The Gospel Of Christ, The Gospel Of The Kingdom, & The Gospel of God

[Jope]

Once again, our God, the Lord Jesus is a man sitting on the throne of the Father. When his body was in the tomb the Spirit was not in it. Neither was the sould of Jesus. His soul was in Paradise at the center of the earth during the 3 days. It was the Spirit that raised the body of Jesus from the dead by his presence in it.

Now most people will not believe what I am getting ready to tell you now. Nevertheless, God says it and I believe it. Here it is:

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. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

The Spirit of holiness is the Holy Spirit.

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.

The logical way to understand this is that many brethen exists but our Lord Jesus is the firstborn among them.

The Holy Spirit indwells the body giving it life.

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

His soul was not made alive by the Spirit but his body was, and it was glorified by the Spirit..

I could go on but this should be enough to have anyone understand that the resurrection concerning the humanity of Jesus Christ was a birth. Why? If for no other reason than God says it is more than once. I do not know why even the most fundamental of fundamenatalists will not accept this truth. In all my years of listening to preachers I have never heard it preached.

If you are born again it is because the Holy Spirit is present in your body along with your soul. That puts you in the image of God, a trinity,

Jesus was already resurrected and ascended to the Father when the day of Pentecost happened. He also already had the Holy Ghost (John 20:21-22; etc.).
Jesus (in an individual sense) didn't receive the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, the Church, His body, did, however.
Acts 2:33 states that when the Church received the Holy Ghost, Jesus did. This shows that Peter believed the Church to be Jesus' body, his flesh and bones (to borrow Pauline verbiage in Ephesians 5:28-32).

 

[JD731]

Jesus was already resurrected and ascended to the Father when the day of Pentecost happened. He also already had the Holy Ghost (John 20:21-22; etc.).
Jesus (in an individual sense) didn't receive the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, the Church, His body, did, however.
Acts 2:33 states that when the Church received the Holy Ghost, Jesus did. This shows that Peter believed the Church to be Jesus' body, his flesh and bones (to borrow Pauline verbiage in Ephesians 5:28-32).

I think you have missed my point though I tried to be clear. I would never suggest that Jesus was not raised rom the dead by the Spirit until Pentecost, nor would I ever teach that the church of Jesus Christ was not his body. I am sorry that I was unclear and that I confused you on that issue. I will try to be more clear in the future.

 

[percho]

Once again, our God, the Lord Jesus is a man sitting on the throne of the Father. When his body was in the tomb the Spirit was not in it. Neither was the sould of Jesus. His soul was in Paradise at the center of the earth during the 3 days. It was the Spirit that raised the body of Jesus from the dead by his presence in it.

Now most people will not believe what I am getting ready to tell you now. Nevertheless, God says it and I believe it. Here it is:

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. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

The Spirit of holiness is the Holy Spirit.

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.

The logical way to understand this is that many brethen exists but our Lord Jesus is the firstborn among them.

The Holy Spirit indwells the body giving it life.

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

His soul was not made alive by the Spirit but his body was, and it was glorified by the Spirit..

I could go on but this should be enough to have anyone understand that the resurrection concerning the humanity of Jesus Christ was a birth. Why? If for no other reason than God says it is more than once. I do not know why even the most fundamental of fundamenatalists will not accept this truth. In all my years of listening to preachers I have never heard it preached.

If you are born again it is because the Holy Spirit is present in your body along with your soul. That puts you in the image of God, a trinity,

Thoughts?

and having cried with a loud voice, Jesus said, 'Father, to Thy hands I commit my spirit;' and these things having said, he breathed forth the spirit. Luke 23:46 YLT

 

[Jope]

"This clearly proves that Paul, in preaching the gospel of Christ crucified and risen from the dead, was proclaiming to his people the hope of Israel, being the fulfilment of God’s promise made to their fathers – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

"This corresponds with the testimony of Peter, who wrote to converted Jews of the dispersion and spoke of the prophets of Israel, ‘unto whom it was revealed that, not unto themselves but unto us, they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you’ (1 Pet. 1:10-12).

"Paul’s testimony before Agrippa further proves that the gospel-salvation which he preached, was and had been the hope of every true Israelite – ‘all our twelve tribes.’ I.e. the true hope of Israel was not, and is not, an earthly kingdom which some future generation of Jews are to inherit.

...rrriiigghhhttt... and you really think Matthew 25:31-46 describes a heavenly situation?

Mt 24 NIV
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

I have emboldened text that is particularly impossible for an allegorical interpretation. When he comes in His glory (v. 31), meaning to this Earth, since it was on Earth that He said this. In the following text, He also says "come", thus referring to the same loci. The text "‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world", is particularly incongruent, since Adam was given a very tangible kingdom in a tangible world (eating, seeing and touching the fruit). The text is even more in opposition that states rewards for things done on this earth: tangible things done.

Even John Calvin believed in a progression or distinction of gospels.

"Thus, too, Christ began his preaching, 'The kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel' (Mrk 1:10). First, he declares that the treasures of the divine mercy were opened in him; next, he enjoins repentance; and, lastly, he encourages confidence in the promises of God. Accordingly, when intending to give a brief summary of the whole Gospel, he said that he behaved “to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations” (Luk 24:26, Luk 24:46). In like manner, after his resurrection the Apostles preached, “Him has God exalted with his right hand, to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Act 5:31). Repentance is preached in the name of Christ, when men learn, through the doctrines of the Gospel, that all their thoughts, affections, and pursuits, are corrupt and vicious; and that, therefore, if they would enter the kingdom of God they must be born again. Forgiveness of sins is preached when men are taught that Christ 'is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption' (1Co 1:30), that on his account they are freely deemed righteous and innocent in the sight of God. Though both graces are obtained by faith (as has been shown elsewhere), yet as the goodness of God, by which sins are forgiven, is the proper object of faith, it was proper carefully to distinguish it from repentance."
- John Calvin, Institutes, Bk 3, Ch 3, Part B, s. 19

Even John Calvin believed the repentance enjoined to the first gospel of the kingdom (Mrk 1:10), was distinct in faith from the doctrines of grace through the cross.

"The paradox that Paul should be persecuted of the Jews for proclaiming to them the very hope of the promise that God made to their fathers, demonstrates what Paul wrote to the Romans, namely that ‘Israel has not obtained what he sought for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest were blinded’ (Rom 11:7).

Your text leaves out the other chapters of Romans, particularly 9 and 10. In those chapters (and in the rest of chapter 11), Israel is seen as distinct.

Romans 9 NIV
1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised![a] Amen.

In verse 3 to the beginning of 4, Paul describes what he means by the term "Israel." Those of his own race (Paul is a Jew). In the remainder of the text, he goes on to highlight the still remaining significance of the Jews.
What special effect does Paul achieve in writing about the above things I have emboldened, if these were merely worthless reneged Jewish covenantal promises, whose importance was reduced to spiritualized figures of speech? Paul is quite the dishonest salesman, if your ideas of the Jews are correct!

"For the true hope and expectation of all Israel – ‘our twelve tribes’ – lay in the resurrection, where the promise of the sure mercies of David was to be fulfilled (Acts 13:34).

"It matters not that some were ‘blinded’ to it, and were looking for a kingdom of earthly grandeur, suited to their carnal ideas; for the truth of their own Scriptures was that the kingdom of God, which had been promised by their prophets, was an eternal kingdom to be realized in the resurrection of the dead, and to be entered only by those who are born again of the Word and Spirit of God.

Actually, here is a great quote from a Covenant Theologian, James Orr:

"In announcing the approaching advent of 'the kingdom of heaven,' Jesus had in view the very kingdom which the prophets had foretold."
- James Orr, in James Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible, Scribner's Sons, 1901, Vol ii, p. 849, "Kingdom of God"

 

[Jope]

"It matters not that some were ‘blinded’ to it, and were looking for a kingdom of earthly grandeur, suited to their carnal ideas; for the truth of their own Scriptures was that the kingdom of God, which had been promised by their prophets, was an eternal kingdom to be realized in the resurrection of the dead, and to be entered only by those who are born again of the Word and Spirit of God.

"The Lord Jesus Himself had given the same teaching concerning the Kingdom of Heaven (or Kingdom of God – He uses the two expressions interchangeably).

"Thus He taught His disciples, saying, ‘Verily I say unto you, except that you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven’ (Mat 18:3); and He goes on to show that to enter into that kingdom is to ‘enter into life’ (vv. 8-11).

"And this he followed up by declaring how hard it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom (Mat 19:16-26), calling it in one verse (verse 23) ‘the kingdom of heaven,” and in the next, ‘the kingdom of God.’

That is a perfect distinction. The difficulty with which the rich enter into the kingdom of God, versus the ease of the Church gospel, of the death burial and resurrection of Christ (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:3-4), termed "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). Saints are allowed to be rich in the Church (1 Tim. 6:17-19).

1 Tim 6 NIV
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Paul allows Christians to be wealthy, but Jesus in His ministry, did not (Mt. 19:16ff; etc.). Something I wanted to point out is that Paul associates wealth with something good: life (1 Tim 6:19). Wealth is an example that reflects eternal life (1 Tim 6:19). Isn't it also peculiar that the first commandment (1Tim 6:17) given to the wealthy is not to share it, but to trust in a Deity whose description Paul's addition of not being insignificant: an adjective of that deity that expresses its goodwill for our enjoyment of everything.

Did you ever notice, that the rich young ruler was never told anything about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, when he asked Jesus, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"?

Mt 19 NIV
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Not a word about the gospel of the grace of God (1 Cor 15:3-4; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 20:24).

 

[Darrell C]

I am going to just comment on a couple things we disagree on and show you my thinking on them. It does not mean I am right about them.

Nicely put!

I would consider Ge 3:15 a prophecy rather than a promise since God is addressing the Serpent and explaining a future eventuality to him.

All Prophecy is essentially tied to the Promises of God in some fashion or other, even those concerning judgment against the enemies of God. That is the overarching theme of Scripture: Salvation, and Who salvation is through.

I think you are dead on here. They know about the seed of the woman and all women of Israel desired to have children that they might birth him. The one who had the similitude of the seed, Sarah, was barren and it took a miracle from God to produce him, adding to our understanding that whatever will be has already been and there is nothing new under the sun. (the Preacher

I'm short on time, so I will have to rush this. Abraham believed he would receive a son, that is the reason for his justification (which was temporal).

Ro 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

This mystery is the fact that God is going to include gentiles in the church of Jesus Christ,

Gentile Inclusion was no Mystery in the Old Testament. The promises of God precede divisions of men (i.e., tower of Babel, Hebrew-Gentile).

The disciples did not, when the revelation of the Mystery of Christ was given them on the Day of Pentecost, preach the mystery of Gentile Inclusion.

I'd also add that given the fact God promised both before and after Israel was created that He would save all families/nations of the Earth, it is best to understand Paul's teaching in Ephesians to have as its subject the matter of eternal indwelling of the believer by God.

If you note the Scripture above, we can't mistake that what is revealed was kept secret since the world began. It would not be a mystery (previously unrevealed truth), or hidden wisdom, if in fact God had revealed it to Israel (before or after their were "Jews").

Okay, that's all the time I have for today, have a blessed day!

 

[Jope]

JD731 Said:

You could be right, Jope but my thinking is that the mystery is the bride of Christ being formed with both Jews and gentiles in the same body as equally the sons of God during this age. There was a church, beginning with the first believer in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ,on Pentecost but gentiles were not added for ten more years and after the Jews rejected the gospel as a people. This was the reason for calling Paul and sending him to the gentiles. It was not mentioned as a mystery until then.

Consider this parable of Jesus during his last week of ministry on this earth before his crucifixion on Fiday. He is in his office here as Prophet.

Matt 22:1And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

The marriage is not a mystery.

Read the book of Acts here;
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

Read the history of the Roman Empire here;

7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

The temple in Jerusalem is the place of the throne of King Jesus. This is not only actual but symbolic. The kingdom message is off the table while the following things are taking place. There will not be a kingdom until there is a marriage because the marraige is the inaugaration of the kingdom.

9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

No one goes into the kingdom if they are not saved in it's beginning.

13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

That is my take on it and my logic and reason, given what we are told and how history has unfolded for the last two thousand years and where we are now with all the players.

The marriage guests you are looking at in Matthew 22 is not describing the bride.

John 3 NIV
28 You yourselves can testify that I [John the Baptist] said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.

It is describing the guests. Their consideration ranges from those who were bidden (Mt. 22:3, ie., the Jews, of whom John the Baptist is one), to those who were not initially bidden (vv. 8-9), to those in the highway (outside of Jerusalem), who are good or bad (vv. 9-10). Finally, their specific significance is that they are chosen, even though many are called (v. 14).

Revelation 19:6-9 and 21:2, 9-10; Zephaniah 1:7-18 goes into greater detail as to who these guests are, and where to identify them in eschatology. Zephaniah mentions both Jew and Gentile coming under this judgment, and this judgment is what both Revelation 19 and Zephaniah 1 describe as a feast: Revelation adding that it is a marriage feast, involving a bride.

My belief is that the marriage of the Lamb and of God to Israel/Jerusalem is a lengthy time, and complex subject, ranging from the Church in heaven with her bride, Christ (Rev. 19:6-10), to Jerusalem's marriage with Jehovah (Isa. 45:17; 54:4-8; Hosea 2:19-20; Jer 31:3; Ezek. 16), which eventually allows for no distinction between Jew and Gentile in the New Heaven and Earth (Rev. 21:2, 9-10, 24).

Justin Martyr and Irenaeus both used Jacob's two marriages to typify the Church and Israel's dual marriage to God.

The marriage in Ephesians 5:28-32 is speaking of Christ, the Lamb, and the Church.

 

[Darrell C]

His soul was not made alive by the Spirit but his body was, and it was glorified by the Spirit..

I could go on but this should be enough to have anyone understand that the resurrection concerning the humanity of Jesus Christ was a birth. Why? If for no other reason than God says it is more than once. I do not know why even the most fundamental of fundamenatalists will not accept this truth. In all my years of listening to preachers I have never heard it preached.

It could be due to what you are saying, or, perhaps, how you are saying it.

Just as a suggestion, consider that when God made Adam, He gave him a body, and He gave him spirit, and Adam became a living soul.

Rather than, he received a soul. So the statement ...

His soul was not made alive by the Spirit but his body was, and it was glorified by the Spirit.

... is saying "... His Person was not made alive by the Spirit, but His body was, And it was glorified by the Spirit."

The issue for me would be, Jesus, despite the Incarnation, is God, and God is One. Remember that Christ said, "I have power to lay down my life, I also have power to take it back up."

With regard to His glorification being a birth, the issue most are going to have with that is the implication that Christ needed to be born again, and it confuses the New Birth with glorification. Regeneration is accomplished by the (for lack of a better word) infusion of the life of God in the believer, and Christ is the One that accomplishes that. He is, after all—The Baptizer. Remember John saying, "... He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire (the baptism with the Holy Ghost signifying eternal life, with fire signifying eternal separation/judgment).

What I would suggest to you is that Christ was not in need of being born again. Secondly, when believers are born again, they are not glorified, and they do not, as Christ did, rise from the dead. That is why Christ is "the Firstborn from the dead." Not because His resurrection was a birth.

If you are born again it is because the Holy Spirit is present in your body along with your soul. That puts you in the image of God, a trinity,

I agree with this for the most part, and I hope you don't think I'm being nitpicky, I am just sharing my own understanding with the hope it might help you give consideration to issues you may or may not have considered before.

What I agree with is that, if you are born again, it is because the Holy Spirit is present in you. Again, I am a dichotomist, and view the "soul" as the person. Adam was given a body and a spirit, and became a soul, a person. If you look at the term in Genesis in the Hebrew, you will find other souls there—the animals, for example. A soul is a creature that has the breath of life:


Tools

Gen 1:20

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath H5315 life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.


Tools

Gen 1:21

And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.


The "living creatures" (this is the term the Hebrew creates) created by God here are created the same way Adam is, and all of them became "living creatures." And to be clear, I am not precluding the distinction that is made between man and all other living creatures.

The New Birth takes place in a man or woman that has a spirit, and a body. God takes up residence in that person in eternal union, something that did not take place in the Old Testament (this began at Pentecost, when the Comforter was sent).

However, if we read John 14:15-23, we see that it is God taking up residence in us. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That is because God is One.

When Christ arose from the grave in glorified form, this is not a birth, it is a resurrection unto glorification. That is why you have never heard it preached as a birth. The only birth associated with Jesus Christ, Who is God manifest in the flesh for the specific purpose of making Atonement for the sins of man, is His natural birth through Mary.

 

[Darrell C]

Once again, our God, the Lord Jesus is a man sitting on the throne of the Father.

Jesus did not sit on the throne of the Father prior to the Incarnation, and I would ask for the Scripture stating He is sitting on the Throne of the Father now.

Jesus Christ, the man, did not exist prior to the Incarnation. The Eternal Son of God did, but the body Christ rose in has a beginning in time. Those who embrace "Christophanies" forget that the coming of the Messiah was prophecy. Prophecy foretells what has not happened yet (when we are speaking of foretellings; it is true prophecy has a general meaning of speaking forth the Word of God, as well).

 

[Darrell C]

which eventually allows for no distinction between Jew and Gentile in the New Heaven and Earth

That distinction has been present since the beginning of the Church at Pentecost:

Romans 1
King James Version

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Galatians 3:27-29
King James Version

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

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.

29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.


Ephesians 2:15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

 

[JD731]

JD731 Said:


The marriage guests you are looking at in Matthew 22 is not describing the bride.

John 3 NIV
28 You yourselves can testify that I [John the Baptist] said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.

It is describing the guests. Their consideration ranges from those who were bidden (Mt. 22:3, ie., the Jews, of whom John the Baptist is one), to those who were not initially bidden (vv. 8-9), to those in the highway (outside of Jerusalem), who are good or bad (vv. 9-10). Finally, their specific significance is that they are chosen, even though many are called (v. 14).

Revelation 19:6-9 and 21:2, 9-10; Zephaniah 1:7-18 goes into greater detail as to who these guests are, and where to identify them in eschatology. Zephaniah mentions both Jew and Gentile coming under this judgment, and this judgment is what both Revelation 19 and Zephaniah 1 describe as a feast: Revelation adding that it is a marriage feast, involving a bride.

My belief is that the marriage of the Lamb and of God to Israel/Jerusalem is a lengthy time, and complex subject, ranging from the Church in heaven with her bride, Christ (Rev. 19:6-10), to Jerusalem's marriage with Jehovah (Isa. 45:17; 54:4-8; Hosea 2:19-20; Jer 31:3; Ezek. 16), which eventually allows for no distinction between Jew and Gentile in the New Heaven and Earth (Rev. 21:2, 9-10, 24).

Justin Martyr and Irenaeus both used Jacob's two marriages to typify the Church and Israel's dual marriage to God.

The marriage in Ephesians 5:28-32 is speaking of Christ, the Lamb, and the Church.

JD731 Said:


The marriage guests you are looking at in Matthew 22 is not describing the bride.

John 3 NIV
28 You yourselves can testify that I [John the Baptist] said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.

It is describing the guests. Their consideration ranges from those who were bidden (Mt. 22:3, ie., the Jews, of whom John the Baptist is one), to those who were not initially bidden (vv. 8-9), to those in the highway (outside of Jerusalem), who are good or bad (vv. 9-10). Finally, their specific significance is that they are chosen, even though many are called (v. 14).

Revelation 19:6-9 and 21:2, 9-10; Zephaniah 1:7-18 goes into greater detail as to who these guests are, and where to identify them in eschatology. Zephaniah mentions both Jew and Gentile coming under this judgment, and this judgment is what both Revelation 19 and Zephaniah 1 describe as a feast: Revelation adding that it is a marriage feast, involving a bride.

My belief is that the marriage of the Lamb and of God to Israel/Jerusalem is a lengthy time, and complex subject, ranging from the Church in heaven with her bride, Christ (Rev. 19:6-10), to Jerusalem's marriage with Jehovah (Isa. 45:17; 54:4-8; Hosea 2:19-20; Jer 31:3; Ezek. 16), which eventually allows for no distinction between Jew and Gentile in the New Heaven and Earth (Rev. 21:2, 9-10, 24).

Justin Martyr and Irenaeus both used Jacob's two marriages to typify the Church and Israel's dual marriage to God.

The marriage in Ephesians 5:28-32 is speaking of Christ, the Lamb, and the Church.

Thank you for your viewpoint, Jope. That was a very broad description of the bride of Christ and differs from mine. The one thing that is very sure is that it, the bride of Christ, was somehow connected to the kingdom of heaven gospel that Jesus began to preach after he was introduced to Israel by John the Baptist, the last OT prophet to Israel, if we can believe the parables that Jesus Christ gave during the last week of that ministry and shortly before.

Just for information that I have found helpful and which is indirectly connected to the subject. The 4 gospel accounts contain 89 chapters total and 29 of those chapters deal with the last week of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. This is almost exactly 1/3 of them. His three offices when he comes have been typified in the OT scriptures and history of Israel and in his earthly ministry he is fulfilling the office as perfect prophet. When he left to go to heaven it was to appear in the presence of the Father as the perfect Priest making intercession for Israel first and sinners next. When he returns he will come as perfect King. A prophet speaks to the people for God. A priest speaks to God on behalf of the people and a king rules over the people of God and for him. Jesus Christ is perfect in all three of these offices when he prosecutes them in time.

But, the King has a bride, who is taken out of his side while he is in a deep sleep, who afterward becomes his wife, and God the Father has ordained it to be so. She is a virgin bride 2 Cor 11:1-3. All things that are said about her are new. This cannot be said about Israel or Judah, the two representative wives of Jacob. They were whores and God the Father, having been married to them with a covenant and an oath divorced them for their infidelity and cast them out of his presence and considered them dead. He will receive them again after he has purged them and cleansed them and they have repented and came back to him willingly. You may read about this in Hosea and Isaiah and the other prophets and the Psalms all having relevant information about it. The union of God the Father and Israel has given us his only begotten Son. See Re 12.

There is much to this that cannot be taught man to man without the presence of the Spirit. The subject is too great. It takes a man 70 years of walking with God and diligent study to know the truth of these things. That is what God has given to us and sound doctrine cannot be achieved in a short time. It must be taught by God through his words. Meanwhile we learn, here a little and there a little until the picture begins to form.

The mystery of this age is that God the Father is forming a bride for his son, from his body, on the model of Adam, his first son, and Eve his wife, and will present her to him when she is complete and they will be married together in his presence. After that, God the Father will begin the process of restoring his wife Israel to himself. Then he will send his son and his wife to rule over his whole creation with his very authority, the very thing that Adam was charged to do. This is called "the restitution of all things" and the regeneration.

The prophetic parables of Jesus during the last week of his time on earth are very important to see these things.

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

 

[Darrell C]

Acts 2:33 states that when the Church received the Holy Ghost, Jesus did.

Acts 2
King James Version

27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.


Just as a suggestion for consideration, the promise received was not the Eternal Son of God, Who is One with the Father and Spirit, "receiving the Holy Ghost," but being delivered from Hades.

 

[Darrell C]

He also already had the Holy Ghost (John 20:21-22; etc.).

One problem with interpreting John 20:21-22 as Christ bestowing the Spirit to the disciples here would be, the disples had not yet received the Promise of the Father (Ezekiel 36:24-27):

Acts 1:4-5
King James Version

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.


What would take place for the disciples at Pentecost would be receiving the promise of the Father, they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost. While I understand why our charismatic/pentecostal brethren view the baptism with the Holy Ghost as a subsequent event/blessing, I have to take into consideration that Christ made it clear that the disciples could not receive the Spirit unless He departed:


John 16:7
King James Version

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.


If Christ bestows the Spirit in John 20:21-22, then we have a clear contradiction of His teaching, which is an impossibility. Therefore, we have to understand His breathing on them in another way. I think it is easy enough to understand that, at this time, this command is a directive. And this is no different than the directive of John 15, "Abide in Me." In John 15, the disciples are are not yet in Christ. That isn't open to debate, it is just the truth taught us by Christ's Own teaching. While they are in the "vine," that is, covenant relationship with God through the Covenant of Law, they were not yet in the True VIne, covenant relationship with God through the New Covenant. And we do not see "abiding" in the disciples, as prophecy foretell, they all abandoned Him:


John 16 KJV

28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.


Did they believe He was the Messiah? Yes. But they were not yet believing on Christ as the risen Lord at this point.

 

[Darrell C]

It was no mystery that God was going to save gentiles through Israel and there were many OT prophecies that said so. Paul, the apostle to the gentiles quoted some verses to that effect when he wrote Romans under the theme of the "gospel of God."

Ro 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people (Israel).
11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people (Israel).
12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

The only problem I would have with the above statement is this: God did not save the Gentiles through Israel; He saved them through Christ. If you simply mean this in the sense that Christ came out of Israel, okay, but the statement should have the proper phrasing.

More importantly, though, I see a generalizing of the teachings concerning the Mystery of the Gospel of Christ with one passage leaving out what the others teach.

The "gospel of God" has to be viewed in its context. In Christ's teachings, we are still in a context of the Age of Law, when the Mystery of the Gospel of Christ" is not yet revealed.

In Paul's teaching, "the Gospel of God" is synonymous with the Gospel of Christ. The audience has to be distinguished, and what is revealed to them.

25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

This mystery is the fact that God is going to include gentiles in the church of Jesus Christ, forming his bride,

It was no mystery that God was going to save gentiles through Israel and there were many OT prophecies that said so. Paul, the apostle to the gentiles quoted some verses to that effect when he wrote Romans under the theme of the "gospel of God."

Ro 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people (Israel).
11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people (Israel).
12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

The only problem I would have with the above statement is this: God did not save the Gentiles through Israel; He saved them through Christ. If you simply mean this in the sense that Christ came out of Israel, okay, but the statement should have the proper phrasing.

More importantly, though, I see a generalizing of the teachings concerning the Mystery of the Gospel of Christ with one passage leaving out what the others teach.

The "gospel of God" has to be viewed in its context. In Christ's teachings, we are still in a context of the Age of Law, when the Mystery of the Gospel of Christ" is not yet revealed.

In Paul's teaching, "the Gospel of God" is synonymous with the Gospel of Christ. The audience has to be distinguished, and what is revealed to them.

25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

This mystery is the fact that God is going to include gentiles in the church of Jesus Christ, forming his bride,

Look at it again: the mystery was kept secret from everyone since the world began. It is not Jew/Gentile specific, it is speaking of all mankind.

It is now made known to all nations. Israel is not excluded from that.

And again, Gentile Inclusion was not a mystery, many OT prophecies and promises detail all families of the Earth. The only text specific to Gentile Inclusion is found in Ephesians 3:


Ephesians 3
King James Version

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:



Consider reading this as a parenthetical statement. A few reasons why Paul's mention of Gentile inclusion is not to be understood as the Mystery he refers to:

1. As mentioned, Gentile INclusion had been mentioned notably in Old Testament Prophecy, thus it could not be the Mystery that was not made known.

2. It is the making known of the Mystery that is in view, that is the point he is trying to bring into focus.

3. Consider the disspensation, the administration given to Paul: who was that too? It was to the Gentiles. It is that dispensation that is referred to in v.6. So we have to tie these two statements together, and understand the parenthetical nature of his teaching concerning the Mystery of Christ.


These statements are broken up by the parenthetical:

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.


Note vv.6-7 flow together. That does not make the Mystery to be Gentile Inclusion. The Mystery is referred to parenthetically ...


3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;


In other words, "Understand that I have knowledge of the Mystery because God revealed it to me. In other Ages (and I wrote in Colossians 1:25-27 and Romans 16:25-27) the Mystery was not revealed—to anyone. But now, God is revealing the Mystery to His holy apostles (those sent to preach the Gospel) and prophets (those empowered to speak the Gospel, though not necessarily sent (meaning local preachers)) by the Spirit sent down from Heaven (as Peter speak of in 1 Peter 1:10-12).

That it was not revealed to the Gentiles isn't seen there. It is inferred by the reader that does not understand the parenthetical nature of Paul's speech.


6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.


"I was made a minister, by God, to the Gentiles that they might partake of this Promise."

Note a distinction between the dispensation of Paul and the specific ministry to the Gentiles.



8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Again, his ministry to the Gentiles, not the Mystery, is specific to the Gentiles.


9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:


"And not just to Gentiles!"

And again, the focus is on the Mystery, not the revelation of the Mystery to Gentiles, and that—this Mystery has been hid in God from the beginning of the world. That is all inclusive of all men, not just Gentiles, even as it is in other texts dealing with the Mystery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

[JD731]

Jesus did not sit on the throne of the Father prior to the Incarnation, and I would ask for the Scripture stating He is sitting on the Throne of the Father now.

Jesus Christ, the man, did not exist prior to the Incarnation. The Eternal Son of God did, but the body Christ rose in has a beginning in time. Those who embrace "Christophanies" forget that the coming of the Messiah was prophecy. Prophecy foretells what has not happened yet (when we are speaking of foretellings; it is true prophecy has a general meaning of speaking forth the Word of God, as well).

JD731 said:
Once again, our God, the Lord Jesus is a man sitting on the throne of the Father.

Restating it, our God, the Lord Jesus is (not was) a man sitting on the throne of the Father.
________________________________________________________________________

Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

1. Psalm 110:1
   The LORD (Jehovah) said unto my Lord (Adonai), Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
   
   
2. Matthew 22:44
   The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
   
   
3. Mark 12:36
   For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
   
   
4. Luke 20:43
   Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
   
   
5. Hebrews 1:13
   But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

 

[Darrell C]

There are no mysteries in the NT until after Paul the apostle received his commission except the 12 mysteries of the kingdom of heaven spoken by Jesus during the end of his earthly ministry.

A "mystery" is something that wasn't revealed "in times past" but is now (in the New Testament) teachings being revealed.

It is good to know that Romans was written in 58 AD and Ephesians in 60 AD. The church had it's beginning with the Jews on Pentecost with the preaching of Peter and the baptism in water and the receiving of the Holy Ghost was a picture of this new beginning, Israel in Christ - the baptism in water, and Christ in Israel, receiving the Holy Ghost. That is a picture of salvation. The reverse was true when gentiles began to be saved. It was Christ in them by faith and no picture was present at that time regarding baptism.

One of the primary truths about Eternal Redemption is that there is neither Jew nor Gentile. The "new man," the "twain become one" makes nationality, in an eternal, redemptive perspective—irrelevant. Christ had "other sheep" during His ministry, but all will part of the One Fold.

It is only a temporal context that deals with the issue of Israel's nationality (i.e., Romans 11).

Gentiles began being saved early on. Not only are we given the account of Cornelius (Acts 10), but we see this problem ...

Acts 6
King James Version

6 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

This mystery is the fact that God is going to include gentiles in the church of Jesus Christ, forming his bride,

Concerning the marriage as a picture of Christ, we can see the concept used here:


Ephesians 5:28-32
King James Version

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.


He is saying "... there is neither Jew nor Greek."

Gentile Inclusion can be viewed as a mystery, because no man understood that God was going to baptize men into Himself in an eternal union through His indwelling. But, Gentile Inclusion is not the Mystery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

[Darrell C]

JD731 said:
Once again, our God, the Lord Jesus is a man sitting on the throne of the Father.

Restating it, our God, the Lord Jesus is (not was) a man sitting on the throne of the Father.
________________________________________________________________________

Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

1. Psalm 110:1
   The LORD (Jehovah) said unto my Lord (Adonai), Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
   
   
2. Matthew 22:44
   The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
   
   
3. Mark 12:36
   For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
   
   
4. Luke 20:43
   Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
   
   
5. Hebrews 1:13
   But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

I see the Son sitting at the right hand of the Throne.


Here ...

Revelation 21:3-6
King James Version

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.


Here, I see the Son sitting on the Throne, but I also see this is in New Jerusalem. I view God's interaction with man in physical and temporal texts/contexts to be the Eternal Son of God (i.e., in the Garden, on the plains of Mamre, the Incarnation, etc.). New Jerusalem is within the physical/temporal sphere, in my view. It is the "bridge," so to speak, between Heaven (God's realm) and Earth, much like I view the Garden to be. A place where, as the passage teaches, God dwells with man.

I don't know if you, or others have been having any trouble with quoting, but I keep getting an "Oops, something went wrong!" while trying to post responses.

Okay, much to do, so I hope these few posts can at least give you a few things to consider. Only trying to present a few things from my perspective, and hope they are received with the brotherly love they are given in.

Have a blessed day, JD, and to all!

 

[JD731]

JD731 said:
Once again, our God, the Lord Jesus is a man sitting on the throne of the Father.

Restating it, our God, the Lord Jesus is (not was) a man sitting on the throne of the Father.
________________________________________________________________________

Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

1. Psalm 110:1
   The LORD (Jehovah) said unto my Lord (Adonai), Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
   
   
2. Matthew 22:44
   The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
   
   
3. Mark 12:36
   For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
   
   
4. Luke 20:43
   Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
   
   
5. Hebrews 1:13
   But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

I look at these passage as proving from the standpoint of logic and reason that Jesus, when he ascended to heaven, sat down on the throne of God at his right hand and we know from Acts 2 how long he will sit there. [34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool].

Lu 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

Re 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Re 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Re 19:4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.



The scriptures say that the earth is God's footstool;

Mt 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.


It is the location of the throne of David, in the city of Jerusalem, on which Jesus Christ will sit when he arises from the Father's thone to return in victory to the earth.



Jehovah speaks in Psalm 89.

Ps 89:3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, (See 2 Kings 7 for the historical giving of this covenant).
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

18 For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

25 I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.

26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.

29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.

34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
37 It (his throne) shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

This is the kingdom of heaven that Jesus began preaching is at hand to his own generation when he revealed himself to Israel, but they rejected him. This did not negate the kingdom but it did postpone it and Psa 89 addresses that eventuality as well.

More on this later.

 

[JD731]

The only problem I would have with the above statement is this: God did not save the Gentiles through Israel; He saved them through Christ. If you simply mean this in the sense that Christ came out of Israel, okay, but the statement should have the proper phrasing.

Darrell C, I just want to say thank you for speaking on the subject and understanding that often times we seem to disagree when we do not actually disagree but say things a different way. On the other hand we see some things from a different perspective. Like above. I actually mean that I think salvation comes through the Jews. First, Jesus Christ was a Jew of the tribe of Judah. It is said of him in John one he came unto his own, meaning Judah. and all the preachers in the first 7 years after he rose from the dead were of Israel and preaching to them only. Secondly, Jesus actually said this himself in John 4 as he spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well. He said this to her;

Joh 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

More importantly, though, I see a generalizing of the teachings concerning the Mystery of the Gospel of Christ with one passage leaving out what the others teach.

We would no doubt view the mystery differently. I would not call the gospel of Christ a mystery. The timing when the church is set in the dialog of "mysteries" was after the apostle Paul was saved in 37/38 AD and the gentiles had the door of faith opened to them by Peter in 40 AD when Cornelius and his household became the first gentiles to receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which is the NT definition and explanation of being saved. Previous to this the Jews were being saved by the gospel of Christ. The mystery of Christ then has to to with the gentiles being included in the formation of the body of Christ with the exact same standing as sons of God as the saved Jews who had been receiving salvation since Acts 2 in 30 AD.

The "gospel of God" has to be viewed in its context. In Christ's teachings, we are still in a context of the Age of Law, when the Mystery of the Gospel of Christ" is not yet revealed.

In Paul's teaching, "the Gospel of God" is synonymous with the Gospel of Christ. The audience has to be distinguished, and what is revealed to them.

I think we will agree that the gospel of God was not possible without the gospel of Christ. We must define "gospel" as good news, glad tidings. God is always in the scriptures the initiator of salvation because he is the judge of all the earth and has passed the death penalty upon all mankind who possesses intellect, will, and reason. These attributes in men make them responsible for their actions and accountable. But God is also Love, and this fact made him find a way to redeem all men by sacrificing his own perfect sinless son in the stead of all sinners by a one time, never to be repeated death in their place. Then, because there is no sin of his own by which death could hold him God raised him from the dead by the Spirit of Life, the omnipresent gift, that he would now give to any and all who simply believe in him as the way to God the Father.

The fact that it was given to the nations to whom no direct promise of salvation was ever made is the definition of the gospel of God. It is congruent with the gospel of the grace of God. It was a mystery hidden in God. It was revealed after Israel had already received the promise of the Spirit that was made to them during the OT for 10 years previous.

Speaking of this in 60 AD when Ephesians was written, Paul said this in explanation and instruction about his unique ministry of this grace.

1 For this cause (see chapter 2 for the cause of forming the body of Christ with gentiles added) I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Verse 6 is the mystery clearly stated.

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Paul calls this act of God by making gentiles partakers of his promise, which is the indwelling Spirit, the gift of the grace of God and he was the one chosen to go and tell them about it.

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Here is the nutshell definition of the gospel of God, Paul's gospel. It is in Romans.

Ro 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25 ¶ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Broken down, the gospel of God is the good news that all nations are now included in the invitation to come to him and believing the gospel of Christ is the way to get to him.
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[Jope]

One problem with interpreting John 20:21-22 as Christ bestowing the Spirit to the disciples here would be,

Greetings! Long time no discussion.

I see you have misunderstood my post. I never claimed Jesus bestowed the Spirit in John 20:21-22.

the disples had not yet received the Promise of the Father (Ezekiel 36:24-27):

Acts 1:4-5
King James Version

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.


What would take place for the disciples at Pentecost would be receiving the promise of the Father, they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost. While I understand why our charismatic/pentecostal brethren view the baptism with the Holy Ghost as a subsequent event/blessing, I have to take into consideration that Christ made it clear that the disciples could not receive the Spirit unless He departed:


John 16:7
King James Version

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

This proves my contention even more about Peter's belief of the Church being one body with Jesus.

If Christ bestows the Spirit in John 20:21-22, then we have a clear contradiction of His teaching, which is an impossibility. Therefore, we have to understand His breathing on them in another way. I think it is easy enough to understand that, at this time, this command is a directive. And this is no different than the directive of John 15, "Abide in Me." In John 15, the disciples are are not yet in Christ. That isn't open to debate, it is just the truth taught us by Christ's Own teaching. While they are in the "vine," that is, covenant relationship with God through the Covenant of Law, they were not yet in the True VIne, covenant relationship with God through the New Covenant. And we do not see "abiding" in the disciples, as prophecy foretell, they all abandoned Him:


John 16 KJV

28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.


Did they believe He was the Messiah? Yes. But they were not yet believing on Christ as the risen Lord at this point.

Again, I don't see John 20:21-22 as the bestowal of the Spirit, I see Pentecost as the bestowal of the Spirit.