What are the "mysteries?"

We have been pursuing our Doctrinal Rethink for some time now. In the process of engaging it we have begun to question certain beliefs, church structures, and practices of the western church. Too often we have discovered unbiblical doctrines and activities. This causes us concern.

Why do churches do what they do? What is the biblical basis of church leadership structure? Why do certain traditions get entrenched? How did we arrive at our doctrines?

Today we consider a topic that we have not seen discussed anywhere: The "mysteries," or, "secrets."

The word appears 26 times in the NT:

μυστήριον, ου, τό (mustérion), a mystery or secret doctrine.... mystery, secret, of which initiation is necessary; in the NT: the counsels of God, once hidden but now revealed in the Gospel or some fact thereof; the Christian revelation generally; particular truths or details of the Christian revelation.

3466 mystḗrion (the root of the English term, "mystery") – mystery. In the Bible, a "mystery" (3466 /mystḗrion) is not something unknowable. Rather, it is what can only be known through revelation, i.e. because God reveals it.

The first time we read of the mysteries is Mat. 13:11:

He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. (NKJV)

Jesus introduces us to the idea that there are things about the Kingdom which up to that time have not been revealed. A good part of His time on earth was spent telling the people, "The Kingdom of heaven is like..." He would then tell a parable to explain this Kingdom which no one understood:

Lk. 8:10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “`though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ [Isaiah 6:9]

Some other occurrences of the word:

Ro. 11:24-25 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! 25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.

Ro. 16:25-26 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him...

1Co. 2:1-2, 7 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you God’s mystery. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified... 7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

1Co. 14:2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no-one understands him; he utters mysteries by the Spirit.

1Co. 15:51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed —

Ep. 1:9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Ep. 3:2-12 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 

4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Ep. 5:28-32 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no-one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church — 30 for we are members of his body. 

31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” [Gen. 2:24] 32 This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church.

Ep. 6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

Col. 1:25-2:3 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fulness — 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.

27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

2:1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.

2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

1Ti. 3:8-9 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

1Ti. 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

So with all this we discover there are a number of mysteries:

• Mat. 13:11 The Kingdom
• Ro. 11:24-25 The grafting in of the Church into the promise
• Ro. 16:25-26 Jesus Christ
• 1Co. 2:1-2 Christ crucified
• 1Co. 14:2 What is spoken in tongues, which no one understands
• 1Co. 15:51 Resurrection into the imperishable, which is the victory over death
• Ep. 1:9 God's purpose to bring everything into subjection to Christ
• Ep. 3:6 That through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel
• Ep. 5:32 Christ and the church
• Ep. 6:19  The gospel of Jesus Christ
• Col. 1:25 The word of God in its fullness
• Col. 1:27 Christ in you, the hope of glory
• Col.2:3 Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
• 1Ti. 3:16 Christ, the mystery of godliness.

Our preliminary conclusion from these Scriptures is that the Jesus is the fundamental mystery, revealed in His ministry on earth, His kingdom come, His victory over the grave, and the good news that men can be saved and included in the promise.

Our secondary conclusion is that the pursuit of knowing Christ begins to reveal the mysteries:

2Co. 3:16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

The definition of the Greek word includes "because God reveals it." That is, every mystery is God's to reveal. Everything we know about God is due to divine revelation. We know nothing apart from revelation. It's not human brain power, it's Holy Spirit power.

We undertake to understand the magnitude and glory of the salvation He brought (Hebrews 2:3), the depth of meaning in being the Body of Christ (Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-30), growing to maturity of faith, the power of the gospel, and the wonder of the Scripture being the very word of God. This process of renewing our minds (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 1:19) and being transformed from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18) is a function of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Romans 15:13, Galatians 5:25). We are commanded to put off the sinful nature and put on the new nature (Ephesians 4:22-23) purchased by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The process of unveiling the mysteries is a product of

• the Ministry of the Holy Spirit who enlightens our minds (Ephesians 1:17-18)
• the Scriptures (1 Timothy 3:16), and
• the ministry of the brethren (Romans 12:8, 1 Corinthians 14:3, Philippians 2:1-2). 

This means that we do not know all the mysteries. Some might think they know everything there is to know about the Bible. They might consider themselves to possess perfect doctrine. They may have studied for years or decades, or be acclaimed as a great Bible teacher or a notable person of faith and understanding. However, there is no end to the mysteries, because there is no end to the majesty of God (Romans 11:33-36). His ways are beyond us.

Which leads us to our key question: Are our prayers, ministries, sermons, and church services focused on the common, the base, the mundane? Or are we proclaiming the mysteries? Are we unveiling the obscured (2 Corinthians 3:16)? 

So much of what our churches do is "faith 101." So many churches appeal to the lowest common denominator rather than the deep things (1 Corinthians 2:10). So much of church experience is consumed with the basics. But we believe God is calling us to a maturity of faith which exceeds our comfort level, that pushes into Spirit-empowered ministries, prevailing prayer, and fruitfulness.

Our traditions, doctrines, practices, and comfort are all up for grabs in these Last Days. We think that God will begin moving in and through a willing Church in powerful ways. This means that what we are building will be revealed, either as perishable or eternal (1 Corinthians 3:13).

We get to choose.