Indeed, the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (according to the verse before) was manifest (made visible; revealed; made known; displayed; shown; made evident) in the flesh; justified in the Spirit; seen of angels; God was believed on in the world; and God was received up into glory. How and when did all of this happen? In Jesus Christ.
In another place, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 14; Galatians 4:4) The same Word that was with God was God. "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)
Not another G/god or a second or third entity in a collective, multi-headed godhead (as some in the modern day religious community would have us believe) but the One and Only Living God robed in flesh -- so that we might receive His free gift of salvation. The Word which is Almighty God was tabernacled in flesh.
The question again -- when did this happen? In Jesus Christ.
"To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." (II Corinthians 5:19) After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7) “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared [spoken, revealed] Him.” (John 1:18) “The image of the invisible God.” (Colossians 1:15; II Corinthians 4:4)
A third time -- when did this happen? In Jesus Christ.
The fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Him. (Colossians 2:9) This same God who created the world in the beginning, and everything within was veiled in flesh? (Hebrews 10:20) But how can this be, given that God is Spirit, and without flesh and blood that would be visible to man? The answer? In Jesus Christ.
As the scripture saith, salvation in the New Testament had to be patterned after the old, but not as an add-on to the law, but rather, the Lord doing an entirely new thing. The dayspring from on high visiting His people. The promised Christ appearing to His beloved -- so that we might find life through Him.
Thus, In order to make Himself visible to man and in order to shed innocent blood for our sins, He had to robe Himself in sin-prone flesh -- yet He was always without sin. (Hebrews 9:1-8, 14-18)
Yes. the God of the Old Testament robed Himself in flesh. He is the Father; the Great I AM who as the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for His sheep. Moreover, “God, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by [His] Son whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds. . ... the brightness of [His] glory, and the express image of His person.” (Hebrews 1:1-3)
As Abraham prophesied --- “God will provide Himself a lamb” (Genesis 22:8). God indeed provided a body for Himself: “Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me.” (Hebrews 10:5) So the Lord could come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 7:14)
Yes. the God of the Old Testament robed Himself in flesh. He is the Father; the Great I AM who as the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for His sheep. Moreover, “God, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by [His] Son whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds. . ... the brightness of [His] glory, and the express image of His person.” (Hebrews 1:1-3)
As Abraham prophesied --- “God will provide Himself a lamb” (Genesis 22:8). God indeed provided a body for Himself: “Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me.” (Hebrews 10:5) So the Lord could come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 7:14)
Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23)
Therefore, at the end of the day, this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the Bread of Life. The same Rich that was Christ who followed the Israelites through the Red Sea. (I Corinthians 10:1-4)
It's no wonder when S/Paul asked the risen Jesus (when he was blinded on the road to Damascus) -- "Who art Thou?" Jesus said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecute." Because Jesus was the builder of the house while likewise a Son over His own house. (Hebrews 3:3-6)
Both Lord and Christ. Stand in the offering plate.
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