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.
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 purchasedpossession, 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 newcreature: 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 spiritualhouse, 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 purchasedpossession, 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 purchasedpossession, as explained in Ephesians 1.14.
The body of the believer is the temple of the HolyGhost?
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 newcreature: 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 HolyGhost did not live in him; (5) he was not a newcreature; (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 HolySpirit 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 HolySpirit will deliever us to Christ.
The third and final work of the Holy Spirit in protecting the church is to serve as the earnestmoney for the believer and the church. The Holy Spirit is our earnestmoney.
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Ephesians 1:14 “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchasedpossession, unto the praise of his glory.”
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Earnest money is put down as a downpayment 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 spiritualblessings.
Believers in a churchbody, as in the church at Ephesus, combine to build up a spiritualhouse, the local New Testament church.
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1 Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritualhouse, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
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.
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.
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 notrevealed in the Old Testament.
The mystery of the church was notrevealed 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 wehavenotdone.
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 glorifiedtogether.”
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.
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.
The Church is a Body – Ephesians 1 (38 questions on the Bible Doctrine of the Church and the American application of that Doctrine with answers at the end)
Answers follow 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.
1. The theme of Ephesians chapter 1 is that a church is a ___________.
Questions 2-7 below are from Ephesians 1.1 which says: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:”
Paul says he is an apostle. An apostle is the highest ____________ a church has ever had.
A church today cannot have an apostle today because they cannot meet _____ ____________.
The requirements of an apostle are that: (a) The apostles received their commission directly from the living lips of __________. Paul made that claim. He said in Galatians 1.1, “_______, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)” The disciples named___________, but the word of God never states that Jesus made him an apostle. (b) The apostles saw the ______________ after His resurrection. Paul could meet that requirement. 1 Corinthians 9.1. (c) The apostles spoke directly with the Savior. Paul met that requirement. Acts 9.3-6. (d) They expounded and wrote Scripture. See John 14.26, 16.13; Galatians 1.11, 12. (e) They exercised supreme authority. See John 20.22, 23; 2 Corinthians 10.8. (f) The badge of their authority was the power to work miracles. Mark 6.13; Luke 9.1, 2; Acts 2.43. (g) They were given a universal commission to found churches. 2 Corinthians 11.28.
Paul rested his apostleship on the _________ of ______ rather than any personal ambition or will of ______ or request of a _____________. For more on this, see, e.g., Galatians 1.15, 16; 1 Timothy 1. 12, 13; 1 Corinthians 1.1; 2 Corinthians 1.1; 1 Colossians 1.1; 2 Timothy 1.1.
Paul addressed this epistle to the ___________ which are at ____________ and to the ___________ in Christ Jesus.
A saint is a ___________ and a believer is a ___________.
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In Ephesians 1.3-6, we learn that God the _______________ planned the church.
In Ephesians 1.7-12, we learn that God the _________ paid the price for the church.
In Ephesians 1.13, 14, we learn that God the ________ ____________ protects the church.
God the Father set ___________ “at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all _____________ and ___________, and _____________, and _______________, and every ________________ that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put _____________ things under his feet, and gave him to be the _____________ over ____ _____________ to the ___________, Which is his ___________, and the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1.20-23.
God clearly states in His word that He wants to be over _____ things to the church.
Which church in the New Testament was under any authority other than Jesus Christ?
What church in the New Testament went to any civil government for non-profit corporation and/or tax exempt status or for recognition, organization, favor, power, or any other perceived advantage?
Who provides the basis for non-profit corporation and/or Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) status?
Who creates the corporate part of a church who is a non-profit corporation?
Who defines a non-profit corporation church?
Who is the authority or authorities over a non-profit corporation?
Who is over a church who is a non-profit corporation?
Is any church in America required by civil law to attain and receive non-profit corporation and/or Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) status?
Does any civil law require a church to obtain non-profit corporation and/or Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) status?
When a church asks for and receives non-profit corporation status, does the state of her incorporation become her authority for many matters?
If the answer to the last question is “yes,” will the authority allow Bible arguments in deciding the controversy?
What is the term for the relationship created by non-profit corporation status?
What is a non-profit corporation contract?
Which New Testament church in the Bible contracted with the state through incorporation and/or tax exempt status?
Who is the controlling party of the contract created between the non-profit corporation and the state of incorporation?
What rules come with 501(c)(3) status?
Who officiates over a dispute which a non-profit corporation takes to her state authority?
According to whose plan is a church who is a non-profit corporation operated?
To whom does a church who is a non-profit corporation report?
To whom does a church who is a non-profit corporation pay a yearly fee?
To whom does a church who is a non-profit corporation go for resolution of many matters?
What officers does a non-profit corporation have?
What are the only church officers authorized by the New Testament?
What New Testament church had any of the following officers: CEO, President, Secretary?
What New Testament church had corporate trustees?
Does corporate and/or 501(c)(3) or 508 status combine church and state?
The theme of Ephesians Chapter 1 is that a church is a body.
Paul says he is an apostle. An apostle is the highest office a church has ever had.
A church today cannot have an apostle today because they cannot meet therequirements.
The requirements of an apostle are that: (a) The apostles received their commission directly from the living lips of Jesus. Paul made that claim. He said in Galatians 1.1, “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)” The disciples named Matthias, but the word of God never states that Jesus made him an apostle. (b) The apostles saw the Saviour after His resurrection. Paul could meet that requirement. 1 Corinthians 9.1. (c) The apostles spoke directly with the Savior. Paul met that requirement. Acts 9.3-6. (d) They expounded and wrote Scripture. See John 14.26, 16.13; Galatians 1.11, 12. (e) They exercised supreme authority. See John 20.22, 23; 2 Corinthians 10.8. (f) The badge of their authority was the power to work miracles. Mark 6.13; Luke 9.1, 2; Acts 2.43. (g) They were given a universal commission to found churches. 2 Corinthians 11.28.
Paul rested his apostleship on the will of God rather than any personal ambition or will of man or request of a church. For more on this, see, e.g., Galatians 1.15, 16; 1 Timothy 1. 12, 13; 1 Corinthians 1.1; 2 Corinthians 1.1; 1 Colossians 1.1; 2 Timothy 1.1.
Paul addressed this epistle to the saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.
A saint is a believer and a believer is a saint.
In Ephesians 1.3-6, we learn that God the Father planned the church.
In Ephesians 1.7-12, we learn that God the Son paid the price for the church.
In Ephesians 1.13, 14, we learn that God the HolySpirit protects the church.
God the Father set Christ “at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over allthings to the church, Which is his body, and the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1.20-23.
God clearly states in His word that He wants to be over all things to the church.
No church in the New Testament was under any authority other than Jesus Christ.
No church in the New Testament went to any civil government for non-profit corporation and/or tax exempt status or for recognition, organization, favor, power, or any other perceived advantage.
The state of incorporation provides the basis for non-profit corporation and/or Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) status.
The law of the state of incorporation creates the corporate part of a church who is a non-profit corporation.
The state of incorporation defines a non-profit corporation church.
The state of incorporation through her courts (and maybe the Lord Jesus Christ for some churches in some matters) is the authority or authorities over a non-profit corporation.
The state of incorporation through her courts (and maybe the Lord Jesus Christ for some churches in some matters) is over a church who is a non-profit corporation.
No church in America is required by civil law to attain and receive non-profit corporation and/or federal (Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3)) tax exempt status.
No civil law in America requires a church to obtain non-profit corporation and/or Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) status. On the other hand, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and corresponding state constitutional provisions protect churches from civil government entanglement (corporate and/or tax exempt status). Churches must seek such status, of their own free will, from the civil government.
When a church asks for and receives non-profit corporation status, the state of her incorporation becomes her authority for many matters.
If the answer to the last question is “yes,” the state authority will not allow Bible arguments in deciding the controversy.
The term for the relationship created by non-profit corporation status is contract.
A non-profit corporation contract is an agreement between the state and the church.
No New Testament church contracted with the state through incorporation and/or tax exempt status.
The state is the controlling party of the contract created between the non-profit corporation and the state of incorporation.
What rules come with 501(c)(3) status? Five rules come with the status. I have listed and explained those rules in my writings.
A court of the state of incorporation officiates over a dispute which a non-profit corporation takes to her state authority.
A church who is a non-profit corporation is operated according to the non-profit corporation laws of the state of incorporation.
A church who is a non-profit corporation reports to the state of her incorporation.
A church who is a non-profit corporation pays a yearly fee to the state of her incorporation.
A church who is a non-profit corporation goes to the courts of her state of incorporation for resolution of many matters.
A non-profit corporation must have officers such as President, CEO, treasurer, etc.
The only church officers authorized by the New Testament are pastors, deacons, and elders.
No New Testament church had any of the following officers: CEO, President, Secretary, etc.
No New Testament church had corporate trustees.
Church corporate and/or 501(c)(3) or 508 status combines church and state.
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.
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.
In what verse(s) does the Bible record the out calling of the church?
Please quote the verse(s) referred to in question 1.
Those verses (in the prior 2 questions) record the words of whom?
What New Testament writer explains, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, how, when, or of what materials, that church would be built?
a. Jude.
b. Luke.
c. John.
d. Paul.
What New Testament writer, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, explains what should be the position, relationships, privileges, and duties of that church?
a. Jude.
b. Luke.
c. John.
d. Paul.
Where is the doctrine of the church developed?
a. The book of Jude.
b. The writings of Luke.
c. The writings of John.
d. The Epistles of Paul.
What Epistles present a composite picture of the Christ, the church, the Christian life, and the interrelationship and functioning of all?
a. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Philemon
b. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (the prison epistles)
c. Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, Titus
d. Ephesians, Colossians, 1 Timothy, Philemon
The epistle to the Ephesians is written to the church at _________________.
The church, as an institution is made up of _____________, autonomous, _______________ bodies.
Answers
1. Matthew 16.18.
2. Matthew 16:18-19: “18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
3. Jesus.
4. d. Paul, in his Epistles. In his letters to seven Gentile churches (in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, and Thessalonica).
5. d. Paul, in his Epistles. In his letters to seven Gentile churches (in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, and Thessalonica).
6. d. The Epistles of Paul.
7. b. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (the prison epistles)
8. The epistle to the Ephesians is written to the church at Ephesus.
9. The church, as an institution is made up of local, autonomous, spiritual bodies.
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.
The local church sanctified and cleansed by the washing of water by the word——————–A ministry of Charity Baptist Tabernacle of Amarillo, Texas led by Pastor Ben Hickam. "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). ————————————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).
Simply Church 