1: 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 youward: 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: 10: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11: According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13: Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Paul continues his thinking in the previous passage. He had been saying how God is bringing gentiles who were far off from God into the blessings of his Grace. And now he says, It is for this cause that l Paul am the Prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles. So what is Paul saying? Isn’t Paul in prison just because he is a Christian? Not quite. Paul is in prison, under Roman protection, because the Jews tried to murder him because of his stand on the cross and resurrection of Christ. The cross was the stumbling block for the Jews. They could not accept that Jesus was their Messiah let alone that they had murdered him. And the evidential proof of the fact that Jesus was who he said he was that God raised him from the dead. Therefore the Jews denied the resurrection of Christ. And that is why the Apostles in the early Acts emphasised the resurrection when preaching to the Jews. Paul was therefore a prisoner for the truth that Christ was crucified for our sins and that God had raised him from the dead and that the Gospel that Israel refused was being preached to the Gentiles who would receive it. The believers at Ephesus were living proof of Paul’s ministry. Then Paul goes on to tell them the truth of the dispensation of the Grace of God, which was given to Paul to give to them. (Those who deny dispensationalism but somehow come to terms with this scripture) Firstly, it was says Paul, a revelation from God to him – a mystery which had previously been hidden from men’s knowledge but now has recently been revealed to his Apostles and Prophets. So what is the essence of the mystery? It is that Gentiles are to become heirs together with the Jews and that they come together into the Church – in one body. The Gospel which was promised is a blessing to all who believe. It is difficult for us to understand now that this was something completely new. Just as it is difficult to imagine a world without aeroplanes or electric light, so there was once a time when Gods blessing was centred only on one small nation – Israel. Paul says, It is to this message that l am made a servant of the Gospel, a ministry that was given to my by the Grace of God in which God worked in my heart by his almighty power. It came to me says Paul, who is less than the least of all the saints. We might not think of Paul like this, but he thought of himself like that - that’s humility. The greatest revelation ever to come to a man, has the effect not of filling him with pride but of humbling him. God’s Grace was given that he might preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which was hidden in God. And this mystery is revealed so that men and angels might know the amazing variety of the wisdom of God in the church. This was Gods eternal purpose which he brought about by Christ Jesus our Lord. We all Gentiles and Jews have access to the very blessing of God by faith in Christ. And so, says Paul, do not loose heart at my troubles for you because they are your glory.
Steve
10/09/2010
09/09/2010
September 9th Ephesians, 2
1: And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5: Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8: 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. 10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11: 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: 13: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14: For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 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; 16: And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18: For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21: 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.
Having described the great all encompassing purposes of God, which expand the minds of christian men, Paul brings us right back down to earth – to a personal perspective of where we as individuals fit in. He says, and you he raised from the dead – when you were in trespasses and sins. And then Paul goes on to explain what our past lives were like. You lived, says Paul, according to the ordinary career of this world, and according to the whole empire of evil spirits controlled by Satan – the prince who has control, in the atmosphere. Satan is at work in the lives of unbelievers who are the offspring of disobedience to God. Paul reminds them, that the Ephesian believers also had their daily lives steeped in the lusts of the flesh and of the mind and were in their natural state children who are already under the wrath of God. Paul having described the very low state of men he now brings the great contrast, But God… He says, but God who is rich in his kindness in withholding judgment and in order to satisfy the love with which he loves us even when we were dead in sins he raised us up in Christ and has caused us already to sit alongside Christ in heaven. By Gods special unmerited kindness he has saved us. And he did all this so that in the times yet to come (before Christ returns,) he might display to all the exceeding richness of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Then Paul homes in on the greatest truthes of Salvation. He says, because by Gods kindness you are saved – through faith. And then having stated this great truth that salvation is by grace through faith, he goes on to say more regarding the salvation we have received. First he says that, the salvation of God is not ‘of yourselves’. Salvation is not found within men nor is it found by their hands. Nobody can save himself. Why is this so Paul? We might ask, He answers, because salvation is the gift of God. Salvation is a gift, it is not given as wages - a repayment of what we have done. Salvation is a gift and everyone knows that nobody can earn a gift. Gifts are given because of the love found in the givers heart. And the gift is received by empty hands and an open heart. Then Paul goes further, he says, the gift of salvation is not given because of works which the sinner does, so that no-one can boast in Gods presence. No man who enters heaven will boast of his great deeds that took him there. That is why everyone that enters heaven will be truly humble. Then Paul goes on to say that we christians are Gods workmanship. There are no self-made men in heaven. We are made and created by God to do good works for him. Now these good works do not make a christian acceptable to God rather they are the output of the life of a christian who is already accepted by God. And it was not to salvation that we are ordained but we are ordained to do good deeds. Then Paul reminds them that as Gentiles there were far from God. He says you were Gentiles ‘in the flesh’, you were called ‘uncircumcised’ by those who were circumcised. You were as unbelievers outside of the common wealth of Israel and strangers to the Covenants of Promise (These were the special covenants of God to Israel) he says, you had no Messianic hope and you did not have the presence of God with you in the world (as Israel did) Paul bring another great BUT. But now, ‘In Christ Jesus’ you who were afar off are now made near by the blood of Christ. Christ is the one who reconciles men with God and so he makes peace. All christians both Jews and Gentile are united in Christ – in salvation. And the wall which separated the Jew and Gentile i.e. the Mosaic Law, has been broken down. Christ has abolished by his human life the antagonism between God and men which was encapsulated in the Law. And so Christ has abolished the Law in the cross and so has made us to be at peace with God. Christ has reconciled us to God in one body – (the church) by the crucifixion. And he has destroyed the sense in which men are enemies of God. And when Christ had done all this he came and preached peace to the Jews who were near and to the Gentiles who were far off. And now in Christ both Jews and Gentiles have access by one Spirit – the Holy Spirit, to the Father. And so now Gentile christians are not strangers to God anymore but fellow-citizens with all of Gods saved people and members of Gods family. And the church is like one great building, which is built on the foundation of the Apostles and New Testament Prophets and Jesus Christ was the first stone to be laid – the chief corner stone. (All of us are laid in relation to him) And all the building fits together perfectly and is constantly growing up into a holy sanctuary in the Lord. And we are also built in to it and we become a holy dwelling place of God with men in fellowship with his Spirit.
Steve
Having described the great all encompassing purposes of God, which expand the minds of christian men, Paul brings us right back down to earth – to a personal perspective of where we as individuals fit in. He says, and you he raised from the dead – when you were in trespasses and sins. And then Paul goes on to explain what our past lives were like. You lived, says Paul, according to the ordinary career of this world, and according to the whole empire of evil spirits controlled by Satan – the prince who has control, in the atmosphere. Satan is at work in the lives of unbelievers who are the offspring of disobedience to God. Paul reminds them, that the Ephesian believers also had their daily lives steeped in the lusts of the flesh and of the mind and were in their natural state children who are already under the wrath of God. Paul having described the very low state of men he now brings the great contrast, But God… He says, but God who is rich in his kindness in withholding judgment and in order to satisfy the love with which he loves us even when we were dead in sins he raised us up in Christ and has caused us already to sit alongside Christ in heaven. By Gods special unmerited kindness he has saved us. And he did all this so that in the times yet to come (before Christ returns,) he might display to all the exceeding richness of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Then Paul homes in on the greatest truthes of Salvation. He says, because by Gods kindness you are saved – through faith. And then having stated this great truth that salvation is by grace through faith, he goes on to say more regarding the salvation we have received. First he says that, the salvation of God is not ‘of yourselves’. Salvation is not found within men nor is it found by their hands. Nobody can save himself. Why is this so Paul? We might ask, He answers, because salvation is the gift of God. Salvation is a gift, it is not given as wages - a repayment of what we have done. Salvation is a gift and everyone knows that nobody can earn a gift. Gifts are given because of the love found in the givers heart. And the gift is received by empty hands and an open heart. Then Paul goes further, he says, the gift of salvation is not given because of works which the sinner does, so that no-one can boast in Gods presence. No man who enters heaven will boast of his great deeds that took him there. That is why everyone that enters heaven will be truly humble. Then Paul goes on to say that we christians are Gods workmanship. There are no self-made men in heaven. We are made and created by God to do good works for him. Now these good works do not make a christian acceptable to God rather they are the output of the life of a christian who is already accepted by God. And it was not to salvation that we are ordained but we are ordained to do good deeds. Then Paul reminds them that as Gentiles there were far from God. He says you were Gentiles ‘in the flesh’, you were called ‘uncircumcised’ by those who were circumcised. You were as unbelievers outside of the common wealth of Israel and strangers to the Covenants of Promise (These were the special covenants of God to Israel) he says, you had no Messianic hope and you did not have the presence of God with you in the world (as Israel did) Paul bring another great BUT. But now, ‘In Christ Jesus’ you who were afar off are now made near by the blood of Christ. Christ is the one who reconciles men with God and so he makes peace. All christians both Jews and Gentile are united in Christ – in salvation. And the wall which separated the Jew and Gentile i.e. the Mosaic Law, has been broken down. Christ has abolished by his human life the antagonism between God and men which was encapsulated in the Law. And so Christ has abolished the Law in the cross and so has made us to be at peace with God. Christ has reconciled us to God in one body – (the church) by the crucifixion. And he has destroyed the sense in which men are enemies of God. And when Christ had done all this he came and preached peace to the Jews who were near and to the Gentiles who were far off. And now in Christ both Jews and Gentiles have access by one Spirit – the Holy Spirit, to the Father. And so now Gentile christians are not strangers to God anymore but fellow-citizens with all of Gods saved people and members of Gods family. And the church is like one great building, which is built on the foundation of the Apostles and New Testament Prophets and Jesus Christ was the first stone to be laid – the chief corner stone. (All of us are laid in relation to him) And all the building fits together perfectly and is constantly growing up into a holy sanctuary in the Lord. And we are also built in to it and we become a holy dwelling place of God with men in fellowship with his Spirit.
Steve
08/09/2010
September 8th
11: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, 14: Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 15: Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16: Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19: And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20: Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21: Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22: 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 fullness of him that filleth all in all.
Paul is describing the wonders of Christ and of his blessing to us believers. He says that, ‘In Christ’ we have been assigned already (from Gods eternal point of view) to be Christ’s inheritance. (In the OT this meant a set portion of the land. However in the case of the Church is probably means a position of authority in the Messianic kingdom.) And this authority and service in Christ was preordained by God who works out everything according to his purpose. (Again the idea here is not predestination to salvation but preordination to divine service.) We are ordained to live in such a way that all who see us bring praise to Gods glorious grace, we who in the beginning, first believed in the hope of the Messiah, (the Jews) And Paul says, You Gentiles After you heard and believed the Gospel of your salvation, you also were sealed with the Holy Spirit, that was promised beforehand. This Holy Spirit was the ‘down-payment’ which we receive until the whole church of God is completely gathered into the redemption to the praise of Gods glory. Believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the time when the whole church is complete and come into the glory of the Messianic kingdom. Paul says, since l heard of your faith, l have not ceased to give thanks for you and mention you in my prayers. And then Paul tells the Ephesian believers exactly what he prays about, for them. He prays that God the Father might give the Holy Spirit to them to bring godly understanding by the revelation of the knowledge of God. He further explains what this will be like. The eyes of your mind (a strange expression) will be opened, so that you might have 1. Hope in God. 2. That they might know what is the glorious inheritance which we have ‘in Christ’. 3. And the exceeding greatness of his mighty resurrection power, in us who believe. This was the power of God which raised Christ from the dead and set him at his own right hand in heaven itself. There he is far above all princes, powers, might and dominion and every name of authority that is named. And not only in this world but in the world to come. (The phrase - princes, powers, might and dominion, speaks of four levels of authority in angels and men. Princes are those who rule like kings and presidents. Powers speaks of those who rule under the Princes, the politicians and ministers of government. Might speaks of those who enforce their decrees such as generals and judges. Dominion speaks of the furthest extent of territory over which the rule of the Princes touches every individual.) Christ is far above all princes. He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords and the Prince of princes, both in heaven and earth. When everything is brought under the authority of Christ, in his Messianic kingdom, then all men will be said to be under his feet. But there is another thing that God is doing – God has given to him authority over everything in the Church – which is his body, and he fills it in every way.
steve
Paul is describing the wonders of Christ and of his blessing to us believers. He says that, ‘In Christ’ we have been assigned already (from Gods eternal point of view) to be Christ’s inheritance. (In the OT this meant a set portion of the land. However in the case of the Church is probably means a position of authority in the Messianic kingdom.) And this authority and service in Christ was preordained by God who works out everything according to his purpose. (Again the idea here is not predestination to salvation but preordination to divine service.) We are ordained to live in such a way that all who see us bring praise to Gods glorious grace, we who in the beginning, first believed in the hope of the Messiah, (the Jews) And Paul says, You Gentiles After you heard and believed the Gospel of your salvation, you also were sealed with the Holy Spirit, that was promised beforehand. This Holy Spirit was the ‘down-payment’ which we receive until the whole church of God is completely gathered into the redemption to the praise of Gods glory. Believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the time when the whole church is complete and come into the glory of the Messianic kingdom. Paul says, since l heard of your faith, l have not ceased to give thanks for you and mention you in my prayers. And then Paul tells the Ephesian believers exactly what he prays about, for them. He prays that God the Father might give the Holy Spirit to them to bring godly understanding by the revelation of the knowledge of God. He further explains what this will be like. The eyes of your mind (a strange expression) will be opened, so that you might have 1. Hope in God. 2. That they might know what is the glorious inheritance which we have ‘in Christ’. 3. And the exceeding greatness of his mighty resurrection power, in us who believe. This was the power of God which raised Christ from the dead and set him at his own right hand in heaven itself. There he is far above all princes, powers, might and dominion and every name of authority that is named. And not only in this world but in the world to come. (The phrase - princes, powers, might and dominion, speaks of four levels of authority in angels and men. Princes are those who rule like kings and presidents. Powers speaks of those who rule under the Princes, the politicians and ministers of government. Might speaks of those who enforce their decrees such as generals and judges. Dominion speaks of the furthest extent of territory over which the rule of the Princes touches every individual.) Christ is far above all princes. He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords and the Prince of princes, both in heaven and earth. When everything is brought under the authority of Christ, in his Messianic kingdom, then all men will be said to be under his feet. But there is another thing that God is doing – God has given to him authority over everything in the Church – which is his body, and he fills it in every way.
steve
Question - Where is Jesus right now?
Question...
Where is Jesus now? does He `live in our hearts` if we`re saved? Or is He seated at the right hand of God?
Answer...
The simple answer is that Christ is seated at the right hand of his Father.
Rom 8v34: Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
(The right hand is the place of the advocate.)
Heb 12v2: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Since the coming of Christ into the womb of Mary God in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ although he retains all the attributes of Deity never the less is restricted to one local place. So that while he lived and served God on earth he occupied only one human body and so therefore he in his humanity could only be in one place at a time. After his death and resurrection the situation seems to be a little more complicated than that but the single location of Christ’s resurrection body remains. And as we have seen above he is seated at the right hand of the Father.
In Rom 5v5: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Here we see that Gods love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
(Its interesting that in scripture the heart is the place of the whole inner man and especially his thought life. We today would use the word mind for what the Bible means by heart.)
1Cor 1v22: Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
In this scripture we see that it is the Holy Spirit that is in our hearts not Jesus Christ.
So the phrase ‘Asking Jesus into your heart’ is probably an incorrect idea.
Steve
Where is Jesus now? does He `live in our hearts` if we`re saved? Or is He seated at the right hand of God?
Answer...
The simple answer is that Christ is seated at the right hand of his Father.
Rom 8v34: Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
(The right hand is the place of the advocate.)
Heb 12v2: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Since the coming of Christ into the womb of Mary God in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ although he retains all the attributes of Deity never the less is restricted to one local place. So that while he lived and served God on earth he occupied only one human body and so therefore he in his humanity could only be in one place at a time. After his death and resurrection the situation seems to be a little more complicated than that but the single location of Christ’s resurrection body remains. And as we have seen above he is seated at the right hand of the Father.
In Rom 5v5: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Here we see that Gods love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
(Its interesting that in scripture the heart is the place of the whole inner man and especially his thought life. We today would use the word mind for what the Bible means by heart.)
1Cor 1v22: Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
In this scripture we see that it is the Holy Spirit that is in our hearts not Jesus Christ.
So the phrase ‘Asking Jesus into your heart’ is probably an incorrect idea.
Steve
07/09/2010
September 7th Ephesians, 1
1: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6: To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8: Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9: Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians (which probably included the other small churches nearby) is a wonderful document because it outlines the teaching of Paul which he received by direct revelation from God concerning the Church - which is the body of Christ. Paul raises no errors in the church because he had spent two years in Ephesus and therefore the church was in a sound theological and spiritual state. After his initial greetings he begins by breaking forth into a Psalm of praise in which he blesses God who has blessed us, with all spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. He is not saying that there are no more daily blessings to receive but that all our blessings come from the heavenlies and that there is a sense in which we have received already everything that God could ever give. All Gods blessings are ours already, we have only to move into the realisation of them. Paul continues, He says, the blessings we have received are because we were chosen in Christ to receive them, even before the foundation of the world was laid. Paul is not saying that our salvation was set before the world began, but that our blessing were set then and we were chosen then to stand before him in a future day, holy in Gods sight and blameless before men. Paul continues, He says, we were foreordained to be adopted as his sons by Jesus Christ. Again the idea is not foreordained to salvation but we have been foreordained to the status and service of sons of God. And God did this because it delighted his own heart to do it. Paul is thrilled with the way in which God has revealed himself in showing unmerited kindness to sinful men because in this he has made us to be accepted - in Christ. We do not need to live our lives hoping that he will accept us, let alone trying to do things to make him accept us. He has accepted us unreservedly - in Christ. These great truthes causes Paul to burst forth in praise and worship. The acceptance that God has for his Son is the acceptance which we enjoy. In Christ we have been freely given freedom from the bondage of sin through the blood of Christ. And so our trespasses are forgiven according to the unbounding resources of his kindness toward us. Paul also says, God has made us to abound in godly understanding and sensible christian living. Because he has made known unto us his will, which was hidden, but has recently been revealed. The will of God to us, was what God was delighted in himself to do. The mystery that he purposed in himself was to bring about a new administration, in his own full time, in which he would gather everything up into one all things in Christ. And so the unity which Christ has to his church is but a foretaste of the time when God will make a new Heaven and new Earth and he will bring everything to completeness in Christ.
Steve
The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians (which probably included the other small churches nearby) is a wonderful document because it outlines the teaching of Paul which he received by direct revelation from God concerning the Church - which is the body of Christ. Paul raises no errors in the church because he had spent two years in Ephesus and therefore the church was in a sound theological and spiritual state. After his initial greetings he begins by breaking forth into a Psalm of praise in which he blesses God who has blessed us, with all spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. He is not saying that there are no more daily blessings to receive but that all our blessings come from the heavenlies and that there is a sense in which we have received already everything that God could ever give. All Gods blessings are ours already, we have only to move into the realisation of them. Paul continues, He says, the blessings we have received are because we were chosen in Christ to receive them, even before the foundation of the world was laid. Paul is not saying that our salvation was set before the world began, but that our blessing were set then and we were chosen then to stand before him in a future day, holy in Gods sight and blameless before men. Paul continues, He says, we were foreordained to be adopted as his sons by Jesus Christ. Again the idea is not foreordained to salvation but we have been foreordained to the status and service of sons of God. And God did this because it delighted his own heart to do it. Paul is thrilled with the way in which God has revealed himself in showing unmerited kindness to sinful men because in this he has made us to be accepted - in Christ. We do not need to live our lives hoping that he will accept us, let alone trying to do things to make him accept us. He has accepted us unreservedly - in Christ. These great truthes causes Paul to burst forth in praise and worship. The acceptance that God has for his Son is the acceptance which we enjoy. In Christ we have been freely given freedom from the bondage of sin through the blood of Christ. And so our trespasses are forgiven according to the unbounding resources of his kindness toward us. Paul also says, God has made us to abound in godly understanding and sensible christian living. Because he has made known unto us his will, which was hidden, but has recently been revealed. The will of God to us, was what God was delighted in himself to do. The mystery that he purposed in himself was to bring about a new administration, in his own full time, in which he would gather everything up into one all things in Christ. And so the unity which Christ has to his church is but a foretaste of the time when God will make a new Heaven and new Earth and he will bring everything to completeness in Christ.
Steve
21/02/2010
When l say l am a christian.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!
Anon
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!
Anon
Dispensationalism
The word dispensation means – Economy or House rule. It refers to the administration of God at various times in which God holds men responsible to the revelation of himself. Sometimes these dispensations are fixed time periods however the emphasis is not on time but responsibility.
The Dispensation of Innocence.
This administration is a short period when Adam and Eve are in the Garden of Eden and know nothing of sin experimentally. They live according to one law the Revelation of God Adam.
The Dispensation of Conscience.
This administration began at the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden. This administration still continues today in the lives of those who live as outlaws to the rules of society. Rather than obeying law they live only according their own conscience. The Revelation of God is the conscience in all men.
The Dispensation of Government.
After the Flood God ordains that, “If a man sheds blood then by man shall his blood be shed”. This is the start of civilisation and human government. This administration continues today in the lives of those who submit to the laws of society. The Revelation of God is found in the laws of civil authorities raised up by God to administer on his behalf.
The Dispensation of Promise.
This administration is based on the call of Abraham and continued until the Exodus from Egypt. The Revelation of God is to Abraham – Promises of Blessing.
The Dispensation of Law.
This administration was based on the giving of the Law to Israel. Those who are circumscised find that God expects obedience to the Mosaic law. This administration for the Jews ran alongside conscience and human government for Gentiles.
The Dispensation of Grace.
This administration of God is based completely on the Grace of God. It is characterised by Faith in Christs atoning work. God gives his blessing to those who hear the Gospel and trust in Christ. It is not according to works but a gift of Grace. It began after the day of Pentecost and will end at the rapture, when all the Church is caught up to meet Christ in the air.
The Dispensation of Tribulation.
This administration will last for a little less than 7 years. It is effectly the end of the Dispensation of Law and the last week of the times of the Gentiles. It will be a time of Trouble for Israel in which the Anti-Christ opposes Israel. Christ will return at the end to judge the living nations according to law.
The Dispensation of the Millennium Reign of Christ.
This administration is a period of universal blessing, for 1000 years, as Christ sits on the throne of his father David. The Revelation of God is found in the Law that Christ will personally administer from Jerusalem.
Much of the confusion relating to dispensations is the fact that some dispensations fall betwen fixed periods of time, however the period of time is not the crucial point, it is the administration of God which comes to man in various ways that is the focus of attension. The other point is that the responsibility of men is according to the revelation they have recieved. Therefore different men find themselves in various levels of responsibility according to what God has revealed.
If in our reading of scripture we find that God holds men responsible to law and rewards behaviour accordingly then we can bew sure that the administration described is Law. However if we find that the promise of blessing is given as a gift on the basis of faith then we can be sure that the administration being described is Grace.
Steve
The Dispensation of Innocence.
This administration is a short period when Adam and Eve are in the Garden of Eden and know nothing of sin experimentally. They live according to one law the Revelation of God Adam.
The Dispensation of Conscience.
This administration began at the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden. This administration still continues today in the lives of those who live as outlaws to the rules of society. Rather than obeying law they live only according their own conscience. The Revelation of God is the conscience in all men.
The Dispensation of Government.
After the Flood God ordains that, “If a man sheds blood then by man shall his blood be shed”. This is the start of civilisation and human government. This administration continues today in the lives of those who submit to the laws of society. The Revelation of God is found in the laws of civil authorities raised up by God to administer on his behalf.
The Dispensation of Promise.
This administration is based on the call of Abraham and continued until the Exodus from Egypt. The Revelation of God is to Abraham – Promises of Blessing.
The Dispensation of Law.
This administration was based on the giving of the Law to Israel. Those who are circumscised find that God expects obedience to the Mosaic law. This administration for the Jews ran alongside conscience and human government for Gentiles.
The Dispensation of Grace.
This administration of God is based completely on the Grace of God. It is characterised by Faith in Christs atoning work. God gives his blessing to those who hear the Gospel and trust in Christ. It is not according to works but a gift of Grace. It began after the day of Pentecost and will end at the rapture, when all the Church is caught up to meet Christ in the air.
The Dispensation of Tribulation.
This administration will last for a little less than 7 years. It is effectly the end of the Dispensation of Law and the last week of the times of the Gentiles. It will be a time of Trouble for Israel in which the Anti-Christ opposes Israel. Christ will return at the end to judge the living nations according to law.
The Dispensation of the Millennium Reign of Christ.
This administration is a period of universal blessing, for 1000 years, as Christ sits on the throne of his father David. The Revelation of God is found in the Law that Christ will personally administer from Jerusalem.
Much of the confusion relating to dispensations is the fact that some dispensations fall betwen fixed periods of time, however the period of time is not the crucial point, it is the administration of God which comes to man in various ways that is the focus of attension. The other point is that the responsibility of men is according to the revelation they have recieved. Therefore different men find themselves in various levels of responsibility according to what God has revealed.
If in our reading of scripture we find that God holds men responsible to law and rewards behaviour accordingly then we can bew sure that the administration described is Law. However if we find that the promise of blessing is given as a gift on the basis of faith then we can be sure that the administration being described is Grace.
Steve
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