NIV)
As Paul writes this letter to Timothy from a Roman prison, he declares the Christ had been “preached among the nations, and believed on in the world.” How much greater in our world today is the proclamation of the gospel and countless lives from around the world who have placed their faith in Him.
Finally, Paul declares, “Christ was taken up to heaven.” This reminds us that He is alive. The grave could not hold Him and His position at the “right hand of the Father” is where He belongs. Christ returned to the place from which He came. Christ’s position in heaven reminds us of His promise, “If I go away, I will return…that where I am, you may be also.” (John 14:3)
As we near the Christmas season, let us ponder and reflect on who Christ is and all that He has done to reveal the “mystery” of God, that we might live as His people.
Prayer for today… Lord, enable us to come and behold Him, who was born “Christ the Lord.” But we see Your life and all that You have accomplished and we fix our eyes on what You have planned for us in the future, may we commit our lives to Your plan for us as Your people in this present world.