CHURCH
DEVELOPMENT
By:
Bishop Marthy C. Austria, H.U.G. of Christ Fellowship PURE GRACE
How to be Part
of the People [House] of God
I.
The
Distinctive Ministry of the Apostle Paul
A.
Paul’s
ministry during the Acts period.
1. In Acts
chapter 1 we see Jesus delivering his last talk in the flesh to his apostles
before he ascended to heaven.
2. He
commissioned them to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature”, “…teach all nations….”, “be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and
in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”.
3. Peter, John
and the apostles commissioned by Christ were to minister with signs, wonders
and miracles. They were to preach “the gospel of the kingdom” to “the House of
Israel”.
4. Acts
chapters 1 to 8, records the apostolic revival from Judaea up to Samaria.
5. In Acts
chapter 9, God called a young Pharisee that persecuted the Church of God. His
name was Saul. And to him was given this commission: “he is a
chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the
children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).
6. He was
dramatically converted to Christ. And Christ transformed him from Saul the
persecutor to Paul, the apostle of the gentiles (Romans 11:13).
7. Peter the
apostle’s ministry was to preach the gospel of circumcision, while Paul’s
ministry was to preach the gospel of uncircumcision. It means they had
different audiences.
8. From Acts
chapter 13 to chapter 28, we see that Paul was in the frontline. Peter and the
apostles were no more mentioned in the scene. Even though Peter was the first
to minister to the Gentiles in Acts 10, it was Paul who focused on that mission
until Acts 28.
9. The Acts
period was a “New Covenant” period. The New Covenant began at the cross of
Christ. It was to end at the coming or arrival of Christ. (1 Corinthians
11:25-26).
10. Paul was a
“minister of the New Testament” (2 Corinthians 3:6) during the Acts period.
11. The New
Covenant just like Old Covenant was given to Israel only (Romans 9:5).
12. Paul
preached the gospel of Christ “to the Jew first”, then “to the Greeks” during
his Acts ministry. The Jews were people from the land of Judea from the House of
Judah, whether they were in Corinth, Thessalonica or whatever place. The Greeks
were the Greek speaking Israelites [from the 10 tribes House of Israel].
Whether they were Jews or Gentiles, they were “Israelites”.
13. Paul used
every opportunity to reach these Jews and Greeks.
Acts 20:
20 And how I kept back nothing that was
profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and
from house to house,
21
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
14.
During the Acts period, Paul declared these
words to the Jews who rejected the Word:
a.
In Acts 13:
46-47 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and
said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to
you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of
everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded
us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest
be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
b. In Acts 18:6 Your blood
be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the
Gentiles.
c. And finally, in Acts 28: 28 Be it
known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles,
and that they will hear it.
15. Paul said
these words to “the leaders of the Jews” (Acts 28:17). These leaders
represented the whole nation of the Kingdom of Judah. They rejected the gospel
of the kingdom of God which was prophesied in the law and the prophets (Acts
28:23).
16. Then Paul
made the declaration: “Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of
God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.” It is not that
simple. He confirmed the judgment made previously by the Lord Jesus Christ to
that nation: “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matthew 23:38).
17. Paul said
concerning the Jewish nation, that their fall became the salvation of the
Gentiles (Romans 11:11). As the Jewish
nation finally rejected the gospel, she fell from being a “chosen nation”. And
Judah’s fall becomes the salvation of the Gentiles.
18. In the Old
Testament, the northern kingdom, the nation of Israel was divorced by God and
exiled and became no more God’s people. And the Northern kingdom people became
Gentiles. Now, during this conversation of Paul with the Jewish nation, he
declared to them that “the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles”. It
means, they were no more the favored nation. Their rejection of the gospel
brought them to a condition that the Northern kingdom experienced. The Southern
kingdom, the House of Judah, this Jewish nation became also “Lo-ammi” which
means “no more God’s people”.
19. So from
this point onward, the Jewish nation, Israel fell from being God’s people and
now is “swallowed up among the Gentiles”. The Jews are now part of the
Gentiles.
20. “For God
hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.”
(Romans 11:32). So both houses: The Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern
Kingdom of Judah are now GENTILES. God does no more consider them as HIS
COVENANT PEOPLE.
21. Some years
after that declaration, the Jewish nation experienced the wrath of God under
the Romans when Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed by the Romans. This is
the end of the Jewish nation. It was prophesied by the prophets, by Jesus and
the apostles.
Matthew 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This
generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Luke 21:
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem
compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21
Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are
in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter
thereinto.
22
For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23
But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those
days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this
people.
24
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive
into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until
the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
B.
Paul’s
ministry after the Acts period.
1. After the
Acts period, things changed. The Jewish nation [Judah] just like the House of
Israel became “Gentiles”. And Gentiles are not covenant people.
2. God will
now make a new deal, and his dealing is no more by covenant. All people today
are now Gentiles. There are no more Israelites. There are no more Jews. Yes,
they may have natural characteristics as Israelites or as Jews and may have
legitimate claims in their bloodline that they are of Abraham’s seed and may
claim the promises of earthly conquest and prosperity as the ancient Israel.
But since Paul’s declaration in Acts 28:28, these will never happen again. The
ancient Israel broke the Old Covenant. The Israel of Acts period also broke the
New Covenant. Therefore God would no more make a covenant with them. He would
deal with them as with the Gentiles. And Gentiles were not people of the
covenant. The prophecy was fulfilled: “This generation shall not pass till all
things fulfilled.” All things fulfilled, therefore the Jewish generation
already passed.
3. So now that
all are Gentiles, and things are not the same, God would begin a NEW
DISPENSATION which will never end and it is called THE DISPENSATION OF THE
GRACE OF GOD or THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY.
A. The Dispensation Of The Grace Of
God.
1. God gave to
Paul THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD for the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:2), the
“DISPENSATION [Stewardship] OF GOD”, to “FULFILL [make complete] THE WORD OF
GOD” (Colossians 1:25).
2. His job is to
complete the word of God. He must write the last of the last epistles of “THE
REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST” (Galatians 1:12) “that the MAN [adult son] OF GOD
(or the CHURCH OF GOD) may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works”
(2 Timothy 3:17).
3. He was not
ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, which is “THE POWER OF GOD” unto SALVATION to
everyone that believeth; TO THE “JEW” [Judean/ Judahite] first, and also
TO THE “GREEK” [dispersed Israelites] (Romans 1:16).
4. And to
these “ISRAELITES” [Jew or Greek], he said that “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.And if ye be CHRIST'S, then are ye ABRAHAM'S SEED,
and HEIRS according to the PROMISE.” (Galatians 3:28-29). He means, it doesn’t
matter if you are in the land or outside the land (nigh or far off, Ephesians
2:17), “CIRCUMCISED” or “UNCIRCUMCISED” (in the flesh) because “CHRIST IS ALL
and IN ALL” (Colossians 3:11).
5. Paul must
complete his mission of PREACHING to “EVERY CREATURE WHICH IS UNDER HEAVEN”
(Colossians 1:23). It means that “THE GOSPEL MUST BE HEARD and BELIEVED BY THE
JEWS in the land and GENTILES who were DISPERSED ISRAELITES, to “FULFILL THE
PROPHECY OF OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS” about “THE HOPE OF ISRAEL”. He did that
during the Acts period. But after the Acts period, Paul was to PREACH THE
REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY.
6. This
mystery of Ephesians and Colossians is different from the mystery of Romans and
1 Corinthians in the Acts period. The mystery of the Acts period was a
prophesied mystery. The mystery of Ephesians which was revealed only to Paul
after the Acts period, after he declared to the Jews that “salvation is sent
unto the Gentiles”.
7. This
mystery:
a. Was not
made known. “ in
other ages was not made known unto the sons of men”.
Hath been
hid in God. “which from the beginning of the world
hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:”
Hath been
hid. “Even the mystery which hath been hid
from ages and from generations”
b. But is now
revealed. “as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles
and prophets by the Spirit”
But is now
made manifest. “but now is made manifest to his saints:”
8. This
mystery is:
“That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs,
and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel”
(Ephesians 3:6)
“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” (Colossians 1:27)
9. So Paul’s
new ministry after the Acts period as THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES was:
Ephesians 3:
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:
Colossians 1:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and
teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus:
29
Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me
mightily.
10. We share in
this ministry today, to preach Christ in you, the mystery among the Gentiles.
11. This
MYSTERY is no longer a MYSTERY but a MYSTERY “REVEALED” and “MADE KNOWN”. It is now called “REVELATION”.
12. Take note
of the sequence of revelation: The mystery which from the beginning of the
world, from ages and from generations and in other ages, was not made known and
had been hid from the sons of men are now made known, revealed, made manifest
first (1) to Paul, (2) to holy apostles and prophets, (3)
to his saints and (4) to all men [nations].
13. That must
be the order. Because to Paul the Apostle was given this “SPECIAL MINISTRY” as
“THE LAST APOSTLE” to “FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD”, after receiving “THE MYSTERY”
firsthand as the “WISE MASTER BUILDER” who “laid the FOUNDATION” and who
“PLANTED” (1 Corinthians 3:6,10), next to know them must be the APOSTLES AND
PROPHETS [who were leaders of the church], then “THE SAINTS” and finally, the last
people who must know them are “ALL NATIONS”. THAT’S US.
14. Paul’s new
ministry is different from his Acts period ministry as a minister of the
New Covenant, because in this new
ministry, there is no covenant. Paul was preaching the kingdom of God according
to prophecy during the Acts period. But now Paul is preaching “THE BODY OF
CHRIST” which was not prophesied. And which shares no blessing with Abraham or
with the land of Israel. Its blessings are all heavenly and spiritual.
15. During the
Acts period, Paul was ministering TO THE JEWS FIRST, TO THE GREEKS NEXT. But
now, it’s no mo more that way. Paul is ministering TO THE GENTILES. The word
Gentiles after the Acts period include even the Jews from the House of Judah
and Israelites from the House of Israel.
16. Therefore,
Paul’s ministry is “TO PREACH AMONG THE GENTILES [all kinds of people, colors,
races, tongues] THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST.AND TO MAKE “ALL MEN” [all
nations] WHAT IS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY”.
17. And the
mystery he is preaching is this:
a. THAT THE
GENTILES SHOULD BE FELLOWHEIRS.
The message
is that the Gentiles – which include everyone – Jew or not – are fellowheirs.
All of them are heirs of God. No discrimination. All are equal before God.
b. THAT THE
GENTILES SHOULD BE OF THE SAME BODY.
The
Gentiles – people of the nations are of the same body. All people whatever race
they come from can now be part of the ONE BODY OF CHRIST.
c. THAT THE
GENTILES SHOULD BE PARTAKERS OF HIS PROMISE IN CHRIST BY THE GOSPEL. The
Gentiles are partakers of God’s promise in Christ. By the Gospel. Everyone can
partake of the gospel’s benefits.
B.
The
Fellowship of the Mystery.
That’s why
Paul said:
“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. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is
this grace given, that (1) I should preach
among the Gentiles the UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST; and (2) 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” (Ephesians 3:7-9)
1. It means
that Paul’s mission “to fulfill the word of God” as “THE APOSTLE OF THE
GENTILES” (Romans 11:13) was to –
a. Preach [proclaim] among the Gentiles the “UNSEARCHABLE
RICHES OF CHRIST” which are
“the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering” (Romans
2:4); “the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy”, (Romans 9:23); “the
depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God” (Romans 11:33); “the riches of his grace”
(Ephesians 1:7); “the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians
1:18; 2:7); “the riches of his glory” (Ephesians 3:16; Philippians 4:19); and
“riches of the full assurance of understanding” (Colossians 2:2).
b. Make all men [non-Israelites, all kinds of
people] see what is “THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY”. That is to make all men see the fellowship of
the mystery, which is “the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1
Corinthians 1:9) because the
MYSTERY is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). The fellowship
of the mystery is “the fellowship of
Christ in you”, “that the Gentiles should be FELLOW-HEIRS (that’s
fellowship), and of the SAME BODY [One Body] (that’s fellowship),
and PARTAKERS of his promise in Christ by the gospel (that’s
fellowship)” (Ephesians 3:6).
2. So now we
can see that Paul’s ministry as “THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES” is UNIQUE. Why?
Because Peter and the other apostles such as James and John were to minister to
“THE CIRCUMCISION” and also “TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL” [which
according to our study were also called “GENTILES”]. But only to Paul was
“GIVEN” and “COMMITTED” the “DISPENSATION” to be “THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES”.
3. As we
observe in the accounts in the New Testament that Peter and other apostles
ministered to “THE JEWS [Judahites] AND GREEKS [Scattered Israelites]”. But
they didn’t minister to NON-ISRAELITES. God gave that special mission to Paul.
4. Paul’s
mission in the Acts period was to minister to
a. the JEWS
[first]
b. next to the
GENTILES. We know who those Gentiles were: Scattered Israelites [Lost sheep]
whether they were Greeks, Barbarians, Scythians, Circumcision or Uncircumcision
or wherever they were.
5. Pauls’
mission after the Acts period was to ALL NATIONS or ALL MEN that’s why only
Paul was/is THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES.
6. To these TWO KINDS OF GENTILES Paul would
minister the gospel.
1st, the Israelite-
Gentiles. They were in prophecy. Their conversion
is according to THE SCRIPTURES OF THE PROPHETS. That mystery was hidden but it
was prophesied and now revealed and fulfilled. (During the Acts period)
2nd, the
Non-Israelite-Gentiles [All men]. They were not prophesied. Because
Non-Israelites are NOT included in THE COVENANTS. God didn’t make any covenant
with Non-Israelites. Non-Israelites are ALIENS and STRANGERS from the
covenants. (After the Acts period)
7. The
Non-Israelites like “us” are outside THE HOUSE OF GOD. We have no rights or privileges. We have no
inheritance.
8. But God in
his in his infinite wisdom and according to his good pleasure which he purposed
in himself included us “IN THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY”, through the Ministry
of the Apostle Paul.
9. So Paul
would preach to “ALL MEN” [that’s you and me].
10. It seems
that God had no plan for us but it’s not true. The prophets may have not
thought about that. Even Jesus and the apostles, their goal was “to seek and
save that which was lost”, “the lost sheep of the house of Israel”.
11. But God in
his mind he has us, and he gave that commission to Paul the Apostle – to MAKE
ALL MEN SEE what is the FELLOWSHIP of THE MYSTERY.
Romans 11:32-33 For God hath
concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth
of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his
judgments, and his ways past finding out!
C.
All
Scriptures are FOR US.
1. I have learned from Bible teachers that not
all the Scriptures are “TO US” although all are “FOR US”. That Genesis to Acts,
Hebrews to Revelation were not written “TO US” but “FOR US” and the only
Scriptures that were written “TO US” are the 13 Epistles of Paul – Romans to
Philemon.
2. But
according to what we have learned in our study, even these epistles of Paul
were NOT written “TO US”. Why? Because they were written to the Romans,
Galatians, Corinthians, and Thessalonians who, according to our study were
Israelites scattered abroad. They were written during the Acts period when
Paul’s ministry was TO THE JEW FIRST.
3. But after
Acts, Paul receiving new revelations from Christ regarding THE MYSTERY, wrote
new sets of letters, now not TO THE JEW FIRST, but TO ALL MEN. These letters
are Philippians, Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians and his letters to church
leaders such as Titus and Timothy. Whether the recipients of the letters such
as Ephesians were of the dispersed tribes of Israel or not, it doesn’t matter,
because after the Acts period, things have been different. These people were no
more covenant people. They were included in THE GENTILES.
4. Therefore,
these letters are WRITTEN TO US, because we are included in the word GENTILES.
Now with the new definition, “NON COVENANT PEOPLES”.
5. During the
Acts period, Paul wrote 7 epistles. They were not written TO US but we can draw
lessons from them. These epistles are 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, Romans,
Galatians, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, and Hebrews. They were FOR US. These
epistles have “Israelitish” and Jewish things such as covenants, feasts,
Abraham, Moses,etc.
6. After the
Acts period, when a NEW DISPENSATION began, Paul wrote Philippians, 1 Timothy,
Titus, 2 Timothy, Ephesians, Philemon and Colossians. These are the epistles
for THE ONE NEW MAN. Written TO US.
7. God gave
Paul the commission to MAKE ALL MEN SEE THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY. So if we
see our fellowship or part in that mystery, then “ALL SCRIPTURE” becomes
“PROFITABLE” “FOR US”.
8. How can we
have fellowship? It is IN CHRIST. Not through the “GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM”
(Matthew 24:14), because the message of that gospel is “THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS
AT HAND [or nigh]”. And it is not fit today because “we are in the kingdom of
Christ” (Colossians 1:13).
II.
Be
a Member through Jesus Christ
Ephesians
2:13,18 But now in Christ Jesus ye who
sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ…For through him we
both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
How? By God’s grace, through faith in Christ:
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the
gift of God:
Acts 16:31 And
they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy
house.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek
him.
A.
Acknowledge
that you are sinner who needs mercy.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned,
and come short of the glory of God;
B.
Believe
that Jesus is the Lord [Jehovah] and that he became man, and as a man he died
for your sins but is risen from the dead for your justification. Believe/place your trust in his completed
work of redemption, through his “shed blood” (Romans 3:25).
Romans 3:25; 10:9-11 “Whom God hath set forth to be a
propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the
remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God”
“That if thou shalt confess with thy
mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the
scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered
unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our
sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose
again the third day according to the scriptures:
C. Call upon the
name of the Lord [Jehovah]. Romans
10:12-13 “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the
same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall
call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
(Excerpt from Joel 2:32 “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall
call on the name of the LORD [Jehovah] shall be delivered”.)
III.
Results
of Believing in Christ
A. After
we believe in Christ, we are no more strangers, but certified members of the
House of God:
Ephesians
2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens
with the saints, and of the household of God;
B. Then
the Holy Ghost baptizes or places us into the “ONE BODY” [United Church of Jews
and Gentiles], into Jesus Christ.
1
Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether
we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to
drink into one Spirit.
Romans
6:3-5
3
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were
baptized into his death?
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.
5
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be
also in the likeness of his resurrection:
This
baptism is not water baptism, but spiritual baptism. It is called by the
apostle Paul as “ONE BAPTISM” (Ephesians 4:5). A complete work of the Holy
Ghost, just like circumcision “made without hands” (Colossians 2:11), the
baptism of the Holy Ghost is a baptism not made by the hands of men but of the
hand of God. The command to baptize and be baptized in water was only operative
from the day of Christ’s Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 up to the end of the
world [age], i.e. the end of the heavens and earth of the Jews and the
establishment of the new heavens and the new earth. Read Matthew 24, 2 Peter 3
and Revelation 21.
The sojourners who want
to join the Israelites were commanded to be circumcised (Exodus 12:48). Now in the New Testament, we are circumcised
“spiritually”. The circumcision made without hands (Colossians 2:11).
C. We
are regenerated by God and adopted as children.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by
the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated
us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself
D.
The Spirit of God indwells us and
confirms our sonship.
Romans
8:14-16 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have
received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit
itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God”
E. Repentance
toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21) confirm that we
are “THE ELECT”
Acts
13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word
of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Ephesians
1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
F. By
joining the THE HOUSE OF GOD, THE CHURCH, we become
“fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).
Ephesians
1:
9 Having
made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure
which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in
THE DISPENSATION OF THE FULNESS OF TIMES he might GATHER TOGETHER IN ONE ALL
THINGS IN CHRIST, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in
him:
-End –
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