The Mystery Of The Body Of Christ
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THE MYSTERY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST
(Mysteries Of The Bible)
1. Paul Says, There Are Mysteries Of God In The Scriptures And It Is The Duty Of Every Christian Espescially Ministers And Teachers And Preachers Of God’s Word To Be Stewards Of These Mysteries
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Note:
* The mysteries are important for us to study because they lay the basic foundation of the christian faith
* The reason why many christians are not rooted and grounded In the word of God is because pastors and preachers do not teach this great subject of the mysteries of the word of God
* It is our duty to faithfully preach these mysteries in the word of God, so that these doctrines can strenghten and build them up so that they will never be shaken of their faith and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who would ask them for a reason for the hope that is inside of them
* It is important that we study these mysteries
SECTION 2: MYSTERY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST (PART 1): MEMBERS OF HIS BODY CONSISTS OF JEWS AND GENTILES
A. VERSE SHOWING THE MYSTERY
* God revelaed this mystery to Paul
1. Mystery That The Gentiles Should Be Fellowheirs In The Body Of Christ (Jews & Gentiles Are Part Of His Body)
Ephesians 3:1-10 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation 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:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
* this coming together of the Jews and Gentiles is a great mystery
2. It Is A Mystery Because It Was Hidden And Not Made Known In Other Time Periods
Ephesians 3:5 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;
3. God Revealed The Mystery To Paul Then Paul Went To Reveal It To The Apostles
Ephesians 3:3-6 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:
* God revealed to Paul about a body that started with God at the cross because He is the foundation. In that body, there were just Jews getting saved, but then the Jews as a nation rejected Jesus and God took it to Paul to the Gentiles and God revealed to Paul that I have a body and guess who is in it? Not just Jews but also Gentiles. That's why they were called fellow-heirs
4. The Body Of Christ Consists Of Members That Are Jews And Gentiles
* If we’ve read the old testament, we can understand this is a mystery for the Jews and Gentiles to be together united in the body of Jesus Christ
* This is a mystery because it it almost impossible to imagine that in one body there could be a group of believers who are both Jews and Gentiles
5. Paul Says Gentiles Were Strangers To The Commonwealth Of Israel And Not A Part Of The Covenant
Ephesians 2:12 That at that time 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:
6. To The Jews, The Gentiles Are Nothing Less Than A Dog: Jesus Refers The Gentiles As Dogs
Matthew 15:21-28 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
B. HOW DID GOD BRING THE JEWS AND GENTILES TOGETHER INTO ONE BODY?
* the blood of Christ played the main role in bringing the Jews and Gentiles together into one body.
* Blood of Christ was shed on the cross. The body of Christ begin on the cross
Ephesians 2:11-22
1. In The Times Past, Gentiles Were Strangers To The Commonwealth Of Israel And Not A Part Of The Covenant. We Have No Hope And Were Without God
Ephesians 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 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:
2. Jesus Shed His Blood On The Cross In Calvary. His Blood Is The Main Ingrediant To Bring Gentiles To God
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
3. Jesus Shed His Blood To Achieve The Following:
a. To Break Down The Middle Wall Of Partition Between Us Jews And Gentiles
Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
b. To Abolish The Enmity, Law Of Commandments And To Make Himself Consist Of 2 Groups Of People
Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
* twain means two
* There were 2 group and He made them into one new man
c. The Body Of Christ Begin At The Cross: To Reconcile Both Jews And Gentiles Unto God In One Body
Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
d. To Open Salvation To Both Jews And Gentiles
Ephesians 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
e. To Allow Us To Have Access By One Spirit Unto God The Father
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
f. To Allow Us To Be Fellowcitizens Of The Household Of God
Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
4. The Body Of Christ Is Built Upon The Foundation Of The Apostles And Prophets, Jesus Being The Head (Jesus Is The Chief Corner Stone)
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
5. The Body Of Christ Is Built Together To Be A Holy Temple Of God To Be A Habitation Of God Through The Spirit
Ephesians 2:21-22 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
C. THE BODY OF CHRIST IS THE CHURCH
1. The Body Of Christ Is The Church With Jesus As The The Head
Colossians 1:18-20 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
Ephesians 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.
2. The Body Of Christ Is Joined Together With Love
Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
3. Different Skillsets Were Given To The Members Of Body Of Christ To Edify The Body Of Christ
Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
4. What Does It Mean By Church?
a. The Word Church Means A Called Out Assembly: Raised Us Up Together, Made Us Sit Together In Heavenly Places (Eternal Security)
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
* In God's eye, since the first person that God saved to the last person that got saved during the church age, they are already sitted in heaven with Him
* That means we may be alive on earth, but when we trust Jesus Christ as our saviour, a part of us is already sitted in heaven
* Church means a called out assembly => Body Of Christ = Saved People
* The church and body of Christ consist of saved people
5. The Church Age Refers To A Time Period
* The bible is a transitional book and a dispensational book
* Before Jesus Christ came, there was a time period of the law and they were saved by keeping the law. We are no longer under the law but under grace and we are now living in the time period of the church age where are are saved by faith alone in the death, buriel and resurrection of Christ (its His blood atonement that saves)
6. In The Church Age, There Is Only 3 Groups Of People: Jews, Gentiles, Church Of God
1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
* The church is the saved people. That means the the unsaved are the lost Jews and lost Gentile
SECTION 3: MYSTERY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST (PART 2): CHRIST AND CHURCH IS LIKE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE
A. VERSE SHOWING THE MYSTERY
* God revelaed this mystery to Paul
1. Mystery Of The Body Of Christ: Christ And The Church
Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
* the context is about a relationship between a husband and a wife
* Paul is using the anology of the union between husband and wife and their relationship as a type of the church
a. The Context Is Like The Relationship Between A Husband And A Wife
Ephesians 5:22-33 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
* Christ is the head of the church is like a type of husband is the head of the wife
* Woman to submit to the husbands in everything like the type of the church. The church also submits to Christ in everything
2. This Mystery Is About The Union Of The Church (Body Of Christ) And Christ Like The Relationship Between A Husband And A Wife
Ephesians 5:30-32 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
* This is a spiritual union that Paul is talking about and Paul uses the relationship between husband and wife to explain the relationship between Christ and the church
3. When A Man And A Woman Consumate Their Marriage, They Become One Flesh. In The Same Way, When a Sinner Trust In Jesus Christ, He Becomes Part Of His Body
* Marriage according to the bible is not about a ceremony that takes place in a church building before the church.
* Its somewhat like baptism. Baptism doesn’t save us. Water baptism is expressing what has taken place inside of us to other believers. A good way of putting it is water baptism is an outward expression of an inward experience.
* Marriage ceremony is somewhat like that. We are showing people what is about to happen between the man and the woman. We both are about to become one flesh.
* Marriage according to the bible is flesh joining flesh. Its two people becoming one. Marriage begins with a physical union between a man and the woman
4. Union With God: We Are Joined To God And Become One Spirit With God
1 Corinthians 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
5. Christ Is The Head Of The Church And Savior Of The Body
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
6. We Are Members Of His Body, Flesh And His Bones
Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
* When we are members of His church, we are part of His body
* When we are saved, we become part of the body of Christ
7. We Become One: They Two Shall Be One Flesh
Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
* In a marriage relationship with Christ, we become one with Him and we become part of His body. So, its one in Christ
8. We Are To Subject To Him
Ephesians 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
B. THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
1. The Church Is Expoused To Jesus Christ (The Husband) As A Chaste Virgin
2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
* That means someday, we are going to marry Him
2. The Church Is The Bride Of Christ: To Be Presented To Him In A Perfect Manner
Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
3. Marriage Of The Lamb (The Wedding): The Wife Is Ready
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
4. Sometimes Its Difficult To Understand Because Paul Presents The Church In 2 Different Ways. Lets See An Example
2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
* Espoused = already married
* Chaste virigin = virgin
Confusion:
* There are times that Paul speaks about the church as already being married to Jesus christ but there are other times he speaks as the church as a virgin.
* Because from what we understand, when a man and a woman come together and their marriage is consummated through physical union, It is then, we become one flesh
* We are espoused to Jesus, yet we are a chaste virgin and the marriage of the Lamb is yet future sometime towards the end of the tribulation?
* So that’s why it could all get very confusing sometimes
Studying The Bible As A Bible Believer:
* We just believe the scriptures as they are. We have to believe what the bible says first before we even try to understand anything else
* If the bible says we have been espoused to Christ, we believe it
* If the bible says we are a chaste virgin, we believe it
* If the bible says the marriage of Lamb is yet future, we believe it
* And then God helps us understand anything else that we may not understand right now
* We are bible believers and we believe what the bible says as it says it, where it says it. That’s the first rule to study the bible if we are a bible believer
C. IN TYPE WHAT THE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP IS LIKE
1. What Is A Position Of A Man And A Position Of Woman That God Sets Up?
a. Creation Of Man And Woman
Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
b. What Is The Purpose Of A Woman: As A Helper To Man
Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
c. Man Is To Rule Over The Woman
Genesis 3:15 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
* Christ is the head of the church and Christ sacrificed for the church
* The husband is to sacrifice for the wife
d. Woman Are To Be In Silence With All Subjection, Eve Was The First To Sin: Adam Was Not Deceived But The Woman Being Deceived
1 Timothy 2:11-14 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
* Adam ate the fruit because of love towards his wife and fell together
Note:
* The marriage relationship is what God sets it up to be. He wants both to love each other and the woman is to submit to the husband.
* This applies the same as the church and God as their head where the church is to submit to God
* If a woman divorces the husband, in type iits like a church divorcing themselves from Christ or if a man wants to divorce the wife, in type its like Christ divorcing the church. Divorce destroys the type of Christ and the church.
2. In God's Setup of Marriage, There Is No Divorce And This Is Good Understanding For Eternal Security
a. God Said He Will Never Leave Us Nor Forsake Us
Hebrews 13:5 .... I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
* In God's mind, there is no divorce
* When we are part of the church, we are saved forever (eternal security)
* what is the church mentality? we are to serve Him, we will not go astray or adulterate or fall away
b. God Hates Divorce: Let Non Deal Treacherously Against The Wife, The God Hateth Putting Away
Malachi 2:15-16 ..... Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away ...
c. God Does Not Want Divorce: Whatever God Hath Joined Together, Let No Man Put Asunder
Mark 10:6-9 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Note:
* God hates divorce because when a divorce takes place, it breaks the type of Christ and the church
* When we are saved, we are eternaly secured, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise until the day of redemption. We can't loose salvation
* Like Christ and the church, there is no divorce. Its eternal security.
SECTION 4: WHEN DID THE BODY OF CHRIST BEGIN?
* The body of Christ was formed at calvary and the body of Christ was built in Act 2 when the Holy Spirit came and baptized a body of individual believers into the body of Christ
1. Adam Receiving His Bride As A Type Of Jesus Receiving His Bride
* When Adam slept, he received his bride. We believe that he died. God removed his rib to make a woman. When he died, he received his bride and that’s exactly how Jesus Christ who is the last Adam received his bride when He died.
* But the members of the body of Christ only came in Acts 2 when the believers were baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ
2. Jews Were The First Members Into The Body Of Christ
Acts 2:1-5 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.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
3. Gentiles Became Part Of The Body Of Christ Later: That’s Why We Are Fellowheirs
Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
4. Who Is In The Body? Jews And Gentiles, Many Members. All Those Who Are Saved
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
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.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
5. How Many Bodies Are There? There Is Only One Body
Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Note:
* Initially the body of Christ consited only of Jews until Acts 8 where we find the Ethiopian eunuch (a proselyte) being saved and then in the chapters after that we see salvation is open to the Gentiles. They believed and trusted Jesus as their saviour and they received the Holy Spirit and were baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ
* Baptize means to immerse. So the Holy Spirit Baptism is taking the person who trusted Jesus as their saviour and immerses them into the body of Christ. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit unlike what the charismatics think that Holy Spirit baptism is jumping and screaming and shouting and speaking in tongues and slaying in tongues.
* The whole operation of God of the doctrine related to this mystery the body of Christ was then revealed to Paul by Jesus Christ much later. But that does not mean that these things were not happening before Paul was saved in Act 9.
6. How To Become Part Of The Body Of Christ?
a. It’s By Believing And Trusting Christ For Our Salvation By The Gospel
Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Colossians 2:6, 9-10, 17, 19 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
b. And Then The Holy Spirit Baptizes Us Into The Body Of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:13, 27 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.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
7. What Is The Gospel? The Gospel Is The Death, Buriel And Resurrection Of Christ (His Blood Atonement For Our Sins)
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
a. There Are 5 Points In The Gospel
(i) How Christ Died
(ii) For Our Sins
(iii) Was Buried
(iv) Rose Again
(v) According To The Scriptures
* The gospel is Jesus’s death, buriel and resurrection (Its about the blood atonement of Christ for our sins that saves us)
* The gospel is the pillar of the Christian faith and the way of salvation and eternal life.
* The gospel is WHAT JESUS CHRIST DID FOR HUMANKIND TO SOLVE THEIR SIN PROBLEM SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE ETERNAL LIFE TO BE WITH GOD IN HEAVEN
* The keyword is "HOW CHRIST DIED"
* Jesus died in a bloody manner on a bloody cross and He shed His blood so that His blood is able to wash away all our sins. He became the blood sacrifice for our sins
* Our gospel is all about "WHAT GOD DID FOR US"
* Our gospel is "THE DID GOSPEL"
* The apostate gospel is "THE DO GOSPEL" : One needs to do something to get saved
* A person is only saved by BELIEVING in the finished work of Jesus Christ, when He shed His Precious Blood for our sins.
8. To Be Saved, The Bible Teaches That Salvation Is By Faith Without Works
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
9. Faith In What? Faith In God’s Blood (Jesus’s Blood)
Romans 3:25-28 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
* Propitiation means the act of appeasing wrath
* Noticed the verse: “faith in his blood”: the object of faith is God’s blood (Jesus’ blood)
* Salvation is by faith in the blood atonement of Jesus Christ.
* To be justified, or saved, a person's faith must be wholly in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. This declares God the Just one. When a sinner is saved, he cannot boast about himself or his works. He'll only brag upon Jesus who saved him from his sins!
* Sadly, in our modern age of apostasy, there are very few who claim to be Christians that ever preach about the blood of Jesus, and the need to trust in it for salvation. But the simple Bible truth is, ONE CANNOT EVEN BE A CHRISTIAN UNLESS ONE IS TRUSTING ONLY IN THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST!
Note:
* The wrath of God abides on sinners, those who aren't saved
* Hell is the wrath of God. Hell is a place where God pours out His wrath on a sinner for all eternity. That's why we need to be saved, because God is angry with sinners and God hates sin. We have to come to Him, Jesus who paid for our sins
* Jesus Christ suffered the wrath of God for the sins of the whole world. God the Father poured out his wrath on Jesus Christ when He took upon Himself the sins of the whole world. Jesus Christ died in our place for our sins.
* Our sins are paid for. Why do we need to still go to hell and pay for it? All that needs to take place is trust the blood, then that forgiveness is ours through the atonement of Christ. So we don't have to go to hell. We have eternal redemption through the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ
SECTION 5: DOCTRINAL ERRORS ABOUT THE CHURCH & THE BODY OF CHRIST
Wrong Teachings (1):
* Some people teach that the church is a building
Answer (1a): The Church Is The Saved People Who Believe In Jesus As Their Saviour
* If the church is the body and the bride and if there are so many physical church buildings, how many brides and bodies are there?
Answer (1b): How Many Bodies Are There? There Is One Body
Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
* The church is spiritual organisation. A local church is local organisation for believers to gather
Wrong Teachings (2):
* Hyper Dispensationalist believe that the body of Christ begins only after Acts 9, 18 or 28
Answer (2a): The Church Already Existed Even Before Paul Got Saved: Paul Persecuted The Church Of God
1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Galatians 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:
Galatians 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
Answer (2b): The Were Some People Who Were Already In Christ Even Before Paul Got Saved
Romans 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Wrong Teachings (3):
* Hyper Dispensationalist also believe that water baptism is not for the church and only the Pauline espistles are for the church
They Use This Verse To Say That Water Baptism Is Not For The Church Age Because Paul Said Christ Sent Him Not To Baptize
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Answer (3a): Even Though Christ Did Not Sent Paul To Baptize, Paul Did Baptize Some People
1 Corinthians 1:14-16 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
Answer (3b): After The Philipian Jailer And His Family Got Saved, Paul Baptized Them Straightaway
Acts 16:30-33 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Answer (3c): Paul Tells Us To Follow Him Because He Is A Follower Of Christ
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Note:
* There are dispensationalist and hyper dispensationalist, calvinist and hyper calvinist (armenians)
* what defines a bible believer? The immovable faith in the perfection and preservation of all the words of God in one book and the best candidate is found in the KJV 1611
* We believe that the entire bible is for us to learn but not everything applies to us.There is doctrine to be found in the entire bible but we have to make sure that it conforms to the teachings of Paul because Paul tells us he is our apostle and the gospel of the grace of God and the revelation of the mystery of the body of Christ was given to Paul
Eg. Only in the church age is eternal security promised to the person who is in Christ.
* Many people go to the book of James and Hebrews or Matthew 24 and try to apply those doctrines about losing salvation to the christian in the church age. We cannot do that because they do not agree and conform to the teachings of Paul and those books and verses state that they are for the Jews.
* How can we force things applicable for Jews which will happen in another dispensation to the church age?
Wrong Teachings (4):
* Hyper Dispensationalist believe that Paul is the first person in the body of Christ
* They say because the body of Christ was revealed to Paul, so the 1st person in the body of Christ must be Paul
They Use This Verse To Say He Is The First Person In The Body Of Christ: “That In Me First”
1 Timothy 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.
* No where in this passage mentioned the word “body”
* Look at the context
Answer (4a): The Context Of That Verse Is About Paul Was A Blasphemer, A Persecutor, Paul Killed Many Believers
1 Timothy 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
(ii) Conclusion About That Verse
* God is showing a pattern of longsuffering to save a man who is killing people
* This is not about the Paul being the 1st in the body of Christ
Answer (4b): The Church Existed Before Paul Became A Follower Of Jesus. Paul Was Persecuting The Church
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.
Acts 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Galatians 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:
Philipians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Answer (4c): There Were People Who Were Already In Christ (In The Body) Before Paul Became A Follower Of Jesus
1 Thessalonians 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
Galatians 1:22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
Romans 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Wrong Teachings (5):
* Some teach that Paul was the one who laid the foundation of the church
They Use This Verse To Say That Paul Was The One Who Laid The Foundation Of The Church: I Have Laid The Foundation
1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
Answer (5a): Jesus Is The Foundation Of The Church, The Body Which Is The Church
1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
* the very next verse says the foundation is Jesus Christ
Answer (5b): What Does It Mean When The Verse Says That Paul Laid The Foundation?
* It means Paul went around starting physical local churches. In this context, its refering to Paul starting a physical local church in Corinth.
* Paul organized a local church where believers can meet in one place
* When he said that he laid the foundation in Corinth, he meant he laid the foundation of a local church in that area
* The people who got saved got into the body of Christ
* The foundation of the body of Christ was Jesus Christ. That's why its called the body of Christ and not called the body of Paul
Answer (5c): Who Laid The Foundation? Jesus Said I Will Built My Church Upon This Rock
Matthew 16:18-19 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.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Answer (5d): How Do We Know Jesus Is The Rock?: That Rock Was Christ
1 Corinthians 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.
* Jesus is the foundation, stone, the rock of the church
Answer (5e): Who Did The Church Start With? It's Jesus: Jesus Is The Beginning
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Answer (5f): Ye Are The Body Of Christ And Members In Particular. Who Is "Ye"
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Answer (5g): All Saved People Are The "Ye": With All That In Every Place
1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
Answer (5h): This Verse Shows Who Are The First To Get Into The Body: 1st Apostles
1 Corinthians 12:27-28 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
* This means the first to get into the body of Christ are the apostles (Peter, James, John... )