THE SEVEN “ONE”
by Bishop Marthy C. Austria
House Under The Grace of Christ Fellowship Pure Grace
Ephesians 4: 4-6
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
These are words of revelation written by the hand of our apostle Paul, written to the saints at Ephesus. Ephesians is one of the Prison epistles of Paul, where we can read about "THE MYSTERY" like what the Book of Colossians speak of. In the epistle to the Ephesians we can read the revelation of THE MYSTERY.
It is not an accident that here in this epistle Paul talks about "ONE" or the UNIFIED TRUTH. That there is "ONE BODY", "ONE SPIRIT", "ONE HOPE", "ONE LORD", "ONE FAITH", "ONE BAPTISM", "ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL". Why did he put all these "ones" in one book or one chapter? Because they are essential truths we must understand. This is a progressive revelation. And in the Prison epistles such as Ephesians Paul is talking about "PURE GRACE" or about "Purified truth". These truths are purified and these are the last truth we must know about...that today in this age of grace...which is THE LAST DISPENSATION (I don't believe that there will still be a coming one)...
There is ONE BODY...which is THE CHURCH OF GOD....as there is ONE HEAD AND LORD OF THE BODY...which is THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
There is ONE SPIRIT...which is the SPIRIT OF THE LORD...and the Lord is that Spirit (2 Cor 3:17). So today there is only ONE SPIRIT...God is Spirit (John 4:24). The ONE SPIRIT is GOD or the LORD. There is no such thing as THREE SPIRITS - God the Father the First, God the Son the Second, God the Holy Spirit the Third. There is only ONE GOD WHO IS SPIRIT but limited Himself in the manifestation of Himself to humanity as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. It says there is only ONE NAME of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost and it is the Name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38), the Name that is above every name (Phil 2:9). And there are no more evil spirits wandering about the earth for they and their leader the devil were already bound and judged by the Lord (Rev 20:2,10). And the devil is not the god of this world. You may say, "Hey! I have read in my Bible that satan is the god of this world!". Yes, you are right! And we can read it in 2 Cor 4:4 "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not..." Satan was the god of that world. The world in that verse means "age" and not the globe, not the whole wide world. When Paul wrote that epistle he was still in the Jewish Age. So satan was the god of that age. But God judged satan at the end of that age. So now, today at this age of grace, satan is no more the god....but THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE GOD OF THIS WORLD...HE IS THE KING OF HIS KINGDOM (Col 1:13). God has judged the god of that world and He finished that world which was "THE OLD HEAVEN AND EARTH" and NOW established THE NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH.
There is ONE HOPE... it is not that Israel will inherit the earth and the Body of Christ the heavens. No! Israel's hope and our hope is CHRIST.
Phil 3:20-21
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
1 Cor 15:20-24
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
We hope in Christ that he will give us resurrected, immortal, incorruptible bodies. And that is our destiny...our resurrection.
1 Cor 15:51-53
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP. The doctrine of SOUL SLEEP is Biblical as it is written in many Scriptures in the Old Testament such as Job, Psalms and Ecclesiastes.
Job 14:10-12
10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?
11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6,10
5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
The doctrine of soul sleep is Biblical but it applies only to believers since Adam up to the believers of Paul the apostle's time.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Paul expected that in his lifetime the Lord will come and change them from mortality to immortality.
But today during this present age believers when they die do no more sleep. Believers soul sleeping in Christ were the believers of the previous age. We are now in the so-called "AGES TO COME". We are now in THE RESURRECTION.
These verses say that at the coming of the Lord, the dead in Christ shall rise first...the dead will resurrect...be clothed with immortal body. THEN...which means AFTERWARDS....after that event we which are alive and remain, according to Paul, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Afterwards...after the resurrection of the dead at the coming of the Lord...the believers in Christ... the present living believers shall be caught up by the Lord to be with him...when? We must die first....When we die physically, in a moment in the twinkling of an eye, we WILL BE CHANGED FROM CORRUPTIBILITY TO INCORRUPTIBILITY...FROM MORTALITY TO IMMORTALITY. We will leave this mortal, corruptible physical body of flesh and blood and God will clothe us with INCORRUPTIBLE, IMMORTAL, SPIRITUAL BODY OF FLESH AND BONES. We will not all sleep BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED. That is our hope.
THERE IS ONE LORD. There is only ONE LORD and this Lord is the the Lord Jesus Christ. JEHOVAH is the Lord. JEHOVAH is the God of the Old Testament saints. JEHOVAH of the Old Testament is the same as JESUS CHRIST of the New Testament for JESUS CHRIST is the "GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH" (1 Timothy 3:16). There is only One God and One Mediator between God and men - who the Man Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ is True God and True Man - the God-Man. Jesus Christ is the One Lord of His Church, the Body of Christ. No one has the right to be called Lord except the Lord Jesus Christ. Lord means "owner". Jesus is our Owner. We belong to Him. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.
THERE IS ONE FAITH. This is the faith which was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Paul fought for this faith (2 Timothy 4:7). Some depart from the faith (1 Cor 4:1). This faith is THE FAITH...not just a personal faith but THE BODY OF TRUTH COMMITTED TO OUR TRUST. The Biblical Truth. The Truth of the Bible. The truth of the Bible is THE BIBLE ITSELF. IN time past, there were prophecies, visions, gifts and revelations in order to communicate God's truth to people even though there were already written Word of God or Scriptures. But now, when Paul the apostle wrote his last epistle, all these ceased from operating for ALL THE TRUTH IS NOW WRITTEN. ALL DOCTRINE IS COMPILED.
AND NOW according to 2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
WE NOW HAVE ALL SCRIPTURE or COMPLETE SCRIPTURES or COMPLETE BIBLE. We have come to the UNITY OF THE FAITH and of THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD (Eph 4:13)
We have an All-sufficient Bible which the Lord has preserved forever (Psalm 12:6). God has preserved His Word from the Original Writings (which are NON-EXISTENT) up to present through multiplicity of copies made by the saints under the preserving guiding power of God in the history of the church. The Complete All-sufficient Bible exists today in the Authorized King James Version 1611.
THERE IS ONE BAPTISM. IN the Bible there are many kinds of baptisms or washings. There was the Baptism unto Moses, Baptism with the Holy Spirit, Baptism with fire, and many more. There are twelve. The most famous is the BAPTISM IN WATER. But we all know that water baptism was made and commanded only exclusively to Israel or Jewish believers or in connection only to Israel
John 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Today, during this age of grace there is only One Baptism, and it is not physical or some ritual using Water. This baptism is real but spiritual...not made with the hands of men but with the hands of God
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:10-12 "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
We are not commanded to baptize in water for we are now COMPLETE IN CHRIST and He has baptized us already.
THERE IS ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL. Today people must realize that God must be their Father. Our Lord Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 23:8-12
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
No man must be called FATHER except GOD because HE IS OUR ONE FATHER. Yes, we have earthly fathers and we call them father, but what the Lord is telling us is that NO MAN MUST USURP GOD's AUTHORITY AS GOD AND FATHER. For many use the title Father ...Pope...or Papa...Most Holy Father which the Lord has the right to use exclusively. The Lord is HOLY AND REVEREND (Psalm 111:9). The Lord is our Father. Who is our Father? He is the EVERLASTING FATHER according to Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Who is that child that was to be born? Who is that son who was to be given? Who is that whose name shall be called THE EVERLASTING FATHER? No other than OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST...the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD...THE GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH...THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL...THE GOD WHO WAS, WHO IS AND IS TO COME, THE ALMIGHTY. To Him be the glory forever!
These truths are the purified truths for us today during this age of grace. We have now the COMPLETE BIBLE, We are now COMPLETE IN CHRIST...and IN CHRIST ALONE
Colossians 1:25-28
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
THE MYSTERY: CHRIST IN YOU. It is CHRIST IN US NOW...It is no more Christ in the heavens dwelling in us through the Holy Spirit. No, it is CHRIST HIMSELF DWELLING IN US. THE REALITY OF HIS PRESENCE IS AWESOME. CHRIST DWELLS IN US...THE INDWELLING CHRIST...THE HOPE OF GLORY...because CHRIST in us is THE ONE WHO IS IMMORTAL and because of that we have IMMORTALITY. CHRIST IN US is the SOURCE OF IMMORTALITY. If any man does not have Christ, he is not of HIS. If a man does not have Christ, he does not have LIFE because CHRIST IS THE LIFE ETERNAL.
People don't realize this thing, because it is A MYSTERY. They are looking and waiting for Christ to come from heaven. They don't realize that He has already come and is actually DWELLING WITHIN AND AMONG THEM. That is HEAVEN ON EARTH! That is THE NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH for JESUS CHRIST MAKES ALL THINGS NEW! And we the BODY OF CHRIST IS THE ONE NEW MAN...THE NEW CREATURE...for if any is IN CHRIST there is NEW CREATURE...Old things are passed away...Behold ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW!
We preached THE ALL-SUFFICIENT COMPLETE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST. Yes, that's it: THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST. HE FINISHED OUR REDEMPTION. We are not waiting for salvation or redemption. In Romans 5:9-10, Paul told the believers that WE SHALL BE SAVED IN THE FUTURE.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
And in Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Paul said that SALVATION IS NEARER. Why? Because that was true in their situation...they were waiting for salvation. BUT NOW according to Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED. It is not something in the FUTURE. Why? Something has changed. Salvation is done. Redemption is done. And we are now in the resurrection age. We are complete in Christ.
What happened when Christ came?
1 Cor 15:22-28
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
According to these verses, in Adam all die...we died and that's spiritually but in Christ, we shall be made alive. If the death is spiritual, then the resurrection is also spiritual. In Christ we have resurrection. When were we resurrected from the dead?
In Christ we have been resurrected and we experienced that through the new birth (Eph. 2:1,5,6). So we are ALREADY resurrected...we now have ETERNAL LIFE IN US...FOR CHRIST DWELLS IN US and WE ARE IN CHRIST. And when we die...this mortal, corruptible, physical body will return to dust as it was (Ecclesiastes 12:7) and the spirit shall return to God...and we shall put on incorruptible, immortal and spiritual body (1 Cor 15:46,53,54)...at the twinkling of an eye. We will just put off the mortal physical body and put on the immortal spiritual body of flesh and bones. It is not the same body. It is a different body. And we will be caught up or transported to where the Lord is in the New Heaven...and we will be with the Lord forever.
At the coming or PAROUSIA of Christ which also means "PRESENCE", the Lord as THE SON delivers up the Kingdom to God, even the Father. The Son submitted Himself to God so that "GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL". The Lord's manifestation as THE SON has come to an end. Why? For God's purpose as THE SON was already done. The Son has delivered back the Kingdom to God so that God may be all and in all. NOW GOD IS ALL AND IN ALL. This is what Paul also says in Colossians 3:10-11 "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but CHRIST IS ALL AND IN ALL."
Today, in this dispensation, there is ONLY ONE GOD WHO IS ALL AND IN ALL... It is no more His manifestation as the Father and the Son or as the Holy Spirit of signs and wonders... but NOW HE IS GOD...HE IS CHRIST...IN ALL.
HE IS THE ONE AND THE ONLY ONE!
TO THE ONE GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
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