“... He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.”

I Timothy 3:16

 

IN I TIMOTHY 3:16, Paul presents a wonderful summary of the earthly, saving ministry of Jesus Christ.

“Manifested in the flesh” - Christ did not begin in the Bethlehem manger but rather has always been, even from eternity past alongside God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. But in His great love, He humbled Himself and became Man. “He was manifested in the flesh”.

“Vindicated by the Spirit” - Following His birth, He lived life as a sinless Man, and died on the cross, taking our sin on Himself. But that was not the end. For He was raised from the dead and in that, He was “vindicated by the Spirit”.

“Seen by angels” - Angels were present at His resurrection, announcing “He is risen”. But the apostles were also witnesses and became messengers of the risen Lord. And that leads to…

“Proclaimed among the nations” - The apostles—and now the church—have sought to proclaim that message “... to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

“Believed on in the world” - And by that proclamation, many have placed their faith in Christ, thus coming to possess eternal life in Him. May many more believe in Him!

“Taken up in glory” - Christ ascended to the “right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). But that is not the end, for He is coming again “with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30).

“Hallelujah, What a Saviour!”

 

Pastor Craig publishes  "A Word from God's Word" weekly in the "Kootenay News Advertiser".

About the Author

Pastor Craig has served as Senior Pastor of Cranbrook Fellowship Baptist Church since 2018. His passion is for preaching and teaching God's Word, as it is through the proclamation of the gospel that God does His work in people's lives.