Common Confession Series
“Revealed in the Flesh”
I Timothy 3.16
Introduction
This morning we begin a new five-part series entitled “Common Confession.” Like the
previous series, we just completed looking at the “trustworthy statements” this common
confession was developed and recited in the congregations of the first century Church.
As I shared with you before, by the time the Apostle Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to
write First Timothy (approx. 65AD) there had already developed a clear Christian theology.
The epistle of James, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the book of Acts, and ten of
Paul’s epistles had been written and read within the churches. From the wealth of these
inspired books and Apostolic preaching and teaching came the development of creeds,
hymns, and trustworthy statements that were used during public worship services.
What is interesting is that the Apostle Paul is inspired by the Holy Spirit to incorporate five
of these trustworthy statements into the pages of the Pastoral Epistles and now Paul is
inspired to incorporate a common confession of faith on to the pages of Holy Scripture, as
well.
Hear now the Word of God. First Timothy chapter three and verse sixteen.
By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness:
He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory. (ITim.3.16)
By Common Confession
In the verse prior to this great confession of faith (3.15), the Apostle Paul referred to the
church as “the pillar and support of truth” and then quotes this common confession. What
the Apostle is saying is this confession of faith is a pillar of truth for those who believe in
Jesus Christ. What the Apostle is saying is this confession of faith stands firmly as a bulwark
of truth without controversy or question for all those who believe in Jesus Christ. What the
Apostle is saying is anyone and everyone who is a believer in Jesus Christ should be able to
confess this common creed without any hesitation.
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Listen, Christians can debate about a variety of topics. Christians can debate about what
mode of baptism is the most biblical (sprinkling, pouring, or dunking). Christians can
debate whether there are many antichrists or just one. The fact is there are many topics
that Christians can debate but the five truths outlined in this common confession are
undebatable because these five truths contain the great mystery of godliness.
The Great Mystery of Godliness
A “mystery” in the New Testament is something that had at one time been hidden but is
now revealed to God’s people. The Apostle Paul used the word mystery twenty-one times in
his Epistles. In each case, the “mystery” involved a wonderful declaration of spiritual truth,
revealed by God through divine inspiration. A mystery is that “which was not made known
to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles
and prophets.” (Eph.3.5)
The great English theologian Matthew Henry said this about a mystery back in the
seventeenth century. “Christianity is a mystery, a mystery that could not have been found
out by reason or the light of nature, and which cannot be comprehended by reason,
because it is above reason, though not contrary thereto. It is a mystery, not of philosophy or
speculation; but of godliness, designed to promote godliness; and herein it exceeds all the
mysteries of the Gentiles (world). It is also a revealed mystery, not shut up and sealed.”
The mystery reveled in the common confession is “great,” sublime, important, and
magnificent. Those who hold fast to this common confession will enter godliness, that is a
right understand of God and the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes.
The Structure of the Creed
In the common confession the great mystery of godliness is presented in a sixfold
statement each describing the pivotal points of Christ’s earthly ministry from the crib to the
throne and the continuing results of His ministry in the world. Jesus Christ was revealed in
the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in
the world, and taken up in glory. The six lines are almost identical in form which causes
some to conclude that this confession was an early hymn of the church. There is a verbal
unity that forms a pattern of theological poetry that could have been sung by early
Christians. Even though the common confession could have been a hymn, my personal view
is that it not a hymn but rather an early creed recited in the church, much like we do the
Apostle’s Creed, that could have gone something like this:
Pastor: Christian, what do you believe concerning Jesus Christ?
Congregation: He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory.
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Revealed in the Flesh
Each week in this series we will dive into one of these five truths. The first truth found in
the creed is that Jesus Christ was revealed in the flesh. This truth is foundational and
essential to the Christian faith. The Apostle John was clear about the importance of this
truth when he wrote, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus
Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not
from God.” (IJn.4.2-3a) And again John wrote in his second epistle, “For many deceivers have
gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.”
(2Jn.1.7a) The fact that there were false prophets deceiving people by saying that Jesus had
not come in the flesh makes the first truth of the creed very important for the early church.
Brothers and sisters, every true believer in Jesus Christ, then and now, must make a clear
confession of faith that they believe Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, came in the flesh.
The fact that Jesus came to us in the flesh is a historical fact. But how the eternal, self-
existent Son of God took on flesh is certainly a mystery. Brothers and sisters, even though
there are things beyond our capacity as creatures to understand doesn’t mean that it didn’t
happen. God’s Word tells us that “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things
revealed belong to us and to our sons forever.” (Dt.29.29) The Bible simply reveals the
mystery of godliness like this, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God . . . And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His
glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Jn.1.1, 14)
Clues to Unlock the Mystery
Generations prior to the birth of Christ God had given clues to unlock the mystery of Christ
being reveal in the flesh.
The Prophet Isaiah prophesied, “the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be
with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” (Is.7.14)
Again, the Prophet Isaiah prophesied, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the
increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to
establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” (Is.9.6-7)
The Prophet Micah prophesied concerning the place of Christ’s birth saying, “But as for
you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go
forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of
eternity.” (Mic.5.2)
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Even though it is easy for us to understand these verses in reference to Christ being reveal
in the flesh, these verses were a mystery to those prior to the birth of Christ. But what is
interesting is that it was these same verses that guided and comforted Mary and Joseph as
the sought to comprehend the mystery of Mary’s pregnancy. (Mt.1.19-23; Lk.1.30-35)
These are the wonderful truths that we celebrate during the Christmas season of “Advent.”
The word “Advent” means “arrival” and it is during the season of Advent that we celebrate
the arrival of Christ in the flesh. When the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His
Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under
the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Gal.4.4-5) This is the miracle of Christ’s
condescension that though Christ was rich, for our sake become poor, that through His
poverty we would become rich. (2Cor.8.9) This is the Christmas miracle that although Jesus
Christ existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of
men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the
point of death, even death on a cross. (Phil.2.5-8)
The Necessity for Christ to be Revealed in the Flesh
Brothers and sisters, this little phrase, “revealed in the flesh,” is the mystery of godliness
that must be believed without controversy or dispute. The Bible clearly teaches the
incarnation of Christ, His birth of a virgin, the union of the two natures, divine and human,
in His person without conversion, composition, or confusion. This truth that the eternal Son
of God was revealed in the flesh is to be believed beyond all dispute and doubt.
Allow me to share with you a few reasons why it was necessary for Christ to be revealed in
the flesh.
- Christ was revealed in the flesh to show us the Father. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the
radiance of Father’s glory and the exact representation of the Father’s nature. (Heb.1.3)
Jesus prayed to the Father, “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know You, but I do;
and these disciples know You sent Me. I have revealed You to them, and I will continue
to do so. (Jn.17.25-26a) - Christ was revealed in the flesh to be our example. Jesus told His disciples in the upper
room, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (Jn.13.15)
Jesus showed us how to pray and how to react towards those who are against you. He
showed us how to teach, how to love, how to show compassion, and how to glorify God. - Christ was revealed in the flesh to fulfill the requirements of the Law. Jesus said, “Do not
think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them
but to fulfill them.” (Mt.5.17) Paul writes, “For what the Law could not do . . . God did:
sending His own Son . . . in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in
us.” (Rom.8.3-4a)
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- Christ was revealed in the flesh to come to the aid of those who are tempted. (Heb.2.18)
For Christ was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin. (Heb.4.15b) - Christ was revealed in the flesh to sympathize with our weaknesses. (Heb.4.15a) Christ
knows what it is like to homeless having no place to lay His head. Christ knows what it
was like to be thirsty telling the guards at the foot of the cross, “I thirst.” Christ knows
what it is like to grieve over the loss of someone He loved. Christ knows what it is like to
be betrayed, despised, and rejected. Christ knows what it is like to suffer. - Christ was revealed in the flesh to destroy the works of the devil. (IJn.3.8)
- Christ was revealed in the flesh to render the devil powerless. (Heb.2.14)
- Christ was revealed in the flesh to make atonement for the sins of His people.
(Heb.2.17) The Lamb of God had to be slain to take away the sins of the world. (Jn.1.29)
Closing Thought
The truth that Christ was revealed in the flesh is foundational and essential to the Christian
faith. This truth is not just for the season of Advent, but it is a truth that we should
celebrate every day. With this truth firmly planted in our hearts let us draw near to God
with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope