Day 4: Biblical Creeds: Pre-New Testament

A strange thing to call it-‘Pre New Testament’. But these phrases are believed to have been being used and copied into the text that Paul will write to the church at Phillipi and to Timothy. Two of them directly connect Jesus to God, and seemed to be directed at the argument the Jews were using that Jesus could NOT be God, that it was a blasphemy to claim that, having a misunderstanding about the triune nature of God. 

The first, I Timothy 2:5-6 puts forth the understanding of the unique nature of Jesus. It focuses on the idea that no longer are the priestly sacrifices needed, rather there now stands before God ONE priest who was also the sacrifice for ALL people. And He has a direct connection from us, through Him, to God. In today’s world this tells us there is no one else we need or even can pray to for salvation. The need for multiple sacrifices are over, the need for a man (or woman) to ‘intercede’ on our behalf no longer exists. Scripture here points very plainly to that ‘passage’ between man and God as having only ONE stop-and that is Christ and Christ alone. This reenforces John 14:6 where He said ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father but through me.’

The second one-I Timothy 3:16 is really a very short outline of the earthly life of Christ, from His birth in flesh to His ascension. The nature of the pattern suggests that this could very possibly be a known hymn that was already being sung by the Greek believers that Timothy was charge with leading.

In the letter to the Philippians Paul outlines a short 3 stanza creed. In it he shows Christ as being God, hearkening to the Gospel of John, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word Was God’. The second stanza shows the humility that Christ took to become a man-not lessening Himself but to show obedience to the Father and in doing so fulfill the prophesy of the cross. Finally, God Himself acknowledges Jesus Christ as being the only One who could save mankind and bring him back into fellowship with God, and that every part of nature including man himself, indeed all of the universe will one day have to acknowledge and honor Jesus Christ as Lord, glorifying the Father through Him.

Scripture reading for today:

I Timothy 2:5-6
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

I Timothy 3:16
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.

Philippians 2:6-11
Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his
own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
    even death on a cross! 

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Prayer: