The Church of the Mystery did not evolve from the book of the Acts of the Apostles, but rather it was a new creation, created when the “Hope of Israel” was put in abeyance in Acts 28:17-28. Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 1 Timothy 3:8,16 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; …, Psalm 45:9-17 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir…, Song of Solomon 1:1-8:14 The song of songs, which is Solomon's…. January 2019: A Word From Dr. Stanley January 01, 2019. True. Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. Those who’ve never been to one may wonder what goes on inside. Share Today it seems the subject of church raises questions for a lot of people. … The emphatic I, Paul underscores the intensity of his feelings and the authority of his words. MYSTERY IN SCRIPTURE “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was tak Sons were born who died, and to them were sons born who also died, and to them sons—generation after generation. His words have been impersonal. An Explanation of Paul’s Mystery 3:1-6 His Imprisonment 3:1. Because we are in Christ, we need not have inhibitions concerning our own lack of merit. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote about this subject in great detail in his book Mystery of the Ages. The passive voice of the verb was made shows Paul’s ministry was not of his own choosing. The Old Testament is full of revelation concerning the blessing of God on the Gentiles through Israel. They are an exposition of the words of Ephesians 2:15, one new man. I can remember doing this in our youth group as a fundraiser. Second, here in Ephesians 3:8 he is least of all saints. Ministerial priesthood, priest provides a sacrifice. If you’ve read any type of mystery novel before, you should know that a mystery novel is Mystery: The Church is the Temple of God (Eph. The church is a mirror through which the wisdom of God is reflected to men and angels in both time and eternity. Why does Paul use the metaphor of light; why does he not say “to teach”? . The Old Testament did not envision the superceding of the age of Israel for a new body called the church. The second points to the divine power that sustained that gift daily. What is known to most people as the Church, the Bible calls a mystery. From a derivative of muo; a secret or 'mystery'. Ephesians 5:32 Context. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Letters: Ephesians 5:32 This mystery is great but I speak (Ephes. The explosion itself, caused by a natural gas leak, wasn’t a mystery, but the unlikely chain of events that saved the lives of the 15 people who should have been present is nothing short of a miracle. for to MAKE (create) in Himself of twain (i.e. Ep) Christian Bible Study Resources, Dictionary, Concordance and Search Tools. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular. On the day the Holy Spirit filled the followers of Jesus, something extraordinary was born. “if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you….”, The words if indeed do not suggest doubt. The word unfathomable (anexichniastos) literally means not to be tracked out and thus inscrutable. We might translate “Most surely you have heard….”. From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. As chapter 3 opens, Paul begins a personal description of his ministry with regard to the Gentiles: and with this word Paul begins his digression. The mystery was not that Gentiles could be saved—this was known in Old Testament times (Genesis 12:3)—but that the two should become one new man (2:15). Since the Church is in Christ like a sacrament or as a sign and instrument both of a very closely knit union with God and of the unity of the whole human race, it desires now to unfold more fully to the faithful of the Church and to the whole world its own inner natu… The word as (hos) introduces several points of comparison. We may be the church to a certain degree. The mystery can be solved. In modern use it is a technical term used in biology for unusually assorted crystals. Such a contrast, yet an awesome example of the church moving forward with the culture, not afraid to use the latest tools and technology for the advance of the gospel. The magnitude of the grace entrusted to Paul overwhelms him with a sense of unworthiness. In each instance the grace referred to is not that which was given for Paul’s personal enrichment but instead refers to the gospel he was to communicate to the Gentile world. • He has done so with purpose—First, Paul has placed the content of the mystery in writing so it can be read. We’ve probably all been a part of a mystery dinner at some point in our lives. so making peace.” 30 For we are members of His body, [ b ] of His flesh and of His bones. Now in Ephesians 3:2-13, Paul becomes intensely personal as he describes the role he has played in bringing the truth of the gospel to the Gentiles. The command of Christ to His church, “go ye and teach all nations,” did not cease with the apostle Paul and his missionary journeys. Perhaps it is because teaching is external, whereas enlightenment is internal. The sons of men of the past are compared to the holy prophets and apostles of the present. Follow the instructions with this Scripture Mystery Dinner Menu for a fun time with your family, church or youth group! “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [restrains; holds back] will let [will continue to restrain], until he be taken out of the way’ (2 Thessalonians 2:1-7). Moses was given the Ten Commandments and hundreds of other Jewish laws. Because it is small, God’s Church remains a mystery to the world. Revelation is the act of unveiling. They refer to the glorious truth of Jew and Gentile brought together into one body called the church. The words of God’s grace tell the leading feature of this plan. His Bible teaching is available at: www.wordoftruthkc.org. The words very least (elachistos) translate a double diminutive that means very small, quite unimportant, insignificant. Because this is so, this Sacred Synod gathered together in the Holy Spirit eagerly desires, by proclaiming the Gospel to every creature,(1) to bring the light of Christ to all men, a light brightly visible on the countenance of the Church. Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular. Verse 12 is a practical application of the truth being taught. Absolutely not! Paul is probably referring his readers to what he has already written to them, i.e., Ephesians 2:11-22 or 1:9-10. An Explanation of Paul’s Ministry 3:7-13 Its Divine Origin 3:7, “…of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.”. In Ephesians 3:9–10, Paul writes of “the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.” The Bible uses several metaphors to describe the relationship between Jesus and His Church. (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. However, the New Testament rejects all of these titles and focuses on a word unassociated with prestige. His only reference to himself since the salutation is found in 1:16 where he says he does not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers. The flow of Paul’s thought runs this way: • He begins—by reminding his Gentile readers that he is in prison for their sake (Ephesians 3:1). It is not something that is in itself incomprehensible but something unknown until God chooses to reveal it. 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