In the first century – many believed in the “gods” – whether we speak of Rome or of Greece… polytheism was everywhere. In Greek thinking – the spiritual is good – matter is evil. Therefore it seemed unthinkable in their minds, that God would become a man.

A heretical group known as the Docetists denied the true humanity of Christ… not on biblical grounds, but based on the culture of Greek thinking. Jesus only appeared to be a flesh-and-blood man; his body was a phantasm.

Paul dealt with this heresy constantly: Col 2.9 “In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead BODILY.” The Apostle John also: “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” – 1 John 4:2. “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.” – 2 John:7. The mystery of the Gospel is that God indeed became a man in the Person of Jesus Christ – truly God; truly man.

What does this mean for us? The answer is mysterious, dazzling and amazing!