THE CHURCH OF THE MYSTERY - J. C. O'Hair

THE CHURCH  OF THE MYSTERY

Pastor J. C. O’Hair

What is the meaning of the word C-H-U-R-C-H? In some way the word has come to us from “Kurios,” translated “Lord” many times in the New Testament Scriptures. More than 100 times we have the word “Church” in the Scriptures from Acts to Revelation. The word “Church” is used three times in (Matthew 16:18 - Matthew 18:17). There was a Church in the wilderness in the days of Moses. (Acts 7:38). Every time the word “Church” occurs in the New Testament Scriptures (with the exception of Acts 19:37, which is a mistranslation) the Greek word is “EKKLESIA” - from “EK - KALEO” - “Called - Out.” The Church is “the CALLED-OUT” and always refers to a company of people and not to a meeting house. In Acts 19:32, 39 and 41 the word EKKLESIA is translated “assembly.” That assembly was a crowd of unsaved Ephesians, idolaters. So the word “EKKLESIA” does not necessarily mean the Church of God or the Body of Christ.
Now in Colossians 1:24 to 27 we read of the CHURCH OF THE MYSTERY, hid from ages and from generations. This Mystery had to do with the Body of Christ, Which is the Church. (Colossians 1:24). By reading also Ephesians 3:3 to 6 we see the Body can be called “the Church of the Mystery.” This word “Body” is the Greek “SOMA.” The Church, in Ephesians 3:6, is called the “SUSSOMA,” meaning the “Joint-Body.” Now note in Ephesians 1:22 and 23, that Christ is the Head over all to the Church (EKKLESIA), Which is His Body (SOMA). And read what follows - “THE FULNESS OF HIM THAT FILLETH ALL IN ALL.” Isn’t this an unusual definition of the Church? But it is certainly Scriptural.
Now in Ephesians 4:13, the finished Church, or Body, is called the Perfect Man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. We would not be Scriptural if we should call any sectarian organization, the Perfect Man.
Yes, we have Scriptural right to define the Body, or Joint-Body, of Christ as “the Church of the Mystery,” “the Filling, Up of Christ.” Referring to the SOMA, after the Holy Spirit describes the make-up of the human body (SOMA), made up of many members, He adds, “SO ALSO IS CHRIST.” This, then speaks of “the Filling-Up of Christ.” So the Church is called “Christ’ in I Corinthians 12:12. You have heard the Church called “the Mystical Christ.” The Head and all the members are “CHRIST”—the two “ONE FLESH.” (Ephesians 5:31 and 32).
The word “Church,” as used in Hebrews 2:12, does not refer to the one Body of Ephesians 4:4 and I Corinthians 12:13. The “Church” of Hebrews 2:12 is the “Congregation,” prophesied in Psalm 22:22. No prophesied Congregation could be “the Church of the Mystery.” In the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament Scriptures the word “EKKLESIA” is used a number of times, generally translated “Congregation.” So “EKKLESIA” was not a new, mystical word first used to mean “Church.”
CHRIST is the “Church of the Mystery,” according to I Corinthians 12:12 and 13 and I Timothy 3:15 and 16. The “Church” in the Bible is not always the Body of Christ. Paul said he persecuted “the Church of God.” (I Corinthians 15:9 - Philippians 3:6 - Galatians 1:13). But he did not persecute the Joint-Body of Ephesians. There was no Joint-Body when Saul was persecuting. Paul persecuted the Church of God formed under Peter’s ministry, with the keys of the kingdom of heaven, (a Church of Jews). When Paul (Saul) was persecuting the Church (Acts 9:1 to 4) it was not lawful for Peter and the Eleven to go to Gentiles. (Acts 10:28). Peter and the Eleven had a “prophesied kingdom” program rather than God’s eternal purpose. (Ephesians 3:11).
Peter told his hearers that what he was preaching was made known by all the prophets since the world began.(Acts 3:21 and Acts 3:24). Paul declared that the truth concerning “the Church of the Mystery” was not made known to or by them; but it was a very special program purposed before the world began.
Note Adam in Genesis 5:2. (Compare Genesis 2:21 to 25 with Ephesians 5:31 and 32).

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

Also Read
THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY Pastor J. C. O'Hair
Recovery Of Truth - O'Hair - YouTube

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Bible: King James Version

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