During my nearly 30 years as a ‘mid-Acts-er’ I was advised by a teacher that we didn’t need to ‘go to the Greek.’ Now that I am no longer a ‘mid-Acts-er’ I have found that the Greek is sometimes very helpful and informative .... like in the case of the word ‘dispensation.’ I had no idea that it was also translated ‘stewardship’ until I got the initiative to do my own investigation .... mainly, after many of my ministry associates refused to use the KJV word ‘bishop’ for their ‘office’ (1 Tim 3:1), after I brought it to their attention, in preference for the word ‘pastor’ which is a ‘shepherd’ metaphorically, of sheep, which ‘mid-Acts-ers’ claim to NOT be.
The Greek word [oikonomia] is used 7 times in the scriptures.
It is translated in the KJV .... ‘dispensation’ 4 times, and ‘stewardship’ 3 times.
The definition of [oikonomia] is ‘the management, superintendence, oversight, or administration, of a household, another’s property, or affairs.’
The similar Greek word [oikonomos] is used 10 times in the scriptures.
It is translated .... ‘steward’ 8 times, and ‘chamberlain’ 1 time, and ‘govenor’ 1 time.
Jesus used those words in a story about a man who was charged with mishandling his boss’ trust:
Luke 16:1-4 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward [oikonomos]; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship [oikonomia]; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship [oikonomia]: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship[oikonomia], they may receive me into their houses.
Though God entrusted Paul with the administration .... of the mystery .... of His grace .... to the Gentiles, God’s Spirit made it known to His apostles and prophets also:
Eph 3:1-6 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation [oikonomia] of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs,
and of the same body,
and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Paul was not the only steward or ‘dispenser.’ Paul equated stewards with ministers .... who are to be trustworthy supervisors .... of the mystery (or mysteries, same Greek word) of Christ and of God (Col 2:2).
1 Cor 4:1-2 Let a man so account of us,
as of the ministers [huperetes] (servants in subordination who aid in work to an officer or king) of Christ,
and stewards [oikonomos] of the mysteries [musterion] of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards [oikonomos],
that a man be found faithful.
Paul taught that a bishop, which is an overseer of the church of God, is God’s steward:
Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward [oikonomos] of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
John also testified that God committed His mystery to His servants the prophets, and revealed information through them. One issue, in particular, was the time of the end, when the seventh angel sounds the last trumpet:
Rev 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Peter wrote about faithful ‘dispensers’ .... who ministered God’s grace, too:
1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards [oikonomos] of the manifold grace of God.
Did a Steward Oversee a Dispensation?
These words all have kindred meanings.
Stewards were overseers who dispensed the mystery of God’s grace.
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
In Reality, Where Did the Church Begin?
Some refer to the day of Pentecost .... as the birthday of the church:
Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
To say that Acts 2 is the beginning of the church .... is to ignore the verse that shows God ‘added to the church’ that was already there:
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ .... more precisely, ‘Acts-9ers’ .... believe ‘the church, the body of Christ’ (always with the antecedent) began in Acts chapter 9 with the conversion of Saul of Tarsus.
You can ask them, "When did the church begin?"
They will answer, "The church, the body of Christ, began in Acts 9 with Paul."
In reality, read the entire chapter of Acts 9, searching for the beginning of a church. There is no verse, no mention, no hint, of a church starting in Acts 9.
Ask them, "What makes you think the church started in Acts 9 with Paul?"
They reply with, "He was the first ‘member’ of the church, the body of Christ," while they refer to a scripture that says absolutely nothing of the sort:
1 Tim 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
In reality, that verse does not say anything about Paul being the first member of a ‘new’ church called ‘the body of Christ.’
I have only heard it said that some ‘mid-Acts-ers’ are ‘Acts-11’ .... but I have never personally known any, nor have I ever heard one named:
Acts 11:21-26 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
‘Acts-13ers’ don’t consider Acts 11 relevant .... because, in their mind, ‘this grace’ is ‘a different grace’ than ‘Paul’s grace’ .... because they say it was ‘before Paul’s grace’ .... regardless of scripture that speaks of those 'in Christ before Paul' (Rom 16:7):
23 Who, when he (Barnabas) came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch.
And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people.
If you want someone to be FIRST .... here’s an ‘Acts 11’ FIRST for you:
And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Some other ‘mid-Acts-ers’ believe the church started in Acts 13, when Saul was commissioned by the church. How foolish is that! In reality, how could we even be talking about ‘the church’ beginning in Acts 13 .... when it was ‘the church’ already there who sent out Saul and Barnabas? ‘Mid-Acts-ers’ teach that ‘the church at Antioch’ was ‘a different church,’ than ‘the church, the body of Christ’ which they think was ‘the church’ that Saul started with himself:
Acts 13:1-3 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
‘Acts-13ers’ maintain that ‘the church, the body of Christ’ originated in Acts 13 because Paul blinded a Jew, who tried to prevent the gospel from being preached to a Gentile:
Acts 13:6-12 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
These same ‘Acts-13ers’ also state that Saul’s name being changed to Paul indicates this is where ‘the church, the body of Christ’ began:
9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
‘Acts-13ers’ say that Paul preached grace for the first time here:
Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
In reality, if someone wanted to find where ‘grace’ is first mentioned, then they would have to go back to Genesis 6.
But, to ‘mid-Acts-ers’ Noah’s grace is different from Paul’s grace’:
Gen 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
.... or why not end the law, and start grace with Jesus Christ?
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses,
but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (‘Mid-Acts-ers’ say that Jesus’ grace is not the same as ‘the dispensation of grace’ that Jesus gave Paul.)
Then there are the ‘Acts 28ers’ who say that a new church started after the end of the book of Acts, when Paul stopped ministering to Israel and focused solely on the Gentiles:
Acts 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
In reality, if you want to see ‘a FIRST church’ in Acts, then look at ‘the wilderness church’:
Acts 7:38 This is he (Moses), that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
Hopefully, you have seen how these many attempts to start ‘a different church’ called ‘the church, the body of Christ’ are completely false. In reality, there are no verses in Acts (nor in any other book, nor in Paul’s epistles) that say anything at all about God beginning a new church.
.
Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
To say that Acts 2 is the beginning of the church .... is to ignore the verse that shows God ‘added to the church’ that was already there:
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ .... more precisely, ‘Acts-9ers’ .... believe ‘the church, the body of Christ’ (always with the antecedent) began in Acts chapter 9 with the conversion of Saul of Tarsus.
You can ask them, "When did the church begin?"
They will answer, "The church, the body of Christ, began in Acts 9 with Paul."
In reality, read the entire chapter of Acts 9, searching for the beginning of a church. There is no verse, no mention, no hint, of a church starting in Acts 9.
Ask them, "What makes you think the church started in Acts 9 with Paul?"
They reply with, "He was the first ‘member’ of the church, the body of Christ," while they refer to a scripture that says absolutely nothing of the sort:
1 Tim 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
In reality, that verse does not say anything about Paul being the first member of a ‘new’ church called ‘the body of Christ.’
I have only heard it said that some ‘mid-Acts-ers’ are ‘Acts-11’ .... but I have never personally known any, nor have I ever heard one named:
Acts 11:21-26 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
‘Acts-13ers’ don’t consider Acts 11 relevant .... because, in their mind, ‘this grace’ is ‘a different grace’ than ‘Paul’s grace’ .... because they say it was ‘before Paul’s grace’ .... regardless of scripture that speaks of those 'in Christ before Paul' (Rom 16:7):
23 Who, when he (Barnabas) came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch.
And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people.
If you want someone to be FIRST .... here’s an ‘Acts 11’ FIRST for you:
And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Some other ‘mid-Acts-ers’ believe the church started in Acts 13, when Saul was commissioned by the church. How foolish is that! In reality, how could we even be talking about ‘the church’ beginning in Acts 13 .... when it was ‘the church’ already there who sent out Saul and Barnabas? ‘Mid-Acts-ers’ teach that ‘the church at Antioch’ was ‘a different church,’ than ‘the church, the body of Christ’ which they think was ‘the church’ that Saul started with himself:
Acts 13:1-3 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
‘Acts-13ers’ maintain that ‘the church, the body of Christ’ originated in Acts 13 because Paul blinded a Jew, who tried to prevent the gospel from being preached to a Gentile:
Acts 13:6-12 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
These same ‘Acts-13ers’ also state that Saul’s name being changed to Paul indicates this is where ‘the church, the body of Christ’ began:
9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
‘Acts-13ers’ say that Paul preached grace for the first time here:
Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
In reality, if someone wanted to find where ‘grace’ is first mentioned, then they would have to go back to Genesis 6.
But, to ‘mid-Acts-ers’ Noah’s grace is different from Paul’s grace’:
Gen 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
.... or why not end the law, and start grace with Jesus Christ?
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses,
but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (‘Mid-Acts-ers’ say that Jesus’ grace is not the same as ‘the dispensation of grace’ that Jesus gave Paul.)
Then there are the ‘Acts 28ers’ who say that a new church started after the end of the book of Acts, when Paul stopped ministering to Israel and focused solely on the Gentiles:
Acts 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
In reality, if you want to see ‘a FIRST church’ in Acts, then look at ‘the wilderness church’:
Acts 7:38 This is he (Moses), that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
Hopefully, you have seen how these many attempts to start ‘a different church’ called ‘the church, the body of Christ’ are completely false. In reality, there are no verses in Acts (nor in any other book, nor in Paul’s epistles) that say anything at all about God beginning a new church.
.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Do You Have an Inheritance Waiting?
Paul told king Agrippa first about his commission from the chief priests to arrest the disciples of Jesus Christ .... and then he told him about commission from Jesus Christ:
Acts 26:12-18 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their (the Gentiles’) eyes,
and to turn them (the Gentiles) from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan unto God,
that they (the Gentiles) may receive forgiveness of sins,
and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
The Lord Jesus already had disciples who were sanctified by faith in Him. They were the very people Saul had been persecuting and jailing (Acts 8:3, 26:10; Gal 1:13,23; 1 Cor 15:9). In Acts 9, Christ gave the instructions to Saul, who was later called Paul (Acts 13:9), to offer the Gentiles inheritance among His saints:
Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
The Gentiles are no longer ‘servants’ .... but ‘sons’ .... ‘children of God’ .... and as such, ‘heirs’ through the new testament WITH Israel who were the children of God under the old testament:
Gal 4:1-7 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Proverbs showed this same principal:
Prov 17:2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
Paul taught the same truth to the saints at Rome:
Rom 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,
that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;
if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Our inheritance, just as Israel’s, is not through the old testament law .... but by promise:
Gal 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise:
but God gave it to Abraham by promise. (also see Gal 3:8)
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Gal 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Now we Gentiles share as partakers with ALL God’s saints in His kingdom:
Col 1:12-13 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (fit, able) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness,
and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
God accepts us Gentiles, as one bread and one body, with Israel and with Christ, the bread of life (John 6:33, 35, 48, 51):
1 Cor 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body:
for we are all partakers of that one bread.
That was the mystery of Christ .... that we now understand:
Eph 3:4-6 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs,
and of the same body,
and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
All we believers have a promised, sure inheritance waiting in heaven for us:
1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Do you have saving faith to receive an inheritance at the end?
.
Acts 26:12-18 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their (the Gentiles’) eyes,
and to turn them (the Gentiles) from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan unto God,
that they (the Gentiles) may receive forgiveness of sins,
and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
The Lord Jesus already had disciples who were sanctified by faith in Him. They were the very people Saul had been persecuting and jailing (Acts 8:3, 26:10; Gal 1:13,23; 1 Cor 15:9). In Acts 9, Christ gave the instructions to Saul, who was later called Paul (Acts 13:9), to offer the Gentiles inheritance among His saints:
Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
The Gentiles are no longer ‘servants’ .... but ‘sons’ .... ‘children of God’ .... and as such, ‘heirs’ through the new testament WITH Israel who were the children of God under the old testament:
Gal 4:1-7 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Proverbs showed this same principal:
Prov 17:2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
Paul taught the same truth to the saints at Rome:
Rom 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,
that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;
if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Our inheritance, just as Israel’s, is not through the old testament law .... but by promise:
Gal 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise:
but God gave it to Abraham by promise. (also see Gal 3:8)
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Gal 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Now we Gentiles share as partakers with ALL God’s saints in His kingdom:
Col 1:12-13 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (fit, able) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness,
and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
God accepts us Gentiles, as one bread and one body, with Israel and with Christ, the bread of life (John 6:33, 35, 48, 51):
1 Cor 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body:
for we are all partakers of that one bread.
That was the mystery of Christ .... that we now understand:
Eph 3:4-6 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs,
and of the same body,
and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
All we believers have a promised, sure inheritance waiting in heaven for us:
1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Do you have saving faith to receive an inheritance at the end?
.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Is There NO Difference?
‘Mid-Acts’ preachers boldly proclaim the apostle PAUL’s verses that teach there is ‘no difference’ between the Jew and the Gentile:
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
However, ‘mid-Acts-ers’ fail to mention, much less acknowledge, or worse yet, even admit, that PETER, not Paul, was the FIRST person to preach ‘no difference’. That is ‘uncharted territory’ for them.
In Acts chapter 15, Peter told about his experience that happened in Acts 10, when he was in a trance, and a voice spoke to him, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common," (Acts 10:15).
We will read the context of Peter’s testimony before the counsel in Acts 15:
Acts 15:7-11 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? (i.e. keeping the law)
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Notice Peter did not say, "We believe that ‘they’ (Gentiles) shall be saved, even as ‘we’ (Jews)." But rather, paraphrased, that ‘we’ (Jews) shall be saved, through grace, like ‘them’ (Gentiles).
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ are inconsistent when they explain away many scriptures by saying, "Paul was speaking to Jews there." Whatever they don’t want of Paul’s, they just sweep it away, by insisting he was talking specifically to Israel in certain verses. This while addressing his epistles to 'the church of God' or 'the saints'? They claim to be such proponents of PAUL’s ‘no difference’ statements, but when they run into Paul’s teaching about
--- believing Gentiles being ‘one body’ with believers of Israel (Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 10:17; Eph 2:16, 3:6, 4:4; Col 3:15),
---- or believing Gentiles being ‘graffed’ into Israel’s olive tree (Rom 11:17),
---- or believing Gentiles sharing in Israel’s inheritance (Acts 20:32, 26:18; Eph 3:6) ....
they set aside their ‘no difference’ tambourine and bang on the ‘Israel only’ drum.
There is no difference, so quit making one!
.
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
However, ‘mid-Acts-ers’ fail to mention, much less acknowledge, or worse yet, even admit, that PETER, not Paul, was the FIRST person to preach ‘no difference’. That is ‘uncharted territory’ for them.
In Acts chapter 15, Peter told about his experience that happened in Acts 10, when he was in a trance, and a voice spoke to him, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common," (Acts 10:15).
We will read the context of Peter’s testimony before the counsel in Acts 15:
Acts 15:7-11 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? (i.e. keeping the law)
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Notice Peter did not say, "We believe that ‘they’ (Gentiles) shall be saved, even as ‘we’ (Jews)." But rather, paraphrased, that ‘we’ (Jews) shall be saved, through grace, like ‘them’ (Gentiles).
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ are inconsistent when they explain away many scriptures by saying, "Paul was speaking to Jews there." Whatever they don’t want of Paul’s, they just sweep it away, by insisting he was talking specifically to Israel in certain verses. This while addressing his epistles to 'the church of God' or 'the saints'? They claim to be such proponents of PAUL’s ‘no difference’ statements, but when they run into Paul’s teaching about
--- believing Gentiles being ‘one body’ with believers of Israel (Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 10:17; Eph 2:16, 3:6, 4:4; Col 3:15),
---- or believing Gentiles being ‘graffed’ into Israel’s olive tree (Rom 11:17),
---- or believing Gentiles sharing in Israel’s inheritance (Acts 20:32, 26:18; Eph 3:6) ....
they set aside their ‘no difference’ tambourine and bang on the ‘Israel only’ drum.
There is no difference, so quit making one!
.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
VAULTING From 2 Timothy 2:15?
The foundation for ‘mid-Acts’ doctrine begins in one verse, which they use to VAULT into
• 2 locations/eternal destinies (earth and heaven),
• 2 types of saints (earthly=Israel and heavenly=the body of Christ, defined by ‘mid-Acts-ers’ as ONLY those who are saved by ‘Paul’s gospel’ during the dispensation of grace, which they say began with Paul in ‘mid-Acts’ - specifically, at his conversion in Acts 9, but they ‘allow’ some room - up to Acts 13:9 - for other saints who say it was when Saul’s name was changed to Paul --- however, since some of those ‘Acts 13’ saints are no longer ‘PRE-tribulation, imminent rapture’ .... maybe ‘mid-Acts-ers’ would like to change their label to be more accurate, i.e. ‘Acts-9ers’ instead, especially since their ‘leader’ has repeatedly said that if one does not know where the body of Christ began, as he teaches in Acts 9, then he surely will be mixed up as to when the body of Christ will end, as he teaches will be some YEARS BEFORE the 70th week of Daniel 9:24 even BEGINS),
• 2 programs (Israel’s earthly kingdom program of LAW and the body of Christ’s heavenly kingdom program of GRACE),
• 2 sets of ‘last days’ (Israel’s last days during the 70th week of Daniel 9:24 and the body of Christ’s last days being near the end of the dispensation of grace -- which could be ‘anytime’ -- before the ‘pre-tribulation, imminent rapture’)
• 2 separate comings/appearings of the Lord Jesus Christ (‘PRE-tribulation, imminent rapture’ of Paul’s converts ONLY -- but since they say it is a MYSTERY resurrection that comes BEFORE the 1st resurrection, they do not count it, and the 1st resurrection after the 70th week of Daniel 9:24 which is the end.
Here is the verse for thought:
2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Rather than VAULTING from the verse, let’s keep it in its CONTEXT:
2 Tim 2:8-18 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead (Peter preached this also, see Acts 2:29-32) according to my gospel:
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer (Peter did, too, see Acts 4:17-21),
even unto bonds (so did Peter, also see Acts 12:1-5);
but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (see 1 Pet 5:10, 1:3-5)
11 It is a faithful saying:
For if we be dead with him (also see Gal 2:20, 8:10, Col 3:3),
we shall also live with him (also see John 14:19, 11:25; Rom 6:8; Gal 2:19):
12 If we suffer (also see Acts 14:22, Rom 8:17, Phil 1:28-29, 2 Thess 1:4-8, 1 Pet 4:13-16, Matt 5:10-12, John 15:20),
we shall also reign with him (also see Rev 1:6, 5:10, 20:4-6):
if we deny him, he also will deny us (also see Matt 10:33, Luke 12:9, Acts 3:13-15, 1 Tim 5:8, 1 John 2:22-23, Rev 2:13, 3:8):
13 If we believe not (Luke 24:36-47), yet he abideth faithful:
he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance,
charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit,
but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings:
for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker:
of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred,
saying that the resurrection is past already;
and overthrow the faith of some.
The resurrection of the dead will occur .... at the last day:
John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (also see John 6:39-54, 2 Tim 3:1-9, 1 Pet 3:3-18)
The resurrection of the dead will occur .... at the last trump:
1 Cor 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
The resurrection of the dead will occur .... at the end of the world .... when Christ comes:
1 Cor 15:22-24 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (also see Matt 13:37-43, 24:3; 1 Pet 1:9,13)
The resurrection will occur .... when the Lord Jesus Christ comes .... in His day:
1 Cor 1:7-8 So that ye come behind in no gift;
waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end,
that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The day of the Lord Jesus Christ will be .... at the end:
2 Cor 1:13-14 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Thess 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
.
• 2 locations/eternal destinies (earth and heaven),
• 2 types of saints (earthly=Israel and heavenly=the body of Christ, defined by ‘mid-Acts-ers’ as ONLY those who are saved by ‘Paul’s gospel’ during the dispensation of grace, which they say began with Paul in ‘mid-Acts’ - specifically, at his conversion in Acts 9, but they ‘allow’ some room - up to Acts 13:9 - for other saints who say it was when Saul’s name was changed to Paul --- however, since some of those ‘Acts 13’ saints are no longer ‘PRE-tribulation, imminent rapture’ .... maybe ‘mid-Acts-ers’ would like to change their label to be more accurate, i.e. ‘Acts-9ers’ instead, especially since their ‘leader’ has repeatedly said that if one does not know where the body of Christ began, as he teaches in Acts 9, then he surely will be mixed up as to when the body of Christ will end, as he teaches will be some YEARS BEFORE the 70th week of Daniel 9:24 even BEGINS),
• 2 programs (Israel’s earthly kingdom program of LAW and the body of Christ’s heavenly kingdom program of GRACE),
• 2 sets of ‘last days’ (Israel’s last days during the 70th week of Daniel 9:24 and the body of Christ’s last days being near the end of the dispensation of grace -- which could be ‘anytime’ -- before the ‘pre-tribulation, imminent rapture’)
• 2 separate comings/appearings of the Lord Jesus Christ (‘PRE-tribulation, imminent rapture’ of Paul’s converts ONLY -- but since they say it is a MYSTERY resurrection that comes BEFORE the 1st resurrection, they do not count it, and the 1st resurrection after the 70th week of Daniel 9:24 which is the end.
Here is the verse for thought:
2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Rather than VAULTING from the verse, let’s keep it in its CONTEXT:
2 Tim 2:8-18 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead (Peter preached this also, see Acts 2:29-32) according to my gospel:
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer (Peter did, too, see Acts 4:17-21),
even unto bonds (so did Peter, also see Acts 12:1-5);
but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (see 1 Pet 5:10, 1:3-5)
11 It is a faithful saying:
For if we be dead with him (also see Gal 2:20, 8:10, Col 3:3),
we shall also live with him (also see John 14:19, 11:25; Rom 6:8; Gal 2:19):
12 If we suffer (also see Acts 14:22, Rom 8:17, Phil 1:28-29, 2 Thess 1:4-8, 1 Pet 4:13-16, Matt 5:10-12, John 15:20),
we shall also reign with him (also see Rev 1:6, 5:10, 20:4-6):
if we deny him, he also will deny us (also see Matt 10:33, Luke 12:9, Acts 3:13-15, 1 Tim 5:8, 1 John 2:22-23, Rev 2:13, 3:8):
13 If we believe not (Luke 24:36-47), yet he abideth faithful:
he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance,
charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit,
but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings:
for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker:
of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred,
saying that the resurrection is past already;
and overthrow the faith of some.
The resurrection of the dead will occur .... at the last day:
John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (also see John 6:39-54, 2 Tim 3:1-9, 1 Pet 3:3-18)
The resurrection of the dead will occur .... at the last trump:
1 Cor 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
The resurrection of the dead will occur .... at the end of the world .... when Christ comes:
1 Cor 15:22-24 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (also see Matt 13:37-43, 24:3; 1 Pet 1:9,13)
The resurrection will occur .... when the Lord Jesus Christ comes .... in His day:
1 Cor 1:7-8 So that ye come behind in no gift;
waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end,
that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The day of the Lord Jesus Christ will be .... at the end:
2 Cor 1:13-14 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Thess 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
.
Friday, May 7, 2010
TP, BN, and ATC?
Time Past, But Now, and Ages To Come
One of the main spring-boards for ‘mid-Acts-ers’ is Ephesians 2.
They start out with ‘Time Past’ (in verses 11-12) ....
followed by ‘But Now’ (in verse 13 and following).
But then they go backwards (to verse 7) to pick out their future phrase ‘Ages to Come’.
Under the OLD Covenant, which God made with Abraham and his family (physical descendants), Gentiles had no privilege. They were foreigners to Israel:
Eph 2:11-12 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past
Gentiles in the flesh,
who are called Uncircumcision
by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time (What time? Time Past)
ye were without Christ,
being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,
and strangers from the covenants of promise,
having no hope,
and without God in the world:
God made covenants with Israel to resurrect them unto eternal life:
Acts 26:6-8 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
In the ‘But Now’ a change occured in the Gentiles status.
How was it accomplished? By Christ’s blood .... the blood of the NEW Testament (Matt 26:28, 1 Cor 11:25, 2 Cor 3:6, Heb 9:15):
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
It is no longer the OLD Covenant of the law for Israel ....
now it is HOPE in the NEW Covenant of grace for all.
Now because of Christ, we all can be near to God:
Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, (also see Rom 8:3,4; Acts 13:38-39; Gal 2:16)
but the bringing in of a better hope did; (also see Rom 8:23-25; 15:8-13; 1 Cor 15:19-26; Col 1:5; 1 Thess 4:13-14) by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Paul taught that Christ is the reason we (near or far) can have peace.
Because of His blood, now we Gentiles are no longer ‘separated’ from Israel --- now we are ‘one’ WITH them:
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace,
who hath made both one,
and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ really mess this up. They keep the ‘but now’ saints divided from the ‘time past’ saints that were ‘in Christ before Paul’ (Rom 16:7).
The OLD Testament Law was taken away by Christ’s death ....
that made the NEW Testament Grace ....
and brought ‘near saints’ (Jews) and ‘far off saints’ (Gentiles) peacefully together:
Eph 2:15-16 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself ("in Christ") of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
‘The gospel of peace’ was preached by Isaiah (Isa 52:7) ....
and by Paul (Rom 10:15, Eph 6:15) ....
and by Christ (Rom 15:8-13):
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off (the Gentiles), and to them that were nigh (the nation Israel - Deut 4:7).
God offered peace to those who were far away, and the near:
Isa 57:19-21 I create the fruit of the lips;
Peace, peace to him that is far off,
and to him that is near,
saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest,
whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Saints of ‘time past’ and saints of ‘but now’ are UNITED by ONE Spirit:
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ SEPARATE the saints in the dispensation of grace .... from the saints that were under the law. But the OLD Covenant saints that were under the law .... MOVED to faith in Christ:
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled:
ye believe in God, believe also in me.
The saints are NOT to be SEGREGATED by ‘time past’ and ‘but now’ as ‘mid-Acts-ers’ split them. God’s Spirit JOINED us ALL together:
Eph 4:3-6 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body (also see Eph 3:6, Rom 12:4-5, 1 Cor 10:17),
and one Spirit (not ‘another Spirit’ - also see 2 Cor 11:4),
even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (the resurrection of the dead for ALL believers - also see 1 Thess 3:13)
5 One Lord (the SAME Lord - Acts 1:11, 2:36; Heb 13:8 .... not ‘another Jesus’ as ‘mid-Acts-ers’ teach was Jesus in His earthly ministry),
one faith (also see Gal 1:23),
one baptism (also see 1 Cor 12:13),
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (no difference in Jew and Gentile - also see Acts 15:9, Rom 3:22, 10:12; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11)
Paul repeatedly taught this same principle:
1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,
whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free;
and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
We have the same spiritual drink with Israel .... not a different drink (also see 1 Cor 10:6,11):
1 Cor 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink:
for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them:
and that Rock was Christ.
Gentiles that believe are GRAFFED in AMONG believing Israel (Rom 11:17):
Eph 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,
but fellowcitizens with the saints, (also see Rom 11:17-24, fellowheirs as Eph 3:6)
and of the household of God; (also see 1 Cor 3:9, 2 Cor 6:16, Rev 21:3,7)
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; ('the SAME foundation' --- just where Christ had not been named - Rom 15:20-21 --- also see Psa 118:22, Isa 28:16, Matt 21:42, Acts 4:11, 1 Pet 2:4-6)
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together (not separated) groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (also see 1 Cor 3:16-19)
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Then ‘mid-Acts-ers’ get out-of-order in Ephesians 2, by reversing direction to get their ‘Ages To Come’ expression .... rather than going forward in the scriptures, like ‘Past, Present, and Future’.
The Greek wordused 128 times, translated ‘the ages’ 1 time, and translated ‘world’ 38 times:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
‘The ages to come’ .... is like ‘the world to come’:
Isa 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
.
One of the main spring-boards for ‘mid-Acts-ers’ is Ephesians 2.
They start out with ‘Time Past’ (in verses 11-12) ....
followed by ‘But Now’ (in verse 13 and following).
But then they go backwards (to verse 7) to pick out their future phrase ‘Ages to Come’.
Under the OLD Covenant, which God made with Abraham and his family (physical descendants), Gentiles had no privilege. They were foreigners to Israel:
Eph 2:11-12 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past
Gentiles in the flesh,
who are called Uncircumcision
by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time (What time? Time Past)
ye were without Christ,
being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,
and strangers from the covenants of promise,
having no hope,
and without God in the world:
God made covenants with Israel to resurrect them unto eternal life:
Acts 26:6-8 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
In the ‘But Now’ a change occured in the Gentiles status.
How was it accomplished? By Christ’s blood .... the blood of the NEW Testament (Matt 26:28, 1 Cor 11:25, 2 Cor 3:6, Heb 9:15):
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
It is no longer the OLD Covenant of the law for Israel ....
now it is HOPE in the NEW Covenant of grace for all.
Now because of Christ, we all can be near to God:
Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, (also see Rom 8:3,4; Acts 13:38-39; Gal 2:16)
but the bringing in of a better hope did; (also see Rom 8:23-25; 15:8-13; 1 Cor 15:19-26; Col 1:5; 1 Thess 4:13-14) by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Paul taught that Christ is the reason we (near or far) can have peace.
Because of His blood, now we Gentiles are no longer ‘separated’ from Israel --- now we are ‘one’ WITH them:
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace,
who hath made both one,
and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ really mess this up. They keep the ‘but now’ saints divided from the ‘time past’ saints that were ‘in Christ before Paul’ (Rom 16:7).
The OLD Testament Law was taken away by Christ’s death ....
that made the NEW Testament Grace ....
and brought ‘near saints’ (Jews) and ‘far off saints’ (Gentiles) peacefully together:
Eph 2:15-16 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself ("in Christ") of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
‘The gospel of peace’ was preached by Isaiah (Isa 52:7) ....
and by Paul (Rom 10:15, Eph 6:15) ....
and by Christ (Rom 15:8-13):
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off (the Gentiles), and to them that were nigh (the nation Israel - Deut 4:7).
God offered peace to those who were far away, and the near:
Isa 57:19-21 I create the fruit of the lips;
Peace, peace to him that is far off,
and to him that is near,
saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest,
whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Saints of ‘time past’ and saints of ‘but now’ are UNITED by ONE Spirit:
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ SEPARATE the saints in the dispensation of grace .... from the saints that were under the law. But the OLD Covenant saints that were under the law .... MOVED to faith in Christ:
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled:
ye believe in God, believe also in me.
The saints are NOT to be SEGREGATED by ‘time past’ and ‘but now’ as ‘mid-Acts-ers’ split them. God’s Spirit JOINED us ALL together:
Eph 4:3-6 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body (also see Eph 3:6, Rom 12:4-5, 1 Cor 10:17),
and one Spirit (not ‘another Spirit’ - also see 2 Cor 11:4),
even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (the resurrection of the dead for ALL believers - also see 1 Thess 3:13)
5 One Lord (the SAME Lord - Acts 1:11, 2:36; Heb 13:8 .... not ‘another Jesus’ as ‘mid-Acts-ers’ teach was Jesus in His earthly ministry),
one faith (also see Gal 1:23),
one baptism (also see 1 Cor 12:13),
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (no difference in Jew and Gentile - also see Acts 15:9, Rom 3:22, 10:12; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11)
Paul repeatedly taught this same principle:
1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,
whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free;
and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
We have the same spiritual drink with Israel .... not a different drink (also see 1 Cor 10:6,11):
1 Cor 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink:
for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them:
and that Rock was Christ.
Gentiles that believe are GRAFFED in AMONG believing Israel (Rom 11:17):
Eph 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,
but fellowcitizens with the saints, (also see Rom 11:17-24, fellowheirs as Eph 3:6)
and of the household of God; (also see 1 Cor 3:9, 2 Cor 6:16, Rev 21:3,7)
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; ('the SAME foundation' --- just where Christ had not been named - Rom 15:20-21 --- also see Psa 118:22, Isa 28:16, Matt 21:42, Acts 4:11, 1 Pet 2:4-6)
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together (not separated) groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (also see 1 Cor 3:16-19)
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Then ‘mid-Acts-ers’ get out-of-order in Ephesians 2, by reversing direction to get their ‘Ages To Come’ expression .... rather than going forward in the scriptures, like ‘Past, Present, and Future’.
The Greek word
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
‘The ages to come’ .... is like ‘the world to come’:
Isa 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
WHO is the Church?
God gave the ‘lively oracles’ (the living Word of God) in the OLD testament to Israel through Moses on Mt. Sinai. The earliest church on record .... is the church in the wilderness, to whom God gave His law:
Acts 7:37-38 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
The OLD testament was sealed with the blood of animals (Heb 9:18-20) ....
the NEW testament was of force with the blood of Christ (Heb 9:14-17).
To be in the NEW testament church .... one had to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ (‘Messias’ is the Hebrew equivalent for ‘Christ’ in the Greek - John 1:41, 4:25). Jesus asked His disciples who men thought He was, then He questioned Peter personally:
Matt 16:16-18 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Jesus, the Son of the living God, is the ROCK upon Whom the NEW testament church is built:
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
A few chapters earlier, Jesus taught the people building on the foundation rock:
Matt 7:24-25 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
There was a church functioning in Jesus’ earthly ministry. It was the same church .... made up of believers in Christ.... saints of God:
Matt 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
We can see "the church" ACTIVE .... all the way through the book of Acts.
In Acts 2, there was still a church in operation after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, during Pentecost. It was the same church. God "added to" it:
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
In Acts 8, there was a church at Jerusalem .... that Saul persecuted (Phil 3:6):
Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
After his salvation, Paul addressed epistles to "the church of God" (1 Cor 1:2, 2 Cor 1:1).
There is no reason to think (as ‘mid-Acts-ers’ do -- without a verse)
that this "church of God"
is a different "church of God"
than the "church of God" Paul persecuted in time past:
Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
In Acts 11:22-26, Saul joined the assembly at Antioch, called "the church" .... where the disciples were first called "Christians".
In Acts 12:5, "the church" was praying for Peter to be released from prison.
"The church" is also found in Acts 13:1; 14:23,27; 15:3,4,22; 18:22.
Paul told the elders and bishops of Ephesus to feed "the church of God" ....
which he also referred to as "the flock".
FYI, in a strenuous effort to keep calling the preacher a ‘pastor’ (instead of a ‘bishop’ as 1 Tim 3:1,2) .... ‘mid-Acts-ers’ (which I used to be, but no longer am) make a division between the flock and the body. They have difficulty with this passage, because they always make ‘only Israel’ to be ‘God’s sheep’ .... yet here Paul preached ‘the kingdom of God’ and called the Ephesian church ‘the flock’. How’s that for mixing it up?
Acts 20:24-28 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Paul refers to "the church" as Christ’s body.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ are notorious for making ‘the church, which is His body’ a completely different church from those saints ‘in Christ before Paul’ (Rom 16:7):
Eph 1:22-23 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
If Paul was talking about ‘the church, the body of Christ’ .... as DISTINCT from ‘Israel’s kingdom church’ (as the ‘mid-Acts-ers’ call it) .... then WHICH church did Christ love and die for?
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as
Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
When Hebrews quoted the Psalms, the word ‘congregation’ is the same as ‘church’ .... yet, without a verse, ‘mid-Acts-ers’ make this a SEPARATE church from ‘what-they-call’ ‘the church, the body of Christ’:
Heb 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren,
in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Psa 22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren:
in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
If a man know not WHO the church of God is .... how shall he rule it?
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