DIVINE TRUTH AND THE DIVINE TEACHER
Pastor J. C. O’Hair
Every servant of the Lord should be a spiritual, intelligent, obedient and fruitful Christian. Every minister of Christ should be a faithful steward of the mysteries of God. (I Corinthians 4:1 to 4). Every such minister recognizes the infallible Holy Spirit as the one infallible Teacher, apart from Whom no person can understand or impart spiritual truths. (I John 2:26 to 28 - I Corinthians 2:11 to 16).
But most of the Lord’s servants apparently have failed to appreciate the necessity of the special prayer of Ephesians 1:16 to 19 for the understanding of the profound “strong-meat” truth of Ephesians and Colossians, designated “the mystery.” (Colossians 1:26 - Ephesians 3:3 and 9). “Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age.” (Hebrews 5:14).
Of course, there are other mysteries in the Bible; but for this special truth concerning the hope, calling and inheritance of saints in “the Church of the Mystery,” the Joint-Body of Ephesians 3:6, and to understand the riches of God’s inheritance in the saints, the revelation from Christ to and through the apostle Paul, which is the capstone of Divine truth (Colossians 1:24 to 26), the believer needs the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to have the eyes of his understanding enlightened. For no other truth in the Bible is such a prayer offered as the prayer of Ephesians 1:16 to 18 and Ephesians 3:12 to 19.
Of course, the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, leads into all truth. (John 16:7 to 13). But for the special truth of “the mystery of Christ,” special wisdom and revelation are required. The sectarian Christians of Corinth could not receive this truth. (I Corinthians 3:1 to 4). Paul could only hint at this profound truth in I Corinthians 2:6 to 8. The Corinthian carnal saints could only receive the milk of the Word which belongeth to babes and those unskilful in the Word or righteousness. (I Peter 2:1 and 2 - I Corinthians 3:1 to 5 and I Corinthians 13:8 to 12 and Hebrews 5:13).
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God; that is, all Scripture is “God-breathed.” God spake unto the fathers by the prophets and then by His Son. (II Timothy 3:16 - Hebrews 1:1 and 2). All of this was in divers manners and at sundry times. And then Christ chose twelve apostles and His special apostle, Paul, who declared that Christ spoke in him and revealed many new truths to him that were not made known before. (Galatians 1:11 and 12 - II Corinthians 12:1 to 12 - II Corinthians 13:3 and Ephesians 3:1 to 3 - Colossians 1:24 to 26).
Christ also confirmed to Paul truths that had already been revealed to others. (Acts 26:21 to 23). Paul had a “confirmation” (prophesied) message and Paul had a “revelation” (unprophesied) message.
Thus revelation was given on the installment plan. Note the period designated, “from Adam to Moses,” when there was no law. (Romans 5:13 and 14). It was during that 2500 year period that the nation Israel came into existence, a little more than 200 years before the law entered. (Romans 5:20). During those 2500 years the Holy Spirit did not move upon holy men to write holy Scriptures. Then to Israel, about 1500 B.C., the law was added till Christ came. (Galatians 3:19). By Christ’s death and resurrection the law was taken out of the way. (Colossians 2:12 to 16). The Scriptures from Sinai until the resurrection of Christ are called the Old Testament Scriptures.
Then grace began to reign through Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:21). Saved Jews and Gentiles were put into something new and different, the Body of Christ. (I Corinthians 12:13 - Ephesians 2:15 to 19). These Body-members were not under the law but under grace. (Romans 6:14 - Colossians 2:13 to 16 - Acts 15:10).
The dispensation of grace began with Israel’s fall. (Romans 11:11 and 30). This new dispensation, meant something very special and wonderful for Gentiles. (Ephesians 3:1 to 3 - Romans 11:30).
When the Church is completed and the special favor for Gentiles has ended, Israel will rise again and the prophesied kingdom of Christ will be established on earth. (Romans 11:25 and 26 - Acts 15:15 to 18).
There is a difference between the postponed kingdom and the Body of Christ.
What is the Gospel?
Believing
Christ died, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ died for YOUR sins and rose again, that’s SALVATION.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto
you the gospel which the preached unto you, which also ye have received, and
wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I
preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto
you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose
again the third day according to the scriptures. 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
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Bible: King James Version
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