A marriage is not complete until both parties say I do. Marriage makes a good example for this without requiring that the church be the bride of Christ. What that will mean during those 1,000 years is unknown except that it will be glorious. The Church, the Body of Christ, was a new creation, a secret()God revealed to Paul. If Galatians was written before the Jerusalem Conference it is what it is. Danny, Paul was dealing with many problems with the Corinthians. 2. However, when other Scriptural data are considered, the traditional view collapses. And her daughter was healed at once (Matthew 15.28). When He does, they will be enjoyed by Jews in the kingdom. 2. Which is more than can be said for your tormentor Barbara Wilson. The Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson becomes the first woman to lead the Israel, is viewed as an unfaithful wife, and will be brought back into a right relationship with God, as a bride, as a faithful wife. They knew nothing of Jew and Gentile becoming equal in the body of Christ seated in the heavens with heavenly citizenship (Ephesians 1.3; Philippians 3.20; Colossians 1.5). Only after Acts 15 was Pauls gospel the only legitimate gospel. I too have wondered about the reference to apostles, so I was eager to check out the passages you gave. Freddy, The Church, the body of Christ, is Jew and Gentile equal in Christ. Paul commanded believers not to associate with those who did not teach the Rapture. It seems to me that when Christ breathed on the disciples, the body started since He breathed His spirit. Sue, Paul commanded believers to encourage one another with the doctrine of the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4.18). Apollos did not see the risen Lord that we know of. The Twelve had no clue of this. I came across your post in a search to better understand the teaching of the gospel of grace and the mystery of the church, and it has been very helpful. Hi bro Don, can you please tell me who are the apostles in 1corninthians ch 12:28, are they the 12 and if not who? Paul says God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. Paul declared he was the first member of the Church and it architect of the Church. Paul also used a phrase that no one else used: one new man (Eph. We as believers follow Christ, listen to Christ, and let Christ guide our steps, just as the head of the body does. The function (edifying of the body of Christ, Eph. Paul is emphasizing that it is only by Gods grace and faith that Gentiles are now in the place of favor. Membership into the Body of Christ is through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Notice also in Acts 2 that the believers in Jerusalem sold their possessions and held them in common. His doctrines are not found in the rest of Scripture. 2. I see your point, but doesnt that lead us into another huge problem? 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. Only later did the term Christian come to be associated with everyone who believed in Christ. One must interpret according to the context. What is the Church? Consult this article by John Piper: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/will-we-be-finally-saved-by-faith-alone. Humble Service in the Body of Christ. Did Jesus take his own blood to heaven? Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson as the first woman, and the first Black woman, to lead the denomination as General Minister and President. In this interim, God saved Paul and created the Church. Cf. It seems he could not accept that the Mosaic Law was over. 1 Corinthians 12:12 - The Body of Christ - Bible Hub According to John the Baptists testimony, Jesus was the one who was the baptizer of believers at Pentecost. I got stuck on 1 Cor. Sounds like the death, burial and resurrection message to me. Continue with the good fight brother! Ive perused quite a few, and you are, without mistake, comprehensively accurate at every juncture Ive read. Were only given hints as to what happened. David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal, political convictions This revelation has been heavy on my heart and I am realizing I can really only pray about this that God will open peoples eyes and heart to know the truth, as the truth will set them free. "People of God" is another image of the church. Only one thing was required: the nation had to repent (Acts 2.38; 3.19a). The Kingdom gospel ran along side Grace gospel until Acts 15. A friend tells me that Israel will be saved, Go to Heaven, even though they do not accept Christ as savior. ????? Amazing and overwheling. They are off base in these areas. Simple test. David, The great commission was given to the 12 disciples to execute. Wasnt it Barnabas-a kingdom believer , who brought Paul to this little flock Antiochian church, to propagate the body of Christ message? I say Amen too! Reading further into this passage reveals this was not the case. Since volition is the issue in salvation (faith), then those who think they might be saved by a sovereign decree do not meet the salvific criteria. Louis, This passage comes from James. He constantly reminds these different churches of their roles as the body of Christ. According to what Paul wrote the Corinthians, the Holy Spirit is the baptizer of the Church: 12For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. Biblically, we may regard the church in two ways, as the universal church or as the local church. Hardly anyone in my denomination will listen to me regarding this stance. Pentecost was a Jewish feast day which occurred fifty days after Passover. The key to understanding this is the statement, them that heard Him, and the word us. Pockets of true doctrine have existed throughout the centuries. They heard what they wanted to hear. Paul declared he was the apostle of the Gentiles who laid the foundation (singular) of the Church (1 Corinthians 3.10-11; 1 Timothy 1.15-16). Outside of Peters going to the house of Cornelius in Acts 10, no Scripture supports the view that the Twelve ever had a ministry to Gentiles. Where were they? You think the body of Christ doesnt include Peter, nor the 11 other than Paul. I believe that if one wishes to understand Gods word and has an open heart, God will provide that understanding. 11:16), such that the root is Abraham and the cut-off natural branches are holy only in a representative way, whereas the grafted-in Jewish branches are the covenantal remnant or Israel of God? He wasnt a Jew, he probably knew little or nothing of the Law, yet he prayed to God and gave alms. My articles, The Great Hinge and Pauls Mystery might be helpful to understand all this. 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. Believers before Paul were of the way. They did not believe Christ died for them and rose from the dead for their salvation. The problem I have had with so-called Reformed or Covenant theology types is they love their theology more than the Scriptures. Vanessa, Yes, indeed. I agree that the 12 didnt have a cheap clue about the BOC at Pentecost, but their lack of understanding certainly didnt diminish the power or efficacy of the gospel. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit(1 Corinthians 12.12-13). When one does this, one can see Paul only as an appendage to the 12 rather than Gods apostle to found a whole new program, the Church. A careful examination of the Scriptures reveals that when Jesus and the Twelve used the word it referred to a group of Jews who believed Jesus was the promised Messiah. Abraham. Did they somehow absorb themselves into the RCC through the centuries? As you can tell from my various questions from the different threads, Im trying to reconcile your teaching of more than one gospel with my understanding of the covenants of God, the resurrections and the elect. Dear Don, A reader from this site sent me an article claiming that God is not dealing with prophecy during the church period however if you take the prophecy of Ezekiel it brings us to 1948. What most of Christendom does not understand is that Paul was not an appendage to the 12, a 13th apostle. Before proceeding further we should examine the Greek word. And thats why you mentioned the Rapture?? It disturbs me because in essence, and subversively, he unwittingly teaches that the Body of Christ is the pinnacle of both programsone in the same as he put it, as well as born again applying to us. So, it doesnt take muchthe faith of a mustard seed. One would presume a body requires a head and all No. Read his story. Partly along with what you said about God respecting mans freewill, I believe he WANTS us to know and have understanding about what it is that he has done, is doing and will do. My our Lord continue to bless you in providing true biblical instruction. Hi Don, I respect Dr. Ironside who has taught me a lot in the past. So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and the majority did not know for what cause they had come together (v. 32). James was certainly enthusiastic about Jewish law-keeping (Acts 21.17-26). Don, Is there any textual evidence that the no distinction between Jew or gentile is simply in the sense of salvation only? Also in John, Jesus says in v 3 to Him the porter openeth and the sheep hear HIS voice and He calleth His OWN sheep by name and LEADETH THEM OUTout of what. I know this is a strange question to many but Paul himself hardly touch on the topic of prayer and I found it to be quite misunderstood. 16:37 a correct reference? Doesnt that diminish Pauls pre prison epistles? 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. Ive tried researching online but havent found anything I can use scripturally to show Catholics are mistaken. The body of Christ is pictured as each body part (member) contributing to the growth of the whole by receiving and passing on the life, the vital substance, each has drawn from the head (Christ). Kim, 1. FYIprior to reading your articles, I had the notion that John 10:16s other sheep were the gentiles, the sheep in the fold were the Jews, and Jesus was foreshadowing the secret to be revealed to Paul. Joe, Yes. You said that, to the Church, Jesus is Head and Lord but to Israel, He is King. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold. Any insight is appreciated. Jesus made an exception with the Canaanite woman. James, Again, youve entered the realm of the ridiculous. The Church is under a new and different administration. The result was that they spoke in unlearned, foreign languages. What about in Acts 8, the Samaritans and an Ethiopian? We need churches based on what the Scriptures declare. 7:24) in Matthews Gospel. Act 11:23 Who, when he 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. It was not known until the Lord revealed it to him (Ephesians 3.4-7). 1 Peter 2:9, But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Here Peter is obviously speaking to Jews. Agabus. Peter recognized this at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15.11). He wrote the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5.17). Did they say, Wonderful! People will be saved believing what you teach on that. Don have a query, in Eph i:1 Paul states this, 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. Angel, James remained zealous for the Mosaic Law (he apparently never understood Pauls doctrines) but was not teaching the gospel of the kingdom given Peters declaration in Acts 15.11. Are you saying that Israel could have repented during those 19 years (51 to 70) and the Tribulation and kingdom would have come?? The Church does, however, share in the blessings of the New Covenant as the blessing of this covenant are spiritual rather than physical (as are the blessings of the other covenants). The elements and symbology really brings a lot of context to the OT to NT completion., We love celebrating the Holy Days with the local Messianic Synagogue!, if for some reason any of you cant make it to the one at your church I have some good resources to do it in your own home.. In Hebrews Chapter 2 (64-65 AD) the implication is that the sign gifts were in the past. Just here to update you! ??? ?? 10.27-28). Matthew 19.21; Mark 10.21; Luke 12.33, 18.22). FF Bruce in both his books on Paul and the book of Acts says , Galatians makes no reference to the Apostolic Decrees, the Councils decision that Gentiles need not observe Mosaic ceremony, which is understandable if such a Council had not transpired yet. Paul makes a very strong point to the Colossians that in this Age of Grace, because we are not under the Law, we do not have holy days. He was my wifes nephew. Body of Christ. The Church, the body of Christ, began with Paul. 2) Members of the Body of Christ follow Christ as their Head ( Ephesians 1:22-23 ). Where is the church during the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth? 10.32 and missed Gal. Craig, Not my wheelhouse. James, Yes, Jew and Gentile are brought together in one body, the Church, by believing Pauls gospel. Removal of Jewish and Gentiles distinctions that characterized the Jewish program clearly did not occur at Pentecost. Hebrews was written to Jews, not to members of the Church, the body of Christ. That is mans perspective for Pauls gospel deals with redemption. Death is the last enemy to be to be put under His feet, defeated, abolished, no more death or dead people. His page is: https://www.facebook.com/geoffrey.grider the article is from today, 08/14/19. . What Jesus meant was that upon Himself He would build the assembly of those who recognized Him as the Christ as Peter had. I think Les point was one of emphasis. Its about Christ, not Paul. I dont know. I can appreciate that prior to the secret revealed to Paul, Gentiles were not called or considered sheep but perhaps after the equality in Christ, there is truly no difference between Jew and Gentile, thus the Jew and gentile are sheep in the Lords eyes? Finally, Paul alone had a ministry to Gentiles and he alone taught that no difference existed between Jew and Gentile. In I Tim chapter 1 vs 18 (I think) Paul uses the word King addressing Christ. And we have the words of comfort from our apostle, who knew suffering (Romans 8.18; 2 Corinthians 4.16-18). We can agree on that, Amen! Kim, Thank you. Luke 22:19-20 This is my body which is given for you. Jacob, I think this unlikely since Paul said the Church, the body of Christ, was a secret. Once again, the interpretation of Jesus building the Church upon himself does not fit the context. Do not censor this please. Hello, Nice article. No man hath seen God at any time. Thank you, Don! Are all teachers? I care about Geoff and he is doing the best he knows how, with as much as he believes he knows and understands I believe he sincerely wants others to be as excited about the Bible as he is, and I would just love it if everyone concerned got it right. Paul was speaking to the Jews in Romans 1:17, by the way none-the-less, for your consideration on the subject of Romans and the precursory message and purposes in the openeing chapters of the book, starting at around 13:30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk8UNX60I1Y, (I do hope Don will tell us who he listens to! Paul told the truth, just not all the truth. Paul met with the Twelve and declared his gospel to them (Galatians 2.2). 16This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky(Acts 10.14-16). A careful study of the above will show that the Body of Christ started at Pentecost and was all Jewish and that Jewish believers were first called Christians(to the Jew first)but since the nation of Israel rejected Christ and their commission to evangelize the world,God in his grace called out Paul to go to the world(both Jews and Gentiles nations) and now we are all placed into one body that started at Pentecost by one Spirit.