RPG Adults
CHRIST IS COME IN THE FLESH
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2
1 John 4:3-4
John 20:24-29
“… blessed are they that have not seen,
and yet have believed.”
CHRIST IS COME IN THE FLESH
Christ’s coming in the flesh is called His incarnation. There is a different understanding of incarnation in other religions. But the coming of the Son of God in the flesh is an historical event that is verified in the historical records of Scripture. In the days of John, people were beginning to deny that Jesus had come in the flesh. Yet there were those still living, including John, who saw Jesus and witnessed His resurrection. The events of Jesus’ life were recorded for the church.
It was with this background that the Apostle John wrote these words: “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (1 John 4:2-3).
This is a basic doctrine of the Christian faith but it was attacked and had caused much controversy. The Apostle saw it necessary to make it clear. Thereafter the church developed what is known as the “Apostles’ Creed” which made clear the position of Christ and the Trinity of God.
The Gospels recorded the life of Christ from the announcement of His birth to His ascension to heaven. It was after His resurrection that even His disciples doubted if He was the one and He had to take time to explain to them. John was an eyewitness of all these and he wrote with that knowledge. He told the believers to affirm that indeed Jesus came in the flesh and if they did not believe they were not of God. Those of the contrary opinion were to be removed from church fellowship because they were of the antichrist. Christ indeed came in the flesh.
THOUGHT: Jesus came in the flesh to save man from his sins.
PRAYER: Lord, I thank Thee for coming to live among us to save us.