Text: 1 Timothy 3:16
Many churches have some type of statement of faith or confession that they adopt as a unifying belief. A common one is the “Apostle’s Creed.”* However, rather than adopting a man-made confession like this, we should go to the Bible. Paul expressed a statement of faith about Jesus in his first letter to Timothy (“common confession”). It was “without controversy” (KJV) because this is what first-century Christians believed, and we must as well. We are going to examine this “common confession” and see what we should believe about Jesus.
Revealed in the Flesh
- This is about Jesus’ INCARNATION – He was God in the flesh (Matthew 1:23); He partook of flesh and blood to carry out the Father’s work (Hebrews 2:14-15), which included His death on the cross
- This implies His pre-existence – He was in the beginning with God (John 1:1) before coming to earth
Vindicated in the Spirit
- This is about His RESURRECTION – He was vindicated or justified (KJV) through this (Romans 1:4; 8:11); His resurrection proved that His claims about Himself were true (John 5:17-18; 8:56-58; et al.)
- This also proves that we have hope after death (Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22)
Seen by Angels
- They saw Him IN HEAVEN before coming to earth – then announced His birth (Luke 2:8-14) and ministered to Him while He was on the earth (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43)
- Angels also witnessed His resurrection (Matthew 28:1-6) and ascension (Acts 1:9-11)
Proclaimed among the Nations
- This is about the GREAT COMMISSION – the gospel was to go to the whole world (Mark 16:15); the Jews received it first, but then it went everywhere (Romans 1:16; Acts 1:8)
- This was the message of salvation – God welcomes anyone who meets His conditions (Acts 10:34-35)
Believed on in the World
- This is about the GROWTH OF THE CHURCH – the gospel went to all creation (Colossians 1:23); people believed that Jesus was Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36), and therefore possessed all authority (Matthew 28:18)
- The proof was so irresistible that many Gentiles believed (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10) – they came be believe through the apostles’ words (John 17:20)
Taken Up to Glory
- This is Jesus’ ASCENSION – the apostles saw Him return to heaven (Acts 1:9); He is now seated at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33), in a position of authority
- He is returning just as He went (Acts 1:10-11) – for judgment (Acts 17:30-31); we must be ready
Conclusion
- In the Lord’s church, we do not have creeds and confessions that we recite like other churches do – but we do have beliefs that are universally held that were taught by the apostles and written down in the New Testament
- These facts should be “without controversy” – because of these facts, we have hope of salvation
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The “Apostle’s Creed” did not originate with the apostles, but was first recorded in the late fourth century. More information about its content and history can be found here – Apostles’ Creed (Wikipedia)
