#CHURCHTALK 30: New Testament Doxologies and Their Focus on Christ

There are two (2) doxologies that are stated in the New testament, and they're so insightful.

You're probably wondering what a doxology is. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary describes it as "a usually liturgical expression of praise to God".

A liturgy is a fixed set of ceremonies, words, etc., that are used during public worship in a religion, according to the same dictionary. It is a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship. They are common among orthodox Christians who have a litany of them developed for Christian fellowship. 

In other words, when a liturgy is specifically tailored to praise God, it becomes a doxology. When you praise God using a deliberately crafted ritual of words that make a repertoire, that's a doxology. 

Is it possible that the new testament church led by the apostles did have liturgies, since they had doxologies? I think it is possible, however, we are not told. 

The new testament has two (2) doxologies: one stated by Paul (one of the apostles of Jesus Christ and leader of the church), and the other stated by Jude (his name means 'brethren'; he was one of the brothers of Jesus and was reckoned to be an apostle too).

Paul's Doxology 

Romans 16:25-27 [KJV] 

25. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

27. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

See how the New Living Translation (NLT) puts it:

Romans 16:25-27 [NLT] 

25. Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time.

To understand Paul's wordings here, we need to know that the book of Romans (which he was concluding here) is regarded as Paul's presentation of the gospel. So, literally, he was summing up his message by stating this doxology which highlights how central the message of Christ and His plan for all men were to Paul's preaching. 

26. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him.

Two important things this verse says is that the message of Christ is meant for everyone (no particular group is preferred), and that the proper response to the message of Christ is faith and obedience. 

27. All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

He praises God's wisdom IN Christ who was made manifest, without Whom there would be no provision from God.

Notice how every sentence of this doxology refers to Christ, His work, and the believer's response in faith and obedience to that work.

Jude's Doxology 

Jude 1:24-25 [KJV] 

24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

25. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

The New Living Translation (NLT) puts it this way:

Jude 1:24-25 [NLT] 

24. Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.

This doxology praises God's great ability in Christ: as not just the author, but the finisher of the faith of a believer. His ability which ended the problem of sin and a fallen nature in man. God says that by Himself, He won't only keep us from falling, but will also present us before Himself WITHOUT A SINGLE FAULT! The gospel of Jesus Christ is that of spiritual empowerment beyond the natural. 

25. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

Again, praise is given to God IN Christ Jesus, declaring His centrality to the message and worship of God.

Paul's doxology praises God in Christ's work, but Jude's doxology praises God's vast measure of ability in Christ's work. Either way, it is evident that Christ remained the central focus of the Apostle's teaching/liturgy. And that both doxologies praise the wisdom of God IN the person of Jesus Christ and His work. 

All things that the believer is and will ever be is in Christ. He is the image that is revealed to us, which we look at, which we model after, and into which we are transformed: from faith to faith, and from glory to glory.

Romans 1:16-17 [KJV] 

16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

2 Corinthians 3:18 [KJV] 

[18]But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Chukwubuikem Paul Anunaso is a CNBC Africa opinion writer and civil/structural engineer in Lagos, Nigeria. He is also the editor of The Paul Anunaso Blog, and can be reached at anunaso.cp@gmail.com

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