Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ! As we celebrate these wonderful holidays, may our minds be focused on Jesus Christ! The uniqueness of Christianity is in the person of Jesus Christ and that is incomparable with any other religions of the world. The Apostle Paul in one of the letters to Timothy summarizes the entire Theology of the “uniqueness” of Jesus Christ:
“By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” (1 Tim. 3:16)
«God was revealed in the flesh”, means that He became man in humanity’s essence, and that is the meaning of Christmas!
«Was vindicated in the Spirit» - the Holy Spirit affirmed the Deity of Christ as He descended upon Christ in the form of a dove during the water baptism, as well as in the power of His resurrection! “He was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 1:4).
«Seen by angels» - the angels were praising God in the fields of Bethlehem as Christ was born, and they announced the great news of His resurrection!
«Proclaimed among the nations” – The Gospel became the treasure of the nations and continues to be proclaimed today! This was the primary focus of the ministry of Apostle Paul: “The Gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.” (Col. 1:23)
«Believed on in the world» - This the response to the preaching of the Gospel – believing in Christ through faith and trusting Him as their personal Savior. This is the message that continues to be preached throughout the history of Christianity!
«Taken up in glory» - His earthly ministry ended with His glorious ascension, as He ascended to be at the right hand of the Father where He continues His role as the High Priest!
None of the people on earth can attain to the same level of “uniqueness” of the history of Christ Who willingly was resolved to follow through with His purpose, and said: “Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of Me” to do Your will, o God.” Hebr. 10:7. God’s desire is to save people from their sins. That is what the angel told to Joseph, “She shall bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21. He became the Lamb of God Who takes upon the sins of the world.
Christmas celebration is a celebration of God’s love towards humanity! For God so loved the world, that He gave His Son…this is the greatest gift of all! “Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift!" is what Paul exclaims in 2 Cor. 9:15!
Merry Christmas, and a happy 2024 New Year!
President of PCSBA, Ivan Mileyev
