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• Question: Why did the church start in Acts 9?
  • Please, explain why Acts 9 is the beginning of the body of Christ. I will appreciate to have your answer to my query.
  • Thank so much,
  • Terry
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Terry,
  2. Paul called Jesus Christ a circumcision minister in Rom 15:8, “Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers.” Because He was a minister of the circumcision, water baptism was part of His program for salvation according to John 3:5, “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God”; and Mk 16:15,16, “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’”
  3. From Christ’s earthly ministry, we see that endurance was expected in the believers if they were to receive salvation. This requirement was in line with the other conditional aspects of the circumcision covenant. John 15:1-8 is the best example: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
  4. When He said, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch”, He was speaking to the Apostles. Judas had left in John 13:30. Did He really mean that an apostle could be lost? Yes, they had to abide in Christ in order to be saved. Otherwise, verse 6 again, “they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”
  5. Not only did they have to remain in Christ, they also had to forgive men in order to be saved according to Mat 6:14,15: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” We will see these conditional principles repeatedly as we continue to look at God’s program with the circumcision church of the dispensations just prior to ours under the circumcision covenant.
  6. The gift of tongues given on the day of Pentecost was a sign to Israel that the kingdom was very near. When Peter offered the kingdom and many responded to his message and believed, Peter commanded that they be baptized for the remission of sins. Water baptism continued as a requirement for salvation after Pentecost because God continued to offer Israel the kingdom in Acts 3:19-26: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. 22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.” 24 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. 25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, “And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.” If they had repented, God would have sent Christ back, according to Acts 3:20.
  7. After Christ’s Ascension and the outpouring of the Spirit in Acts 2, God still demanded water baptism for the remission of sins. “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38).
  8. When Paul was seized in the temple by the Jewish mob and taken into custody by the Roman commander, he was allowed to speak to the violent mob on the way into the barracks. He used the opportunity to recount his conversion. He spoke of “a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there.” He related how Ananias had told him about his apostolic commission from God. What method of salvation did Ananias present to Paul? Ananias commanded, “Now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Ananias told Paul the only message that he knew, the message of Mk 16:16 and Acts 2:38, the circumcision gospel with its condition of baptism. One of the most important facts of all should be highlighted. Water baptism would be imposed on Israel until the time of reformation (Heb 9:10-13) when Christ would establish the kingdom for Israel. Therefore, from the beginning of John’s ministry, through the time of Christ’s death and Ascension, to the time that Israel was temporarily set aside in Acts 7, we find that water baptism was essential for salvation.
  9. In regards to baptism, the first dramatic change took place on Pentecost in Acts 2. There, after he submitted to water baptism, a believer would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). So, for the first time, there were two baptisms, water baptism and Holy Spirit baptism. As the nation began rejecting Christ, the persecution of the circumcision church which had started on Pentecost increased. When Stephen was stoned, Christ stood in judgment upon the nation of Israel, and they were temporarily set aside.
  10. Now, here is the part that answers your question, Terry. After Israel was judged by God and set aside for unbelief, the church, the Body of Christ, started with the conversion of Paul in Acts 9. A comparison of Acts 22:13 and 26:18 indicates that Paul was saved when he received his sight, just as the Gentiles to whom he was sent would be saved upon receiving spiritual sight. Paul received his sight before he was baptized at Ananias’ command.
  11. Things really started changing after Paul got saved. When God had separated Israel from the nations as His chosen people, He imposed upon them a designation between clean and unclean animals (Lev 20:23-26). Now, after God started the church by saving Paul, in a vision to Peter, He made the first dramatic change. God abolished the distinction between clean and unclean animals in order to show that He had demoted Israel from their chosen people status (Acts 10:9-16). However, God did not reveal to Peter the unity and equality of Jew and Gentile in the new man, the new church, the body of Christ. In fact, He didn’t show him any of the aspects of the great secret He would reveal to Paul, only.
  12. He also did not show Peter the new method of salvation by faith alone apart from works. Peter simply adapted the gospel of the circumcision to his Gentile audience and preached that works were necessary for salvation as well as faith, when he went to Cornelius’ house as God had commanded him: “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35). He was preaching the same gospel of faith plus works and endurance for salvation which Christ taught (Acts 10:34-42; John 15:1-8). It conformed to the circumcision covenant gospel.
  13. The second change was even more startling. The Holy Spirit showed that water baptism was no longer necessary for salvation after the body of Christ started with Paul’s conversion in Acts 9. This was done dramatically when the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word while Peter was still preaching, before Peter would command them to be water baptized (Acts 10:44,45). The Holy Spirit’s gift, here, became the sign that would convince the circumcision believers that God had opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles. The ending of the kingdom church dispensation and beginning of the new church, the body of Christ, was Paul’s conversion in Acts 9. There, we see that Paul was sent to the Gentiles, kings and Israel.
  14. Third, the order of the baptisms was reversed. Now, Peter was perplexed and commanded water baptism after Holy Spirit baptism. But, now we see the Holy Spirit baptism was the one necessary for salvation. Water baptism became secondary for the first time. We’re not even sure that God wanted these new Christians baptized. Peter did a number of things here only because the Lord had previously commanded him to do them.
  15. When Paul was converted, God committed to him a new stewardship, The Dispensation of the Mystery, and a new gospel, the Uncircumcision Gospel. In contrast to the gospel Peter and the other circumcision apostles preached, what must they now do to be saved? Acts 16:31 tells us: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”.
  16. Soon, Paul learned that water baptism was not part of his commission, and he no longer baptized. That’s why he wrote in 1 Co 1:17, “I was not sent to baptize, but to preach the gospel.” In contrast, we must remember that baptism was an integral part of the circumcision apostles’ commission (Mat 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-18).
  17. After Paul’s ministry began, he was inspired to write to the Corinthians, “By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Co 12:13). So, even in the dispensation of grace, after the Body of Christ Church began, there were two baptisms for a while. Then, we see that as physical circumcision gave way to spiritual circumcision, “made without hands,” in spite of Acts 16:1-3, water baptism gave way to spiritual baptism, “through the faith of the operation of God” (Col 2:11,12), in spite of Acts 16:15,31-34, and 1 Co 1:14-16.
  18. Why did water baptism give way to spiritual baptism? It was because God set Israel aside in Acts 7 (Rom 11:11,25; Acts 28:28) when Christ stood in judgment (Isa 3:13) at the stoning of Stephen. Part of Paul’s ministry had been to show Israel that they had been set aside. God used Paul to pronounce to the Jews in Rome that Israel had been set aside. This occurred in Acts 28:28.
  19. After this, the baptisms imposed on Israel, being fleshly ordinances (Heb 9:10-13), were set aside until God would resume dealing with Israel in the tribulation. For instance, baptism will be necessary for salvation when Peter’s epistles are again directly applicable in the tribulation period. 1 Pe 3:20,21 shows this. Verse 20 shows us that the ark and the flood of water were a type. Peter then wrote, “There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism.” Yes, his message was, “Baptism ‘now saves us.’” Then he explained away the possible confusion that the water baptism would be for the removal of the outward filth of the body as in Mk 7:3-5, where the word in Mk 7:4 is baptiswntai, baptize. “They do not eat unless they wash [baptize].” This outward ritual of 1 Pe 3 in obedience to God, was essential to perform the inner cleansing of sin in accordance with the principles of the circumcision covenant (Num 19).
  20. From the time of Israel’s fall in Acts 7, the book of Acts relates how Israel was progressively shown that they had been set aside by God. This is why the Corinthian church spoke in tongues so much. The church “bordered on,” was “contiguous to,” the Jewish synagogue. The Gentiles’ speaking in tongues was God’s judgment upon unbelieving Jews next door (Please read 1 Co 14:22 in light of Isa 28).
  21. At the end of the book of Acts, Israel was shown for the final time that they had been set aside. This happened when Paul spoke in judgment quoting Isa 6:9,10. After this judgment was pronounced, Paul was inspired to write that ultimate church epistle, Ephesians. In it he wrote, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph. 4:4,5). One baptism? If there is only one baptism, which one is it? Is it water or Holy Spirit? It is Holy Spirit! Why? Because God has suspended the use of water baptism. It has been done away with because God is through with Israel for the time being.
  22. Now there is only one program. It has to do with spiritual things, not carnal. So, for the Dispensation of Grace, there is one baptism. We, who have trusted in Christ, are baptized into the body of Christ, the church. The Holy Spirit baptizes us into Christ’s body, the church. That baptism identifies us with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:3-8). This identification justifies and frees us from all sin (Rom 6:7,18). Water baptism has been set aside because God has set aside Israel and started the body of Christ.
  23. Under the church dispensation, The Dispensation of Grace, there are many new things. There are no law-works necessary for salvation. In fact that’s exactly what Tit 3:5,6 says. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
  24. We, the Body of Christ, are the only ones who have eternal security. This is emphasized by Eph 1:4-14. We live the Christian life by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. These are wonderful, awesome blessings. Let’s revel in them.
  25. In Christ,
  26. Bob
• Question: Heb 3:1 Heavenly calling; Are these believers called to heaven?
  • Bob,
  • This is Eddie Perruso and we spoke on the phone about 2 weeks ago (I’m the drug rep who resigned for full seminary). Anyway, as we were speaking, I said I believed that Paul was the last on my list of those who could’ve written Hebrews. There’s No Pauline terminology, No “in Christ”, No “ressurrection”, No “sealed with the Holy Spirit”, No “mystery”; however, The Audience is my major question. Obviously they wee believers. Knowing that the orgion, the mission and the destinity of Israel and the orgion, mission and the destiny of the Body are disinct...it seems that promises to Israel are earthy and those to the Body are heavenly. Heb. 3:1”...holy brethern, partakers of THE heavenly calling...”. The audience obviously is Hebrew...are they Kingdom believers or Jew grafted in. My confusion comes with the “heavenly calling”.
  • Thanks,
  • Eddie
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Eddie,
  2. I believe the phrase, “heavenly calling”, is referring to the calling originating in heaven, not calling them to heaven. Heb 3:1 “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.” Here is why I believe this. This question looks like a hard one when we first think about it, but when we reflect on the use of heavenly in the NT, I think the answer is very clear.
  3. Heavenly is used in two ways: for something that is in heaven or something that originates in heaven. When Paul was speaking before King Agrippa, he used the term “heavenly vision”. Was this a vision about heaven or a vision from heaven? Acts 26:12-20 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ 19 Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.” We see that it was a vision from heaven.
  4. In Heb 6:4, when the writer talks about the heavenly gift, is it a gift from heaven or a gift in heaven? Heb 6:4 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit”
  5. We know from the context of Heb 11:16 that Abraham’s seed was expecting a heavenly (We supply country, but it could just as well be city, especially when we realize that most ancient states at that time were city states.) Heb 11:16 “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” When those believers died, they went to heaven until the New Jerusalem will come down from heaven. They will be in the eternal kingdom on earth. The next verse shows the Jerusalem they are looking for is called “the heavenly Jerusalem.” Heb 12:22 “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels”
  6. When we read the book of Revelation, we see why it is called the heavenly Jerusalem. It comes down from heaven. Rev 3:12 “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.” Rev 21:1,2 “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
  7. I hope this answers your question to your satisfaction.
  8. In Christ,
  9. Bob Hill
• Question: Phi 4:2,3, Fellow workers in the book of life?
  • Dear Bob,
  • When we turn to Phi 4:2,3, we find that Paul gives recognition to three groups of people: 1. The women who labored. 2. Clement. 3. The rest of his fellow workers, whose names were in the Book of Life. “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
  • Were these people who’s names were written in the book of life, Jews?
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Adam,
  2. I would like to rephrase your question to, whose names are in the Book of Life? Was it circumcised believers or both circumcised and uncircumcised believers? The Bible tells us that a name can be blotted out of this book. I know that the only uncircumcised believers Paul could be referring to would have to be members of the body of Christ, and we cannot lose our salvation. If the Book of Life contains only circumcised believers, whether Jews who believed or Gentiles who became proselytes, then are those “whose names are in the Book of Life” to whom Paul refers in Phil 4:3 circumcised believers?
  3. I think the lack of security for the believer in Rev 2:5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place—unless you repent.”, along with the other warning passages in 2:7,11 and 3:5,6 would be frightening to many if it applied to us. The salvation of those who will be in the tribulation, is on the line. They must repent and endure, or else! The warnings to the seven churches are fearsome: Rev 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Rev 2:11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” What if they do not overcome? Would they be hurt of the second death? It sure looks like it. And then, the passage that helps us answer your question, since there is the possibility that they will have their names blotted out of the Book of Life. Rev 3:5,6 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” The Spirit gives this great warning to the churches who will go through the tribulation: I will not blot out the name of the one who overcomes from the Book of Life. But from the three passages I listed, we can see that their names will be blotted out if they do not abide in Him and overcome.
  4. We can see the same conditions in material from John 15:6 and 1 John 5:4,5, we find they must maintain their faith. But their faith only overcomes as long as they abide in Christ. 1 John 5:4,5 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. 5 Who is he who is overcoming [present participle] the world, but he who is believing [present participle] that Jesus is the Son of God?”
  5. The New Jerusalem is very Jewish and has nothing to do with the body of Christ. Paul is conspicuous by the absence of his name. Instead, the foundations have the circumcision apostles’ names on them. Rev 21:12-14 “Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are [the] [names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
  6. Next, we see in Rev 13:8, that many people down through the dispensations have not been saved. These are the ones who, from the foundation of the world, did not have their names written in His book. “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” This should be translated, “whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain.” This is corroborated by Revelation 17:8, “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.”
  7. Now, when we consider Phi 4:2,3, as you pointed out, Paul gives recognition to three groups of people: 1. The women who labored. 2. Clement. 3. The rest of his fellow workers, whose names were in the Book of Life. Phi 4:2,3, “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.” I believe these people are Jewish helpers who were saved before the body of Christ started, his fellow workers of the circumcision, whose names were written in the Book of Life.
  8. The potential of having their names blotted out is consistent with the rest of the circumcision apostles’ writings.
  9. Heb 3:6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
  10. Heb 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
  11. Heb 6:4-8 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and have fallen away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
  12. Heb 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
  13. Heb 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
  14. Jam 1:23-25 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
  15. Jam 2:8-12 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.
  16. Jam 2:14,24 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
  17. 2 Pe 1:4-10 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, [We already have security.] having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.
  18. 2 Pe 2:20-22 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”
  19. 1 Jo 1:6,7 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
  20. 1 Jo 2:3-5 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
  21. I think Paul’s helpers were very faithful members of the circumcision. Because I believe Paul wrote Philippians and Colossians within the same year, these people whose names are written in the book of life may be referred to by name in Colossians 4:10,11: “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.”
  22. In Christ,
  23. Bob Hill
• Question: What were the Jews "saved" unto?
  • Thank you for all your answers...im learning so much!!
  • i have a couple more questions.
  • What were the jews 'saved' unto?
  • Faith + law = salvation. (for jews) BUT were they saved into heaven, or saved into the kingdom? or both. Will they (jews) who have faith and works live forever after the kingdom?
  • In the old testement it seems that faithful jews recieved the favor of God, But did they have a promise of everlasting life or just kingdom life? or both?
  • this question regards only O.T. doctrine USE OLD TESTEMENT ONLY, BECUASE THIS IS AN OLD TESTAMENT QUESTION. ( I know that Christ promised both kingdom and eternal life, in the N.T )
  • and Why did abraham after being justified by faith in the Disp. of promise, then become justified by works according to james after that?
  • Again, thank you very much.
  • Adam
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Adam,
  2. Thank you for asking good questions. For a start, as early as Ex 19:6, there were promises made to them about the kingdom: ’And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.
  3. The kingdom was promised to David in 2 Sa 7:12-17 When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever. ’ 17 According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
  4. In Dan 12:1-3, God inspired him to write, At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
  5. Dan 12:9,10 And he said, Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
  6. This kingdom will be everlasting. Dan 2:44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
  7. Dan 7:14,18,22,27 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever. 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. 27 Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.
  8. In Christ,
  9. Bob Hill
• Question: Was Paul preaching the kingdom gospel when he said "deeds appropriate for repentance"?
  • Paul says the he was Obedient to the heavenly vision, preaching repentence and the performance of deeds appropriate to repentence. sounds like kingdom gospel to me (at first glance). was he preaching it on accident? Or was he just preaching that as christians we should walk be according to the calling which we have been called? OR was this when we was going into the synagogs and talking to jews? I know that you have touched on this SUBJECT...but i havent seen you really tackle this verse yet. (Although i may have just missed it) im still working my way through all your questions.
  • 19 "Consequently, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Adam,
  2. Good question. I believe repentance is still part of the gospel. In Acts 26:19,20 Paul did say: “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.”
  3. Before that he had told the Greeks on the Areopagus this, in Acts 17:30,31: “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” In 2 Co 7:10 he wrote, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” Repentance is important for salvation, but it was greatly emphasized to Israel because they had turned from God and needed to turn around, repent. Paul did not say the works befitting repentance were necessary for salvation, but he did emphasize them. He emphasized works especially in Titus.
  4. Tit 1:16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
  5. Tit 2:7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
  6. Tit 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
  7. Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
  8. Tit 3:14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
  9. But he also made sure they understood they were not necessary for salvation: Tit 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
  10. In Christ,
  11. Bob
• Question: What is the correct way to translate I Peter 1:1?
  • First let me say thank you. Your actions speak of your character. You promptly reply to every question I send and so I thank you for being a faithful teacher for the Body of Christ.
  • Hears my question(s), In 1 peter 1:1 it says "Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the pilgrims of the dispersion in...."
  • I have been told that there is NO definate article in the greek for dispersion and that peter was writting to gentiles who were foreigners.
  • (which doesnt seem to make a lot of sence.)
  • I have thought of some (i think) strong arguments againsts this, But id like to hear what you have to say about it.
  • ( font: Graecall )
  • 1 Pevtro" ajpovstolo" jIhsou` Cristou` ejklektoi`" parepidhvmoi" diaspora`" Povntou, Galativa", Kappadokiva", jAsiva" kai; Biquniva", 2kata; provgnwsin qeou` patro;" ejn aJgiasmw`/ pneuvmato" eij" uJpakoh;n kai; rantismo;n ai{mato" jIhsou` Cristou`, cavri" uJmi`n kai; eijrhvnh plhqunqeivh.
  • thank you...
  • resting in him,
  • adam
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Adam,
  2. I have dealt with this issue in my book, The Big Difference. Here is an abstract from portions of my book on this subject: Peter, the apostle of the circumcision (Gal 2:7,8), wrote the epistle called First Peter to the Jewish Christians of the dispersion. The BGD Lexicon, p. 188., tells us the following: “diasporav, . . . dispersion . . . LXX of dispersion of the Jews among the Gentiles (Dt 28:25; 30:4; Jer 41:17).” A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol VI, p. 5. Robertson wrote that James “. . . addresses himself ‘to the twelve tribes which are of the Dispersion’ (James 1:1). Clearly, then, he is not writing to Gentiles [I deleted the disclaimer.] The word diaspora occurs elsewhere in the NT. only in John 7:35 and your passage, 1 Pet 1:1. The use here of ‘the twelve tribes’ makes the literal sense probable here. . . the Jews of the Dispersion were a blend of all the twelve tribes. It is probable also that James is addressing chiefly the Eastern Dispersion in Syria, Mesopotamia, and Babylonia as Peter writes to five provinces in the Western Dispersion in Asia Minor. It is possible that James has in mind Christian and non-Christian Jews, not wholly non-Christian Jews as some hold. He may have in mind merely Christian Jews outside of Palestine, of whom there were already many scattered since the great pentecost [sic]. . . the message of James had a special appeal to these widely scattered Jewish Christians. To the twelve tribes which are in the dispersion (tai'" dwvdeka fulai'" tai'" ejn th'/ diaspora'/). The New Testament Greek-English Dictionary, World Library Press, Inc., Springfield, Missouri, defines dispersion, diasporav. “The term . . . occurs infrequently in secular Greek, but it appears regularly in Jewish and Christian documents where it is a technical term of the Jewish settlements outside the borders of Palestine. . . . In later Judaism diaspora was the usual term for describing those Jews who lived in areas which were formerly places of exile. The New Testament understands it in this sense of Jews who lived among the Greeks (John 7:35) [mhV eij" thVn diasporaVn tw'n JEllhvnwn mevllei poreuvesqai, kaiV didavskein touV" {Ellhna"; He is not about to go unto the dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks, is he?]. The story of the dispersion of the Hellenists from Jerusalem following the stoning of Stephen uses the verb diaspeiro` to describe the event (Acts 8:1,4; 11:19). When James wrote of ‘the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad’ (1:1) and when Peter wrote to ‘the strangers scattered throughout’ (1 Peter 1:1), diaspora should probably be read in its traditional technical sense. TDNT, v. 2, pp. 98-104. diasporav This has almost become a loan-word. It refers in the first instance to the Jewish dispersion, i.e., to the scattered Jews (diasporav from diaspeivrein, . .) living outside Palestine. It occurs most frequently in the LXX. In all 12 passages concerned it is a technical term for the ‘dispersion of the Jews among the Gentiles,’ . . . ‘the Jews as thus scattered.’ Jm. 1:1 and 1 Pt. 1:1 are the two other NT passages in which the term occurs, and they are obviously related. If the Epistles are addressed to Jewish Christians, we have the normal usage and the reference is to the Jewish diaspora. On the other hand, if they are addressed to Gentile Christians, the word is given a figurative Christian sense. But, there is, of course, no clear support for the equation of aiJ dwvdeka fulaiv [the twelve tribes] with [non-Jewish] Christians.
  3. In a similar manner, James wrote to the dispersion: 1:1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are scattered abroad: Greetings. To the twelve tribes which are in the dispersion (tai'" dwvdeka fulai'" tai'" ejn th'/ diaspora'/) The New Testament Greek-English Dictionary, World Library Press, Inc., Springfield, Missouri, defines dispersion, diasporav, thoroughly. Here are some excerpts. The term . . . occurs infrequently in secular Greek, but it appears regularly in Jewish and Christian documents where it is a technical term of the Jewish settlements outside the borders of Palestine. . . . In later Judaism diaspora was the usual term for describing those Jews who lived in areas which were formerly places of exile. The New Testament understands it in this sense of Jews who lived among the Greeks (John 7:35). The story of the dispersion of the Hellenists from Jerusalem following the stoning of Stephen uses the verb diaspeiro` to describe the event (Acts 8:1,4; 11:19). When James wrote of ‘the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad’ (1:1) and when Peter wrote to ‘the strangers scattered throughout’ (1 Peter 1:1), diaspora should probably be read in its traditional technical sense. TDNT, v. 2, pp. 98-104. diasporav This has almost become a loan-word. It refers in the first instance to the Jewish dispersion, i.e., to the scattered Jews (diasporav from diaspeivrein, . . .) living outside Palestine. It occurs most frequently in the LXX. In all 12 passages concerned it is a technical term for the ‘dispersion of the Jews among the Gentiles,’ . . . ‘the Jews as thus scattered.’ Jm. 1:1 and 1 Pt. 1:1 are the two other NT passages in which the term occurs, and they are obviously related. If the Epistles are addressed to Jewish Christians, we have the normal usage and the reference is to theThe epistle was probably written at Jerusalem and addressed to the Jews of the East Dispersion; it did not profess to be written by an apostle or to be addressed to Gentile churches and it seemed to contradict the teaching of the great apostle to the Gentiles. When we remember that James is named by Paul in Galatians 2:9 as a pillar of the Jerusalem church who would limit his ministry to the circumcision, we recognize the credibility of Mayor’s observation. A.T. Robertson also supports the Jewish flavor of this epistle: p. 5. The author addresses himself ‘to the twelve tribes which are of the Dispersion’ (James I:I). Clearly, then, he is not writing to Gentiles, unless he includes the spiritual children of Abraham in the term Diaspora as Paul does for believers (Gal. 3:29; Rom. 9:6f.). [Diaspora does not occur in Romans or Galatians.] The word diaspora occurs elsewhere in the NT. only in John 7:35; 1 Pet 1:1. It apparently has the spiritual significance in 1 Pet. 1:1, but in John 7:35 the usual meaning of Jews scattered over the world. The use here of ‘the twelve tribes’ makes the literal sense probable here. Clearly also James knew nothing of any ‘lost’ tribes, for the Jews of the Dispersion were a blend of all the twelve tribes. It is probable also that James is addressing chiefly the Eastern Dispersion in Syria, Mesopotamia, and Babylonia as Peter writes to five provinces in the Western Dispersion in Asia Minor. It is possible that James has in mind Christian and non-Christian Jews, not wholly non-Christian Jews as some hold. He may have in mind merely Christian Jews outside of Palestine, of whom there were already many scattered since the great pentecost [sic]. The use of synagogue as a place of worship (2:2) like church (5:14) argues somewhat for this view. He presents the Mosaic law as still binding (2:9-11; 4:11). As the leading elder of the great church in Jerusalem and as a devout Jew and half-brother of Jesus, the message of James had a special appeal to these widely scattered Jewish Christians. Because of this overwhelming testimony to the Jewishness of this epistle, then, we see that it is also certainly resting on the foundation of the conditional covenant of circumcision.
• Question: Who are the all in Rom 5:12 & 18?
  • Dear Bob,
  • Thank you for your response. I always appreciate your taking the time to answer my questions. Below is a jumble of my thoughts. I hope you can understand what I am getting at and lend some direction. I understand the part about the “true seed” being those who operate by faith and not necessarily being the physical descendants. I read the posts that you and Abbie made. That was a help in understanding the passage in Romans 5.
  • I am still struggling with the “all” and “many”. Welch says on page 123 of Just and The Justifier, “And just as surely as by the disobedience of Adam we were ALL ‘constituted sinners,’ so by the obedience of Christ are we ALL ‘constituted righteous’.” That sounds like UR, but then he goes on to say other things that make it sound more like Annihilation.
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Lisa,
  2. You are doing very well in understanding an excellent, but very difficult book. I have not found a clear statement in his book, but here’s what I believe the text of Rom 5”12 & 18 is saying.
  3. Instead of universal reconciliation for our personal sins, Paul is talking about why there is death. He shows the reason to be Adam’s sin. In verse 12: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—”, the death sentence was made on the human race whose head was Adam. We all died in Adam because of Adam’s sin. When Christ died on the cross, He not only died for every individual in the world, He died for Adam’s sin which caused death to spread into all men. Then, in verse 18, Paul picks up the “just as” statement of verse 12 after that long parenthesis that ends after verse 17 and finished the comparison if/then clause (called protasis/apodosis) and restates it: 18 “Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.” (w’s are omegas in Greek.) The hwsper of v. 12 is restated using 3 words ara oun hws, so then as, which is translated, therefore, as, and is answered by the apodosis, even so. This means we are cleared from Adam’s original sin. All died in Adam for his original sin, but all are justified for Adam’s original sin. The inner portion, 13-17 deals with the individual sins of the many who trust/receive the gift of eternal life. (I’m going to post this paragraph on Abbie’s forum, too.)
  4. On annihilation - Welch believes that Christ’s death dealt with ALL sin and if we are identified with Christ in that death, then we shall partake of the resurrection life; but those who do not become identified with Christ through faith just die and do not experience a resurrection life.
  5. This would mean that the “all” means federally under Adam, and the “many” refers to individuals who associate themselves by their free will with Adam or with Christ.
  6. In Christ,
  7. Bob
• Question: What is the "true seed" in Romans 5?
  • Dear Bob,
  • I need some help. You know I'm new to Dispensation. Maybe I shouldn't be tackling Just and The Justifier right now. In reading Welch's commentary on Romans chapters 1 - 4, I have been following along quite well and actually understanding and even gaining some new insights. BUT today as I got into his commentary on Romans chapter 5, I seem to have started a downward spiral.
  • I am getting confused over Welch's commentary on the "true seed". It seems as if he is saying that not all of Adam's descendants are really Adam's descendants based on the scripture that says not all of Israel's seed are Israel. I don't see the connection, but he seems to be linking that to Christ's death and justification for "all" even though they don't "believe".
  • This doesn't sound right.
  • You told me to be on guard when it comes to the mystery, and I am just getting into Welch's commentary on that, and it is REALLY confusing me. It's interesting timing in that at our home Bible study Monday night when briefly discussing the mystery, I realized that I don't completely understand it. What I understand is that The Body of Christ was a mystery never prophesied (because it wasn't really suppose to happen?), and that it was revealed to Paul for the first time; but also Christ was a mystery in that He was the "secret revealed" at the right time; the ONE who fulfilled all the Messianic prophecies and redeemed mankind. You also warned me that Welch was an Annihilationist. I don't know what that is. Could you please explain? And will you please comment on any of this so that I might make sense of it all.
  • Sincerely,
  • Lisa
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Lisa,
  2. This is a general statement about what an annihilantionist believes. When a person dies, the spirit returns to God, the body is dead and the soul ceases to exist. At the ressurection, God resurrects the body by giving the body spirit. Then it becomes a living soul. In other words, the spirit and the body = a soul.
  3. At the final judgment, the unsaved are cast into the lake of fire and they are consumed. They no longer exist. We spend a whole semester on this subject in our Derby School of Theology here in Colorado. The subject is quite complicated. The true seed is quite different. Anyone who truly believes in Christ is the seed. For instance, just because a person was a child of Abraham doesn't mean anything. He has to be a believer to be the true seed. Of course, Welch spends many pages on it, but that's what it boils down to.
  4. In Christ,
  5. Bob
• Question: Is the Church the Bride of Christ based upon the feminine use of nouns in Eph.5:27?
  • Hello Bob:
  • Pastor Newbold, here, from Raleigh, NC.
  • Bob, how would you deal with someone who would say that Paul presents the Church as the Bride of Christ based upon the feminine use of nouns in Eph.5:27 - ex., [endoxos] in agreement with [ekklesia], [echw], [hagios], and could translate the verse, "... that He might present HER to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that SHE should be holy and without blemish"?
  • Thanks!
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Mark
  2. When someone does not know any Greek himself, he can make those kinds of blunders. For instance, in Eph 5:23, it would be like saying God couldn’t make up His mind. First the body is feminine and then it’s neuter: “Christ is head of the church (ekklaysias, feminine); and He is the Savior of the body (somatos, neuter). It would also be like saying Christ was feminine because He was the rock (petras, feminine). That Rock (hay petra, feminine) was Christ in 1 Co 10:4 “and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”
  3. Even worse, when we read Eph 1:22,23: And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head (kefalayn, feminine) over all things to the church (ekklaysia, feminine), 23 which is His body (soma, neuter), the fullness (playvroma, neuter) of Him who fills all in all, The church would have to be feminine, neuter and neuter. Then, if majority ruled, the body of Christ would be neuter.
  4. However, the Lamb does have a wife. It is revealed in Rev 19:7,8; 21:9-15 “‘Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’ 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.”
  5. Therefore, I think the person who attempts to use the Ephesian passage to show the body (neuter) is the bride (feminine) is wrong (adikia, feminine). Just kidding.
  6. In Christ,
  7. Bob
• Question: Why does the book of Acts say Paul continued to preach the kingdom in Jerusalem?
  • This is questions is in regards to dispensational theology...
  • Why does the end of the book of acts say that Paul continued to preach the kingdom in Jerusalem to those who came to his home to learn from him? If he was called to preach for the dispensation of grace why was he preaching the kingdom? What did luke mean by that statement?
  • thank you for helping "rightly devide"
  • Adam.
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Adam,
  2. The phrase, kingdom of God, is used interchangeably with the kingdom of heaven in Matthew. The kingdom of God can refer to the kingdom promised to David in 2 Sam 7. However, it can also refer to God’s universal kingdom. Since we are interested in the Pauline usage of the phrase, “the kingdom of God,” we must first understand its general usage.
  3. When we realize it is viewed as eternal and temporal, universal and local, a lot of problems are cleared up. Here is some Scripture that will show the phrase is used of God’s eternal kingdom: Ps 10:16; 29:10; 145:13; Jer 10:10; La 5:19. Here is some Scripture that will show the phrase is used of God’s universal kingdom: 1 Ch 29:11,12; Ps 103:19; Dan 4:17,25,32.
  4. In contrast, the temporal kingdom is illustrated by the kingdom under the judges, the kings, and the coming millennium. Christ’s kingdom also has two aspects. It is temporal. Mat 6:10; Ac 1:6; 1 Co 15:24,25. It is eternal. Lk 1:33; 2 Pe 1:11.
  5. The phrase, “the kingdom,” can be vague in its meaning. It can refer to either the millennial or the everlasting kingdom. When John came preaching “the kingdom of God/ heaven is at hand,” the people knew what He was talking about. They needed no definition. They understood that it was the kingdom promised to David in the Old Testament. They were expecting the establishment of this kingdom: Lk 3:15,16: “Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, ‘I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’”
  6. In our search, we must also consider the kingdom of God in contrast to Satan’s kingdom. Co 1:13 (aorist tense); Mat 12:25,26; Lk 11:18. Satan has power. Dan 10:12; Mat 12:24; Lk 4:5-7; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Ac 26:18; 2 Co 4:4; Eph 2:2. From Mat 12:26 and Lk 11:18, we can see that kingdom refers as much to sovereignty as it does geography. From these references, It seems that satan has authority over this world. With this background information, we will examine the places in scripture where Paul uses the word.
  7. Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” This would be God’s over all kingdom. Read the rest of the passages where the phrase is used by Paul. I think it’s easy to evaluate each one when you consider the context. Acts 19:8; Acts 20:25; Acts 28:23,31; Rom 14:17; 1 Co 4:20; 1 Co 6:9,10; 1 Co 15:24,50; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:5; Col 1:13; Col 4:11; 1 Th 2:12; 2 Th 1:5; 2 Ti 4:1; 2 Ti 4:18
  8. In Christ,
  9. Bob
• Question: Was the body of Christ prophesied in Gen 2 according to Eph.5:31,32?
  • Dear brother Bob,
  • A fellow believer insists that these passages teach that church, the body of Christ was prophesied in Gen.2, but it was hidden in Gods word until revealed to Paul.what are your thoughts on this?
  • thankfully redeemed,
  • Kevin
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Kevin,
  2. When we read Eph 5:31,32: “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”, in context, we see this is impossible. In Eph 3:1-11 it says “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ [Literally, untraceable.], 9 and to make all see what is the dispensation of the mystery, which has been hidden from the ages in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The mystery was not traced anywhere before God revealed it to Paul.
  3. In Christ,
  4. Bob
• Question: I'm being rejected for believing in dispensationalism.
  • Hi Bob. My name is Laura.
  • I'm still growing in grace (as we all are) but, knowing the difference between Israel and the Body of Christ has made all the difference in the world. The only sad thing is that it has alienated people whom I thought were friends. When I tried to explain this beautiful truth to my charismatic friend she said "You are going to take Paul's word over Jesus?". At the time I didn't know much and couldn't answer her. Now it is too late. Our friendship is non existent.
  • Peace and grace to you
  • In Christ
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Laura,
  2. It is extremely difficult, at first, when we feel the rejection of brothers and sisters in Christ who can't stand what we see in God's word. I have believed the Acts 9 dispensational position of God's word for about 46 years, now and still feel the hurt when a brother or sister in Christ rejects me because of my view of God's word. But I have seen thousands come to an understanding of God's word that frees them from legalism and fakery, and that is exciting. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better in our forums.
  3. In Christ,
  4. Bob Hill
• Question: How could the church be raptured in Rev 4 and still have 7 trumpets sound in Rev 8-11?
  • Hello Bob. My name is Robert.
  • I would like to start off by thanking you for posting your research material on the web.
  • I was born again in May 1995. In my almost 6 years of being a Chrisian, I have heard conflicting teachings on many subjects - Bible versions, Calvinism vs Arminianism, Dispensationalism vs Covenantal... Not having grown up in the Christian subculture, I found all of this confusing at first. I have been trying to search the scriptures for myself, to test what Bible teachers have to say, to find the truth. I just found your site tonight have thus far found it helpful. While reading some of the articles, I had a couple of questions:
  • Question 1: How could the church be raptured in Rev 4, accompanied by the last trumpet, and still have 7 trumpets sound in Rev chpts 8-11?
  • 1. Paul talks about the rapture in both 1 Cor 15 and 1 Thess 4. In both, the rapture is signified by a trumpet. In 1 Cor 15:52, it is stated to be the 'last trumpet'. I am wondering how the church could be raptured in Rev 4, accompanied by the last trumpet, and still have 7 trumpets sound in Rev chpts 8-11?
  • Question 2: How is the distinction between Israel and the church & the prophesies concerning the Day of the Lord reconciled with the Jew and Gentile becoming one new man, the Church?
  • 2. I don't understand how the distinction made between Israel and the church in regards to going through the tribulation period & the prophesies concerning the Day of the Lord is reconciled with the verses talking about the Jew and Gentile becoming one new man, the Church, in Ephesians?
  • Thank you in advance,
  • Robert
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Robert,
  2. Those are good questions. There is one thing to understand that will answer both of your questions. This one thing is: The nature of the mystery. Let us put it another way. The dispensation of the mystery, as revealed in Ephesians 3, is the most important concept to understand the chronology of the rapture and the tribulation. The mystery was never made known before it was revealed to the Apostle Paul. Ephesians 3:9 shows that explicitly. Paul said he was given a commission “to make all see what is the dispensation of the mystery, which has been hidden from the ages in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.”
  3. What characteristic of the mystery do we see from this? What is the nature of the mystery? More than anything else, it was a secret, hidden in God from ages and generations. It was never written about anywhere in God’s word until it was revealed to the Apostle Paul. In fact it says in Ephesians 3:8,9, that Paul was given the grace that “I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” That means no prophecy made before Paul’s salvation concerns the mystery. In other words, all prophecy made before Paul received the mystery is silent about the people and things of the mystery. That is the nature of the mystery.
  4. We see in Daniel, that end times prophecies concerned Israel, not the church which is the body of Christ. Dan 10:14 “Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” Dan 12:1 “At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there -was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book.’
  5. Israel was also identified as the people of the tribulation by our Lord when Jesus mentioned Daniel’s abomination of desolation (Dan 9:27; 11:31) in the tribulation’s setting in Mat 24:15-21: Therefore when you see the “abomination of desolation,” spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
  6. We see that the tribulation is specifically designated “a time of tribulation for Jacob” in Jer 30:7: “Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.” Therefore, since the tribulation is specifically designated “Israel’s” (lit., “for Jacob”), it has nothing to do with the church which is His body.
  7. The pretribulation coming of Christ is a necessary conclusion of a theology which maintains a strict separation between Israel and the church. Since our Lord identifies the tribulation with Daniel’s 70th week by citing “the abomination of desolation” from Dan 9:27 and 11:31 within the context of the tribulation (Mat 24:15-21), we are forced to conclude that “[Daniel’s] people,” the nation of Israel (Dan 9:24 and 12:1), not the body of Christ, is the exclusive subject of Daniel’s prophecy. As we have shown, the purpose of this period is to purge Israel for her kingdom reign (Dan 9:24; Zec 13:9). We must reiterate. The tribulation is specifically designated “a time of tribulation for Jacob” in Jer 30:7.
  8. Paul wrote the comforting passage, 1 Th 4:13-18, to the body of Christ: “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.” But what about that trumpet. When the last sound of the trumpet is sounding, we will be caught up. We can see from this portion of scripture in 1 Thessalonians that Christ is bringing with Him those who died. He will descend from heaven with a shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God. The dead in Christ will rise first. The rapture is Christ’s coming and our going. We “shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” We’ll all be changed at the last sound of the trumpet. What an event! But although these two passages describe the rapture, they do not give us the time when it will take place.
  9. In considering the time of the rapture in relation to the tribulation, we must remember the concept of the mystery. Since the nature of the mystery shows us that the body of Christ is never referred to in biblical prophecy prior to Paul’s conversion, we can make some conclusions about when it occurs. They are:
  10. 1. Prophecy about the people in the tribulation would not refer to the body of Christ.
  11. 2. Prophecy about the day of the Lord would not apply to the body of Christ.
  12. 3. Prophecy about the people under the wrath of God would not apply to the body of Christ.
  13. 4. The rapture must take place prior to the prophetic program.
  14. As you know, another passage about the rapture occurs in 1 Co 15:51-54: Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. 1 Co 15:52 in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, in the last trump (ejn ajtovmw/, ejn rJiph`/ ojfqalmou`, ejn th`/ ejscavth/ savlpiggi) For a trumpet will sound (salpivsei ga;r). While this trumpet is sounding, actually during the last note (trump), the dead will be raised and we who remain until the coming of the Lord will be changed. Continuing in 52, For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
  15. This whole event is called a mystery, something hid in God, a secret. The secret in 1 Co 15:51,52 is not the concept that some will not see death, for our Lord expresses this idea clearly in John 11:25-26: “He who believes in Me will live even if he dies, but he who lives and believes in Me will never die.” The secret is the event itself. Now, the second coming, including the gathering of the elect, is well prophesied in Mat 24: 29-31: Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
  16. This event was no mystery to Paul. Let us recall here the precise definition of “mystery”. A musthvrion, mystery, is not an ambiguous or mystical revelation but an unrevealed truth. The LXX of Dan 2:19 employs musthvrion to render the Persian (Aramaic) raz, “secret”, in reference to Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. This mystery was revealed to Paul early in his ministry, and Paul discusses the rapture in his earliest epistles, Galatians and Thessalonians. Further, the musthvrion of Ephesians is also discussed in Romans and 1 Corinthians. Since the rapture is a musthvrion, the disclosure of the church’s hope prior to the revelation of the secret church through Paul is also a mystery – not revealed.
  17. The church is an entirely new creation (Eph 2:15). Since the church was formed only after Israel was removed from her position of privilege, the body of Christ cannot be the result of including the Gentile believers in Israel’s blessings. The body of Christ is not an extension of Israel’s privileged status to the Gentiles. Likewise, the ministry of Paul, to whom the truth of the body of Christ was entrusted, was not an extension of the circumcision apostles’ commission. Paul’s gospel of grace and his apostleship to the Gentiles represented a new course of divine action (Gal 1:1, 11-12; 2:7-9). Therefore, a tribulation specifically applied to Israel has nothing to do with the church which is His body.
  18. When the gospel of the kingdom and its companion, the gospel of the circumcision, are again proclaimed during the tribulation, believers will be brought into the old order. It is impossible to harmonize the new creation, the body of Christ, within the old framework of Jewish primacy. Dispensationalists agree that we cannot apply Israel’s law to the church. How then can we adopt her prophecy? The body of Christ was concealed in God until He revealed His secret through the apostle Paul (Eph 3:6). The tribulation saints are clearly the subject of Old Testament prophecy (Dan 7:27). The saints who endure the tribulation and inherit the kingdom cannot be members of the body of Christ, the unprophesied church. Further, we see no conclusive evidence of Old Testament prophecy fulfilled during the dispensation of grace. Our Lord’s prophecy of Jerusalem’s destruction can only pertain to the time of the end, for only then will “all things written be fulfilled” (Lk 21:22).
• Question: Are the Jews in Rom 2:17 Hellenistic Jewish believers or a segment of Jewish unbelievers?
  • Bob,
  • You said that you have been through Romans quite a few times. I am in Romans 2:14. When Paul turns to take on the issue of the self-righteous Jews in 2:17ff, are these Hellenistic Jewish believers that are a part of the Jewish church, or are they a segment of Jewish unbelievers in the Roman assembly, or what? Also, there seems to be a difference in Paul's epistles going from the "to the Jew first, and also the Gentile" letters, and then to no distinction mentioned at all letters - could you please explain this?
  • Thank you, Bob.
  • Mark
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Mark,
  2. Good questions. I believe Paul begins this chapter charging the Jews, those who believed before the body of Christ started, that Peter later addressed in 2 Pe 3:14-16 “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.”
  3. They seemed to have shaped up quite a bit by the time Peter addressed them. Paul really warned them, because their salvation was on the line. The second chapter of Romans presents the way for those circumcision believers to be saved, but it also shows how people around the world could be saved as well.
  4. Rom 2:1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11For there is no partiality with God. 12For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13(for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. 17Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written. 25For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? 28For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
  5. When Paul wrote Rom 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”, he is not saying it is to the Jew first, he was showing that it historically went to the Jew first. When Paul got saved in Acts 9, he was sent to the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. “Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.’” He always had an initial better reception from the Jews because they believed in Yahweh as Paul did. But right from the start, Paul was preaching the gospel of grace, and they were being saved into the body of Christ. His first epistle, Galatians 3:27,28, shows that. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
  6. In Christ,
  7. Bob
• Question: Could you please explain the "Jerusalem which is above" in Gal.4:26?
  • Bob,
  • Could you please explain the "Jerusalem which is above" in Gal.4:26 and how this passage applies to the Body of Christ? Is it saying that we have some part in this "Jerusalem?"
  • Thank you,
  • Mark
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. First, we should look at the context. When we read the whole section, we see that Paul is comparing, allegorically, the two covenants God made with Abram/Abraham. One was an unconditional covenant. The second was the conditional covenant that always has some kind of faith-work required. I think we can start with Gal 4:21. Gal 4:21-5:4 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic (allegory, a*llhgorouvmena). For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren, you who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband.” 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free. 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
  2. The key phrase is found in verse 24: “For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar.” In contrast to the Jerusalem that now is, allegorically, Paul identifies Sarah, the free woman, with the Jerusalem above. Remember, this is metaphorical. It’s the bond woman versus the free woman. She is the mother of us all in the sense that we are free just as her offspring was free. We are “children of promise.” Based on this allegory, Paul admonishes the Galatians, who were believing the wrong gospel, to “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” That’s the thrust of the passage. A wrong gospel, the gospel of the circumcision, was being preached in Galatia, and Paul was vehement in his warnings. Some were apparently being converted from pagan religions to a legalistic Messianic Judaism with law keeping and circumcision. Paul sharply rebuked this. They who were converting had fallen from grace, the message of grace, and they could not be saved if they did that.
  3. I do not believe the Jerusalem mentioned has anything to do with us. It’s just an allegory Paul used to emphasize the bondage of the majority of Israel at that time. Let me know if this doesn’t answer your question.
  4. In Christ,
  5. Bob Hill
• Question: Does a more intense prayer life make a difference? Is there a place for fasting today?
  • Hi Bob,
  • Could you attempt an answer to the following, from a dispensational perspective?
  • Does a more intense prayer life make a difference?
  • Is there a place for fasting today?
  • Thanks,
  • Fred Newell
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Hi Fred,
  2. I find virtually no evidence for fasting today. The only places that seem to support it in any way are: 1 Co 7:5,6 "Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment." and Acts 14:21-23 "And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed."
  3. But neither one of these passages instruct us to do it. However, God does want us to pray intensely, although He doesn't use that word. 1 Th 5:16 "Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Eph 6:16-20 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints- 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
  4. I would advise you when you pray, fellowship with the Lord. If you are willing tell Him you want Him to control your life and produce Christ in you so He can live His life in you. Then, remember, the greatest promise, I think, for this dispensation is Phi 4:6,7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." You can't beat that.
  5. Let me know what you think,
  6. Bob
• Question: Does God exhibit a controlling influence on the events of my life?
  • Hi Bob,
  • Could you attempt an answer to the following, from a dispensational perspective?
  • Does God exhibit a controlling influence on the events of my life?
  • Does God bless me more if I behave or believe in a certain way?
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Hi A,
  2. God doesn't attempt to control us. He does try to lead us. If He did control us, this world wouldn't be in such a mess. In Psa 32:8-11, God told David, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. 9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you. 10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. 11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" God pleads with David not to be like the mule. If God controlled us, He sure would not be pleading with David.
  3. We even find God, so to speak, at His wits end in Isaiah 5 because He didn't control Israel. He tried everything else but controlling them. Read it: 1 Now let me sing to my Well-beloved; A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard; On a very fruitful hill. 2 He dug it up and cleared out its stones, and planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, and also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes. 3 [God speaks.] "And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard. 4 What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes?"
  4. If you believe or behave the way He wants you to, His promises are that you will be blessed abundantly: 2 Ti 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness."
  5. He also promises that you will suffer. 2 Ti 3:10-17 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra-what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
  6. 1 Ti 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
  7. In Christ,
  8. Bob
• Question: Is it folly to set goals?
  • Hi Bob,
  • Could you attempt an answer to the following, from a dispensational perspective?
  • Is it folly to set goals?
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Hi A,
  2. It isn't folly to set goals, especially when we set the right ones. Paul told us in Phi 3:7-17 to set goals. But, the spiritual goals are the ones that we have promises from God that He will bless them. "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the out-resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as would be mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern."
  3. Paul was talking about the perfect Christian life in this passage. That's what the out-resurrection is. We should live around our peers as one who have been resurrected from the dead, because we have been, in Jesus Christ.
  4. In Christ,
  5. Bob
• Question: Does Proverbs 3:5 apply to me as a Christian?
  • Hi Bob,
  • Could you attempt an answer to the following, from a dispensational perspective?
  • Proverbs 3:5 says, "Confide in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own intelligence; in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make plain thy paths. (Darby's New Translation)
  • 1) Does this verse apply to me as a Christian? If so, then how - in practical terms?
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Hi A,
  2. I believe this verse is trans-dispensational. Proverbs 3:5,6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
  3. We know that the Holy Spirit is always leading believers according to Rom 8:14, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." If we want to love God and meditate on His word, seeking His guidance in an attitude of prayer, and then looking for that guidance, I believe He will be able to lead and bless us in what we do if we're doing it for Him.
  4. We do have His word to direct us in many things. If we are not trying to follow what He has written, we will also not sense His leading. Many times, I have tried to do things in my own strength. At those times, I don't even seem to want Him to lead me. My desire is to follow Him. That means yielding to Him in my attitudes and actions.
  5. In Christ,
  6. Bob
• Question: What is the dispensaion of law? What is the jewish dispensation?
  • Bob
  • What is the dispensaion of law?
  • What is the jewish dispensation?
  • thank you
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. The law was given through Moses in the book of Exodus. When the law was given, it codified how the Israelites were to live. This was the beginning of the dispensation that was finally changed when John the Baptist came on the scene. Lk 16:16 "The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it."
  2. There is nothing called the Jewish dispensation, but there is a dispensation that began with Abram when his name was changed to Abraham and he received the covenant of circumcision from the Lord. The circumcision gospel of faith plus works continued through the ministry of John the Baptist's, Christ's and the Apostle's ministries. After Israel was set aside in Acts 7 when Stephen saw Christ standing in judgment on the nation of Israel. The new dispensation started with the conversion of Paul in Acts 9. That's our dispensation which the Bible calls the dispensation of grace, the dispensation of the mystery and the dispensation of the fullness of times.
  3. In Christ,
  4. Bob
• Question: Is applying the Sabbath commandment to the Lord’s day, one day in seven, hypocritical?
  • The ‘Christian Sabbath’ view holds that the purpose for the institution of the Sabbath commandment was to establish a generic work week of six days and rest one day yet every resource I’ve read and studied seems to confirm that the Commandment’s emphasis was ‘the seventh day’ or our Saturday-hence the term Sabbath-rest-Creation cycle. I wanted to know if you agree that applying the Sabbath commandment to the Lord’s day [one day in seven] is hypocritical since it was written for the literlal ‘the seventh day’-Saturday.
  • [Note-I am not a Sabbatarian]
  • Thank You.
  • GWG
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Jason,
  2. When we look at the biblical material in our dispensation - I believe our dispensation is called the dispensation of grace, the dispensation of the mystery and the dispensation of the fullness of the seasons - we can see that God de-emphasizes the Sabbath/seventh day.
  3. In Col 2:13-17, we find that no one should judge us members of the body of Christ in these legalistic ways: “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ.”
  4. Further, in 1 Co 16:1,2 there is an implication that they had set the first day of the week apart to meet on: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
  5. Finally, in Rom 14:5-8, we find that God inspired Paul to write about the issue of observing a day in this way: “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”
  6. I don’t think people who observe the Sabbath/Saturday are hypocritical, but I do believe most of them have put themselves into a legalism that has been taken out of the way and nailed to His cross.
  7. In Christ Who blotted out the handwriting of requirements that was against me and nailed it to His cross,
  8. Bob Hill
• Question: How could Paul say that relatives and the churches of Judea were “ in Christ “ before Paul?
  • Please answer for me the only remaining question I have ,before accepting the idea that the Body of Christ did not begin before the Apostle Paul. If being a member of the Body of Christ is the same as being “in Christ”, then how could Paul say that relatives and the churches of Judea were “ in Christ “ before Paul was???? Gal.1:22, Rom.16:7
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. The Greek font is GraecaII of Logos Library System. I am using the Majority Text. I use the NKJV as the English basis of all my translations. I modify it as needed.
  2. Gal 1:22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.
  3. Rom.16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
  4. To begin, Dale, I need to start with the Scripture that shows the basis of redemption in every dispensation. To do this, I must retranslate Gal 2:15,16,21: “We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified out of the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ (eja;n mh; dia; pivstew" jIhsou` Cristou`), even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified out of the faithfulness of Christ and not out of the works of the law; for out of the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
  5. From this, I believe we can see that everyone who is justified in every dispensation is justified by the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our faith is what God requires to appropriate this justification. Christ is the one who died to provide the righteousness that is imputed by God when anyone expressed his faith in God in the manner He required in that dispensation. In our dispensation of grace the requirement is faith alone. In the circumcision dispensations the faith has to be displayed in some kind of faith-work. That’s why Paul could write in Gal 2:15,16 including Peter and other circumcision believers and body believers together.
  6. In every dispensation, whether they know it or not, salvation depends on one thing, the faithfulness of Christ in dying for our sins. There is a great difference in being in Christ dispensationally and being in Him redemptively. We need to consider many verses. In addition to yours, Rom 16:7, Gal 1:22, we should consider 1 Th 1:14 and 1 Pe 5:14. I believe these verses refer to Jewish believers being in Christ redemptively.
  7. God developed the mystery concepts of the body of Christ in Eph 2:14-16; 3:1-7 and Col 3:9-11.
  8. Eph 2:14-16 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
  9. This truth was a mystery, never revealed before Paul was saved. Notice, especially, the bold print in the following passages, Col 1:18-26 and Eph 3:1-7:
  10. Col 1:18-26: And He is the head of the body, the church, (This is the body church. It is not the kingdom church which Christ started in Acts 2:38 in fulfillment of the prophecies of Joel and Mat 16:18,19: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”) who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, (According to Eph 1:11,23, that’s us, the body of Christ. We are the fullness, the body.) 20 and by Him to reconcile (This all things is the body of Christ. It has a definite article in the Greek. A similar account using the both instead of the all, is found in Eph 2:11-28 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you 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 you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God) all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. 24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the dispensation of God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 (This is what that dispensation is.) the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. (by the Apostle Paul) 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ among you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
  11. Eph 3:1-7 “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets (God revealed it to Paul, and he revealed it to the apostles. the Holy Spirit revealed to them that what Paul said was true.): 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs (inheriting together with, a co-inheritor), of the same body, and (joint) partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.”
  12. Col 3:9-11 “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man (the body of Adam) with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man (the body of Christ) who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” When Paul is addressing the ones he has been ministering to, he is addressing body of Christ believers.
  13. When John was addressing believers, what does this mean in 1 Jo 4:15.16? “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” Is this a person who has a relationship with God, or is he in something called the body of God?
  14. Context determines translation and understanding of the text. If God had not inspired Paul to write about the body of Christ as the mystery, then there might be something to the idea that all believers are one in a relationship with Christ. But that is not the truth Paul is presenting by inspiration.
  15. Therefore, I believe the following passages are not pointing to the body of Christ. They are pointing to a relationship with Christ:
  16. Rom 16:7 “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” They believed in Messiah before Paul got saved.
  17. Gal 1:22 “And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.” The word for church is the same as congregation in Acts 7:38: “This is he who was in the congregation (th`/ ejkklhsiva/) in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us.” The believers of the circumcision who were saved before Paul were in a relationship with their Messiah/Christ.
  18. 1 Pe 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
  19. The earliest book of the New Testament, Galatians, was given to Paul after he had received the mystery that the body of Christ would be a new thing never revealed before. Galatians 3 mentions this body of Christ church and tells us how we get into it. It is by Spirit baptism. When considering Gal 3:28, one of the most important things we must always remember is context. Context trumps almost everything else. Gal 3:2,6-8,11-14,21-22,24,26-28 “This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 6 just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’ 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’ 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but ‘the man who does them shall live by them.’ 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise out of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified out of faith. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This is not a matter of reading our theology into the verses. When the phrase “into Christ” comes in vs. 27,28, it is the Body of Christ because we see how it is further developed in the rest of Paul’s epistles.
  20. The immediate context of Gal 3:28 is Gal 3:26-29 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed (because he is the father of all who believe, whether it’s circumcision believers or uncircumcision believers), and heirs according to promise.”
  21. Gal 3:26-29 is a body of Christ context. The new believer, whether Jew or Gentile, loses his identity and becomes one new man in Christ Jesus. This is the body of Christ. It’s similar in 2 Co 5:16,17 “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” We don’t call Christians who were Jews or Gentiles by their nationality, Jews or Gentiles. They are Christians.
  22. Let me know what you think, Dale.
  23. In His body, safe and secure,
  24. Bob Hill
• Question: Will we become more like Israelites when we become saved?
  • Bob
  • Is there any place in Pauls Epistles where he indicates that we become more like Israelites when we become saved? What brought this up is I was having a discussion with some one who was trying to say that we was included in the new covenant. I stated that the new covenant was for Israel and them alone because we are a part of the body of Christ not part of Israel. I can not find any indication of that kind of statement in Paul's writings.
  • Thank you,
  • Marvin
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Marvin,
  2. That is an excellent question. First let me give the places in Paul’s epistles where the new covenant is mentioned. 2 Co 3:4-6 says: “And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” just because covenant is anarthrous [no article] here, a new covenant, that doesn’t solve the problem presented by it being mentioned by Paul. We must realize that Paul is a minister of the new covenant since there’s only one new covenant in the Bible.We take part in this new covenant in one way.
  3. The second passage where the new covenant is mentioned is 1 Co 11:23-27: “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” Here, we see that the body and blood of the new covenant is the body and blood of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
  4. Christ died only once. He died for all. 2 Co 5:14-19 “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
  5. Since Christ is only sacrifice for sins according to Heb 10:12-14, we must become ministers of the gospel based on that aspect of the new covenant even though we have no part in the other covenant promises. “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
  6. We do not have the complete knowledge so we know everything as they did who were under the new covenant. In 1 John 2:20&27 it says: “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”
  7. I believe we are ministers of the new covenant death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is only one death of Christ which will take away sins in every dispensation. We are not ministers of the covenant God made in Jer 31:31-34 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
  8. We are members of the mystery program that was hidden from the ages in God. Eph 3:1-9 “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you heard the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 that by revelation He made known to me the mystery, as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may be able to understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and a joint body, and partakers together of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gracious gift of God given to me by the effective working of His power. 8 To me, who am less than the least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable wealth of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the dispensation of the mystery, which has been hidden from the ages in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.” Without the blood of the new covenant, there would not be any remission of our sins.
  9. Some people say that Eph 2:11-13 shows what the person was trying to say, but we should be able to see that we are brought near to God by the blood of Christ: “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you 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 you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
  10. What really is happening in Eph 2, is the enmity between Jew and Gentile is done away in the body of Christ: Eph 2:14-18 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”
  11. In Christ,
  12. Bob
• Question: Could you direct me to anything you have written on the subject of John 6:37-45?
  • Could you direct me to anything you have written on your website on the subject of John 6:37-45? I've never seen a consistent non-Reformed exegesis of the passage, and I'm still looking. :-)
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. To begin our examination of John 6:37-45, I want to ask this: Whom did the Father give to Christ? Christ said in John 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. Further, He said in John 10:26, “But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep.” Is this saying others couldn’t believe because they were not of the elect? Many believe there are two groups of people, the elect and those not elected, according to these and other statements.
  2. In addition to this question, many think the other sheep of John 10:16 are the Gentiles. This statement would then refer to the church, the body of Chris