Confessions are documents used by the Church to affirm specific biblical doctrines in a systematic way. Two of the more prominent confessions of Church History are The Westminster Confession of Faith and the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. Confessions are used to denounce heresy and to teach sound doctrine. What may come as a surprise is that confessional statements developed very early in the NT Church. We find a confession of Christology in 3:16. “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: 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.” Six points of the doctrine of Christ are this one confessional statement.
The Incarnation. God became flesh. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, took on the flesh of man.
The Anointing. This probably refers to the baptism of Jesus. Jesus was baptized as part of completely fulfilling all righteousness for man. When He was baptized, the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, rested upon Him.
The Deity of Christ. Jesus was not only fully man as affirmed in the first phrase, He was also fully God. He was seen by angels, that is, His dwelling was in the heavenly realm.
The Gospel. The Gospel message is the proclamation of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is Christ we proclaim!
Justification by Faith. The new birth occurs at the moment one believes in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Everywhere Jesus is proclaimed, He is embraced.
Resurrection and Ascension. Jesus rose from the dead and rose in body back to the Father’s side in glory!
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