Lesson # 3, Review
Nov. 8, 2020
1. Today our lesson is stressing the importance of Pauline authority and godly edification. The purpose of this study is to cause the believer, to value an esteem our own godly edification as God does. The goal of the lesson, is that the doctrine will produce godly edification in the details of our lives, so we can properly function and bring honor and glory to God as we await his imminent return at the end of this dispensation of grace. So while we are waiting:
2. When we recognize Paul’s authority, as the Apostle to the Gentiles, and our Apostle today, we will know where in the Bible to go, to get “our Mail.” Our Mail, to the church the body of Christ, was sent special delivery, by God, in the person of Apostle Paul’s special, unique, and distinctive ministry, and his 13 Epistles, Romans through Philemon.
3. This is the first essential doctrine we are taught. Why? Because it is essential, necessary, that we know and can defend Pauline Authority & his unique and distinctive apostleship. Why was Paul’s apostleship so important? Because God was doing something new, unique, and distinctive. God was forming the one new man, CBOC, and Paul was charged with the authority to produce godly edification in the members of the Church, the body of Christ (MCBOC).
4. Paul had something new from God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, to give to the Roman Saints, and us today. He had a message of grace and peace to preach to Gentiles. It is important that we understand, he also had a ministry to those who responded to the gospel. (Just like you and I when we responded to the call of the gospel of the grace of God). Paul wanted to impart the gift of knowledge, of what God wanted accomplished through MCBOC, in this dispensation of Gentile Grace now in effect.
5. Paul had God’s purpose in his heart. The purpose was the issue of edification. The word “edification” means education, establishment, & mutual faith. God wants The Saints to be established, first things first, fundamentally sound, the foundation of doctrine properly laid. Why? So that you and I can understand who we are in the plan and purpose of God, and it takes godly edification, knowledge.
6. Romans through Philemon, is the body of doctrinal truth that was committed to Paul by God, and it was designed to be given to the Saints, to produce godly edification. And Paul wrote Gods design down, and God preserved it, so we could have manuscript evidence, in a multiplicity of written copies. Why? God wanted us to be the beneficiaries of Pauline authority and godly edification.
7. And one thing that spoke volumes to me while I was studying this lesson, Paul was about God’s purpose (edification of the saints), And Paul saw his role in God’s design for Edification.
2.
God’s purpose is the same today, Almost 2000 years later since Paul. Do we know our role in God’s plan and purpose? That’s a good question. This pandemic has had us locked down 31 weeks going on seven months. But glory to God, we have been redeeming the time, making the best use of our time, Right now, God is equipping us, teaching us, establishing us, for what? To go out and win souls to Christ.
8. Rom.1:12; Paul said “that I may be comforted (at peace) together with you by the mutual (shared) faith both of you and me.” Saints, as we follow Paul in understanding and appreciating the doctrine of godly edification, we will blend our shared mutual faith. 1 Cor. 1:10. Paul writes “Speaking the same thing, and having no divisions among us, and being perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment. Peter called it “like precious faith.” “Comforted together” when we blend our mutual (shared) faith (doctrine) we are comforted together, each believer grows stronger in their faith (in the doctrine) as we value and esteem our brethren in the Lord’s, sonship. (2 Pet. 1:1).
9. Paul said in the 13th verse, “I would not have you ignorant brethren.” Paul had fruit among other Gentiles, (meaning) he had established other Gentiles, fulfilling the purpose of God. (14) Paul said I am a debtor both to the Greeks and the Barbarians. What did Paul mean? Paul was the chief of sinners, but by the grace of God, Paul said “I am what I am.” So, Paul like us, was indebted to the gospel of the grace of God. We have an obligation to those that are lost. We, like Paul have a debt to discharge. And not to just preach the gospel, but after they are saved, provide godly edification, lay the foundation down so they can grow and mature.
10. I would be remiss, if I did not mention first Thessalonians 2:7, After Paul preached the gospel to them, & they responded to the gospel of grace. Paul said: “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherished her children.” Paul did not just preach to them and leave them, no, He stayed with them, (remained in contact) and gently walked them through the establishment of the edification process, this was the will of God for his Saints. Paul followed God’s design, and set in motion godly edification
11. Paul had an affectionate desire (a sincere burden) for the soul of the saints. The gospel of God is only the starting point, only the beginning. Paul not only imparted the gospel of God to the saints, but also his own soul, (meaning) the body of doctrine resident (effectually) in his and our souls. This says to me, preaching the gospel comes with an affectionate desire, a burden. And we must make a deposit of the faith, the knowledge, that God gave us starting with the design for godly edification. As ambassadors the affection, the desire for godly edification comes with the job. That’s walking worthy!
12. That is why, so many believers never grow, and they fall away, and get caught back up in Satan snare. They were preached in the BOC, they may have been given the right gospel, but they were left out in the cold, never taught godly edification. And the teacher, or the preacher, or the pastor failed to follow God’s design for godly edification. I don’t know about you, but this serves as a reminder of our ministry of reconciliation. God is holding us responsible for upholding Pauline authority and godly edification.
That is why Paul says: “I would not have you ignorant brethren of godly edification.” Romans 1:13
Colman J. Gilliland 