THE FOUNDATIONAL EPISTLE FOR THE EDIFICATION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST
We have successfully completed 22 lessons of the Romans Survey. We have studied the four cornerstones for the edification of the Church, Body of Christ.
FIRST CORNERSTONE: Establishment in the doctrine of our Justification by grace through faith: The moment we trusted Christ as our savior, God rendered the first judicial transaction. We were declared justified, righteous before God unto eternal life. Cf. Romans 1:15-5:21.
SECOND CORNERSTONE: Establishment in the doctrine of our Sanctification by grace through faith: In that same moment, God rendered his 2nd judicial transaction. We were sanctified, set apart, made holy, baptized, by the operation of God, the Holy Spirit, into Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We are now “in Christ,” and identified with Christ, “to walk in newness of life.” Cf. Romans 6:1-8:39.
THIRD CORNERSTONE: Establishment in the doctrine of the dispensation of Gentile grace now in effect: What happened to Israel? We know what God has done with Israel. Israel’s program has been put in abeyance, interrupted, put on hold, because of Israel’s unbelief. Thus, the {Nation of Israel} is now “accursed from Christ” (banished, separated, cut off). But it is only temporary, God will resume His dealings with the nation Israel after this dispensation of grace has been concluded, at the rapture. Cf. Romans 9:1-11:36.
FOURTH CORNERSTONE: Establishment in the doctrine of walking worthy of who we are now as Justified, Sanctified, members of God’s “new creation” in this new dispensation. Cf. Romans 12:1-16:27.
A. Apostle Paul is saying, since we have been transformed by the renewing of our minds by the doctrine of grace, it should be seen in our conduct and behavior. Proving that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God in everything that we do, starting with how we treat one another. Walking worthy, displaying Agape love. Value and esteem what God values and esteems. We also, are to value and esteem others above ourselves, “especially members of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10).
B. Walking worthy of who we are “in Christ” with respect to the Divine institution of human government. We know that God ordained human government, for the orderly maintenance of laws and order in society. Remember, God ordained human government, not the people that sit in the office of human government. Paul admonishes the Body of Christ, to pray for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty; (1 Tim. 2:1-4).
C. Walking worthy of who we are “in Christ” in view of “knowing the time.” The dispensation of grace has been in existence over 2000 years. Paul is saying know the time, make the most of the time you have, redeem the time, take every opportunity to witness to the lost, and after they are saved, teach right division to those without knowledge. For the desire of God is, “who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4).
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D. Walking worthy of who we are in Christ with respect two weaker brothers. Paul is teaching that the Church, B.O.C. will always have weaker brethren, “in the faith,” in its midst. This is by God’s design. As we go, preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ, and making all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, souls will be saved and added to the assembly. Naturally, new converts are weaker in the doctrine than stronger. We are to treat the weaker brother with agape love, respecting his sonship the same as ours. Never use your faith to cause a weaker brother to stumble. (Eph.3:8-9; 2 Cor.5:18-21).
E. In the 22nd and final lesson, Paul goes back over the third cornerstone. The great dispensational change and Paul’s special apostleship to it. Paul thought it crucial to go back over this 3rd cornerstone. Because of the satanic policy of evil, most of Christendom is bewitched today, thinking they are spiritual Israel, and trying to keep the law. (Gal. 1:6-9; 3:1-5).
1. Paul is pointing to Romans 15:8; “Now I say that Jesus Christ WAS (past tense, Indicating a dispensational change) a minister of the circumcision (Israel) for the truth of God , to confirm the promises made unto the fathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob): Paul is pointing out again, the great need for believers to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).
2. The main goal of the satanic policy of evil is to hide the knowledge of the dispensation of grace. Paul tells us in (2 Cor. 4:3-6) “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
3. Paul tells us in (2 Cor. 5:14-17) “Wherefore henceforth (from now on), know we no man after the flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh (as a minister of the circumcision-Israel), yet now henceforth (from now on) know we him no more.” Jesus Christ is now the glorified Head of the “new creation,” “the one new man,” the Church the Body of Christ. (Eph. 1:19-23; 2:14-18).
4. Paul closes with a warning: (Romans 16:17-20). False teachers are coming, and they will be teaching corrupt, contrary doctrines. Such are those who do not recognize Pauline authority, and his unique message and ministry. They try to include Paul as part of the 12 Apostles of Christ’s earthly ministry to Israel. They wrongly divide the word of truth, wittingly or unwittingly. Satan does not want you to close your Bible. Satan wants you to NOT rightly divide the Scriptures, and keep you thinking you are entitled to Israel’s covenant promises. (2 Tim. 2:15).
5. Paul says to “Mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; And avoid them.” For they serve not our Lord Jesus Christ; but they serve their own belly (fleshy desires). And by good words and fair speeches (eloquent voices) designed to deceive the hearts of the simple (Proverbs 14:15). They are not serving The Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body of Christ, they are serving Jesus Christ, as minister of the circumcision. this is not a weaker brother situation, but rather, they are the “ministers of Satan,” “deceitful workers” (2 Cor. 11:13-15).
“MARK THEM AND AVOID THEM,” FOR THEY ARE ADVANCING AND PROMOTING SATAN’S PLAN OF EVIL! GOAL: TO GET YOU TO LEAVE PAULINE AUTHORITY AND PUT YOU BACK UNDER THE LAW.
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THE THREE PHASE ATTACK OF THE SATANIC POLICY OF EVIL
PHASE 1. ATTACK THE MESSAGE:
SATAN’S GOAL: TO CORRUPT THE EDIFICATION PROCESS BY CORRUPTING THE MESSAGE. TO GET THE MESSENGER TO DEPART PAULINE TRUTH, AND GET HIM AND HIS HEARERS BACK UNDER ISRAEL’S PROGRAM, THE LAW. CF. GALATIANS 1:6-9; 3:1-5. EPH. 4:14
PHASE 2. ATTACK THE MESSENGER:
SATAN’S GOAL: IF SATAN CAN’T CONVINCE THE MESSENGER TO STAND DOWN FROM THE MESSAGE, HE WILL LAUNCH A PERSONAL ATTACK UPON THE MESSENGER. BY USING INTIMIDATION TACTICS, DEVICES, HE TRIES TO INSTILL “A SPIRIT OF FEAR,” HOPING TO SHUT THE MESSENGER UP! CF.PHIL. 1:27-30; 2 TIM. 1:7-8. TIMOTHY HAD A SPIRIT OF FEAR.
PHASE 3. DISCREDIT AND DISCOURAGE THE MESSENGER TO GIVE UP:
SATAN’S GOAL: IN THE EVENT THAT THE MESSENGER SURVIVES PHASE 1, AND PHASE 2, ATTACKS, SATAN INTENSFIES THE ATTACK. HE NOW TRIES TO DISCREDIT YOU IN THE EYES OF OTHER BELIEVERS, SO THEY WON’T LISTEN TO YOU. THIS TACTIC IS DESIGNED TO DISCOURAGE YOU INTO SAYING, “WHAT’S THE USE” AND GIVING UP! PAUL WENT THROUGH THIS. THE BELIEVERS WERE ASHAMED THAT PAUL (THEIR APOSTLE) WAS PUT IN PRISON AS AN “EVILDOER.” AND HE PREPARED TIMOTHY FOR PHASE 3. CF. 2 Tim. 1:7-8; 2:9-10; 1:19.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY, SAINTS!
YOU HAVE SUCESSFULLY COMPLETED “THE EDIFICATION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST,” By Keith R. Blades.
CONTINUE TO PRAYERFULLY STUDY THESE FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS.
YOU ARE ESTABLISHED NOW AND SATAN HATES EDIFICATION. YOU WILL BE FACING THE FIRST PHASE OF ATTACK. WHY? BECAUSE SATAN WANTS TO SEE YOU DENY PAULINE TRUTH AND RIGHT DIVISION, IN HOPES THAT YOU ARE BROUGHT BACK UNDER THE LAW.
PAUL’S PRAYER FOR KNOWLEDGE AND POWER: EPHESIANS 1:15-23; 6:10-20; COLOSSIANS 1:9-14.
(OUR NEXT LESSON: “OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST.” 6 WEEK COURSE
“Now to him that is a 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,
But now is 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:
To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever.” Amen. Romans 16:25-27
Colman J. Gilliland 