One God and One Mediator

March 6, 2011

Lesson: 1 Timothy 2:1-6; 3:13-16

Key Verse: 1 Timothy 2:5

aaa

Introduction

Our witness and the object of our worship is that “There is but One only, the living and true God” (S.C. 5). This is an uncompromising statement. The Christian receives this truth as coming from the divine Creator through His Word: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deut. 6:4-5). The Christian congregation, of which Christ is the Head, sees Scripture as God’s Word to us, and not as what man thinks about God: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21). This “One God” is revealed as three distinct persons: “There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory” (S.C. 6).

Our Mediator between God and ourselves is of the divine Godhead. It is within the Godhead that we find One, who alone can be called our Mediator: “The only Mediator of the covenant of grace is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, of one substance and equal with the Father, in the fullness of time became man, and so was and continues to be God and man, in two entire distinct natures, and one person, for ever” (L.C. 36). The Father, who so loved us that He sent His Son that whosoever believes in Him shall be saved: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were  reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Rom. 5:8-10).

aaa

One Mediator—1 Timothy 2:1-6

Since there is One God and One Mediator, then the only message of the Gospel is Christ as Savior, who is able to bring about reconciliation between God and man. Paul’s exhortation to Timothy (and through him to the congregation) is “that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving thanks, be made for all men.” It would be foolish to pray for others if there was no God to pray too, and especially, if there was no divine Lord who was able to actually answer that prayer. The Christian is convinced that there is a Creator who has created us, male and female, to bear His image, and is convinced that God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is able to redeem the soul.

Paul writes that prayers and supplications to the One God will produce fruit: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). Therefore, pray for, “kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” What is our prayer for those in authority? Our prayers should be that those who are in authority—from kings to tyrants, from presidents to senators, governors to mayors, or any authority local communities—prayers should be that they act righteously as to the Supreme Ruler, Christ the King of kings. Therefore, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1). For such prayers are “good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”

Further, Paul understands: “God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” What is this truth, this saving grace? “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” “For all”—out of every nation and tongue—the Lord will draw men to himself; for by grace we are saved, for Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, all come to the Father through Him. Calvin wrote, “Accordingly, whenever we ought to pray to God, if we call to remembrance that exalted and unapproachable majesty, that we may not be driven back by the dread of it, let us, at the same time, remember “the man Christ,” who gently invites us, and takes us, as it were, by the hand, in order that the Father, who had been the object of terror and alarm, may be reconciled by him and rendered friendly to us. This is the only key to open for us the gate of the heavenly kingdom that we may appear in the presence of God with confidence.”

Discussion: How and why are we to pray for those in authority?

aaaa

The House of God—1 Timothy 3:12-16

Paul calls Timothy’s attention to the office of deacon: Let the deacons be the husband of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” The deacon as well as the elder must have a ‘boldness’—a confidence in their faith in Christ and in the knowledge of the truth as the Spirit teaches in His Scriptures. “It is not fit that the public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they have been first proved, and found fit for the business they are to be entrusted with; the soundness of their judgments, their zeal for Christ, and the blamelessness of their conversation, must be proved” (M. Henry).

Paul continues to encourage Timothy in the faith, “that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” A familiar revelation is that received by Jacob (Gen. 28), who, on his way to Haran, on a particular night, took stones for his pillow and laid down to sleep: “And he dreamed and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.” From the top, the Lord spoke, saying, “I am the Lord God Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac.” He further heard, “And behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest.” When Jacob “awakened out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

Where the Lord is, there is the house of God. Where His congregation is, there he is. As our Lord is the King and Head of His congregation, He is the gate of heaven. How then are Timothy, and each one of us who has been gathered together in Christ, to be careful in our behavior in the “house of God” which is the congregation that has been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Our behavior in the fellowship of believers, the congregation, is also conditioned by the fact that we are” the pillar and ground of truth.” Calvin asks, “Is anything more venerable, or more holy, than that everlasting truth which embraces both the glory of God and the salvation of men?” The words that we use are most precious when they speak of what the Spirit has taught us through His Word. Paul admonishes Timothy to charge the congregation: “strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim.2:14-15). Paul illustrates the truth that is to be preserved and taught as a mystery revealed: “God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” This is the object of our faith, Christ Jesus the Son of God!

Discussion: What is Timothy to do and teach within the Congregation?

qqqq

Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2011 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.