Lesson 9: The Church Will Be a Bride: The Engagement of the Church

March 28, 2017 Jerald Finney Leave a comment

The Church Will Be a Bride: The Engagement of the Church – Ephesians 5.1-17
(13 questions with answers following)

For help in answering the questions, you may refer to Outline and Teaching on Ephesians.

Click here to go to Lesson 10

Click here to go to the links to 14 lessons on Ephesians – a Local Church is a Body (Questions and Answers)

Click here to go to Bible Studies: The Doctrine of the Church

Added on March 28, 2017

Answers at the end, following the questions
Those who disagree with anything please see the note at the end. Reasoned dialogue is encouraged and any Bible or fact based comments, if made in a Christian manner in an attempt to get to the truth will be considered.

These are open book quizzes. Refer to your Bible for answers.

The emphasis on this chapter is the __________. The church will be a ________.
Today the church is not a bride. The church is a _____ ______ walking in the world; and the church is espoused (engaged) to _________, but is not wedded to ______. On earth, we are to _______ as a future ________.
–
Revelation 19:7 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” Revelation 21: “2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
–
2 Corinthians 11:2-3 “For I am jealous over you with godly __________: for I have __________ you to one ________, that I may present you as a chaste ________ to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the ____________ that is in Christ.”
–
In 2 Corinthians 11:2-3, Paul is speaking to the church at ________. The only representation of the institution of the church until the marriage of the lamb is the local, autonomous, New Testament _________.
–
According to Ephesians 5.1-18, the future bride espoused to the Lord Jesus Christ is to _______ in a prescribed manner. This manner of walk parallels the proper walk of a woman who is espoused to a _________. This manner of walk is an __________ of _______. Before becoming a believer, the children of God walked on a very ________ worldly plane. After salvation they are called “________ children” and are lifted to the plane of the __________ which Christ exhibited when He loved us enough to give Himself as an offering and a _________ for our sin.
–
Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a ________ to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
–
Ephesians 5.3-5 describes sins prevalent among _____________. Paul is saying that the child of God cannot ____________ engage in these. Even a slight indulgence brings about a revulsion and agony of ______. If you can get into_____ and not be troubled or bothered by it, you are not a child of God.
List the sins pointed out in Ephesians 5.3-4.
Rather than partaking in those sins, the believer is to give _________.
The _____________ man who practices these sins has no portion in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. God will pour out his ________ upon the children of ____________. If you are a child of God and do these things, God will __________ you.
In Ephesians 5.8-10, Paul reminds believers of their former state: they “were sometimes ____________,” but now are “_________ in the Lord.” They are to “walk as children of _________.” For the fruit of the spirit is all ____________ and _______________ and _________. They are “proving what is ____________ to the Lord.”
In Ephesians 5.11-13, Paul speaks of the “unfruitful works of __________.” The believer is to have “no ______________ with them,” but “rather to reprove” “It is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in __________.” The ________, by __________, makes those things manifest.
In Ephesians 5.14-17, Paul tells believers to ________ and _________ from the dead. Only ______ can _________ us from our spiritual stupor. He again instructs us to walk circumspectly, “not as _________, but as _______. We are to _________ the time, because the days are _______. He again, in verse 17, urges us to be ______, knowing the ______ of the Lord.
Thus, we are instructed, to ______ a certain way during our engagement leading up to our marriage to the Lamb of God.
These verses, in the context of this chapter and Ephesians as a whole, is speaking to the members of body of the church at __________ and to the members and bodies of all New Testament ___________.

Answers

The emphasis on this chapter is the future. The church will be a bride.
Today the church is not a bride. The church is a new man walking in the world; and the church is espoused (engaged) to Christ, but is not wedded to him. On earth, we are to walk as a future bride.
–
Revelation 19:7 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” Revelation 21: “2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
–
2 Corinthians 11:2-3 “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
–
In 2 Corinthians 11:2-3, Paul is speaking to the church at Corinth. The only representation of the institution of the church until the marriage of the lamb is the local, autonomous, New Testament church.
–
According to Ephesians 5.1-18, the future bride espoused to the Lord Jesus Christ is to walk in a prescribed manner. This manner of walk parallels the proper walk of a woman who is espoused to a man. This manner of walk is an imitation of God. Before becoming a believer, the children of God walked on a very low worldly plane. After salvation they are called “dear children” and are lifted to the plane of the love which Christ exhibited when He loved us enough to give Himself as an offering and a sacrifice for our sin.
–
Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
–
Ephesians 5.3-5 describes sins prevalent among unbelievers. Paul is saying that the child of God cannot habitually engage in these. Even a slight indulgence brings about a revulsion and agony of soul. If you can get into sin and not be troubled or bothered by it, you are not a child of God.
The sins pointed out in Ephsians 5.3-4 are: fornication (both earthly and spiritual—a church can commit fornication by, for example, having a relationship with the civil government); all uncleanness (all forms of immorality); covetousness ( a grasping and desire and not just for material wealth; a church, for example is covetousness when it desires big buildings, wealthy members regardless of their spiritual condition, position, power beyond that provided by God, etc. ); this is a rotten sin “not to be once named among you.”); filthiness (the utmost in depravity); foolish talking (to gloat or brag about sinning); jesting (this does not include good, clean, humor).
Rather than partaking in those sins, the believer is to give thanks.
The unregenerate man who practices these sins has no portion in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. God will pour out his wrath upon the children of disobedience (Ep. 5.5-7). If you are a child of God and do these things, God will chasten
In Ephesians 5.8-10, Paul reminds believers of their former state: they “were sometimes darkness,” but now are “light in the Lord.” They are to “walk as children of light.” For the fruit of the spirit is all goodness and righteousness and truth. They are “proving what is acceptable to the Lord.”
In Ephesians 5.11-13, Paul speaks of the “unfruitful works of darkness.” The believer is to have “no fellowship with them,” but “rather to reprove” “It is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” The light, by reproof, makes those things manifest.
In Ephesians 5.14-17, Paul tells believers to awake and arise from the dead. Only God can awaken us from our spiritual stupor. He again instructs us to walk circumspectly, “not as fools, but as wise. We are to redeem the time, because the days are evil. He again, in verse 17, urges us to be wise, knowing the will of the Lord.
Thus, we are instructed, to walk a certain way during our engagement leading up to our marriage to the Lamb of God.
These verses, in the context of this chapter and Ephesians as a whole, is speaking to the members of body of the church at Ephesus and to the members and bodies of all New Testament churches.

Should you disagree with an answer given, please explain why you disagree in the comment section below the article. All reasoned comments will be published, perhaps with reply. The purpose of this website is the Glory of God. God cannot be glorified by shutting out honest disagreement in the search for truth. The author would be interested in your explanation. The comments are required by the website to be approved or disapproved. The author is very busy with many matters and may or may not immediately notice your comment. He will address it as soon as he notices it. He almost always approves comments presented with a godly spirit. He never alters comments. Sometimes, he replies to comments.

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Lesson 8: The Prohibition of the New Man

March 27, 2017 Jerald Finney Leave a comment

The Prohibition of the New Man (Ephesians 4.17-22)
(20 questions with answers following)

For help in answering the questions, you may refer to Outline and Teaching on Ephesians.

Click here to go to Lesson 9

Click here to go to the links to 14 lessons on Ephesians – a Local Church is a Body (Questions and Answers)

Click here to go to Bible Studies: The Doctrine of the Church

Added on March 27, 2017

These are open book quizzes. Refer to your Bible for answers.

As we have seen in lesson 7, Ephesians 4.1-6 deals with the ____________ of the new man.
As we have seen in lesson 7, Ephesians 4.7-16 deals with the ____________ of the new man.
Now, in Ephesians 4.17-32, we look at the ____________ of the new man. Prohibition means, “the act of ____________”
There is a ____________ side to a Christian’s life which is set out by ___________. God’s prohibitions for the new man are the ___________ of His Word. For example, the primary command in the Garden of Eden was __________: “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt _____ eat of it. for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Ge. 2.17).
Paul instructs Gentile believers to “_______ not as other Gentiles _______, in the __________ of their mind. Having the understanding __________, being ___________ from the life of God through the __________ that is in them, because of the ____________ of their heart: Who being past __________ have given themselves over unto ______________, to work all uncleanness with _____________” (Ep. 4.17-19).
Paul, in Ep. 4.17-19, gives four aspects of the walk of the Gentiles which illustrate the absolute futility and insane purpose of the life of the lost man. What are they? Give a brief explanation of each.
Who are the saved Gentiles now to listen to and be taught by?
Where is the truth?
The believer in Christ is to “put off the _____ _____, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ep. 4.22).
Paul tells the believer in Christ is to “be _________ in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the _____ _____, which after God is _________ in righteousness and true holiness (Ep. 4.23-24).
This putting on of the new man:
–
a. is done by self-effort.
b. is done by striving to imitate Christ’s conduct.
c. has already been done for us when the old man was crucified with Christ.
d. none of the above.
–
We are to put off the old man by the power of:
–
a. positive thinking
b. the human will
c. the Holy Spirit
d. help from others
–
Believers, in putting on the new man, are to live in their new nature, as a new man, as a result of regeneration by the Holy Spirit. This is a repetition of the great message in the book of:
–
a. Revelation
b. Psalms
c. Romans
d. Jude
–
Since we are declared __________ and we are in ________ seated in the ____________, our ______ should be commensurate with our position. “”Which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
List the prohibitions given the believer in Ephesians 4.25-29.
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ep. 4.30). What grieves the Holy Spirit of God?
True or false: A believer can grieve away the Holy Spirit of God. Give the reason for y0ur answer.

The answers to the questions below are based upon Ephesians 4.30-32:

Ephesians 4:31-32: “31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

The sins listed in Ephesians 4.31 are sins of an emotional nature which are to “be put away from you.”
In verse 32 we see:
–
a. a radical change in the believer
b. a marked contrast from the previous verse
c. both a and b
d. neither a nor b
–
“Even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ep. 4.30c). All this is to be done on the basis:
–
a. that his conduct will not grieve the Holy Spirit
b. of command under the law of the grace of God
c. of the grace of God. The basis of forgiveness is gracious. We are to forgive because we have been forgiven..
d. both a and c.

Answers

As we have seen in lesson 7, Ephesians 4.1-6 deals with the exhibition of the new man.
As we have seen in lesson 7, Ephesians 4.7-16 deals with the inhibition of the new man.
Now, in Ephesians 4.17-32, we look at the prohibition of the new man. Prohibition means, “the act of forbidding”
There is a negative side to a Christian’s life which is set out by Scripture. God’s prohibitions for the new man are the negatives of His Word. For example, the primary command in the Garden of Eden was negative: “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it. for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Ge. 2.17).
Paul instructs Gentile believers to “walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ep. 4.17-19).
The four aspects of the walk of the Gentiles, with brief sample brief explanations of each, which Paul gives in Ep. 4.17-19 which illustrate the absolute futility and insane purpose of the life of the lost man are:
(1) “In the vanity of their mind” means the empty illusion of the life that thinks there is satisfaction in sin.
(2) “having the understanding darkened” means that the lost man has lost his perception of moral values.
(3) “Being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them” is a picture of all mankind without Christ.
(4) “Who being past feelings have given themselves over unto lasciviousness [which is uncleanness] to work all uncleanness with greediness.” Their continuance in this state of moral ineptitude brings them down to the level where they have no feeling of wrongdoing.

Jesus. See Ep. 4.20-21.
In Jesus. Ep. 4.21.
The believer in Christ is to “put off the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ep. 4.22).
Paul tells the believer in Christ is to “be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ep. 4.23-24).
This putting on of the new man: c. has already been done for us when the old man was crucified with Christ. See, e.g., Romans 6:6 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”
We are to put off the old man by the power of: c. the Holy Spirit
Believers, in putting on the new man, are to live in their new nature, as a new man, as a result of regeneration by the Holy Spirit. This is a repetition of the great message in the book of: c. Romans
Since we are declared righteous and we are in Christ seated in the heavenlies, our walk should be commensurate with our position. “”Which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
The prohibitions given the believer in Ephesians 4.25-29 are: “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
The offenses that have been listed grieve the Holy Spirit of God.
False. Because the believer is “sealed unto the day of redemption.”
The sins listed in Ephesians 4.31 are sins of an emotional nature which are to “be put away from you.”
In verse 32 we see: c. both a (a radical change in the believer) and b (a marked contrast from the previous verse)
“Even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ep. 4.30c). All this is to be done on the basis: d. both a (that his conduct will not grieve the Holy Spirit) and c (of the grace of God. The basis of forgiveness is gracious. We are to forgive because we have been forgiven)[Note on this answer: It is not to forgive that we get forgiveness. Note the contrast: Christ was stating the legal grounds for forgiveness in the Sermon on the Mount when He said, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (mt. 6.14, 15). Here we are told to forgive on the basis of the grace of God which He exhibited in our forgiveness for Christi’s sake, because Christ died for us.]

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Lesson 7: The Church Is a New Man: The Exhibition and Inhibition of the New Man

March 25, 2017 Jerald Finney Leave a comment

The Church Is a New Man: The Exhibition and Inhibition of the New Man – Ephesians 4.1-16
(17 questions from with answers following)

For help in answering the questions, you may refer to Outline and Teaching on Ephesians.

Click here to go to Lesson 8

Click here to go to the links to 14 lessons on Ephesians – a Local Church is a Body (Questions and Answers)

Click here to go to Bible Studies: The Doctrine of the Church

Added on March 25, 2017

Ephesians 4.1-6 consider the _______________ of the new man. The only way people can tell if you are a real child of God through faith in Christ is by your _______.
–
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye _______ __________ of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ep. 4.1)
–
Paul begs believers to walk “With all ____________ and ____________, with __________________, forbearing one another in _______: Endeavoring to keep the _________ of the Spirit in the bond of __________” (Ep. 4.2-3).
–
Lowliness is the flagship of all Christian virtues and is the opposite of _________. (See also, Philippians 2.3).
–
Meekness means mildness but it does not mean ____________. Meekness is __________ yourself to the will of God. (McGee, Ephesians, p. 111).
–
Longsuffering, a ________ of the Spirit, means that we don’t have a ________
–
“Forbearing one another in love” means to hold one’s self _______ in the spirit of _______. (See also, Col. 3.13)
–
“Endeavoring to keep the ________ of the Spirit” (See also, Jn. 17.21). There are seven unities to be kept: one _______, one __________, one _______ of your calling, one _______, one ________, one baptism, one _____ and Father of all, who is above _____, and through _____, and in you _____. (Ep. 4.3-6). God is not the _________ of unbelievers.
In Ephesians 4.1-6, Paul started with the individual _____________. Then he widens out to the entire __________ which is one _______ and one __________. Then, he brings this passage to a great crescendo, which pictures the imminence and transcendence of _____.
–

Questions 5 through 17 are based on Ephesians 4.7-16
–

In Ephesians 4.7-16, we learn of the ____________ of the new man. (Inhibition = Something that restrains, blocks, or suppresses).
God has given ________ to every believer, not that he may develop him spiritually, but in order that each believer may function in the ______ of believers to ____________ and bless the __________. (See Ro. 12, 1 Co. 12.7, 1 Co. 12, 13, and 14). Every member of my body needs to work __________. My eyes, brain, legs, etc. need to work __________. When one member of a body is not exercising his gift, he throws the whole body out of tune.
God “led captivity _____________, and gave ________ to men” “when he __________ up on high.” (Ep. 4.8). He first received those ________ for men (Ps. 68.18). Then He came to earth and went back to the Father and is now distributing the ________ among men. “When he ascended up on high” (the ascension) he did two things: (1) He “led captivity ____________” (referring to the redeemed of the ______ _______________ who went to _____________ when they died). (2) When He ascended, He conferred ________ on living believers in the church so that they might __________ to the world. At the day of __________, the Holy Spirit endowed ___________ with certain ________, enabling them to function as members of the _________ (the church at Jerusalem). The Holy Spirit put each of them in a certain place in the _______, and He has been doing that ever since.
Christ takes certain men who have been given certain ________ and gives them to the ________:
–
“And he [ __________ ] gave some, apostles; and some, ____________; and some, evangelists; and some, ___________ and teachers” (Ep. 4.11)
–
An apostle had seen the Lord Jesus Christ but had also been directly and personally commissioned by Him to be an __________. He enjoyed special ______________. (See Ga. 1.1, 2).
“Prophets” refers to New Testament prophets, men with particular insight into the ____________ of faith. (cf. Ep. 3.5).
“Evangelists” were traveling missionaries. Paul was an example. They went ________ into new territory with the __________ of ______ who went before them.
He also gave “pastors” who were _____________ of the flock.
He gave some “teachers” who were to ____________ the flock. (See also, 1 Co. 12.28, 29, and 1 Ti. 3.2).
He gave these men to the church for specified purposes:
–
“For the ______________ of the saints, for the ______ of the ministry, for the ____________ of the body of Christ: (Ep. 4.12).
–
A church has a purpose which is to complete itself that it might grow up:
–
“Till we all come in the unity of the ________, and of the __________ of the Son of God, unto a __________ man, unto the __________ of the stature of the __________ of Christ: That we ______________ be no more ____________, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of ____________, by the sleight of _____, and cunning __________, whereby they lie in wait to __________;” (Ep. 4.13-14).
–
A church is not to make a “nut” of herself before the ________; she is not to appear ignorant before the ________. All these men are to prepare the _________ so that the believers might do the work of _____________ and ____________ up the body of Christ. The pastor has a special ______, a ______ of teaching the Word of God so that his __________, those who are under him, might do the work of the ____________. A __________ or other member of a church cannot be all things. No man has ______ the gifts. The business of the pastor is to ________ the members of the church for the ______ of the ministry. All believers need to be ___________ in the Word of God so they can do the ______ of the ministry. Christ’s purpose in giving men with different ______ to a __________ is to __________ believers from babyhood to full maturity. (See McGee, Ephesians, p. 119-122).
The final goal:“But speaking the truth in ______, may ______ up into him in all things, which is the ______, even Christ: From whom the whole ______ fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint ___________, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, _________ increase of the ______ unto the edifying of itself in ______.” (Ep. 4.15-16)

Answers

Ephesians 4.1-6 consider the exhibition of the new man. The only way people can tell if you are a real child of God through faith in Christ is by your walk.
–
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ep. 4.1)
–
Paul begs believers to walk “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love: Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ep. 4.2-3).
–
Lowliness is the flagship of all Christian virtues and is the opposite of pride. (See also, Philippians 2.3).
–
Meekness means mildness but it does not mean weakness. Meekness is bowing yourself to the will of God. (McGee, Ephesians, p. 111).
–
Longsuffering, a fruit of the Spirit, means that we don’t have a short
–
“Forbearing one another in love” means to hold one’s self back in the spirit of love. (See also, Col. 3.13)
–
“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit” (See also, Jn. 17.21). There are seven unities to be kept: one body, one Spirit, one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ep. 4.3-6). God is not the father of unbelievers.
–
In Ephesians 4.1-6, Paul started with the individual believer. Then he widens out to the entire church which is one body and one Spirit. Then, he brings this passage to a great crescendo, which pictures the imminence and transcendence of God.

Questions through are based on Ephesians 4.7-16

In Ephesians 4.7-16, we learn of the inhibition of the new man. (inhibition = Something that restrains, blocks, or suppresses).
God has given gifts to every believer, not that he may develop him spiritually, but in order that each believer may function in the body of believers to benefit and bless the church. (See Ro. 12, 1 Co. 12.7, 1 Co. 12, 13, and 14). Every member of my body needs to work together. My eyes, brain, legs, etc. need to work together. When one member of a body is not exercising his gift, he throws the whole body out of tune.
God “led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men” “when he ascended up on high.” (Ep. 4.8). He first received those gifts for men (Ps. 68.18). Then He came to earth and went back to the Father and is now distributing the gifts among men. “When he ascended up on high” (the ascension) he did two things: (1) He “led captivity captive” (referring to the redeemed of the Old Testament who went to Paradise when they died). (2) When He ascended, He conferred gifts on living believers in the church so that they might witness to the world. At the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit endowed believers with certain gifts, enabling them to function as members of the body (the church at Jerusalem). The Holy Spirit put each of them in a certain place in the body, and He has been doing that ever since.
Christ takes certain men who have been given certain gifts and gives them to the church:
–
“And he [Christ] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Ep. 4.11)
–
An apostle had seen the Lord Jesus Christ but had also been directly and personally commissioned by Him to be an apostle. He enjoyed special inspiration. (See Ga. 1.1, 2).
“Prophets” refers to New Testament prophets, men with particular insight into the doctrines of faith. (cf. Ep. 3.5).
“Evangelists” were traveling missionaries. Paul was an example. They went alone into new territory with the Spirit of God who went before them.
He also gave “pastors” who were shepherds of the flock.
He gave some “teachers” who were to instruct the flock. (See also, 1 Co. 12.28, 29, and 1 Ti. 3.2).
He gave these men to the church for specified purposes:
–
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ep. 4.12).
–
A church has a purpose which is to complete itself that it might grow up:
–
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” (Ep. 4.13-14).
–
A church is not to make a “nut” of herself before the world; she is not to appear ignorant before the world. All these men are to prepare the church so that the believers might do the work of ministering and building up the body of Christ. The pastor has a special gift, a gift of teaching the Word of God so that his members, those who are under him, might do the work of the ministry. A pastor or other member of a church cannot be all things. No man has all the gifts. The business of the pastor is to build the members of the church for the work of the ministry. All believers need to be trained in the Word of God so they can do the work of the ministry. Christ’s purpose in giving men with different gifts to a church is to develop believers from babyhood to full maturity. (See McGee, Ephesians, p. 119-122).
The final desired result for a church:“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Ep. 4.15-16)

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Lesson 6: Introduction to The Church Is a New Man and Must Walk as a New Man(Ephesians)

March 24, 2017 Jerald Finney Leave a comment

Introduction to The Church Is a New Man and Must Walk as a New Man – Ephesians 4
(13 questions with answers following)

For help in answering the questions, you may refer to Outline and Teaching on Ephesians.

Click here to go to Lesson 7

Click here to go to the links to 14 lessons on Ephesians – a Local Church is a Body (Questions and Answers)

Click here to go to Bible Studies: The Doctrine of the Church

Added on March 24, 2017

Study Introduction to Study of Ephesians 4 for answers to these questions
Audio of Introduction to Study of Ephesians 4

The theme of Ephesians 4 is: The church is a _____ _____; therefore the church must walk as a _____ _____.
The subjects of Ephesians 4-6 are the __________ of the church and the __________ of the believer.
Ephesians 1-3 considered the _________, ______________, and the ______________ of the church.
Ephesians 3-6 considers the __________ of the church, the ____________ of the church, and the __________ of the church.
In chapters 1-3 we have been on the __________ peak of the transfiguration, probably the _________ point in the New Testament.
In chapters 4-6, we descend to the plane of living where we confront a _______–___________ world and a ___________ _____.
It has been said that the book of Ephesians occupies the same position theologically as the book of ________ in the Old Testament.
Joshua entered the land of promise on the basis of _________ made to _________, Isaac, Jacob, and _______.
Joshua had to appropriate the land by taking ____________ of it for the enjoyment of it and for __________ in the land.
__________ was a key word in the first half of Ephesians—God has blessed us “with all spiritual blessings.” God has given them over to us, but are we walking down here in ____________ of them?
Now the believer is privileged to move in and occupy the “all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies.” However, the unsearchable riches in Christ must be searched out with the spiritual Geiger counter, which is the ______ ____ ______.
In Ephesians 4-6, we have come to the __________ side of Ephesians, the earthly ________ of the church; and in chapter 4 the church is portrayed as the ______ ______.
This is restricted to those who have become ________ of God through _______ in Christ. ______ men cannot walk no matter how insistently they are urged to walk. ______ men must first be made alive.

Answers

The theme of Ephesians 4 is: The church is a new man; therefore the church must walk as a new man.
The subjects of Ephesians 4-6 are the conduct of the church and the vocation of the believer.
Ephesians 1-3 considered the calling, construction, and the constitution of the church.
Ephesians 3-6 considers the conduct of the church, the confession of the church, and the conflict of the church.
In chapters 1-3 we have been on the mountain peak of the transfiguration, probably the highest point in the New Testament.
In chapters 4-6, we descend to the plane of living where we confront a demon–possessed world and a skeptical mob.
It has been said that the book of Ephesians occupies the same position theologically as the book of Joshua in the Old Testament.
Joshua entered the land of promise on the basis of promise made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses.
Joshua had to appropriate the land by taking possession of it for the enjoyment of it and for blessing in the land.
Position was a key word in the first half of Ephesians—God has blessed us “with all spiritual blessings.” God has given them over to us, but are we walking down here in possession of them?
Now the believer is privileged to move in and occupy the “all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies.” However, the unsearchable riches in Christ must be searched out with the spiritual Geiger counter, which is the Word of God.
In Ephesians 4-6, we have come to the practical side of Ephesians, the earthly conduct of the church; and in chapter 4 the church is portrayed as the new man.
This is restricted to those who have become children of God through faith in Christ. Dead men cannot walk no matter how insistently they are urged to walk. Dead men must first be made alive.

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Introduction to Study of Ephesians 4

March 24, 2017 Jerald Finney Leave a comment

This is a sample of Dr. McGee’s excellent Bible teachings.
Click here go to all Dr. McGee’s audio teachings on the books of the Bible.
Dr. J. Vernon McGee

Ep.4.22-24_1 We have now come to a new section of the Epistle to the Ephesians. The subjects of these last three chapters are the conduct of the church and the vocation of the believer. We have learned of the heavenly calling of the believer, and now we come to the believer’s manner of life, his earthly walk. This is not a worldly walk but it is an earthly walk. The true believers [are] seated in the heavenlies in Christ. Christ is the Head of the body and He is seated at God’s right hand. But the church is to live down here on this earth.

In chapters 1-3 we have considered the calling, construction, and the constitution of the church. In this last section of the epistle we shall consider the conduct of the church, the confession of the church, and the conflict of the church. The church is a new man; in the future the church will be a bride; and the church is also a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

In the first three chapters we have been on a mountain peak of the transfiguration, probably the highest spiritual point in the New Testament. That is the reason we spent so much time in those chapters. In this last division, we descend to the plane of living where we confront a demon-possessed world and a skeptical mob. It is right down where the rubber meets the road. Are we able to translate the truths of the mountain top into shoe leather? Are we able to stand and walk through the world in a way that is pleasing to God. Our Lord said that we are in the world but not of the world.

It has been stated that Ephesians occupies the same position theologically as the book of Joshua does in the Old Testament. Now we come to the position where this truth is manifest. Joshua entered the land of promise on the basis of the promise made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. It was his be right of promise, and he led the children of Israel over the Jordan into the land. Passing over Jordan is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. We as believers have been brought into the promised land. that is where you and I live—at least we should be living in resurrection territory today.

Joshua had t appropriate the land by taking possession of it for the enjoyment of it and for blessing in the land. Possession is the great word in the book of Joshua. Although enemies and other obstacles stood in his way, Joshua had to overcome and occupy.

Position was a key word in the first half of Ephesians—God has blessed us “with all spiritual blessings.” God has given them over to us, but are we walking down here in possession of them? The children of Israel had been promised their land, but it remained a “never-never” land to them until they entered it. “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses” (Joshua 1.3). God says, “Joshua, all of it is yours, but you will enjoy only that which you lay hold of.”

Now the believer is privileged to move in and occupy the “all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies.” However, the unsearchable riches in Christ must be searched out with the spiritual Geiger counter, which is the Word of God. Up until now the epistle has been glorious declarations, but now there will be commands. Those who have been called to such an exalted place are now commanded to a way of life which is commensurate with the calling.

Some people dwell on the first part of the epistle and become rather super-duper saints, very spiritual. I remember a family like this when I first came to Southern California. They attended the church which I pastored but were not members. They were lovely, active people. I asked them one day why they didn’t join the church. They looked up to the ceiling and said, “We’re members of the invisible church,” and fluttered their eyelids. I have learned that a lot of these folk who are members of the “invisible” church are really invisible—invisible on Sunday night and invisible on Wednesday night. In fact, they are invisible when you need help from them. Now, my friend, let’s be practical about this: the invisible church is to make itself visible in a local assembly.

We have come to the practical side of Ephesians, the earthly conduct of the church; and in this chapter the church is portrayed as a new man. The new man is to exhibit himself down here. The members of the invisible church are to make themselves visible. They are to be extroverts, if you please, and they are to get out the Word of God.

What follows here is restricted to those who are in Christ. The Spirit of God is talking to saved people. If you are not a Christian, God is not asking you to do the commands in this epistle. First, you must become a child of His through faith in Christ; you must become a member of His [family]. What follows in this epistle is for those who have been redeemed and have heard the Word of truth. Dead men cannot walk no matter how insistently they are urged to walk. The dead man must first be made alive. Paul has told us that we were dead in trespasses and sins. That is the condition of all who are lost. The top sergeant doesn’t go out to the cemetery and yell, “”Attention! Forward march!” If he did, there certainly wouldn’t be any marching. Nobody would move. They first must have life. It is interesting that the religions are saying to a dying world, “Do something and you will be somebody.” God says just the opposite: “Be somebody and then you can do something.” If you are not a Christian, you just stay on the sidelines and listen. You will learn what God would ask of you if you were going to become a believer; and when you look around you, you will know whether or not the saints are living as God want them to live.

For a complete study of Ephesians, see Bible Doctrine of the Church.

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Lesson 5: The Church Is a Mystery

March 23, 2017 Jerald Finney Leave a comment

The Church Is a Mystery – Ephesians 3
(9 questions with answers following)

For help in answering the questions, you may refer to Outline and Teaching on Ephesians.

Click here to go to Lesson 6

Click here to go to the links to 14 lessons on Ephesians – a Local Church is a Body (Questions and Answers)

Click here to go to Bible Studies: The Doctrine of the Church

Added on March 23, 2017

The theme of Ephesians 3 is that the church is a __________.
The meaning of mystery in this context is “something that had not ____________ been revealed but is currently made __________.” This mystery being revealed by Paul was made known to him by the ________. (See Ep. 3.3-5).
–
“Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Ep. 3.5).
–
“ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the _________, which was kept secret since the world began” (Ro. 16.25).
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“Even the _________ which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (Col. 1.26).
–

The institution of the ________ was not revealed in the _____ Testament but is solely revealed in the _____ ____________.
Paul, unlike the other apostles, was sent to the ___________. He became a prisoner because he took the Gospel to the ___________.
–
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you ___________” (Ep. 3.1).
–
A brand _____thing is taking place. It is a new ________________or _________ from what they had in the Old Testament.
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”If ye have heard of the _______________ of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward” (Ep. 3:2).
–
This mystery had not been made known before, “as it is now revealed unto his holy __________ and __________by the ________” (Ep. 3.5).
The mystery was not that the Gentiles would be __________. (See, e.g., Is. 11.10; 42.6; Zec. 2.11; Mal. 1.11).
This new mystery was not to be __________or argued, but___________!
–
“And to make all men ______what is the fellowship of the___________, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ” (Ep. 3.9).
–
Another purpose of the mystery is revealed. God’s created intelligences are learning something of the _________ of God through the_________. They not only see the love of God displayed and lavished upon us, but the _________of God is revealed to his angels.
–
“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold _________of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ep. 3.10-11).

Answers

The theme of Ephesians 3 is that the church is a mystery.
The meaning of mystery in this context is “something that had not previously been revealed but is currently made manifest.” This mystery being revealed by Paul was made known to him by the Spirit. (See Ep. 3.3-5).
–
“Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Ep. 3.5).
–
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began” (Ro. 16.25).
–
“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (Col. 1.26).
–

The institution of the church was not revealed in the Old Testament but is solely revealed in the New Testament.
Paul, unlike the other apostles, was sent to the Gentiles. He became a prisoner because he took the Gospel to the Gentiles.
–
“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles” (Ep. 3.1).
–
A brand new thing is taking place. It is a new dispensation or economy from what they had in the Old Testament.
–
“If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward” (Ep. 3:2).
–
This mystery had not been made known before, “as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Ep. 3.5).
The mystery was not that the Gentiles would be saved. (See, e.g., Is. 11.10; 42.6; Zec. 2.11; Mal. 1.11).
This new mystery was not to be debated or argued, but preached!
–
“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” (Ep. 3.9).
–
Another purpose of the mystery is revealed. God’s created intelligences are learning something of the wisdom of God through the church. They not only see the love of God displayed and lavished upon us, but the wisdom of God is revealed to his angels.
–
“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ep. 3.10-11).

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Lesson 4: A Church Is a Temple and the Method and Materials of Construction

March 23, 2017 Jerald Finney Leave a comment

A Church Is a Temple and the Method and Materials of Construction – Ephesians 2
(17 questions with answers following)

For help in answering the questions, you may refer to Outline and Teaching on Ephesians.

Click here to go to Lesson 5

Click here to go to the links to 14 lessons on Ephesians – a Local Church is a Body (Questions and Answers)

Click here to go to Bible Studies: The Doctrine of the Church

Added on March 23, 2017

To whom was Ephesians written?
What is the theme of Ephesians 2?
Paul said to the church at Ephesus:
–
“19 Now therefore ye are no more _________ and _________, but _________ with the saints, and of the _________ of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the _________ and__________________, Jesus Christ himself being the chief _________ _________; 21 In whom all the _________ fitly framed together groweth unto an holy _________ in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are _________ together for an _________ of God through the _________.” (Ep. 2:19-22).
–
Verses 19-22 tell us that the “saints which are at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus” are identified three distinct ways: (1) As ___________________ (of heaven-see verses 6-7) (2) who are of the household (_________) of God along with all the saints no matter which local church they are members of. They are also identified as (3) a ________ or spiritual ___________ or _______ made up of the _________ of the ________ at Ephesus who are united together by the ________ to be an habitation of ________. All believers, individually, are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and are an individual temple of God (See 1 Co. 3.16-17, 6.19. Ep. 2.1-10). Paul says, “ye also are _________ together.” Who is the ye he is speaking to? They are, in context, the saints which are at _________ and the faithful in Christ Jesus to whom he is writing (Ep. 1.1); and, in applicability, to all individual believers and all New Testament churches from that day until the marriage of the lamb.
–
Thus, the saints at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus are builded ________ for an ___________ of God through the _______. (Ep. 2.22). They are built upon the foundation of the ________ and _______, _______ _______ himself being the chief corner stone. Every local New Testament ________ fits this model.
Paul’s epistles were always written to a________ assembly, a local _______, but the principles he spoke were and are applicable to every New Testament ______ body and the saints in each _________.
Thus, as to the local “habitation of God,” “the saints at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus” were builded _________ for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ep. 2.22). They are “_________ _________” All parts of a building must be connected—they must be “_________—that is, __________ __________, each being a part of the same _________ organism (See also, Ep. 2.21, Ep. 4, and 1 Co. 12). Every local New Testament ________ fits this model. If they are not “________,” they are not a ________, they are not a ________. A believer in China may or may not be a member of a church. He definitely is not a member of a church such as Old Paths Baptist Church in Minnesota, a church he has never heard of.
Paul’s epistles were always to a local church whose members were connected. The members came together spiritually for _________, _________, _________, and ___________. Every member attended _________ meetings unless sick or for some other acceptable absence. They were members of a particular local _______ (such as the Church at Ephesus).
The principles Paul spoke were and are ___________ to every New Testament ___________ body and the saints in each ___________.
All Bible references to a church here on the earth refer to an local autonomous ________ of Jewish and/or Gentile believers and not to a ___________or catholic church. Nowhere in the New Testament is a ___________ here on the ________ever referred to as anything other than a local spiritual body and nowhere does Scripture teach that a church is to have any type __________ above it other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Some examples of references to churches as they existed in the New Testament follow:
–
“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied” (Ac. 9.31).
–
Paul said, “Likewise greet the church that is in their house. (Ro. 16.5)” Notice that the church refers to the local body of baptized believers. The house was just the place where they met; it was not a church.
–
Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “Paul … Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s” (1 Co. 1.1-2).”
–
“If therefore the whole church be come together into one place…” (1 Co. 14.23).
–
“The churches [Not “the church of Asia”] of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house” (1 Co. 16.19).
–
“Paul … unto Philemon … and to the church in thy house” (Philemon 1-2).
–
In Revelation, the Lord speaks to “the church of Ephesus” (Re. 2.1), “the church in Smyrna” (Re. 2.8), “the church in Pergamos” (Re. 2.12), “the church in Thyatira” (Re. 2.18), “the church in Sardis” (Re. 3.1), “the church in Philadelphia” (Re. 3.7), and “the church of the Laodiceans” (Re. 3.14).
–
Those believers who spiritually unite together in a local body are a ________. A body must be __________; without unification and connection to the other parts, a ________ cannot exist.
The building which Paul is speaking of is___________, ___________, and ___________, not ___________, ___________, and ___________.“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ep. 2:2-3)”“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ep. 2:4-7)
–
“In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ep. 2.22).
–
The material for the construction of a church does not include those:
–
“who were ______ in trespasses and ______; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this ________, according to the ________ of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of ______________: Among whom also we all had our _______________ in times ______ in the lusts of our _______, fulfilling the desires of the ________ and of the ________; and were by nature the children of _________, even as others” (Ep. 2.1-3).
–
The material for the construction of a church is:
–
Those (speaking in context to the members of the Church at Ephesus, but also in applicability to all believers) whom He hath _______________. See Ep. 2.1, 5 et seq.
–
Thus, a church is a __________ organism, since it is built by bringing together __________beings. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a ___________ house, an holy priesthood, to offer up __________ sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Pe. 2:5).
The first step in the construction of a church is the combining of believers, Jew and _________, into a ______ ______ (See Ep. 2.11-16).
The new man has a new citizenship and family. All believers, including the “saints which are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Jesus Christ” are, along with all believers, no matter their local church affiliation, “________________ with the _________, and of the ______________of God,” who sit in “___________ places in Christ Jesus.” Ep. 2.1, 5, 19. Being a _______________ and “of the household of God,” speaks of _______________ and _________, not of local _________ body. All believers are therefore citizens of heaven and members of the family or household of God.
Those believers in the church at Ephesus are (1) ________________ with the saints, (2) members of a new _________, the household of God, and (3) a local New Testament church assembly, an holy _________ of the Lord.
–
“19 Now therefore ye are no more ___________ and _________, but _______________ with the saints, and of the _______________ of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief ________ ________; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together ___________ unto an holy ________ in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are _________ together for an___________ of God through the ___________” (Ep. 2:19-22).

Answers

Ephesians was written to “to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ep. 2.1.)
The theme of Ephesians 2 is that “A church is an holy temple in the Lord.” (The answers below which examine Ephesians 2 will make this clear.)
Paul said to the church at Ephesus:
–
“19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ep. 2:19-22).
–
Verses 19-22 tell us that the “saints which are at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus” are identified three distinct ways: (1) As fellowcitizens (of heaven-see verses 6-7) (2) who are of the household (family) of God along with all the saints no matter which local church they are members of. They are also identified as (3) a temple or spiritual building or body made up of the members of the church at Ephesus who are united together by the Spirit to be an habitation of God. All believers, individually, are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and are an individual temple of God (See 1 Co. 3.16-17, 6.19. Ep. 2.1-10). Paul says, “ye also are builded together.” Who is the ye he is speaking to? They are, in context, the saints which are at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus to whom he is writing (Ep. 1.1); and, in applicability, to all individual believers and all New Testament churches from that day until the marriage of the lamb.
–
Thus, the saints at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ep. 2.22). They are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. Every local New Testament church fits this model.
Paul’s epistles were always written to a local assembly, a local church, but the principles he spoke were and are applicable to every New Testament church body and the saints in each church.
Thus, as to the local “habitation of God,” “the saints at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus” were builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ep. 2.22). They were “builded together.” All parts of a building must be connected—they must be “together”—that is, connected spiritually, each being a part of the same spiritual organism (See also, Ep. 2.21, Ep. 4, and 1 Co. 12). Every local New Testament church fits this model. If they are not “together,” they are not a body, they are not a church. A believer in China may or may not be a member of a church. He definitely is not a member of a church such as Old Paths Baptist Church in Minnesota, a church he has never heard of.
Paul’s epistles were always to a local church whose members were connected. The members came together spiritually for worship, preaching, teaching, and fellowship. Every member attended church meetings unless sick or for some other acceptable absence. They were members of a particular local church (such as the Church at Ephesus).
The principles Paul spoke were and are applicable to every New Testament church body and the saints in each church.
All Bible references to a church here on the earth refer to an local autonomous body of Jewish and/or Gentile believers and not to a universal or catholic church. Nowhere in the New Testament is a church here on the earth ever referred to as anything other than a local spiritual body and nowhere does Scripture teach that a church is to have any type authority above it other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Some examples of references to churches as they existed in the New Testament follow:
–
“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied” (Ac. 9.31).
–
Paul said, “Likewise greet the church that is in their house” (Ro. 16.5). Notice that the church refers to the local body of baptized believers. The house was just the place where they met; it was not a church.
–
Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “Paul … Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s” (1 Co. 1.1-2).
–
“If therefore the whole church be come together into one place…” (1 Co. 14.23).
–
“The churches [Not “the church of Asia”] of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house” (1 Co. 16.19).
–
“Paul … unto Philemon … and to the church in thy house” (Philemon 1-2).
–
In Revelation, the Lord speaks to “the church of Ephesus” (Re. 2.1), “the church in Smyrna” (Re. 2.8), “the church in Pergamos” (Re. 2.12), “the church in Thyatira” (Re. 2.18), “the church in Sardis” (Re. 3.1), “the church in Philadelphia” (Re. 3.7), and “the church of the Laodiceans” (Re. 3.14).
–
Those believers who spiritually unite together in a local body are a church. A body must be united; without unification and connection to the other parts, a body cannot exist.
The building which Paul is speaking of is spiritual, heavenly, and eternal, not fleshly, earthly, and temporal.“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ep. 2:2-3)”“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ep. 2:4-7)
–
“In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ep. 2.22).
–
The Testament temple (the church) will be contrasted with the Old Testament temple in Lesson 6.
–
The material for the construction of a church does not include those:
–
“who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others” (Ep. 2.1-3).
–
The material for the construction of a church are:
–
Those [speaking in context to the members of the Church at Ephesus, but also in applicability to all believers] whom He hath quickened. See Ep. 2.1, 5 et seq.
–
Thus, a church is a spiritual organism, since it is built by bringing together spiritual beings. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Pe. 2:5).
The first step in the construction of a church is the combining of believers, Jew and Gentile, into a new man (See Ep. 2.11-16).
The new man has a new citizenship and family. All believers, including the “saints which are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Jesus Christ” are, along with all believers, no matter their local church affiliation, “fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God,” who sit in “heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ep. 2.1, 5, 19. Being a fellowcitizen and “of the household of God,” speaks of citizenship and family, not of local church. All believers are citizens of heaven and members of the family or household of God. All believers are not members of a church.
Those believers in the church at Ephesus were (1) fellowcitizens with the saints, (2) members of a new family, the household of God, and (3) a local New Testament church assembly, an holy temple of the Lord.
–
“19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ep. 2:19-22).
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For more on the universal church doctrine, see
C.I. Scofield’s “true church” doctrine

Church_LessonsOnDoctrineOf

Lesson 3: The Work of the Holy Spirit in Protecting the Church

March 21, 2017 Jerald Finney Leave a comment

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Protecting the Church – Ephesians 1.13-14
(14 questions with answers following)

For help in answering the questions, you may refer to Outline and Teaching on Ephesians.

Click here to go to Lesson 4

Click here to go to the links to 14 lessons on Ephesians – a Local Church is a Body (Questions and Answers)

Click here to go to Bible Studies: The Doctrine of the Church

Added on March 21, 2017

The work of the Holy Spirit in protecting the church

Ephesians 1:13-14: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were ________ with that holy Spirit of __________, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the ___________ ___________, unto the praise of his glory.”
The believer is a purchased possession, as explained in Ephesians 1.14.
The body of the believer is the __________ of the ________ __________.
To whom does the body of the believer belong?
Who is in the body of the believer?
Ephesians 4:30: “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the _____ of _____________.”
From the above, it is clear that one who has been saved is regenerated. He is not the same as before. 2 Corinthians 5.17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
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Romans 8:16 “The _________ itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the __________ of ______:”
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Romans 8:21 “Because the___________ itself also shall be___________ from the ___________ of ___________ into the glorious __________ of the ________ of _____.”
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Before, (2) the believer did not ________ to _____; (2) he was not the _______ of God; (3) the ____ _________ did not live in him; (5) he was not a ___ _________; (4) ____ things had not passed away; (5) all things had not become _____; (6) he was not a _____ of God; (7) he had not been delivered from the_________ of _________ into the glorious ________ of the _________ of God.
There is a two-fold purpose in the sealing work of the Holy Spirit. He implants the _________ of God upon the heart to give reality to the believer. When a seal is put down on a document, that document has the ________ of the seal on it. John 3:33: “He that hath received his testimony hath set to his _________ that God is true.”
The second purpose of sealing is to denote rightful ___________. 2 Timothy 2:19 “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this ________, The Lord __________ them that are _______. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
The ______ ________ is the seal, and that guarantees that God is going to ________ We are _________ unto the day of redemption. The day will come when the _______ _________will _________ us to Christ.
The third and final work of the Holy Spirit in protecting the church is to serve as the ______ _______ for the __________ and the ______. The Holy Spirit is our ________ ________.
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Ephesians 1:14 “Which is the _________ of our ___________ until the redemption of the ___________ ______________, unto the praise of his glory.”
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Earnest money is put down as a ____ ________ and _______ on a piece of property to _______ the property for the ________. It also promises more ________ to follow. He has been given as a pledge and token that there is more to follow in the way of ___________ ___________.
Believers in a _________ _________, as in the church at Ephesus, combine to build up a spiritual house, the local New Testament _________.
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1 Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a ________ _________, an holy _____________, to offer up ___________ sacrifices, acceptable to_________ by Jesus Christ.”

Answers

Ephesians 1:13-14: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
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1 Corinthians 6.19 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
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The believer is a purchased possession, as explained in Ephesians 1.14.
The body of the believer is the temple of the Holy Ghost?
The body of the believer belongs to God (not to the believer)?
The Holy Ghost is in the body of the believer?
Ephesians 4:30: “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
From the above, it is clear that one who has been saved is regenerated. He is not the same as before. 2 Corinthians 5.17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
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Romans 8:16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”
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Romans 8:21 “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
Before, (2) the believer did not belong to God; (2) he was not the temple of God; (3) the Holy Ghost did not live in him; (5) he was not a new creature; (4) old things had not passed away; (5) all things had not become new; (6) he was not a child of God; (7) he had not been delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
There is a two-fold purpose in the sealing work of the Holy Spirit. He implants the image of God upon the heart to give reality to the believer. When a seal is put down on a document, that document has the image of the seal on it. John 3:33: “He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.”
The second purpose of sealing is to denote rightful ownership. 2 Timothy 2:19 “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
The Holy Spirit is the seal, and that guarantees that God is going to deliver We are sealed unto the day of redemption. The day will come when the Holy Spirit will deliever us to Christ.
The third and final work of the Holy Spirit in protecting the church is to serve as the earnest money for the believer and the church. The Holy Spirit is our earnest money.
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Ephesians 1:14 “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
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Earnest money is put down as a down payment and pledge on a piece of property to hold the property for the buyer. It also promises more money to follow. He has been given as a pledge and token that there is more to follow in the way of spiritual blessings.
Believers in a church body, as in the church at Ephesus, combine to build up a spiritual house, the local New Testament church.
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1 Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

Church_LessonsOnDoctrineOf

Lesson 2: The Work of the Son of God on Behalf of the Church (Ephesians)

March 21, 2017 Jerald Finney Leave a comment

The Work of the Son of God on Behalf of the Church –
Ephesians 1.7-12
(9 questions with answers following)

For help in answering the questions, you may refer to Outline and Teaching on Ephesians.

Click here to go to Lesson 3

Click here to go to the links to 14 lessons on Ephesians – a Local Church is a Body (Questions and Answers)

Click here to go to Bible Studies: The Doctrine of the Church

Added on March 21, 2017

What was the first work of God the Son on behalf of the church? (See Ephesians 1.7)
What was the second work of God the Son on behalf of the church? (See Ephesians 1.8-10)
How many mysteries are there in the New Testament?
A mystery in Scripture means that God is ______________ something that, up to that time, He had not ___________. There are two elements which always enter into a New Testament mystery: (1) It cannot be discovered by __________ agencies, for it is always a revelation of _________; (2) It is _____________ to establish the _______ without all the ___________ being disclosed.
The mystery of the church was ______ _________ in the Old Testament.
What was the third work of God the Son on behalf of the church? (See Ephesians 1.11, 12)
In the third work of God the Son on behalf of the church, Christ gives us an inheritance. He ________ us for something ___ ______ _______ ________.
Paul writes in Romans 8.17: “And if children, then _______; _______ of God, and joint-______ with Christ; if so be that we _________ with him, that we may be also _________ _________.”
1 Corinthians 3:21-23: Therefore let no man ________ in men. For all things are _________; Whether ________, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the _________, or _________ or _________, or things _________, or __________ to come; all are ___________; And ye are ___________; and Christ is ___________.

Answers

The first work of God the Son on behalf of the church was redemption. He paid the price for the sin of church members. (Ephesians 1.7). Remember, Ephesians is addressed to “the saints which are at Ephesus” (Ephesians 1.1); that is the body of believers at Ephesus over which He is the Head (See Ephesians 1.22).
The second work of God the Son on behalf of the church was to reveal the mystery of His will. (Ephesians 1.8-10).
There are eleven mysteries in the New Testament. They are: (1) The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 13.3-50); (2) the mystery of Israel’s blindness during this age (Ro. 11.25, with context); (3) the mystery of the translation of living saints at the end of this age (1 Co. 15.51, 52; 1 Thes. 4.14-17); (4) the mystery of the NT church as one body composed of Jew and Gentile (Ep. 3.1-11; Ro. 16.25; Ep. 6.19; Col. 4.3); (5) the mystery of the church as the bride of Christ (Ep. 5.28-32); (6) the mystery of the inliving Christ (Ga. 2.20; Col. 1.26, 27); (7) the “mystery of God even Christ,” i.e., Christ as the incarnate fullness of the Godhead embodied, in whom all the divine wisdom for man subsists (Col. 2.2, 9; 1 Co. 2.7); (8) the mystery of the processes by which godlikeness is restored to man (1 Ti. 3.16); (9) the mystery of iniquity (2 Thes. 2.7; Mt. 13.33); (10) the mystery of the seven stars (Re. 1.20); (11) the mystery of Babylon (Re. 17.5, 7).
A mystery in Scripture means that God is revealing something that, up to that time, He had not revealed. There are two elements which always enter into a New Testament mystery: (1) It cannot be discovered by human agencies, for it is always a revelation of God; (2) It is revealed to establish the fact without all the details being disclosed. The mystery of the church was not revealed in the Old Testament.
The mystery of the church was not revealed in the Old Testament.
The third work of God the Son on behalf of the church was that Christ rewards us with an inheritance.
In the third work of God the Son on behalf of the church, Christ gives us an inheritance. He rewards us for something we have not done.
Paul writes in Romans 8.17: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
1 Corinthians 3:21-23: Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

Miscellaneous Spiritual/Legal Matters

Short Explanation of “Dispensation”

March 21, 2017 Jerald Finney Leave a comment

From J. Vernon McGee, Ephesians, p. 47 (teaching on Ephesians 1.9-10)

“Dispensation is another word like mystery. It is often misunderstood, and a great many people think it is a dirty word. It is a great word! Some Bible teachers won’t even use the word because it is a word that is hated. There are a lot of words in the Bible that are hated—words like blood, and redemption, and the cross. Paul says the cross is an offense, but that cannot keep us from preaching about it. The Bible teaches dispensations, and so we will not avoid the subject at all.

“Let me say first of all that a dispensation is not a period of time. That is where dispensation differs from the word age. We hear the ‘age of grace’—that is a period of time. Dispensation is an altogether different word that is translated in several different ways. It can mean ‘a stewardship,’ ‘an order,’ or ‘an administration.’ An English transliteration of the Greek word would be ‘economy.’ It is an order or a system that is put into effect. It is a way of doing things.

“For example, girls in school take a course called home economics or domestic economy. They learn how to run a household. When a woman has her own home, she may decide to have baked beans one night and a roast the next night. She set up the order of meals and that is the way she organizes her schedule. Down the street the mother in another family decides they won’t have a roast that night, but they will have fish. That is the way she runs her house, and she has a right to run it like that.

“There is also a political economy—a subject that is taught in our colleges today. A lot of young men go into that field, and they learn how to run a government, the way to run a nation. England runs her government differently than we do over here. Each has a right to its own system and I wouldn’t say that either place has the right system. Russia has an entirely different system, and we certainly wouldn’t better ourselves by taking theirs. Countries even have different systems of running traffic. In England, they drive down the left side of the street! I enjoyed kidding our driver when we were in England, ‘Look out, there comes a car on the wrong side of the street!’ ‘That’s all right,’ he would say, ‘I’m going on the wrong side myself.’ In England the right side is the left side. Now that is confusing to a poor American visiting over there.”

“A dispensation may fit into a certain period of time, but it actually means the way God runs something at a particular time; it is the way God does things. It is evident that God had Adam on a different arrangement than He has for you and me. I thing even the most ardent anti-dispensationalist can understand that the Garden of Eden was different from Southern California today. And God dealt with Adam in a different way than he deals with us. (Now, I will admit that when people first moved out to Southern California, they thought it was a Garden of Eden. I thought so, too, when I first came here, but now it is filled with smog and traffic [and sinful abominations]!

“Now God has never had but one method to save folk; everything rests upon one method of salvation. The approach and the man under the system have been different, however. For example, Abel offered a lamb to God, and so did Abraham. The Old Testament priests offered lambs to God. God had said that was the right way. But I hope you did not bring a lamb to church last Sunday! That is not the way God tells us to approach Him today. We are under a different economy.

“‘Of the fulness of times.’ [Ephesians 1.10]. What is the ‘fulness of times’? I can’t go into all phases of that, but God is moving everything forward to the time when Christ will rule over all things in heaven and earth. This is the fulness, the pleroma, when everything is going to be brought under the rulership of Jesus Christ. The pleroma is like a vast receptacle into which centuries and millenniums have been falling. All that is past, present, and future is moving toward the time when every knee must bow and every tongue must confess that Jesus is Lord. This is the mystery that is revealed to us, ‘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.’ We learn this about Christ, that God ‘hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him; (Hebrews 2.8). This states very clearly that we have not yet come to that time. We are under a different dispensation today; we live under a different economy. But God has revealed this to us that is to come to pass, something that had not been revealed in the past.

“Heaven and earth are not in tune today—we are playing our own little tune. We have our rock music going down here, while the only Rock up there is the Lord Jesus. He is the Rock: He is that precious Stone that is the foundation upon which the church rests today. And the day will come when heaven and earth will be in tune and all things will be gathered together in Christ.”

For more on dispensationalism see Dispensation Theology versus Covenant Theology

Note. That universality of the church will begin at the marriage of the Lamb. See Revelation 19.7-10; Hebrews 19.22-24.

Churches under Christ Ministry Website: Understanding and Applying God's Principles for Church Headship "Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:1-3). ————————————This Ministry is under the authority of Charity Baptist Tabernacle of Amarillo, Texas. Jerald Finney, a Christian Lawyer and member of Charity Baptist Tabernacle, having received this ministry in the Lord, explains how a church in America can remain under the Lord Jesus Christ and Him only. "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:10-11; See also, Ephesians 4::1-16 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-25). "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it" (Colossians 4:17). "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church" (Ephesians 1.22; See also, e.g. Colossians 1:18).

The Church Will Be a Bride: The Engagement of the Church – Ephesians 5.1-17 (13 questions with answers following)

Added on March 28, 2017

Answers

The Prohibition of the New Man (Ephesians 4.17-22) (20 questions with answers following)

Added on March 27, 2017

Answers

The Church Is a New Man: The Exhibition and Inhibition of the New Man – Ephesians 4.1-16 (17 questions from with answers following)

Added on March 25, 2017

Questions 5 through 17 are based on Ephesians 4.7-16 –

Answers

Questions through are based on Ephesians 4.7-16

Introduction to The Church Is a New Man and Must Walk as a New Man – Ephesians 4 (13 questions with answers following)

Added on March 24, 2017

Answers

The Church Is a Mystery – Ephesians 3 (9 questions with answers following)

Added on March 23, 2017

Answers

A Church Is a Temple and the Method and Materials of Construction – Ephesians 2 (17 questions with answers following)

Added on March 23, 2017

Answers

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Protecting the Church – Ephesians 1.13-14 (14 questions with answers following)

Added on March 21, 2017

Answers

The Work of the Son of God on Behalf of the Church – Ephesians 1.7-12 (9 questions with answers following)

Added on March 21, 2017

The Church Will Be a Bride: The Engagement of the Church – Ephesians 5.1-17
(13 questions with answers following)

The Prohibition of the New Man (Ephesians 4.17-22)
(20 questions with answers following)

The Church Is a New Man: The Exhibition and Inhibition of the New Man – Ephesians 4.1-16
(17 questions from with answers following)

Questions 5 through 17 are based on Ephesians 4.7-16
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Introduction to The Church Is a New Man and Must Walk as a New Man – Ephesians 4
(13 questions with answers following)

The Church Is a Mystery – Ephesians 3
(9 questions with answers following)

A Church Is a Temple and the Method and Materials of Construction – Ephesians 2
(17 questions with answers following)

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Protecting the Church – Ephesians 1.13-14
(14 questions with answers following)

The Work of the Son of God on Behalf of the Church –
Ephesians 1.7-12
(9 questions with answers following)