GOD CREATED THE EARTH

 GOD CREATED THE EARTH

Jon Gary Williams

        We seldom see lessons on this place we call home, and yet, our whole lives are centered on this marvelous globe. How much do we know about it? Or, still better, how much do we not know about it?
        The earth spins at about 1,000 mph, but it’s powerful, gravitational force keeps everything from flying off into space. And, we still do not completely know how this works. As the earth circles the Sun, it travels at a fantastic speed of near 67,000 mph. This means that from the moment you are now reading this, in six months, you will be 93,000,000 miles on the other side of the Sun. So, you are, indeed, a space traveler. What a truly awe-inspiring world this is — that we call our dwelling place.
        In this article we are looking at the earth from three perspectives:
  1) The Earth’s Beginning,
  2) The Earth’s Transformation,
  3) The Earth’s Ending.

THE EARTH’S BEGINNING

        How do we explain the existence of the earth? Why does it exist? Where did it come from? When did it happen? Is it just an accident? Well, the earth had to come from somewhere! And, only three explanations have been offered.
        1. The earth has always existed. In other words, it had no beginning. But this makes no sense. Logic tells us the earth cannot, of itself, be eternal. This is really no explanation. Somewhere, at some point, the earth had to have a beginning.
        2. The earth came about spontaneously. This means that the earth arose apart from any external cause. Somehow, someway, it brought itself into existence. Or, as some express it, the universe came from nothing. This is called the inflationary model. “The inflationary model of the universe provides a possible mechanism by which the observed universe could have evolved from an infinitesimal region. It is then tempting to go one step further and speculate that the entire universe evolved from literally nothing” (Scientific American, May 1984, p.128). Such a view is not only illogical, it is absurd.
        3. The earth was created. It was “caused” to exist. This is the only explanation making sense. This means there had to be a preexisting source — a creator. And, this calls for a super-intelligent, powerful, eternal Being. Our earth was created by God. And, God had the earth’s beginning recorded.
        “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” Gen. 1:1). But, what does this mean? There had to be a special place for the earth to exist. Before creation, the only realm that existed was God’s completely spiritual realm — nothing physical could exist there. So God created “heaven,” or “space” — a place compatible for a physical, material earth to exist.
        God’s plan for all creation took place during a period of six normal 24hr days. However, some, to allow space for billions of years for evolution, place a giant gap between verses five and six of Genesis one. This theory says that verses one through five compose an “initial creation” of space and earth — or an extremely “long day” — a “day” of billions of years. Then, this theory says that at verse six begins the normal five days of creation.
        This view, of course, is terribly false. The Bible clearly shows that the total of creation took place within a normal six-day period. “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:11). Everything, including heaven and earth, appeared in that first week. There is no such “gap” to allow for billions of years.

THE EARTH’S TRANSFORMATION

        This, of course, has to do with the great worldwide flood which took place at the time of Noah. Through the years, man had filled the earth with vile corruption. The human race had become so wicked and debased that God made the devastating decision to blot man from the earth.
        “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them (Gen. 6:5-7).

        While all outside the ark perished, we read that Noah found favor in God’s eyes. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (Gen. 6:8).
        But now, what about the condition of the physical earth itself? During the year long global flood devastation, the appearance of the earth was drastically changed. Not only was everything with the “breath of life” destroyed, but because of the cataclysmic action of the global flood, the earth itself underwent a tremendous, almost unbelievable, physical transformation!
        The surface of earth was fractured into gigantic pieces. Huge land masses were divided. Great oceans were formed. High mountains were pushed up. The surface of the earth was now completely transformed. Hence, we read, “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened” (Gen. 7:11).
        The fountains of the great deep were the subterranean, volcanic regions of the earth. Notice, this included “all” the fountains — so it was a worldwide, tectonic action. Visualize an egg blown up to the size of a beach ball. However, the egg’s shell remains the same narrow thickness. This illustrates what the thin, outer crust of the earth was like, easily subject to be broken apart.
        The worldwide, subterranean “fountains,” caused the outer crust of the earth to undergo tremendous, catastrophic upheavals. The earth’s surface was twisted and torn apart. Today we still see aftermaths of this when volcanos erupt, or when earthquakes shake the outer crust of the earth.
        But, we remember: God said he would never again destroy the earth by water, so he placed a rainbow in the sky to serve as a reminder (Gen. 9:13-16).
        Yet, what if God had said, “I’m going to bring another global flood! And if you think the first flood was terrible, just wait, this next one will be much worse, for the earth will be completely destroyed!” If that had been God’s plan, every time bad floods would come, people would be asking: “Is this the end? Is the world about to be over?” But that was not God’s plan. For there is something else awaiting the earth’s ending. And this brings us to the third happening.

THE EARTH’S ENDING

        Yes, some day our earth will have a sudden, horrifying conclusion. It will be completely removed — like it had never even existed. Jesus foretold of it’s great ending: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35).
        The apostle John also foretold of this event. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea” (Rev. 21:1).
        But now, what will this ending actually be like? The apostle Peter speaks of it in dramatic terms.
        First, he contrasted it with the dreadful Genesis flood. “Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men”( 2 Peter 3:6-7). Then Peter gives more specific terrible details. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” 2( Peter 3:10-12).
        Peter also gives us a wonderful, hopeful message. “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:13-14).
        Think about it — a “new heaven and a new earth!” This is God’s way of describing His own home — heaven itself.
        People everywhere need to be made aware that the time is coming when the earth will be no more; and, that time is always growing nearer.
        Everyone needs to also know that a home in heaven is waiting. But for whom? Only for those who are preparing to go there — those who Believe and Obey the Lord God.
                jongaryw@aol.com
                jongarywilliams.com
               

WHAT HAVE I DONE?

 WHAT HAVE I DONE?

Marvin L. Weir

        God said to Jeremiah, “Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return? Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle” (Jer. 8:4-6).
        Each person was busy chasing after his own dream and was determined to satisfy his own needs. People were holding fast to that which would destroy them — not that which would save them! No one seemed to care what they were doing as long as their personal whims and desires were satisfied.
        God was listening, and He heard no one repent. His people were excelling at one thing —“perpetual backsliding.” The people were encouraged by Jeremiah to “rise up” from the deplorable depths to which they had sunk, but they refused to return to God and rushed to become even more entangled in sin. The deceit to which they held fast was in all probability their idolatry coupled with their refusal to believe their impending doom as foretold by God’s prophet Jeremiah.
        Like Israel of old, many members of the Lord’s church today are pursuing and holding fast to material things while steadfastly refusing to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). It is as it was during Jeremiah’s day; no one believes their sin will condemn them, so they feel no need to repent!
        In Luke 16 we are given a glimpse of life after death. Surely the rich man “in torments” thought to himself again and again, “What have I done?” While on the earth he had refused to listen to “Moses and the prophets,” and now there is no opportunity to “rise up” and “return.” Will people today continue to refuse to recognize the guilt of sin and refrain from asking, “What have I done?”
        Let us consider some questions we need to ask while we are alive and able to “rise up” and “return” to the Father.
        What have I done with God? Christ stressed that one’s first obligation is to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matt. 22:37). This does not leave room for divided affections. The Lord again said, “No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24).
        Man was created and formed to glorify the Father (Isa. 43:7), but an ever-growing number of professing Christians firmly believe in self-glorification. They are convinced that the worship of the Lord’s church should revolve around their “felt needs.” So they incorrectly conclude that whatever pleases them has to please God! Those who “love the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God” (John 12:43) will never enter into the heavenly home.
        Some members of the church worship their “jobs” and the opportunities to be even more successful. Other church members worship “recreation” and the opportunity to have fun. Some members worship “family” and are more committed to them than to the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. The Lord stated it clearly and correctly when He said to Satan’s temptations, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matt. 4:10).
        Whatever it might be that seeks to drive a wedge between our love, devotion, service and worship of God should cause us to ask, “What have I done with God?”
        What have I done with Christ? Sin is the great separator between God and man (Isa. 59:2), and “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23). Christ came into this world “to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). His way is the “only way” to the Father (John 14:6). Yet, many today try to get to the Father “their way” or the way of some man!
        In the Christian age, Christ has “all” authority (Matt. 28:18). He is the head of His church which is His body (Eph. 1:22-23). It is true that only by God’s grace is salvation available to all men (Titus 2:11), but such does not eliminate the need for men to be obedient to Christ. The Scriptures teach that Christ “became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9).
        Some claim to be followers of Christ while reserving the right to reject certain of His commandments they do not desire to follow. They accept, as inspired only, those Scriptures they deem to be meaningful and valid. All of Christ’s words are valid and true (John 17:17). One cannot honor the Savior while refraining to abide by His will (John 14:15). Regardless of what one may say, he does not love God who refuses to keep His commandments (1 John 5:3). Today is the day to genuinely ask, “What have I done with the Christ?”
        What have I done with the Lord’s church? Why is it that so many cannot see that if you accept the New Testament Christ you must also accept the New Testament church? The “give me Christ but not the church” belief comes from the mind of men — not the Word of God! One cannot successfully separate the head (Christ) from the body (His church). The apostle Paul could not have made it more clear when he said, “and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23).
        Look at those today who desire to “change” the body to suit their personal fancies while claiming to keep the same head! Christ is the builder of His church (Matt. 16:18). It was purchased, not with the sweat of man, but with the blood of the Savior (Acts 20:28). Where you find the original head, you will find the original body — you cannot have one without the other! An apostate body (congregation) is not worthy to wear the name of Christ even if it’s in “name only.” Now is the time to ask, “What have I done with the Lord’s church?”
        What have I done with the Holy Scriptures? It is God’s Word that should be a lamp unto the Christian’s feet and a light unto his path (Psalm 119:105). A child of God should never accept the counsel of man as an infallible guide to Heaven. Neither does any man have the authority to authorize where God has not authorized. The inspired Word of God is sufficient and complete (2 Tim. 3:16-17), containing “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).
        The precious Gospel is God’s “only” power unto salvation. One cannot be ashamed of the Gospel and have a legitimate hope of eternal life (Rom. 1:16). Many boast of their love for the Scriptures until the Scriptures condemn the way they are worshipping and/or living. These folks then readily recite their favorite Scripture, saying, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matt. 7:1). However, a verse from the Master Himself they absolutely cannot recall says, “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). The memory of those desiring to live as they please while demanding to be told they are going to Heaven is indeed an amazing thing!
        One cannot “continue in sin, that grace may abound” (Rom. 6:1). Such is an abuse of God’s grace and will condemn the one “living in sin” to an eternal hell (Col. 3:5-7). This is a truth that must be taught if one has agape love for the souls of others. This type of love will only do or say what is in another’s best spiritual interest.
        Some members of the Lord’s church demand their “social drinking” be deemed acceptable while rejecting the Scripture’s warnings against strong drink (Prov. 20:1; 23:31). The truth will never change that drunkenness is a work of the flesh and “they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:21).
        Other members of the Lord’s body want to “live in adultery” and be saved in eternity. They speak of their “right” to be married and stress that baptism washes away all sin. First, one has no “rights” that are not given to him by God. Second, the act of baptism has never made an unholy thing holy or a wrong thing right. God grants the man and woman who has never been married the right to marry. They are to remain married to one another for life and such has been God’s plan from the beginning (Gen. 1:27; 2:24). The general rule states that only the death of a spouse frees one to remarry in the Lord (Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:39). The one exception to the rule Christ gave is that one guilty of fornication forfeits his/her right and privilege of marriage. The innocent person who scripturally puts him/her away may remarry one eligible to be married (Matt. 19:3-12).
        All who do not repent and give up the sin of adultery will be doomed to eternal torment (1 Cor. 6:9-10). An adulterous situation will always be adulterous and will never become a marriage sanctioned by God. Both the Christian and the non-Christian are amenable to God’s laws.
        It is now socially acceptable to dress as the world dresses — undresses would be more accurate. A child of God, however, is not to be “fashioned” (ASV) or “conformed” (KJV) to the ways of the world (Rom. 12:2). A lady who is a Christian has a special obligation not to dress in such a way as to contribute to the “lust of the flesh” (1 John 2:16). She should now be a “new creature.” The old worldly things are no longer a part of her life (2 Cor. 5:17). Since men are usually aroused much easier (sexually) by sight than women, it is imperative that women not dress in a manner as to contribute to a man looking on her with lust in his heart (Matt. 5:28; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:2). Neither should a Christian man dress in a way to expose as much flesh as possible. Christians are not commanded to be followers of “Hollywood,” but of Christ (1 Peter 2:21). A member of the Lord’s church must “imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good” (3 John 11).
        Many mothers today train their daughters in the art of worldly and provocative dress and encourage them to dance to be socially acceptable. Fathers encourage their sons to drink, gamble and sow their wild oats. These parents then later claim to be amazed as to why their children are in trouble or no longer interested in the Lord’s church! Although ignored, the principle is true, “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). It is now that one should ask, “What have I done with the Scriptures?”
        What have I done with my Talents? Isn’t it amazing that so many members of the Lord’s church can be so successful and capable in the business world but unable to do a single thing for the local congregation? Why will so many never volunteer to teach a Bible class? Even those who are trained to teach (school teachers) many times refuse to teach Bible classes. Many men will not lead prayer, serve at the Lord’s table, or help in any other capacity where help is needed. A congregation should not have to beg for servants in the kingdom! Christians have been purchased by God (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:19) and are thus obligated to serve. It is not right for a child of God to willingly use his time, money and tongue to glorify self while refusing to do the same to glorify God.
        A Christian will lay up treasures in heaven because “where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also” (Matt. 6:21). Let one sincerely ask in this life, “What have I done with my talents?”
        What have I done with my Opportunities? It is a Christian’s privilege to study the Bible, to be the “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” (Matt. 5:13-14), to speak “the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11) and to “reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). Do we consider it a privilege to attempt to teach others the precious Gospel? Are we truly “redeeming the time” (Col. 4:5) we have been blessed with on this earth? What a tragedy to wait until judgment to ask, “What have I done with my opportunities?”
        Today is the day to ask, “What have I done?” Make sure your citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20)!
                484 CR 44700
                Blossom, TX 75416
                countryboy357@hughes.net
               
                This lesson should make us search our soul every day!
        What are YOU doing with your responsibility...
        Toward GOD (Matt. 4:10)?
        Toward CHRIST (Acts 4:12)?
        Toward the CHURCH (Eph. 5:23)?
        Toward the BIBLE (Matt. 4:4)?
        Regarding your TALENTS (Matt. 25:14-30)?
        Regarding your OPPORTUNITIES (Gal. 6:10)?
                                                                               Jerry Joseph

 

Hebrews 6:4-6 and the Unpardonable Sin

Kyle Butt, D.Min.

Doctrinal MattersBible Interpretation

Forgiveness is one of the most sublime concepts in the Bible. To think that our Creator loves us in spite of grievous sins that we have committed is thrilling. And to know that the blood of Jesus can forgive us when we repent and obey is nothing short of amazing (see Lyons and Butt, 2015). One of the most terrifying ideas, however, is the thought that maybe we have done things that are so wicked and sinful that we are beyond God’s forgiveness. Some believe this due to an incorrect understanding of two concepts in the Bible—the unpardonable sin and a statement in Hebrews 6:4-6.

The idea of an unpardonable sin scares some people, because they believe they may have committed it, even though most of them do not have a proper understanding of what the sin actually is. We read about the unpardonable sin in Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-30, and Luke 12:10. The sin is the very specific sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. That means the act of speaking evil of the Holy Spirit. It was committed by those who actually saw Jesus perform miracles and attributed His power to Satan. Because no one today can see Jesus perform such miracles, then the sin apparently cannot even be committed today. Some have suggested that the sin is any sin that is unrepented of, or murder, or adultery, or various other behaviors. The text is plain that those sins cannot be the unpardonable sin. It was specifically blasphemy that was the result of seeing Jesus’ miracles (see Butt, 2003).

With the idea of an unpardonable sin in mind, many people then go to Hebrews 6:4-6 and are convinced that they have fallen away from God and that it is now impossible for them to be saved. A closer look at Hebrews 6:4-6 will show the problem with this thinking. The text reads:

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame (Hebrews 6:4-6).

Notice what the text does not say. It does not say it is impossible to forgive a person who has fallen away. This is in contrast to the unpardonable sin. The gospel writers describe that sin as an “eternal” sin, for which there was never any forgiveness. The text in Hebrews says that if people fall away it is impossible to “renew them again to repentance.” The difference between forgiveness and repentance is profound. The message in Hebrews 6 is not that those who fall away have committed sins that God will not forgive, it is that their hearts have become so hard that they will not repent. Thus, if a person is willing to repent, he or she cannot be one of those who have fallen away according to Hebrews 6:4-6. A similar idea is found in 1 Timothy 4:2, where we read about those who have “their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” Again, it is not that God will not forgive these people, it is that they will not repent and come back to God.

An excellent example of the difference between forgiveness and repentance is seen in the lives of Judas and Peter. In a very real sense, both of these apostles betrayed their Lord. Judas sold Him to the Jewish leaders, and Peter denied three times even knowing Him. Their actions after their sins, however, show that Peter was willing to repent and come back to his Savior, but Judas’ heart was so calloused he would not repent. Peter was forgiven and Judas was lost, not because Judas’ sin was so much more grievous than Peter’s, but because Judas had allowed his heart and conscience to be so seared that he would not repent.

In summary, any person who reads Hebrews 6:4-6 and wonders if he or she is a person who is without hope and has fallen away from God can easily answer that question. If that person is willing to repent of sins and obey God, that passage cannot apply to him or her.

REFERENCES

Butt, Kyle (2003), “Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit—The ‘Unpardonable Sin,’” Apologetics Press, https://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=1218.

Lyons, Eric and Kyle Butt (2015), “Receiving the Gift of Salvation,” Apologetics Press, https://apologeticspress.org/pdfs/e-books_pdf/Receiving%20the%20Gift%20of%20Salvation.pdf.

Who Is Muhammad? Video 29 min

https://apologeticspress.org/video/who-is-muhammad-5800/ 

Click on the link above and follow the paths provided.

What Happens to the Soul After Death?

What Happens to the Soul After Death?

Jon Gary Williams

Many wonder about what happens to man's soul after this life has ended. Some believe that since man's body is his soul, there is no soul to exist after death. Some believe that the soul goes into some kind of unconscious state. The scriptures support neither of these views. Jesus taught that the soul and body are not the same (Matt. 10:28). He also taught that the soul is conscious after death (Luke 16:19-31).

Another false view accepted by many is that at the point of death, the soul goes directly to either heaven or hell. If this is not true, then where does the soul go? Here is what the scriptures tell us. Compare with the companion reference chart included below.

At death the body goes to the grave. (Hebrews 9:27)

The soul goes to hades - the realm of the "unseen."

There are two parts to the hadean realm - Paradise and Tartarus

- Paradise is where Jesus said he was going (Luke 23:43). However, Jesus' soul went to Hades (Acts 2:27-31) Note: the word here is hades, not gehenna hell.

- Tartarus is reserved for the lost (II Peter 2:4,9) (cf. Jude 6)

There is a great gulf which cannot be crossed separating Paradise and Tartarus. (Luke 16:26)

At death what happens to all souls?

- Infants and faithful Christians go to paradise.

- Unfaithful Christians and those still lost go to tartarus.

What happens at the judgment?

- The bodies of all the deceased will be resurrected (John 5:28; Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:52)

- The souls will be reunited with new, resurrected bodies.

- All will pass into their eternal state.

Those in paradise will enter heaven. (Matthew 25:34).
Those in tartarus will enter hell (gehenna) (Matthew 25:41)

Some reason that souls go directly to heaven or hell at the point of death. If this is true, then it follows that souls go there without their resurrected bodies and also that they go there before the judgment occurs.

This brings about an awkward conclusion: that souls would be brought out of heaven and hell to be judged, and then those souls would be reunited with their resurrected bodies and returned to their respective final abodes.

A great judgment will someday take place for all of us, whether we are alive on that day or waiting in the hadean realm. On that day, those bodies in the graves will be reunited with new bodies, and those alive on that day will be given new spiritual bodies - bodies even more real than those we currently have.

This chart shows what the New Testament teaches about the soul and what will happen to it after physical death. It also illustrates the error of many denominational doctrines regarding the afterlife - - teachings such as the Jehovah's Witness doctrine of no immortal soul, the premillennial doctrine of two separate resurrections and the Catholic doctrine of purgatory.

        

CRP video 5 min

https://apologeticspress.org/video/the-crp-promo-video/ 

Click on the link above and follow the paths provided.

Feelings Follow Facts Video 3 min

https://apologeticspress.org/video/feelings-follow-facts/ 

Click on the link above and follow the path provided.

GOD Made Kittens Video 4 min

https://apologeticspress.org/video/god-made-kittens/ 

Click on the link above and follow the paths provided.  Enjoy

 

The Great Mystery of Godliness

Paul’s great “mystery of godliness,” when unfolded, is rich indeed. It is the gospel in seed form. It is intellectually satisfying, emotionally rewarding, and practically motivating.

By Wayne Jackson | Christian Courier

Follow @FortifyFait

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul declared that one of his reasons for writing the epistle was that men might know how to behave themselves in the house (family) of God, which is the church of the living God (3:15).

Further, he affirms that it is the responsibility of those in the church to be the pillar and support of the truth. The great truth, so worthy of Christian support, has to do with the redemptive mission of Jesus Christ, which the apostle summarizes in the following fashion:

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory (v. 16, ASV).

In this study, some of the thrilling gems of this context will be considered.

The expression “without controversy” translates the Greek term homologoumenos, which literally denotes that which one confesses, hence, it might be rendered “confessedly,” “undeniably,” “most certainly.” It is a declaration of absolute confidence.

Next, the apostle speaks of the great “mystery of godliness.” “Mystery” is a rendition of the Greek word musterion. The term does not, as many suppose, refer to that which is mysterious, hence, incapable of being understood. Rather, in Bible parlance, the word denotes that which was formerly obscured, but which has now been announced through the gospel of Christ. It has to do with the unfolding of the heavenly scheme of salvation. Compare the expression “the mystery of the faith” in verse nine of this same chapter.

Perhaps the most comprehensive discussion of this matter is to be found in Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians, where the apostle declares that the “mystery,” which in former generations was unknown to men, has now been revealed through Spirit-inspired apostles and prophets, so that those who read the New Testament record can perceive the heavenly plan which is fulfilled in the work of Christ (cf. 3:1-12).

The word “godliness” in the Greek Testament is the noun eusebia. This term, along with its various cognate forms, suggests piety, devotion, religion, or a disposition of God-towardness.

One version renders the phrase, “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion” (RSV). A fair paraphrase might be, “Undeniably, great is the strategy of the divine plan of salvation.”

Subsequently, Paul lists six magnificent propositions which form a miniature outline of the life of Christ. They are as follows:

“He [Christ] who was manifested in the flesh”

Though the King James Version has it, “God was manifest in the flesh,” the better manuscript evidence supports the rendition “He who” (cf. Metzger 1971, 641). Be that as it may, the text certainly argues for the incarnation of Christ, hence, his deity. It postulates the mission of one who was existing in a pre-fleshly condition, but who appeared in human form.

John wrote: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). This affirmation was in direct conflict with certain gnostic ideas of antiquity which asserted that Christ could not have possessed a body of flesh, since flesh was intrinsically evil—a concept which John labels as the spirit of the anti-christ (1 John 4:2, 3).

The New Testament reveals that Jesus was manifest in the flesh for the following reasons:

(1) He became flesh so that men might see, in visible form, a commentary on Deity. John affirmed that Christ came to “declare” (exegesato—to give an exegesis of) the Father (1:18). Thus, to view the Lord was to comprehend something of the nature of his heavenly Father (John 14:9).

(2) He became flesh to identify with us (Hebrews 5:1-10). Having lived in human form, and thus been subjected to temptation (Hebrews 4:15), he is able to effectively function as our high priest, hence, come to our aid when we are tempted (Hebrews 2:17, 18).

(3) He was manifested as man to provide us with a model for living (1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6).

(4) Since it is impossible for Deity, as a spirit being, to die (cf. 1 Timothy 6:16), Christ became flesh so that he might be subjected to death (Hebrews 2:9, 14), hence qualified to put away sins (1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 John 3:5).

(5) Finally, the Lord was manifested that “he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8), which, of course, will be realized ultimately at the time of his second coming.

“Justified in the spirit”

First, we must note that the word “justified” does not suggest that Christ at one time was sinful, hence, at some point, was pardoned or justified from sin. That cannot be the meaning (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22).

The term denotes a vindication. Though Jesus was manifested in the flesh, and “put to death in the flesh” by his enemies (1 Peter 3:18), God Almighty vindicated the Lord, raising him from the dead. Thus was the Master “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4).

But what does the phrase “in the spirit” signify? There are several possibilities, both grammatically and contextually.

Most translations capitalize the term “Spirit,” suggesting that there is an allusion to the Holy Spirit. If that is the meaning, the phrase could be a reference to the Spirit’s operation at the time of the Lord’s bodily resurrection.

In Romans 8:11 Paul wrote: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwells in you.” Roy Lanier Sr. observed that “the word ‘also’ suggests the Holy Spirit not only will raise our bodies, but ‘also’ was the agent of the Father in raising Christ” (n.d., 56).

Others think that “Spirit” in 1 Timothy 3:16 is a general reference to the Spirit’s operation in the life of Christ. The Lord’s miracles, message, etc., climaxing with his resurrection, demonstrated his deity, hence, in spite of his death at the hands of cruel men, the Savior was vindicated.

The ASV does not capitalize “spirit,” thus reflecting the opinion that the allusion is to the Lord’s human spirit. This could also be a reference, however, to the resurrection of Christ, at which point the Savior’s spirit re-entered his body.

In 1 Peter 3:18 the apostle states that Jesus “was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.” Roy Deaver has effectively argued that Jesus was raised by the re-energizing of his body through his spirit (1974, 11-13), though some also see “spirit” as a reference to the Holy Spirit in this passage (Kistemaker 1987, 140).

“Seen of angels”

Angels were intimately involved with the work of our Lord. Note the following:

(1) Angels were associates of the preincarnate Word (cf. John 1:1, 14). When Abraham was visited by “three men” at the oaks of Mamre, two of them are identified as angels (Genesis 19:1) while the other is a divine person who subsequently rains “upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Jehovah out of heaven” (19:24; cf. 18:1, 21).

(2) Angels heralded the impending birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:26) and praised God when Mary brought forth her child (Luke 2:13).

(3) After Christ concluded his temptation ordeal in the wilderness, “angels came and ministered unto him” (Matthew 4:11).

(4) When the Lord experienced great agony of soul just prior to his death, “there appeared unto him an angel from heaven, strengthening him” (Luke 22:43), and had he so chosen, he might have summoned thousands of angels to deliver him from the curse of Calvary (cf. Matthew 26:53).

(5) Angels were present at the time of Christ’s resurrection from the grave (Matthew 28:2ff; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4; John 20:12) and at his ascension into heaven (Acts 1:10).

(6) Finally, the angels of heaven are subject to him (1 Peter 3:22), and praise him saying, “Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing” (Revelation 5:11, 12).

“Preached among the nations [Gentiles – KJV]”

This, of course, suggests the universal scope of the Savior’s redemptive system—a fact that was predicted in the Old Testament (Isaiah 2:2; 11:10), previewed in the earthly ministry of Christ (Matthew 4:15ff; 8:11), announced in the “great commission” (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47), and implemented by the apostles, prophets, and others, as revealed in the book of Acts.

We must note in passing that when the New Testament speaks of preaching “Christ,” such expression not only denotes the historical facts regarding the person of Jesus, but also the truths concerning his kingdom and how to gain entrance into the same (cf. Acts 8:5, 12, 35ff).

“Believed on in the world”

Though a majority in the first-century world did not believe on Christ (cf. Isaiah 53:1; John 12:37; 1:11), nevertheless, many did (Acts 2:44; 4:4; 5:14; 9:42).

It must be understood, however, that the expression “believed on” does not denote a mere “faith-only” concept as implied in some of the creeds of protestantism (cf. Discipline of the Methodist Church 1939, Article IX; Hiscox 1890, 62). Rather, “faith,” or “believing” in Bible terminology, that avails in God’s sight is that which is active in obeying the Lord, as the following evidence indicates:

(1) John declares that “whosoever believes” should not perish, but have eternal life (3:16), while the writer of Hebrews affirms that eternal salvation is given to those who “obey” the Son (5:8, 9). Obviously, therefore, believing in Christ must include obedience as a requisite to salvation.

(2) John 3:36 affirms: “He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him” (ASV).

Note how the terms “believeth” and “obeyeth not,” as correctly reflected in the American Standard Version, stand in bold contrast. To believe is to obey!

(3) The Scriptures speak of being “obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7).

(4) When the jailor at Philippi heard Paul’s proclamation of the gospel, acknowledged its validity, evidenced penitence, and submitted to immersion (Acts 16:31-33), Luke sums up the entire process by saying that he, along with his family, had “believed in God” (16:34).

(5) Romans 5:1 announces: “Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” In the same inspired document, however, the apostle argues that one is “made free from sin” after he has “become obedient from the heart” to the pattern of divine instruction (6:17, 18).

Since “peace with God” and being “made free from sin” are equivalent, it necessarily follows that the “faith” of 5:1 includes the “obedience” of 6:17. Indeed, one of the major emphases of the book of Romans is the “obedience of faith” (cf. 1:5; 16:26).

(6) The author of the book of Hebrews stresses that those Israelites who perished in the wilderness were condemned because they were “disobedient,” which, in fact, was an expression of their "unbelief ’(cf. Hebrews 3:18, 19; 4:3, 6 – ASV). The terms are employed interchangeably.

(7) The discussion of James, that faith apart from works is “dead,” “barren,” etc., is too well-known to need elaboration at this point (cf. James 2:14ff).

“Received up in glory”

This refers, of course, to the Lord’s reception into heaven some forty days following his resurrection from the dead. Jesus had prophesied that he must suffer and then enter into his glory (Luke 24:26); and so, following his bodily resurrection, he was “received up into heaven” (Mark 16:19; cf. Acts 1:2).

In these latter passages, the same verb (analambano) is used as that employed by Paul in his letter to Timothy. When Jesus entered into this glorious realm, all authority was made subject to him (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20ff).

Thus, Paul’s great “mystery of godliness,” when unfolded, is rich indeed. It is the gospel in seed form. It is intellectually satisfying, emotionally rewarding, and practically motivating.

May the church of the living God recognize her mission to proclaim these pearls of truth in a world that languishes in darkness and has no hope apart from the mission and message of Christ. To this end let us dedicate ourselves.

Sources

Deaver, Roy. 1974. The Spiritual Sword, October.
Discipline of the Methodist Church. 1939. New York, NY: The Methodist Book Concern.
Hiscox, Edward T. 1890. The Standard Manual for Baptist Churches. Philadelphia, PA: The Baptist Publication Society.
Kistemaker, S. J. 1987. Peter and Jude. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.
Lanier, Roy, Sr. n.d. Class Notes on Romans. Denver, Co: Privately published.
Metzger, Bruce. 1971. Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament. London, England: United Bible Societies.