A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

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A B i b l i ca l Vi s i on, Par t I I : Mas ter i ng the New Tes tament Wi tnes s to Chr i s t

d. The carmen Christi (Song of Christ), an early Christian hymn of Christological glory, Phil. 2.5-11 – Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, [8] he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

6. The Prison Epistles: “ a powerfully Christ-centered spirituality” (Davis)

a. Flesh out in active devotion and practical participation our union with Christ by faith.

(1) Rooted and built up in Christ, Col. 2.6-7 – Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, [7] rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (2) United in Christ to rule with him, Eph. 2.5-7 – even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – [6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (3) Seated with Christ in the heavenlies, and will appear with him in glory, Col. 3.1-4 – If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right