Church Government is about Worship, Part III - 1 Timothy 3:16

(16e) … (he was) proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world…

Verse 16 is an early Christian hymn that Paul inserted in the midst of a section about how the church is to govern itself. Why? Because church governance and structure exists for the worship of God.

And particularly, this hymn is about Jesus. It’s about what he did in the world and what he accomplished – and how that brings about godliness in and among God’s people. He has secured a people for himself – and he has secured worship for the Father.

In these two phrases we see something particular about Jesus’ ministry. The Jews expected a savior from the nations of the world. They were oppressed, constantly attacked, and enslaved.

Now, that is in part their own fault. God told them unless they repented, those things would happen. And yet, God had promised salvation from the God-hating nations of the world.

Yet here we see the victory of Jesus proclaimed among the nations. And what is the victory of Jesus but the victory over sin and death? The hold of the devil over all humanity has been broken, the guilt of sin over the nations has been done away with, and the necessity of death and hell for the whole of mankind has been erased completely and forever for all who believe, who are called, who are set apart by Jesus’ blood.

And so Jesus’ proclamation among the nations was not merely a proclamation of victory for himself, though it was that, it was a proclamation of his victory for the world and for the glory of the Father – because his victory meant the godliness of the nations through mercy freely bestowed by God.

And we who believe in Christ are among those nations. Christ is mercy for us. His victory is our victory, his resurrection is our godliness, his entrance into life is our entrance into the Kingdom of God. And so we come to the next phrase – ‘believed on in the world.’

Christ has been believed on in the world – among the nations. He is God over all things, not just a national God. There is no room for relativism here. There is no room for ‘truth’ meaning ‘whatever works for you’ or ‘whatever religion you grew up with’ – Jesus is Lord over everyone and everything.

And in his mercy he has brought saving faith to the world. His death and resurrection haven’t merely secured the proclamation of God’s glory in the whole world – but belief in it. Jesus has gotten a people from every nation for himself to the glory of the Father.

And this is why we have church government.

Summary:
1) Jesus’ victory over death is for a proclamation to all nations, in his mercy.
2) Jesus’ victory over death secures saving faith among all nations, not just certain ones.
3) We thus, are responsible for the proclamation of his name to all nations.
4) This is the foundation for church governance: the mercy of Christ through his death and resurrection, saving all who believe for the glory of God.

Prayer:
Holy God! What can I think of now but your great mercy. You have given your Son into this world and over to a brutal and violent death – but to vindicate him. He was and is righteous, and so you rewarded him with a Kingdom which will never pass away. And you have through him given us the mercy of the Bible – and the grace to believe – and therefore, you have saved us – and you are saving people from the whole world.
Father, this is a glorious thing – and it shows your greatness. O give me a sensitivity to your glory in your word and let us respond appropriately in the Church in thanksgiving and honor to your name.
In Christ I pray, amen.