Foundational Scripture Ephesians 2
I often wonder what it is exactly that causes men to hold fast to their own understanding of scriptures or to the customs and traditions which the Word of Truth clearly tell us to leave behind.
Our Lord tells us:
(Luk 5:39) No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Now I understand about our human desires and even more so how difficult it is to repent about our old nature. But if we have truly received Jesus as our Lord, if we are really being transformed into His image and likeness, if we have the mind of Christ, how then do we ignore or rationalize away the word of truth which He has spoken? How do we continue to ignore the prophets of God who have given us the word of truth?
(1Co 12:12) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
(1Co 12:13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
(1Co 12:14) For the body is not one member, but many.
The Spiritual Body of Christ, on Earth, exists to serve and glorify the Father in the absence of the person of Our Lord Jesus here on earth in the flesh. Just as the Old Testament served as a foreshadowing of that which was to come the New Testament serves the same purpose.
(Rom 8:29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
(Col 1:17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
(Col 1:18) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
The life of Christ Jesus, the image of the invisible God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob made manifest in the flesh, served as the foreshadowing of establishment of His body here on Earth while He prepares a place for us, His bride, within His kingdom where we will abide with Him for ever more.
(Joh 14:2) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
The new body of Christ on Earth, after our Lord acceded to the right hand of the Father, became manifest with the arrival of the Holy Spirit at the first Christian Pentecost as recorded in Acts chapters 1&2 which marks Our Lord’s installation as the High Priest over all creation and His being seated again at the right hand of the Father forever and ever. Amen!
(Act 1:13) And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
(Act 1:14) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
(Act 2:1) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
(Act 2:2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
(Act 2:3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
(Act 2:4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
This brothers and sisters was the official beginning of the ministry of the “indwelling” Holy Spirit on Earth. It was the birth of the new creation of the new fruit on the new vine of Jesus the Christ. It was the establishment of the body of Christ on Earth of which the apostles are the cornerstone on which it was built and of which Jesus is the headstone.
(Joh 15:5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
(Mat 21:42) Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
We are a new creation the like of which have never before been seen. We are no longer Jews or Gentiles, man or women, bond or free, circumcised or uncircumcised.
(1Co 12:12) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
(1Co 12:13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
(1Co 12:14) For the body is not one member, but many.
(Gal 3:26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
(Gal 3:27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
(Gal 3:28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
All people of all nations, cultures, races and religions become one in the body of Christ when they reject who they were (the old man) and accept who they are as the true sons and daughters of God by putting on Christ.
(Rom 13:14) But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
-
Judeo-Christianity
There is much debate about where and when the idea of Judeo-Christianity began to become a popular religious doctrine. Some believe that it was a term used to identify Jewish converts to the Christian faith and others that it was used to define a moral value system and others still who believe that the term is used to illustrate the commonality between the two religions. And all of these theories, to some lesser degree, have some truth within them. The problem is that either a thing is the truth or it is not. There is no such thing as a partial truth or a half truth. Wither a thing is the truth or it is a lie.
Now I know that this is not going to "church good", as a close Christian brother would say, but I am not writing these things to please man rather to please my Father by revealing His truth.
Yes the Jews were and are God's chosen people, yes their customs and traditions had a place in history and serve a purpose in the life of Christian believers today. Yes it is true that Jesus, in the flesh, was born of the line of David and yes He lived under the old dispensation, the old ministration, of the law. And lastly yes there is a connection between the old testament and the new testament, the old covenant and the new covenant.
This does not mean however that Jews are supposed to continue to live under the old dispensation nor does it mean that Gentiles are to become Jews after they receive The Christ as their Savior and their Lord!
You see brothers and sisters where the similarity ends is that there is no connection between the old creation and the new creation, the old man and the new man, the old nature and the new nature.
The simple truth is that the gentiles were at enmity with God because they worshiped their own gods but the Jews were guilty of the same thing because they knew not their God. That is to say that because they "knew about" God and they believed they "knew" Him, but in reality, in the light of the word of truth, they did not truly know Him at all. If they did they would not have been at enmity with Him nor would Christ need come unto them.
(Isa 29:10) For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
(Isa 29:11) And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
(Isa 29:12) And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
(Isa 29:13) Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
(Isa 29:14) Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Now if both the Gentiles and the Jews were operating outside of the will of God then why would one believe that once we are saved, regenerated and begun our transformation into the image of Christ, we are expected to, much less commanded to, become that which has been done away with?
Not only is idea not in accordance with scripture it even defies the logic of the carnal mind.
-
Paul's Commentary
(Eph 2:1) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
(Eph 2:2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
(Eph 2:3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Now it is important to note here that although Paul is not addressing Jews he makes note of his conversion, (as well as the conversion of the apostles who were also Jews) that they repented from fulfilling the desires of the flesh, of the mind, of their own understanding and of their old natures.
The apostle Paul wrote:
(Php 3:2) Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision (katatomē - (to cut) a cutting down (off), that is, mutilation).
(Php 3:3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
(Php 3:4) Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
(Php 3:5) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
(Php 3:6) Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
(Php 3:7) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
(Php 3:8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
In verse 2 we see Paul use the word "beware" three times:
Strong's number G991
blepō - behold, beware
Thayer Definition:
1) to see, discern, of the bodily eye
1a) with the bodily eye: to be possessed of sight, have the power of seeing
The first thing that Paul does here is to warn the congregation to "beware" , to discern with the eye, those who are of the flesh (this is a reference to the Jews or those of the circumcision who worship God in the flesh).
(Luk 11:34) The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
(Luk 11:35) Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
(Luk 11:36) If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
The next thing Paul does is to establish his credentials as a Jew. That He was of "the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews and a Pharisee (separatist, that is, exclusively religious) concerning the law and righteous and blameless in his understanding of the law".
Got the picture so far?
The next thing Paul does is to repent of all those things!
The only thing that Paul considered to be of any value was the "excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus", his Lord, and that all of the rest he considered all of those things to be "but dung" that he might win Christ.
(Eph 2:8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(Eph 2:9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(Eph 2:10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
(Eph 2:11) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
(Eph 2:12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
(Eph 2:13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
We see her that Paul was telling the congregation that they (ye) were far off from God but made nigh (close) by the blood of Christ.
The question here is; were the Jews, in reality, any closer to God than the Gentiles?
Read the book of Malachi for the answer to that question!
Also consider these words from our Lord:
(Mat 15:3) But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
(Mat 15:4) For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
(Mat 15:5) But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
(Mat 15:6) And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
(Mat 15:7) Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
(Mat 15:8) This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
(Mat 15:9) But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Now here is where so many believers go wrong!
(Eph 2:14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
(Eph 2:15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
(Eph 2:16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
(Eph 2:17) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Paul is not speaking of a wall being between Jews and Gentiles being broken down he is speaking about the wall between God and all men, for all men had fallen short of the glory of God because of the law, which man would not or could not keep nor do.
(Rom 3:21) But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
(Rom 3:22) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
(Rom 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(Rom 3:24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Paul was illustrating the fact that no man, nether Jew nor Gentile was made righteous under the law. Even more so he was warning the Ephesian church not to be trapped into the doctrines of men who were teaching otherwise.
We see this very thing happening within the church today, as it was in the beginning, that men would place us under the exact same bondage of which our Lord Jesus came to set us free from. Even more so that men would accept the doctrines of men, rather than the word of truth, because they choose to satisfy the appetite of their flesh. That is to say to serve that which falls into line with their own understanding and carnal desires.
(Pro 23:1) When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
(Pro 23:2) And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
(Pro 23:3) Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
(Pro 23:4) Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
(Pro 23:5) Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
(Pro 23:6) Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
(Pro 23:7) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
-
The True House of Israel
(Luk 1:13) But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
(Luk 1:14) And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
(Luk 1:15) For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
(Luk 1:16) And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
(Luk 1:17) And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
The Hebrew word yiśrâ'êl (Israel) literally means he will rule as God; (Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity: - Israel). It is a compound word from the words; śârâh ( to prevail: - have power - as a prince) and the word 'êl (strength; as adjective mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity): - God (god), goodly, great, idol, might (-y one), power, strong).
Notice what Jesus said here:
(Mar 10:42) But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
(Mar 10:43) But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister (diakonos - an attendant):
(Mar 10:44) And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
(Mar 10:45) For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many
The new and true house of Israel are not Jews anymore than the new Jerusalem, the new kingdom of Christ was made with hands! They are both Jew and Gentile alike who repent of their old nature and turn to the Lord their God in truth. They are those who have been made ready, a people prepared for the Lord. They are those who subjugate themselves to the lordship of The Son of Man and enter into His kingdom as the children of light, the sons of God. They are those who serve the people at the pleasure (will) of the Lord our God!
(Joh 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(Joh 14:7) If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
(Gal 3:22) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
(Gal 3:23) But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
(Gal 3:24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
(Gal 3:25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
(Gal 3:26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
(Gal 3:27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
(Gal 3:28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
(Col 3:9) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
(Col 3:10) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
(Col 3:11) Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
(Col 3:12) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
(Col 3:13) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
(Col 3:14) And above all these things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness.
(Col 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
(Col 3:16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
The true House of Israel are those who are the spiritually born again ministers of the NEW covenant, the NEW creations of the NEW dispensation of grace and the ministers of NEW covenant of righteousness in Christ Jesus!
=
The True Body of Christ
(Eph 2:18) For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
(Eph 2:19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
(Eph 2:20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
(Eph 2:21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
(Eph 2:22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
The true household of God are those who's have built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets of which both the Jews and Gentiles have rejected. They are one body of which Jesus Christ is the cornerstone. They are a building fitly framed together (not separated by denominationalism) unto "a" (not many) holy temple "builded together" for a habitation of God through His Holy Spirit. They are the temple of the Lord!
The human body is an organic organism with many parts and many functions. The body of Christ is a spiritual organism which also has many members (parts) and many offices (functions). No part is of greater or lesser importance to the function of the whole body and all equal in the site of God who is not a respecter of persons.
It is also true that the human body is governed by certain laws or rules which causes it to function properly. That is to say that it is self sufficient insomuch as it functions on it's own in accordance to the rules of biology, chemistry and divine design. All we really have to do is feed it the correct foods in the proper amounts for it to function properly.
The same can be said about the body of Christ. When the body is fed properly if functions properly. Conversely when the body is starved or fed with "dainty meats" it becomes diseased and begins to break down. This is exactly what we are seeing within the body of Christ today!
Do you want to know why the body of Christ is so diseased today?
(Joh 6:30) They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
(Joh 6:31) Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
(Joh 6:32) Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
(Joh 6:33) For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
(Joh 6:34) Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
(Joh 6:35) And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
(Joh 6:36) But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
(Joh 6:37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
(Joh 6:38) For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
(Joh 6:39) And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
(Joh 6:40) And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Therefore the true body of Christ are those who "believeth" on Him partake of Him as the bread of life.
Now those who believeth on Him are heirs to the promise of Abraham.
The question here is; what is this promise which we are to become heirs?
- Is it a promise of land?
- Is it a promise of wealth?
- Is it a promise of power (rule)?
No! It is none of these things. The promise is a promise of imputed righteousness that we would be seen righteous in the site of God, as was Abraham, through the promise of faith because we believe in Christ as our Savior and Lord!
(Rom 4:12) And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
(Rom 4:13) For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
(Rom 4:14) For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
(Rom 4:15) Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
(Rom 4:16) Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
(Rom 4:17) (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
You see brothers and sisters many are preaching and teaching that which they do not understand. That is to say that they receive that which is to their appetite. They desire and eat dainty meats. A carnal man seeks carnal things and therefore only sees carnal things, hears carnal things and understands only carnal thing.
(Rom 8:4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(Rom 8:5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
(Rom 8:6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
(Rom 8:7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(Rom 8:8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(Rom 8:9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Subsequently we hear them preach and teach about the covenant promises of Abraham which are carnal but we never hear about the only promise of any real value, that being the spiritual promise of righteousness by faith through grace.
Consider this, if you will:
Many people are awaiting the kingdom of heaven yet Jesus said the kingdom had arrived two thousand years ago. Many people are awaiting the antichrist yet the spirit of antichrist has been on the earth for thousands of years. And many people are awaiting the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, but the construction of that temple, the body of Christ, had begun two thousand years ago.
Isn't it interesting that within the new Jerusalem there will be no temple?
(Rev 21:22) And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Why is there no temple in the new Jerusalem?
Because we are the temple!
(1Co 6:19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
(1Co 6:20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
(2Co 6:14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
(2Co 6:15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
(2Co 6:16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
(2Co 6:17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
(2Co 6:18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
God the Father is the temple. Jesus the Son is the temple. Jesus is in the Father, the Father is in the Son and both are within us in the person of the Holy Spirit. We are the temple. The true body of Christ is the temple!
-
The Unity of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit of God is the mortar which binds the body of Christ together. He is the most important person of the body of Christ both individually and collectively.
Individually the Holy Spirit teaches us all things, guides us unto all truth, bears witness with out spirit, speaks not of Himself but what He hears from Christ (who is the W0rd of God and only speaks what the Father speaks), brings to mind all that Christ has said and shows us things to come (to name a few things He does for us).
Now the collective body only functions properly when each individual part or member functions or walks in the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who makes us of one mind, one accord and subsequently one body. We can have fellowship with each other in spirit through the Spirit. That is to say that we can know each other on a personal level, spiritually speaking, through the commonality of the Godhead within us.
Further more we are all empowered through the Holy Spirit by the giving of Spiritual gifts which He gives to every man as He wills according to the office we have been appointed to by God.
(1Co 12:4) Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
(1Co 12:5) And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
(1Co 12:6) And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
Now the words diversities, differences and diversities are all the same Greek word (diairesis) which means a distinction or (concretely) variety: - difference, and is from the word diaireō (to separate, that is, distribute) which is a compound of the words dia ( though) and aihreomai (to take for oneself, that is, to prefer).
Therefore:
- The gifts come through the Holy Spirit
- The administrations (diakonia - attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate): - (ad-) minister (-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service (-ing) come from Jesus.
- The operations (energēma - an effect) which work all in all, come from God.
The assignment of our appointed office or that which God wills for our lives (His will) or the effect thereof comes from the Father. The will of the Father distributed to us or made known to us by the Son and the power to accomplish His will comes through the Holy Spirit!
Therefore:
(1Co 12:28) And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
(1Co 12:29) Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
(1Co 12:30) Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
(1Co 12:31) But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
(1Co 12:7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
(1Co 12:8) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
(1Co 12:9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
(1Co 12:10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
(1Co 12:11) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
God the Father sets the office based on His will and the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit provides us with the means, the power, the ability to do the will of the Father!
The question here is, where is Jesus in all of this?
I'm glad you asked! 
-
(Joh 10:9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Finding Pasture
The word pasture is translated from the Greek word nomē which means the act of feeding.
Nomēa comes from the primary word νέμω nemō (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), generally (regulation), specifically (of Moses [including the volume]; also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle): - law.
Now God has established certain laws within all of the realms. In the physical realm God's hand can be seen within all of nature in it's operation. Man calls these operations "natural laws". God also gave the moral and ceremonial laws to govern man. And there also laws which govern the spiritual realm such as the law of love or sewing and reaping, for example.
The term prescriptive usage, in context, makes reference to the idea of conformance to the word and will of God. It means that when we say or do anything it must be in accordance with God's word and His will.
For example:
(Act 19:11) And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
(Act 19:12) So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
(Act 19:13) Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
(Act 19:14) And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
(Act 19:15) And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
(Act 19:16) And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Why were these men overcome and forced to flee out of the house naked and wounded?
The law of prescriptive usage!
- First of all they were not saved.
- Secondly they invoked the name of Jesus "whom Paul preacheth".
The apostles on the other hand were saved and disciples of our Lord. When they did any work they invoked the name of Jesus as prescribed by Him:
(Joh 14:12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
(Joh 14:13) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
(Joh 14:14) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Another example of prescriptive usage can be seen:
(Mat 7:21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
(Mat 7:22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(Mat 7:23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The common threads which run through these two examples are iniquity and unfamiliarity. The demon stated that it knew Jesus and knew Paul but did not know the exorcists. Jesus said to the people who said to Him "Lord, Lord" and worked "many" wonderful works "in thy name","depart from me I never knew you".
It is very important to understand here that being empowered by the Holy Spirit, that is to say using the power of the Holy Spirit, does not mean that we are operating within the law of prescriptive usage. The rebuke of the church at Corinth by the apostle Paul, regarding the way they were using the gift of tongues, serves as an example of this truth.
It is also evident that if one does not have a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus the workings of spiritual gifts is of no effect. That is to say that it does not honor God.
We must enter in through the Door which is Jesus to be fed the will of the Father.
This speaks of a personal relationship!
These people obviously knew Jesus (they called Him Lord, Lord and invoked His name) but were not Jesus sheep because He did not know them.
(Joh 10:14) I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
(Joh 10:1) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
(Joh 10:2) But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
(Joh 10:3) To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
(Joh 10:4) And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
(Joh 10:5) And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Do you remember that the Holy Spirit gives us the power and God makes His will known through the Son?
Watch This!
The Gate and the Door
The tabernacle is a type and shadow of the kingdom of God. We enter into the Courtyard by first passing through the gate and then we enter into the Holy Place and then into the Holy of Holies (the presence of God).
The Holy Place is the first room within the tented area. Within that room there is the Table of Shewbread, The Menorah and the Golden Alter of Incense. This room is representative of Jesus. The Shewbread is the bread of life, the Menorah is the Holy Spirit and the alter of incense represents Jesus intersession for us. In biblical terms this room is the door which leads to the Father God.
The word "door" is the Greek word thura (a portal or an entrance) and the word "gate" is the word pulē (a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively). So we see that the gate and the door are not the same thing. The door is a portal from which one passes from one place to another and the gate is the opening or closure which permits or prohibits one from entering into the doorway or portal.
Now:
(Joh 10:2) But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
(Joh 10:3) To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
The Greek word translated into the English word "porter" is the word thurōros which means (a watcher); a gate warden: - that kept the door. The Porter is the gate warden who keeps (guards) the door. The porter is the Holy Spirit!
This means that just as the Son is the only way to the Father the Holy Spirit is the only way to Christ. Halleluiah Glory To God!
It is the Holy Spirit who opens the gate. It is He who teaches us all things. It is He who guides us onto all truth, bears whiteness that we are the children of God and testifies of Christ Jesus.
Therefore. it stands to reason and scriptural authority, that if we are to enter into the door by passing through the gate we must also know the gatekeeper. That is to say that we need to have a relationship with Him so that we can enter into a relationship with Jesus so that we can have a relationship with the Father!
-
Conclusion
The body of Christ is all about relationships!
(1Th 1:2) We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
(1Th 1:3) Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
(1Th 1:4) Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
(1Th 1:5) For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
The gospel came onto the church at Thessaloniki in the power of the Holy Spirit through the faith, hope and love in Jesus Christ in the sight of the Father. This church was highly thought of and praised by Paul because the the fruits of the Spirit (faith, love and patience) were made manifest in them.
The problem with the church today brothers and sisters is this:
The Letters to The Seven Churches
Jesus addresses His letters to the angels (pastors) of these churches and represents Himself differently to each according to their need:
- (Rev 2:1) Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
- (Rev 2:8) And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
- (Rev 2:12) And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
- (Rev 2:18) And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
- (Rev 3:1) And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
- (Rev 3:7) And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
- (Rev 3:14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
After revealing Himself to them He proclaims; "I know thy works" and proceeds to expound on those works.
In the interest of time we will not delve deeply into these churches nor Jesus commentary about them. I would however like to bring out a few points which are relevant to this writing.
First of all, as previously mentioned, Jesus knows the works of these pastors because it was He, in accordance with the will of the Father, who appointed them to their positions.
Jesus said to the pastor at Ephesus:
(Rev 2:2) I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
(Rev 2:3) And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
(Rev 2:4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
(Rev 2:5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
(Rev 2:6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
(Rev 2:7) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
What Jesus had somewhat against them is that they had "left their first love". That they needed to repent and do the "first works" or He would come and remove the candlestick out of his place.
Now let's see if you have been paying attention!
Question: In what way did the pastor of this church fall short? That is to ask; in what way did he cease from doing the first works and what were these works?
Do you remember Paul's letter to Thessaloniki?
(1Th 1:3) Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
What is missing in Ephesus?
We see in both Ephesus and Thessaloniki, listed in order; work, labor and patience. What is missing in Ephesus is faith, love and hope. The fruits of the Spirit!
You see although they had one thing going for them was that they hated the Doctrines of the Nicolaitans, which Jesus also hated, but they had begun to focus more on the works than the reason for doing them to begin with.
(1Co 13:1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
(1Co 13:2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
The primary tenet of the law or Prescriptive Usage is that ALL THINGS must be done in love, faith and hope!
Brothers and sisters if we go to church services twice a week and attend bible studies 3 times a week and feed the poor, clothe the naked, visit those imprisoned or any work for that matter and we do so without the agape love of God in our hearts we are doing them in iniquity against and against the law of prescriptive usage.
(1Co 13:3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
(1Co 13:4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
(1Co 13:5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
(1Co 13:6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
(1Co 13:7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
This is why Jesus said to to those who stood before Him to depart from Him because they were working iniquity (lawlessness) and that He never knew them.
You see the works will be made manifest for the glorify our Father God but we, in our inner beings, are just as the Pharisees and Jesus said that our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees.
(Mat 5:20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(Mat 23:23) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
(Mat 23:24) Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
(Mat 23:25) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
(Mat 23:26) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
(Mat 23:27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
(Mat 23:28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
(1Co 13:8) Charity (love) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
(1Co 13:9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
(1Co 13:10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
(1Co 13:11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
(1Co 13:12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
(1Co 13:13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).
Remember brothers and sisters it is one thing to be saved through Christ and another thing entirely to enter into a personal relationship with Him. One makes you safe from the wrath of God which is to come and gives you the power to become the sons and daughters of God. The other makes you the sons and daughters of our Father in heaven!
May our Father God bless you with faith, hope and love and keep you from all doctrines that might remove you from these, our first loves, so that we might become one with each other, the body of Christ tightly knitted together, as the Father and the Son are one .
In Mighty name of Jesus. Amen!
