“AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SERPENT IN THE WILDERNESS, EVEN SO MUST THE SON OF MAN BE LIFTED UP.”

Let us study the record of the brazen serpent “And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that He take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” Numbers 21:5 to 9.

Why was the serpent brass? Why was the brass in the form of a serpent? As Moses lifted up that brass serpent, the Son of man was lifted up.

Note the words of the Lord Jesus in John 1:51: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”

Note also John 12:23 and 31 to 34:

“Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.” “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die. The people answered Him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever; and how sayest Thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?”

Here we learn how the Son of man was lifted up. He was nailed to the cross of Calvary.

Note the question of the bewildered, perplexed Jews; “Who is this Son of man?”

Note the Lord’s words in Matthew 26:24, and Mark 10:45:

“The Son of man goeth as it is written of Him; but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.”

“The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

The Lord Jesus Christ became a man for the specific purpose of dying on the cross for the sinful children of Adam.

“BUT WE SEE JESUS, WHO WAS MADE A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS FOR THE SUFFERING OF DEATH, CROWNED WITH GLORY AND HONOUR; THAT HE BY THE GRACE OF GOD SHOULD TASTE DEATH FOR EVERY MAN.” Hebrews 2:9.

During the years of the Old Covenant many sacrifices were offered for the sins of Israel on the altar without the holy place. The altar on which they were offered was made of brass. Exodus 27:1 to 4. The laver also was of brass. “Thou shalt make a laver of brass:” Exodus 30:18. Brass in the Bible seems to speak of judgment. Jesus Christ is coming back for judgment. The Father has committed all judgment to His Son John 5:22.

In Revelation 1:15 we learn that Christ’s feet, in judgment, are to be like unto fine brass. The brass serpent, in some way, spoke of Satan and judgment. The serpent beguiled Eve. II Corinthians 11:1 to 3. That brought the poison of sin. In order that He might take away sin the Son of man was lifted up in judgment. “Now is the judgment of this world.” “Now is the prince of this world cast out.”

The only cure for sin is the shed blood of the Son of God.

WHO IS THIS SON OF MAN?

A very interesting question. Many have failed to give the correct answer to the question. Note how Christ asked the question of His apostles: “When Jesus came unto the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? Matthew 16:13.

The answers differed. Some said “John the Baptist”. Some said “Elijah”. Some said “Jeremiah”. Some said “One of the prophets”.

But Simon Peter gave the correct answer. “Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16.

Note why John’s Gospel was written—“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” John 20:31.

Note Christ’s testimony in John 14:9—“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”

This title of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of man”, is found more than 80 times in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Then after the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus the first Christian martyr, Stephen, said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:56.

Here is a most interesting fact: In the more than 80 times that Jesus Christ is called “The Son of man”, in the four Gospels, not once was He called “the Son of man” by any person other than the Lord Jesus Himself. Just the question, “Who is this Son of man?”

The Deity of the Lord Jesus is proved by the title “the Son of man”

1—The Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath. Mark 2:28.

2—The Son of man hath power to forgive sins. Matthew 9:6.

3—At the end of the world the Son of man shall send His angels. Matthew 13:41.

4—The Son of man is coming in His glory with His angels. Matthew 16:27.

5—The Son of man gives meat that endures unto everlasting life. John 6:27.

Note John 3:13 and 8:28—“And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things.”

We can understand why the bewildered and perplexed Jews asked “who is this Son of man?”

By calling the Lord Jesus “the Son of man” instead of “the Son of God” we do not make His eternal Deity any less of a mystery.

But remember it was not others who called Him “the Son of man” until Stephen saw Him in His glorified body in heaven. Christ Himself used the title.

THE SON OF MAN—ISRAEL—THE BODY

Christ will be “the Son of man” when He comes back to redeem Israel and to judge the world. Revelation 1:13 and 14:14.

The Lord Jesus is not “the Son of man” to the Church described in Paul’s messages as “the Body”.

Christ is to appear for His Church saints. They are to appear with Him in glory.

But this is not His coming as “the Son of man”. When He comes as the Son of man:

1—It will be on earth as it was in the days of Noah. Luke 17:26.

2—The Son of man will not find faith on earth. Luke 18:8.

3—Israel and the nations will be in the great tribulation, signs in the heavens, and distress on earth Matthew 24:13 to 23—Luke 21:25 to 31.

4—Christ will sit on an earthly throne as Sing and as “the Son of man.” Matthew 25:31.

Note John 5:26 to 30: “For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man. Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

The Lord Jesus Christ is now far above in the heavenlies, the Head of the Church His Body – the fulness of Him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:22 and 23.

The Lord Jesus is going to appear for His church. After His church is safe with Him in glory the man of sin will be revealed. Israel will be in distress, and other nations with them. “Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle.” Zechariah 14:3. “And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives.” Zechariah 14:4.

Let us read with these statements Acts 1:10 and 11, where we find the resurrected Christ leaving the mount of Olives to go back to heaven. Note these words, “This same Jesus, which is taken into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.”

Note also Luke 21:27 and Matthew 25:31—“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.”

And then what? “And the Lord shall be King over all the earth; in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one.” Zechariah 14:9.

But let us remember the words of the Lord Jesus, “As it was in the days of Noah so shall it be in the days of the Son of man.” But after He establishes His Kingdom on earth it will all be different.

“BEHOLD ISRAEL AFTER THE FLESH.” I Corinthians 10:18.

In this same chapter note I Corinthians 10:32 “GIVE NONE OFFENCE, NEITHER TO THE JEWS; NOR TO THE GENTILES, NOR TO THE CHURCH OF GOD.”

In the study, appropriation, and application of the Scriptures, in Paul’s time, the Holy Spirit expected the student to recognize the three-fold division of the human race, “the Jews”, “the Gentiles”, and “the Church of God”.

Concerning “the Church of God”, in the same Epistle, note the thirteenth verse of the twelfth chapter. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whether we be. Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” I Corinthians 12:13.

The Church of God was composed of saved Jews and saved Gentiles. Outside of the Church of God were unbelieving Jews and Gentiles.

Note in Ephesians 2:12 and 17 how the unsaved Jews and the unsaved Gentiles were divided:

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”

“And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

Here we learn that the Jews were called “the commonwealth of Israel,” “those who were nigh.” The Gentiles were called “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,” “those who were afar off.”

In Ephesians 2:11 the Jews were called “the circumcision;” the Gentiles were called “the uncircumcision.”

Now carefully note Romans 3:1 and 2 and Romans 9:4 and 5.

“What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way, chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.“

“WHO ARE ISRAELITES; TO WHOM PERTAINETH THE ADOPTION, AND THE GLORY, AND THE COVENANTS, AND THE GIVING OF THE LAW, AND THE SERVICE OF GOD, AND THE PROMISES; WHOSE ARE THE FATHERS, AND OF WHOM CONCERNING THE FLESH CHRIST CAME, WHO IS OVER ALL, GOD BLESSED FOR EVER. AMEN.”

With these statements in Romans, let us read the words of Jesus Christ, in John 4:22 – “We know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.”

One of the first lessons we must learn, if we would be intelligent, spiritual students of the Bible, is the place of Israel in the Scriptures, and in God’s purposes and programs.

Holy men were borne along by the Holy Spirit to give us the Holy Scriptures. II Peter 1:19 and 20.

“All Scripture is God-breathed.” II Timothy 3:16.

The Holy Spirit used Moses, an Israelite, to write the first five Books of the Bible. The Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus used John, an Israelite, to write the last Book of the Bible. John too wrote five Books.

The Lord Jesus Christ is called “The Lion of the tribe of Judah,” “the Root of David.” Revelation 5:5. He took His place as Jesus of Nazareth, under the law, as a worshipping Jew. John 4:22. Galatians 4:4. He was saluted as “the King of Israel.” John 1:49.

Above His cross these words were written, “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.” John 19:19.

When Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, note Peter’s message to the Jews—“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.” “To be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel.”

Paul called himself a Jew. Acts 21:39. Paul called Peter, “a Jew.” Galatians 2:14. Paul called himself, “an Israelite, of the tribe of Benjamin.” Romans 11:1. Philippians 3:5. Paul was a Jew by religion. Galatians 1:14.

Jesus of Nazareth came from Judah. He was a Jew in the double meaning of the word, “a Judahite,” and a Jew in His religion. Generally when the word “Jew” is found in the Scriptures it refers to the Israelites religiously. In that sense, descendants of all the twelve sons of Jacob were Jews.

ISRAEL – JEWS

It is interesting to note the first occurrences of the word “Israel” in the Bible, and the first occurrences of the word “Jew” in the Bible.

“And He said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” “Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day; because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.” Genesis 32:28 and 32.

“Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite.” Esther 2:5.

“At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.” II Kings 16:6.

The word “Israel” is found more than 1400 times in the Bible before the word “Jew” is first used. The word “Israel” is found about 2600 times in the Bible. It is interesting to note that the word “Christian” is not found once in the Gospel of John which Christians love so much. But in that Book, “Jews” is found 70 times. In the Book of Acts “Jew” is found 79 times.

Jacob’s name was changed to “Israel” about 1740 B.C. This was about 2260 years after Adam left the Garden of Eden, about 610 years after Noah left the ark, about 250 years before Moses was on the mountain receiving the Old Testament.

THE BIRTH OF THE NATION

We quote Exodus 1:5 and 6—“And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. “

Let us get clearly fixed in our minds and hearts that there were no Jews or Israelites on this earth until after Jacob’s sons were born.

In other words, there were no Jews or Israelites on this earth during the first 2200 years of human history.

Jacob was Isaac’s son. Isaac was Abraham’s son. Abram was Terah’s son. Terah was not an Israelite. He was not a Jew. He was a descendant of Shem and Eber; but he was an idolater. Note Shem was born before the flood and lived 600 years on the earth. Genesis 5:32 and Genesis 11:10 and 11. He lived through several generations and was a contemporary of Abraham, although Abraham was Shem’s great-great-great-great-great-great grandson. Genesis 11:10 to 31. Eber lived on this earth 464 years. Genesis 11:17.

Abram was called by God and declared righteous in uncircumcision. Romans 4:8 to 13— Genesis 12:1 to 3. Abram was circumcised and named “Abraham” 24 years after he was called to leave his father and follow God. Genesis 12:4 and 17:1. Abram was circumcised at the time his name was changed to Abraham. Genesis 17:24.

Abraham was declared righteous in uncircumcision 430 years before God entered into the Old Covenant with the children of Abraham, the nation Israel. Exodus 20 and Galatians 3:16 to 19.

The Old Covenant was added. Galatians 3:19. It was added 2500 years after Adam left the Garden of Eden, about 857 years after Noah left the Ark, about 430 years after Abram left his father’s home.

Jehovah and the children of Israel entered into that mutual contract at Sinai some years after the last one of Jacob’s (Israel’s) twelve sons had died.

NO ISRAEL – NO OLD COVENANT

As there was no Israel until after Jacob’s sons were born, there was no Old Covenant until Moses was on Mount Sinai, about 1495 B.C. Therefore there is not one line concerning the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:7 to 13) in the Book of Genesis. One of the first blunders generally made in the study of the Bible is calling Genesis, “the Old Testament Scriptures”, and Adam, Seth, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Levi, Joseph, and their brethren Old Testament characters.

Let us get fixed in our minds when Israel entered God’s program, and then when the Old Testament entered that program. When the Old Testament entered at Sinai it was not “old”; it was decidedly “new”. It became “old” by Christ’s death on the cross. II Corinthians 3:12 to 16p – Hebrews 8:13. When the law was added at Sinai, note what was added with it. Religion, “Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” Hebrews 9:10.

This is religion. It became the religion of all of the twelve tribes of Israel. And all Israelites were called “Jews,” and their religion was called “Judaism.”

GENTILES GIVEN UP ISRAEL TAKEN UP

In the first chapter of Romans we are told how and why God gave up the Gentiles. In the eleventh chapter of Romans we are told how and why God gave up Israel. In the thirteenth chapter of Acts and the eleventh chapter of Romans we are told when and why God took up the Gentiles when He gave up Israel.

Then in the eleventh chapter of Romans, and in other Scriptures, we are told that God is going to again give up the Gentiles and take up the Jews.

Note Romans 1:24—“God gave them up”. Romans 1:26 and 28—”God gave them up.” What became of the children of Adam and of Noah? Read what happened before the flood.

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5.

“And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.” Genesis 7:23.

Then later on note Genesis 11:9—“Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth; and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.”

Note that God cut off the children of Adam and began a new movement in Abram, the Hebrew. Genesis 14:13. Note what became of the Gentiles—“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.” Ephesians 4:18. Alienated from the life of God.

A Gentile could become a Jew under the economy of law. Note Esther 8:17—“And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews, for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.”

Here we learn that alienated Gentiles could become “Jews”, that is, they could accept the benefits of the Lord’s covenants with Israel, and become proselytes.

One of the important covenants Stephen mentioned, in Acts 7:8. “And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.” Compare this with Genesis 17:14—

“And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken My covenant.”

Note why the Christian Jews condemned Peter for preaching to Cornelius, the Gentile. “Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.” Acts 11:3.

The circumcised Gentiles who accepted Israel’s God-given covenants and religious programs were called “proselytes.” Acts 2:10. So we may be sure that any Gentile who may have been saved while Jesus of Nazareth was here on earth, became a Jew by religion, a proselyte, and not a member of the Body of Christ saved by grace without religion.

In studying the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, let us keep in mind:

“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” Romans 15:8.

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Galatians 4:4.

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.” Acts 2:22.

“But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24.

“And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:9 and 10.

A GENTILE WHO LOVED THE JEWS

“Now when He had ended all His sayings in the audience of the people, He entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto Him the elders of the Jews. beseeching Him that He would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought Him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom He should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.” Luke 7:1 to 5.

This is all very clear concerning the scope of the Lord’s ministry on earth, to Israel after the flesh. The only Gentile man to whom He ministered, according to the Records, loved Israel and built them a synagogue. He also ministered to a Gentile woman. Matthew 15:21 to 27. Christ was ministering to all who were protected and preserved by the covenant of circumcision.

But later on something happened. Note Paul’s words: – “But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter.” Galatians 2:7.

“That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:16.

“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.” “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?” Romans 11:13 and 15.

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:8.

Yes something happened. “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, it was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, LO: WE TURN TO THE GENTILES.” Acts 13:46.

“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid. But rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.” Romans 11:11. “For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief.” Romans 11:30.

Therefore, the message of Romans 10:12 – Ephesians 2:17.

“FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE JEW AND THE GREEK; FOR THE SAME LORD OVER ALL IS RICH UNTO ALL THAT CALL UPON HIM.” “AND CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHICH WERE AFAR OFF, AND TO THEM THAT WERE NIGH.”

When the Gentiles were cast away justification by faith was preached to Abram, and the children of Israel were established in God’s program for the human race. When Israel was cast away justification by faith was preached to Gentiles, and then the reign of grace, without Israel’s law or religion, was ushered in. Israel will have a glorious future.

ISRAEL’S FUTURE

“Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; the Lord of hosts is His name: If those ordinances depart from before Me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me for ever.” Jeremiah 31:35 and 36.

“For finding fault with them, He saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” Hebrews 8:8.

“And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord; for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest.” Hebrews 8:11. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” Romans 11:25 and 26.

And the Gentiles have a Divine warning. “For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee.” Romans 11:21.

“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.” II Timothy 2:19.

Every member of the human race has come from Adam and from Noah. Adam was the only man created in the image of God. The Lord Jesus, of course was the effulgence of His glory, and the express image of His person. But we are referring to all other men. Adam was not born as a baby, but God created him as a man. Genesis 1:26 to 28.

Noah and his family were saved in the ark. At that time all other human beings were destroyed in the flood. Genesis 7:1 and 7:21.

Concerning Adam and Eve, we read in Genesis 5:4 that sons and daughters were born unto them. But we mention three sons of Adam –

CAIN – ABEL – and SETH

In Hebrews 11:4 we read concerning Abel—”By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”

In I John 3:12 we read concerning Cain—”Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother, And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.”

Note Jude 11 concerning apostate preachers who go in the way of Cain. Cain rejected salvation by blood.

Thus we see that the first man born of woman murdered his brother. There are other lessons in the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1 to 8 and 4:16 and 17.

“And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect.

And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”

“And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch; and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.”

Cain and Abel were under “the law of sin and death.” Genesis 2:17. Romans 8:2. Cain was self-righteous and sought deliverance from sin and death by the works of his own hands.

It is interesting to read, in this connection, Romans 10:1 to 3—“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

Abel submitted himself unto the righteousness of God. He acknowledged that his own righteousness was not acceptable to God. He knew that “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6) ; and “they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:8).

Abel’s offering prefigured the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, “the Lamb of God which beareth away the sin of the world.” John 1:29.

Note II Corinthians 5:21 and Romans 3:24. “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Abel, being dead yet speaketh; or is yet spoken of.

The Evangelical Christians are today opposed by the so-called Liberals or Modernists in the evangelical denominations. The Evangelicals teach salvation by the blood of the Son of God, justification by faith, and by grace. The Liberals teach salvation by character and conduct, without the shedding of blood. That controversy was settled by God in favor of the Evangelicals in His acceptance and rejection of Abel and Cain, and is dogmatically and clearly shown all through the Bible.

SETH THE SUBSTITUTE

“And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth; for God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos; then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.” Genesis 4:25 and 26.

“And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth; And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years; and be begat sons and daughters. “ Genesis 5:3 and 4.

Seth begat Enos, Enos begat Cainan. Note in Genesis 5 – Adam -. Seth – Enos – Cainan – Mahalaleel – Jared – Enoch – Methuselah – Lamech – Noah.

NOTE THE RECORD OF ENOCH

“And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundreds years, and begat sons and daughters; And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Genesis 5:22 to 24.

By faith Enoch was translated and by faith Enoch pleased God. Hebrews 11:5. “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints.” Jude 14.

Enoch was the father of Methuselah. Methuselah was the oldest man who ever lived on this earth. He died at the age of 969 years. (Genesis 5:27.)

ENOCH – METHUSELAH – NOAH

Methuselah was Enoch’s son and Noah’s grandfather. Noah was 600 years old when God destroyed the world with the flood. (Genesis 7:6.) As we study the fifth chapter of Genesis we learn that the flood was on the earth the year 1656 A. H. (year of man), or about 2344 B. C. So the flood was on the earth about 4284 years ago. This was the year that Methuselah died.

“And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.” II Peter 2:5.

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Hebrews 11:7.

“As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.” Luke 17:26 and 27.

Note the moral condition of the human race when Noah was called into the ark. “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5.

Note concerning Noah’s sons. “And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth; and Ham is the father of Canaan. These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread. “ Genesis 9:18 and 19.

“And Noah was five hundred years old; and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth. “ Genesis 5:32.

“These are the generations of Shem; Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxed two years after the flood.” Genesis 11:10.

NOAH AFTER THE FLOOD

“And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.” And all of the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.” Genesis 9:28 and 29.

By carefully studying the fifth chapter of Genesis we learn that the flood was upon the earth 1656 A.H., the year of man. That was about 2344 B.C. Noah died about 1994 B.C. Abraham was born about 1990 B.C. Shem died about 1840 B.C. Genesis 11:10 and 11. Abraham died about 1817 B.C. Genesis 25:7.

God called Abraham 430 years before He gave the ten commandments to Israel, by Moses. Galatians 3:16 to 19. The covenant that God made with Israel at Sinai by Moses is called now, “the Old Covenant”, “the Old Testament”. Moses received the law, the Covenant, from the Lord between 1490 B.C. and 1500 B.C. Thus we see that none of those men of God who lived before the flood were Old Testament saints. Abraham died more than 300 years before God entered into the (Old) Covenant with Israel. Abraham did not live under the Old Testament. Not one word concerning the Old Covenant or Old Testament is recorded in Genesis.

The record of the giving of the (Old) Covenant is in Exodus 20, Also we learn that Abel, Seth, Enoch and Noah were neither Jews nor Israelites, except as they prevailed with God – Jacob’s name was changed to Israel several centuries after the flood.

What meaneth this statement?

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ is mentioned, in the New Testament Scriptures, by noun and pronoun more than 6,900 times.

Let us behold Christ before His incarnation, during His incarnation, His present exaltation, and His future glory on earth.

FIRST—

BEFORE HIS INCARNATION

a—He was in the bosom of the Father. John 1:18.

b—He was in the form of God. Philippians 2:6.

c—He was with God and was God. John 1:1.

d—He was before all things and by Him all things consist. Colossians 1:15 to 18.

e—He had glory with the Father before the world was. John 17:5.

God is a Spirit. But God has a form. Christ was in. the form of God when He was in the bosom of the Father.

SECOND—

THE WORD BECAME FLESH. JOHN 1:14.

a—He took upon Himself the form of a servant. Philippians 2:6 and 7.

b—He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh. Romans 8:3.

c—He was made lower than the angels for the suffering of death. Hebrews 2:9.

d—He took on Him the Seed of Abraham. Hebrews 2:16.

e—Made like unto His brethren that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17.

f—Made flesh and blood to destroy Satan’s death power, by death. Hebrews 2:14.

g—The Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil. I John 3:8.

h—He came down from heaven to do His Father’s will and give His flesh for the life of the world. John 6:38 and 51.

i—Christ was the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of God’s person. Hebrews 1:3.

j—Christ was the Son of David the Son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1.

k—He was the King of Israel. John 1:49.

When Christ was on earth He said, “before Abraham was I AM”. John 8:58. “Father, Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world” John 17:24.

“He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father.” John 14:9. “I and My Father are one.” John 10:30.

We have noted the Scriptures stating that Christ was made flesh to die on the cross. Hebrews 2:9. Note His own words “The Son of man goeth as it is written of Him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born.” Matthew 26:24.

But in Luke 1:29 to 33 and 1:67 to 77 we learn that Christ was born in the city of David, in the house of David, of the Seed of David, to occupy the throne of David, to reign over the house of Jacob forever. So Jesus Christ was born to go to the cross of Calvary and to go to the throne of David. “Where is He that is born Sing of the Jews?” Matthew 2:2.

Now read these several statements:

“When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Galatians 4:4.

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.” Acts 2:22.

“He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24.

“Now I say that Jesus Christ WAS a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” Romans 15:8.

We emphasize WAS. Jesus Christ WAS a minister of the circumcision. It would be contrary to fact to say that Jesus Christ IS a minister of the circumcision for He is not during His present ministry.

THIRD—

CHRIST IN HIS EXALTATION.

a—“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name.” Philippians 2:9.

b—“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:12.

c—“Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3.

d—“Him hath God exalted with His ‘‘ right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31.

e—“Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:56.

f—“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, Who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” Hebrews 8:1.

g—“And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power. Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him 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 all things to the Church, Which is His Body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:19 to 23.

After Christ had died and abolished death, He showed Himself alive by many infallible proofs. He said to His disciples “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have.” Luke 24:39.

Stephen recognized Christ as the Son of man standing in heaven. When Christ called Saul of Tarsus He said, “I am Jesus.” Acts 9:5.

The ministry of Christ, in Acts 5:31, seemed to be different from His ministry in Ephesians 1:21 to 23.

“HIM HATH GOD EXALTED WITH HIS RIGHT HAND TO BE A PRINCE AND A SAVIOUR, FOR TO GIVE REPENTANCE TO ISRAEL, AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS.” Acts 5:31.

“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 ALL THINGS TO THE CHURCH, WHICH IS HIS BODY, THE FULNESS OF HIM THAT FILLETH ALL IN ALL.” Ephesians 1:21 to 23.

Before Christ’s incarnation He was in the Father’s bosom, a Spirit. Now He is on the Father’s throne, at the right hand of His Majesty, the Man Christ Jesus.

We must note these differences when we say “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

FOURTH—

 CHRIST THE COMING KING.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting. Father, The Prince of Peace. of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6 and 7.

“When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.” Matthew 25:31.

“And the Lord shall be King over all the earth; in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name One.” Zechariah 14:9.

“And David My servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments, and observe My statutes, and do them.” Ezekiel 37:24.

“For I say unto you, Ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Matthew 23:39.

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28.

THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH

By Adam

“WHEREFORE, AS BY ONE MAN SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, AND DEATH BY SIN; AND SO DEATH PASSED UPON ALL MEN, FOR THAT ALL HAVE SINNED.” ROMANS 5.12. “FOR AS IN ADAM ALL DIE, EVEN SO IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE.” “THEY THAT ARE CHRIST’S AT HIS COMING.” I CORINTHIANS 15:22 TO 24.

“FOR IF BY ONE MAN’S OFFENCE DEATH REIGNED BY ONE; MUCH MORE THEY WHICH RECEIVE ABUNDANCE OF GRACE AND OF THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL REIGN IN LIFE BY ONE, JESUS CHRIST. THEREFORE AS BY THE OFFENCE OF ONE JUDGMENT CAME UPON ALL MEN TO CONDEMNATION; EVEN SO BY THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF ONE THE FREE GIFT CAME UPON ALL MEN UNTO JUSTIFICATION OF LIFE.” ROMANS 5:17 AND 18.

THE LAW OF TEN COMMANDMENTS

By Moses

“FOR THE LAW WAS GIVEN BY MOSES, BUT GRACE AND TRUTH CAME BY JESUS CHRIST.” JOHN 1:17.

“THEREFORE BY THE DEEDS OF THE LAW THERE SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT; FOR BY THE LAW IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN.” ROMANS 3:20.

“FOR IF THE MINISTRATION OF CONDEMNATION BE GLORY, MUCH MORE DOTH THE MINISTRATION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS EXCEED IN GLORY.” II CORINTHIANS 3:9.

“BECAUSE THE LAW WORKETH WRATH; FOR WHERE NO LAW IS, THERE IS NO TRANSGRESSION.” ROMANS 4:15.

THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE

By Christ

“GRACE AND TRUTH CAME BY JESUS CHRIST,”

“AND BY HIM ALL THAT BELIEVE ARE JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS, FROM WHICH YE COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW OF MOSES.” ACTS 13:39.

“MOREOVER THE LAW ENTERED, THAT THE OFFENCE MIGHT ABOUND. BUT WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND: THAT AS SIN HATH REIGNED UNTO DEATH, EVEN SO MIGHT GRACE REIGN THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO ETERNAL LIFE BY JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.” ROMANS 5:20 AND 21.

“BEING JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS.” ROMANS 3:24.

“HE THAT BELIEVETH ON HIM IS NOT CONDEMNED; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, BECAUSE HE HATH NOT BELIEVED IN THE NAME OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD.” JOHN 3:18.

Here is a very interesting truth:

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” Romans 8:2 and 3.

1—The law of sin and death – By Adam, sin and death passed upon all men. Sin entered by Adam. This law is a universal law. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. “There is none righteous; no, not one.” Romans 3:10. Condemnation upon all by Adam.

2— The law of Sinai – given by Moses. No descendant of Adam could perfectly keep the perfect law. Why? “For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.” “For the good that I would I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Romans 7:14 and 19.

In Romans 8:3 we read: “What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh.” Because of indwelling sin the natural man could not be subject to God’s holy law, the ten commandments. Romans 8:7. Note Hebrews 7:19—“The law made nothing perfect.” But Christ did.

Note again “For the good that I would I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do.” “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20. “The law worketh wrath.” “By the law let every mouth be stopped and all the world become guilty before God.” Romans 4:15 and 3:19.

“The law entered (by Moses) that sin might abound.” Romans 5:20.

Therefore the Law, which was given by Moses, is called “The Ministration of Condemnation.” II Corinthians 3:9. “The Ministration of Death.” I Corinthians 3:7.

3—The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:4.

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:28.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14.

Note what Christ accomplished: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Galatians 4:4. “To redeem them that were under the law.”

“For He hath made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” II Corinthians 5:21.

Now note the words of Christ in John 10:17 and 18, and what He accomplished in II Timothy 1:10. “Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life.”

“No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father.”

“But now is made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

This is how and when the eternal, omnipotent Divine Christ established the new law; the law of the Spirit of life.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17.

Condemned or not condemned. “He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

BY ADAM
The entrance of sin

BY MOSES
The knowledge of sin

BY CHRIST
The forgiveness of sin

CONDEMNED ALREADY

1— The human race condemned in Adam. Romans 5:17 to 20.

2— The human race condemned by the law of Moses. II Corinthians 3:9.

3— The human race condemned because of the sin of unbelief. John 3:18.

“Have not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

BY ADAM

Note “the law of sin and death,” in Genesis 2:16 and 17.

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; 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.” Genesis 2:16 – 17.

“So he drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden, Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Genesis 3:24.

FROM ADAM TO MOSES

“Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come.” Romans 5:14.

About 2500 years after Adam left Eden, Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving God’s holy commandments, written on two tables of stone. (Exodus 20).

“The law was added because of transgressions.” Galatians 3:19.

Death reigned from the day of Adam’s sin until the day that Moses received the law. During those 2500 years Adam’s descendants were not “under the law” that was given to Moses. The offence entered by Adam. “The law entered that the offence might abound.” Romans 5:20.

Moses was 80 years old when God gave the law to Israel. (Exodus 7:7.)

FROM MOSES TO CHRIST

“But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. “ Galatians 3:23 to 25.

Under the law God’s covenant people (Israel) received the spirit of bondage unto fear. Romans 8:15.

THEY COULD NOT ENDURE THAT WHICH WAS SPOKEN

“For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest. And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the Word should not be spoken to them any more: For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart.” Hebrews 12:18 to 20.

About 1530 years after Moses received the law written by the hand of the Lord, the hands of the Lord were nailed to Calvary’s cross.

Note what happened to the law

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.” Colossians 2:14. “For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.” “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament; which is done away in Christ.” II Corinthians 3:11 and 14.

GRACE CAME BY JESUS CHRIST

Then note Ephesians 3:1 and 2: “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward.”

Compare and contrast “The reign of law” with “the dispensation of the grace of God.”

“The law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:21.

THE LAW DISPENSATION

The Law dispensation, or economy, was a temporary and a parenthetical period. The gospel was preached before the law was added.

1—“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached BEFORE the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” Galatians 3:6 and 8.

2—The law was added till the Seed should come. Galatians 3:19.

3—“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:4.

“But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Galatians 3:25.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1.

UNDER GRACE

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14.

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:20 and 28.

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10.

“Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples. which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Acts 15:10.

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4 and 5.

We learn in Galatians 3:13 and in Romans 7:1 to 6, that the Jews who were under the law of Sinai were delivered from that law by faith in the crucified and resurrected Christ.

However the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus not only frees the: believing sinner from the curse and penalty of the law of Sinai and from the law of sin and death, but it empowers and enables him, as a new creature in Christ Jesus to walk in the Spirit and fulfill the righteousness of the law. Romans 8:4.

The new creature is God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works. But let us remember that Christ put an end to the Old Covenant by His death and resurrection and that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. II Corinthians 3:12 to 15. Romans 10:4.

Note several verses quoted from one of the last Epistles written by the Apostle Paul.

“God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not); a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” I Timothy 2:4 to 7.

Let us emphasize the fact that God will have all men to be saved. Christ Jesus is the one and only Mediator between God and men. Christ Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all. “To be testified in due time.” To the Apostle Paul was committed this truth for Gentiles.

Note Paul’s testimony in I Timothy 1:11; “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”

Then note one other important fact, stated in this chapter; namely, that Paul was chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ (verse 12) to be a pattern for believers. “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.” I Timothy 1:16.

During the years that Christ Jesus was on earth He was Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God by miracles, in the midst of Israel. Acts 2:22. Just before the Lord Jesus went to the cross He said “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die.” John 12:31 to 33.

Some years after the Lord Jesus died on the cross and went back to heaven, these messages were written to the Lord’s people concerning the once-for-all sacrifice of the Son of God

“But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9.

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:12.

“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:12.

“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:20.

“And He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2.

This message of grace was sent out to all men, Gentiles as well as Jews:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11.

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4 to 7.

Note Paul’s testimony written about 65 A.D., more than thirty years after the Lord Jesus, by the grace of God, tasteth death for every man:

“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world.” Colossians 1:5 and 6.

“The gospel which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.” Colossians 1:23.

Here we learn that the gospel had been preached to every creature under heaven. The great majority of those human creatures had rejected the gospel and refused to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved by grace. The religious people, who claimed to love and serve God, were responsible for Paul’s imprisonment. He was in jail at Rome when he wrote to the Colossians. He wrote from that jail to Timothy concerning, “My gospel: wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the Word of God is not bound.” II Timothy 2:9.

Note again Paul’s testimony: “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.” Romans 11:13.

Note what the risen Christ said to the Apostle Paul—“And He said unto me, Depart; for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” Acts 22:21.

“That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:16.

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:8.

Now by way of contrast note what Jesus of Nazareth said to the twelve apostles while He was in the midst of Israel, in the land of the Jews, and what they agreed to do many years after Christ had gone back to heaven:

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 10:5 and 6.

“And when James, Peter, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.” Galatians 2:9.

Therefore even the superficial student of the Bible knows that neither the Lord Jesus nor any of His accredited messengers proclaimed while the Lord was on earth—“The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11.

Note the attitude of the twelve apostles about seven years after Christ went back to heaven – “And He said into them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” Acts 10:28

Later on something happened. Note Acts 13:46—Romans 10:12 and 13—Romans 11:30—Romans 11:15:

“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”

“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

“For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief.”

“For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”

Thus we see when “the due time” came for the Gentiles. We see why salvation and reconciliation was sent to them. Because Israel put the Word of God from the .. Because of Israel’s blindness and unbelief, the casting away of Israel brought reconciliation for the Gentiles. Then Paul preached the gospel to every creature under heaven. Note the statement in Acts 19:10—”And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”

We have learned that Jesus Christ offered one sacrifice for sins and then sat down in heaven. We have learned that Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasteth death for every man. We have learned that by His once-for-all sacrifice and His once-for-all entering into heaven Christ obtained eternal redemption for us. We have learned that He made peace by the blood of His cross.

Now note those who experience this peace. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 Those who are justified by faith. What about those who do not believe?

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24.

“The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.” II Thessalonians 1:7 to 9.

“That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” II Thessalonians 2:12.

But for believers, this blessed truth: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 5:9.

Thus we see that God, Who will have all men to be saved, has provided salvation by grace, for any child of Adam who will be the recipient of His grace and receive Jesus Christ as his or her Saviour.

The free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23.

“Being justified without a cause by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24.

“He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18.

“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 skew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6 and 7

“But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:39

Settle the matter of your salvation now, according to the will of God.

The Bible has much to say about salvation. The Bible is divided into different economies. For more than 1500 years, from the day that Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the ten commandments from the Lord, until the day that the Lord Jesus died on the cross of Calvary, God kept His people under the reign of law. During that Divine economy God’s people were “kept under the law, shut unto the faith which should afterward be revealed.” Galatians 3:23.

After centuries of waiting, the Lord Jesus came from heaven to live for some years with the Jews who were under the law. Galatians 4:4. Then the Lord Jesus, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man. Hebrews 2:9. “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:4. By His death on the cross the Lord Jesus abolished the Old Covenant. That has been done away. II Corinthians 3:12 to 16.

Concerning the Lord’s visit to earth, where He lived among His people, we read:

“THOUGH HE WERE A SON, YET LEARNED HE OBEDIENCE BY THE THINGS WHICH HE SUFFERED; AND BEING MADE PERFECT, HE BECAME THE AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION UNTO ALL THEM THAT OBEY HIM.” Hebrews 5:8 and 9.

Beautiful expression! Wonderful truth! Blessed good news! Jesus Christ the Son of God became the Author of eternal salvation! Note how this glorious truth is stated in I Peter 3:18 and Hebrews 9:12:

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

The Lord Jesus Christ was both God and man. He was altogether perfect. He accomplished a perfect redemption. He provided perfect salvation for lost human beings, sinners. We are living in the day of grace, under God’s economy of grace. We are made saints by faith in Christ and His once-for-all sacrifice. Hebrews 10:10 and 14.

Note the “grace” good news.

“FOR THE LAW WAS GIVEN BY MOSES, BUT GRACE AND TRUTH CAME BY JESUS CHRIST.” John 1:17.

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might GRACE REIGN THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO ETERNAL LIFE BY JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.” Romans 5:20 and 21.

NOT BY WORKS – BUT UNTO GOOD WORKS

“For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8 to 10.

What part does sinful man play in his salvation? He is the recipient of God’s grace. Hear the cry of a poor condemned sinner, “What must I do to be saved ?” And the reply, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves:

“IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD.”

“NOT OF WORKS.”

“GOD’S WORKMANSHIP.”

Note how the wonderful “grace” message is stated in II Timothy 1:9 and 10:

“Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His, own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Then note the future:

“That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches, of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7.

From “before the foundation of the world” to “the ages to come, “GRACE.” Salvation is God’s gift to the believing, receiving sinner.

“The free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

Because most human beings are incurably religious they cannot be persuaded that Paul’s statement, in Romans 7:18, is generally true. Note his statement and with it Romans 8:8:

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18.

“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:8.

Some of the self-sufficient and self-righteous religious sinners repudiate and reject the Holy Spirit’s message by Paul in Romans 4:4 and 5. Others say such a message of salvation is too good to be true. It is good and it is true. Hear it. Believe it. Claim it. Appropriate it. Experience it. Thank God for it. Here it is:

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4 and 5.

Hear it in different language

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour: That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:3 to 8.

Here then is God’s order, God’s message, God’s way of salvation. Note the human material that God has to work with, how He works, and what He really does with sinners who will let Him do the work of salvation. Keep in mind the word “let.” “Let” God save you. Ac- knowledge that you by nature are not fit for God’s presence and God’s heaven. You can be made fit by God’s grace and Christ’s redemptive work.

Not by your unrighteous works, which you may consider works of righteousness, but by God’s mercy and grace and Divine power, in, through, and by His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Note Ephesians 2:3 to 5:

“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. 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). Ephesians 2:3 to 5.

Out of dead sinners God makes living saints, “by grace.”

Hear again this good news:

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” I Timothy 2:4 to 7.

God will have all men to be saved. Do you really want to be saved? Then let God save you. Note the Divine process in II Thessalonians 2:13:

“BUT WE ARE BOUND TO GIVE THANKS ALWAY TO GOD FOR YOU, BRETHREN BELOVED OF THE LORD, BECAUSE GOD HATH FROM THE BEGINNING CHOSEN YOU TO SALVATION THROUGH SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT AND BELIEF OF THE TRUTH.”

Yes, salvation is of the Lord. God does the work. God is a great Giver. Man is a poor receiver. God has chosen us unto salvation. How? By sanctification of the Spirit. Belief of the truth.

Note the truth of Romans 10:9 and 13:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Believe the truth. Believe it not only in your head; but believe with all your heart. Believe that you are ungodly and that Christ died for the ungodly. Receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your own individual personal Saviour. Believe unto the saving of your soul.

Accept at full face value this glorious truth recorded in Titus 2:11 to 13:

“FOR THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGETH SALVATION HATH APPEARED TO ALL MEN. TEACHING US THAT DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS, WE SHOULD LIVE SOBERLY, RIGHTEOUSLY AND GODLY, IN THIS PRESENT WORLD; LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.”

What has appeared? The grace of God. To whom has it appeared? To all men. What has the grace of God brought? Salvation. And then that grace of God teaches the believer “that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. “

The saved sinner is taught “to live” and “to look.”

THE KNOWLEDGE AND JOY OF SALVATION

The real joy of salvation is experienced by those who “live” and “look”, in obedience to Titus 2:12 and 13.

The Lord Jesus Christ said to His disciples, “rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits, are subject unto you; But rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20.

The Holy Spirit directed John to write an Epistle to saints. In that Epistle he wrote

“AND THESE THINGS WRITE WE UNTO YOU, THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL.” I John 1:4. “THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD: THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD.” I John 5:13.

What does the Holy Spirit desire concerning those who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? “That they may know that they have eternal life.” “That their joy may be full.” The Holy Spirit wants those who are saved by grace to have a “know-so,” salvation and a joyous fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Note what the Holy Spirit said by the pen of Paul:

“NOW THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING, THAT YE MAY ABOUND IN HOPE, THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST.” Romans 15:13.

So we learn that the Lord desires that His redeemed ones should live righteously, soberly and justly in this present evil age, that they should know that they are saved, that they should rejoice because their names are written in heaven, that they should be joyous, filled with joy and peace, and be full of hope.

MEMBERS OF GOD’S HOUSEHOLD

Let us note carefully II Timothy 2:19 to 21:

“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. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge Himself from these, he shall be A VESSEL UNTO HONOUR, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

And II Timothy 2:15:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.”

Here we learn that God knoweth them that are His. We also learn “them that are His” should be “vessels of honour” in God’s great House, and they should be workmen that need not to be ashamed. We learn that “them that are His”, “who name the name of Christ,” are to “depart from iniquity.”

Unless God’s children do depart from iniquity and do rightly divide the Word of truth, they cannot be vessels of honour sanctified and meet for the Master’s use. Here then is the secret of the joy of salvation.

God’s children cannot lose their salvation, but the majority of God’s children know, by their own personal experience, very little about the real joy of salvation.

We all love the parable of the Vine and the branches. Hear the words of the Lord Jesus in John 15:8:

“Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.”

There are two ways of bearing fruit; one is, manifesting the fruit of the Spirit “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22 and 23.

The other is leading other sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ. Next to the joy of receiving Christ for salvation is the joy of leading some one else to receive Jesus Christ for salvation. There is also joy in heaven: “Likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:7.

The Holy Spirit has presented a very high plane of spiritual living for members of the Body of Christ in the different Epistles written to them. In Colossians 1:9 to 11, the Lord’s desire for His saints, is thus expressed

“THAT YE MIGHT BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL IN ALL WISDOM AND SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING. THAT YE MIGHT WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD UNTO ALL PLEASING, BEING FRUITFUL IN EVERY GOOD WORK, AND INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD; STRENGTHENED WITH ALL MIGHT, ACCORDING TO HIS GLORIOUS POWER, UNTO ALL PATIENCE AND LONGSUFFERING WITH JOYFULNESS.” Colossians 1:9 to 11.

Here then is the secret of enjoying salvation, a spiritual walk, and a fruitful life, patient and longsuffering with joyfulness.

Note again carefully II Timothy 2:21 and 15:

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. “

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. “

If the believer departs from iniquity and rightly divides the Word of Truth he will be an unashamed workman and a vessel meet for the Master’s use.

This brings us to the consideration of:

“HOW TO ENJOY THE SCRIPTURES.”

In II Timothy 3:16 and 17 we read:

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Note Romans 15:4 and I Corinthians 10:11.

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

Let us consider these statements together with I Corinthians 10:32:

“Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God.”

Redeemed sinners during this present Divine economy are members of Christ’s Body. They belong to the Church of God which He purchased with His own blood, the House of God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Acts 20:28. Some of the Scriptures are addressed directly and specifically to these Church-members.

Note the wonderful truth addressed to and concerning members of Christ’s Body in Ephesians.

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD.” “In Whom ye also are builded together for an HABITATION OF GOD through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19 and 22.

“But if I tarry long that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in THE HOUSE OF GOD, which is THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery.” I Timothy 3:15 and 16.

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ: 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.” Ephesians 4:12 and 13.

In rightly dividing the Word of Truth, it behooves God’s workmen to know definitely that God is building a House, that He is building up the Body of Christ, which He called “the House of God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

The Holy Spirit declares that God is not the author of confusion. God is not responsible for all the different Sectarian groups into which the Church of Christ is divided. God recognizes but one true Bible Church during this present economy of grace, and that Church is not primarily an organization, but an organism. It is not Israel.

THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND THE BODY OF CHRIST

No one rightly divides the Word of truth, or can truly enjoy or understand the Scriptures, who confuses “the House of Israel” with “the House of God” described in Paul’s Epistles to Timothy and to the Ephesians.

“The House of Israel” has fallen. It is going to be rebuilt or re-established during a future Divine economy. If you want a real vivid picture and guarantee of this, read the thirty-seventh chapter of Ezekiel and Isaiah 62:1 to 5.

The Scriptures which were written to and concerning “the House of Israel” are to be diligently and faithfully studied by members of the Body of Christ. They are for admonition, and they are profitable for instruction in righteousness. They are not written to members of Christ’s Body.

Note in Genesis 35:10 and 11 and 15 how Jacob’s name was changed to “Israel.”

“And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and He called his name Israel. And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.”

When God met Jacob, Jacob said, “this is none other than “the House of God.” Genesis 28:17. That desert lonely place was to Jacob “the House of God.”

Jacob’s name was changed to “Israel” about 1732 B.C. The first time the expression “the House of Israel” is found in the Scriptures is Exodus 40:38. That was about 1495 B.C.

Now let us read Exodus 1:1 and 5, and learn that about 1710 B.C. seventy Israelites went down into Egypt. Then note about 1495 B. C.; Exodus 12:41.

“And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt; this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.”

“And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, besides children.” Exodus 12:37.

Out of “the house of bondage” went “the House of Israel” about 430 years after God called Abram to leave his home and loved ones. Genesis 12:1 to 4—Galatians 3:8.

Israel was forty years in the wilderness, journeying from Sinai to Canaan. Then they went to Canaan to become “the Commonwealth of Israel.” They reached Canaan about 1455 B. C. Now read Acts 13:17 to 23:

“The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought He them out of it. And about the time of forty years suffered He their manners in the wilderness. And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He divided their land to them by lot. And after that He gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they desired a king; and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years, And when He had removed him, He raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also He gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all My will. Of this man’s seed hath God according to His promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus.”

As God gave “the House of Israel” judges about the space of 450 years, He gave kings to reign over Israel and Judah about 500 years.

Then about 606 B. C. Nebuchadnezzar came from Babylon to Jerusalem. He besieged and destroyed the city, took the vessels out of the temple and took many of the Jews to Babylon. This was the beginning of “the times of the Gentiles.” Luke 21:24. Read the last two chapters of II Kings and Jeremiah.

THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL IN THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES

In Isaiah 43:7 God declared that Israel was created for His glory. In Romans 11:25 and 26 we read that a blindness in part is happened to Israel until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Now read the judgment of the Lord Jesus upon that people and city.

“There shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Luke 21:23 and 24.

What are we to understand from these statements? God is not, by any means, through with the House of Israel.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest.” Hebrews 8:10 and 11.

The Israelites are today where Christ said they would be, in Luke 21:24. So also is the city of Jerusalem. The future redemption of the House of Israel is recorded in Luke 21:27 and 28 and 31.

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh.” “So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Luke 21:27, 28 and 31.

So we should realize how very important and imperative it is to know when God created Israel and when God set “the House of Israel” aside temporarily, if we are to enjoy and understand the Bible.

Before God created Israel, from Adam to Jacob, God had some faithful servants, Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Shem, Eber and Abram. None of these belonged to “the House of Israel.” Abram belonged to “the House of Shem” to “the House of Eber”, to “the House of Terah.” Terah, Abraham’s father, was an idolatrous Gentile. Joshua 24:2.

ABRAHAM – ISAAC – JACOB – NOT UNDER LAW

Abram was an Eberite, a Hebrew, a descendant of Adam, Noah, and Shem. But Abram was neither an Israelite nor a Jew. Abram did not belong to the House of Israel because there was no House of Israel at the time he died. Judah was the son of Jacob (Israel). Judah was the great grandson of Abraham. The Jews, as to race, were “Judahites”. But all Israelites became “Jews” by religion.

Abram became “Abraham” when he was 99 years old. Genesis 17:7 to 17. Abram was justified in uncircumcision. Galatians 3:8 and Romans 4:8 to 11. But when Abram was declared righteous he was not baptized into the Body of Christ, as were Jews and Gentiles 1900 years later. I Corinthians 12:13.

Abram was not under the law, or under the Mosaic Covenant that became the “Old Covenant” after Christ died on the cross. II Corinthians 3:13 to 15. Hebrews 8:11.

Note carefully Galatians 3:19 and Romans 5:20 and 21:

THE LAW WAS ADDED.

“WHEREFORE THEN SERVETH THE LAW? IT WAS ADDED BECAUSE OF TRANSGRESSIONS, TILL THE SEED SHOULD COME TO WHOM THE PROMISE WAS MADE; AND IT WAS ORDAINED BY ANGELS IN THE HAND OF A MEDIATOR.”

“MOREOVER THE LAW ENTERED, THAT THE OFFENCE MIGHT ABOUND. BUT WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND: THAT AS SIN HATH REIGNED UNTO DEATH, EVEN SO MIGHT GRACE REIGN THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO ETERNAL LIFE BY JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.”

Let us carefully compare these two verses of Scripture with Romans 5:13 and 14

“UNTIL THE LAW SIN WAS IN THE WORLD: BUT SIN IS NOT IMPUTED WHEN THERE IS NO LAW. NEVERTHELESS DEATH REIGNED “FROM ADAM TO MOSES.”

‘The period “from Adam to Moses” was subdivided into other periods or dispensations. “From Adam to Noah and the flood, about 1656 years.” “From Noah to the casting away of the Gentiles and the call and circumcision of Abraham, more than 400 years.” “From the call and justification of Abram to the adding of the law, the Old Testament and Israel’s religion (Hebrews 9:10), about 430 years.”

LET US LEARN THESE IMPORTANT LESSONS

First: That from Adam to Moses, about 2500 years, Adam, Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Shem, Eber, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Levi, Joseph, and other men of God were not under the law. They were not Old Testament saints. In fact Moses was 80 years old when God gave the law to Israel at Sinai. They lived “when there was no law.” So God has very definitely marked a period in the Bible, designated

FROM ADAM TO MOSES WHEN THERE IS NO LAW

Second:We learn in Galatians 3:8, Galatians 3:16, 17 and 19, that 430 years before God added the (Old) Testament at Sinai, God preached the gospel to uncircumcised Abram, and by faith Abram was declared righteous. Let us keep in mind that the covenant given to Israel at Sinai was entirely new to Israel at that time and it did not become “Old” until after Christ had died on the cross.

Abraham was circumcised at the age of 99. Genesis 17:7 to 17. With that covenant of circumcision (Acts 7:8) God cut off the Gentiles and began a new Divine movement. Romans 1:21 to 31.

God made a covenant with Abraham in which He guaranteed to Abraham’s seed (Israel) the land of Canaan. He confirmed that covenant with an oath.

Third: We learn in Galatians 3:16 to 19 that God added the law to the gospel preached to Abraham, to the covenant of promise which God gave to Abraham 430 years before Moses was on Mount Sinai. God added the “Law” Covenant to the Abrahamic Covenant. The “Law” Covenant was abolished after Christ died on the cross. But the Abrahamic Covenant has not been annulled. Because of this Covenant Israel will yet be saved. Romans 11:26 to 29.

Fourth: We learn in Matthew 1:1, that Jesus Christ was the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. In Romans 15:8, we learn that Jesus Christ was the Minister of the circumcision to confirm promises which God made to Israel. In Galatians 4:4 we learn that Jesus Christ was born under the Old Testament to redeem them that were under the Old Covenant. In Luke 2:12 to 20 we learn that Jesus Christ was circumcised. In Hebrews 9:15, we learn that Jesus Christ was the Mediator of the New Covenant. Jesus Christ was sent only to the children of Abraham (Israel), while on earth. Matthew 15:24. Luke 13:16. Luke 19:9.

Fifth. We learn in Romans 11:15 that the glorified risen Christ sent Paul with the message of reconciliation to Gentiles when and because Israel was cast away. Then and there began “the times of the Gentiles” spiritually. Since that time we have been living in “the times of the Gentiles” in every sense of the word. It is so important that we see “the times of the Gentiles” began with Nebuchadnezzar, politically, and with Paul spiritually.

Premillenarians are dispensational Bible-teachers and all dispensational Premillenarians teach that when “the House of Israel” fell, God began to build a new and different House, “the House of God” of I Timothy 3:15.

Then believing Jews and Gentiles were baptized by the One Spirit into the One Body. I Corinthians 12:13. That One Body is called in Ephesians 3:6, “the JointBody.” Divine Truth concerning this “Joint-Body,” its hope and calling, is called “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:8.

The word “unsearchable” means “not-to-be-tracked.” That truth was not prophesied by Israel’s prophets. It was called God’s Secret. Ephesians 3:9. It was disclosed to Paul, and by him to us. And it is our duty “to make all see what is the dispensation of the Secret.” Ephesians 3:9. “Having made known the Mystery of His will.” Ephesians 1:9.

WHEN DID THE BODY BEGIN?

The historical beginning of “the Church of the Mystery” was not while Christ was on earth. And assuredly “the Church of the Mystery,” disclosed to Paul, did not begin with Peter on Israel’s feast day, Pentecost.

Let us learn that “the Body of Christ” is “the Church of God,” but “the Church of God” is not always “the Body of Christ.” Note the definition of the Body of Christ in Ephesians 1:23, “the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.” The Church is one flesh with Christ. This was one phase of “the Mystery.” Ephesians 5:30 and 31.

Now let us carefully read and consider the radical change recorded in Acts 14:27. In that verse we learn that God opened up the door of salvation unto the Gentiles shortly after the Holy Spirit said, “separate unto Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them,” (Acts 13:2), shortly after Paul turned from the Jews and said, “lo, we turn unto the Gentiles.” Acts 13:46.

We would impress upon your minds and hearts the importance of marking the change from Jews to Gentiles in Acts 13:46, Acts 14:27, Acts 18:5 and 6, Romans 11:11 to 15, and Acts 28:25 to 28.

NO DIFFERENCE

In Matthew 15:24 to 28 we learn the great difference between Jews and Gentiles, “children” and “dogs.” In Romans 10:10 to 15 we learn that difference no longer existed. Believing Jews and Gentiles were then one in Christ and all baptized into One Body by One Spirit. Galatians 3.26 to 28, I Corinthians 12:13. Romans 6:14: “Ye are not under the law. “

MEMBERS OF CHRIST

Now let us note Romans 12:4 and 5:

“For as we have many members in one Body and all members have not the same office, go, we being many, are one Body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

Note how this was accomplished in Romans 6:3 and 4: believers were baptized into the death of Christ, buried with Him by baptism, and raised to walk in newness, of life. Christ’s Body is called in Ephesians 3:6, “the Joint-Body.”

We learned in I Corinthians 10:32 that the members of Christ’s Body were not to offend Jews, Gentiles, or the Church of God.

In II Timothy 2:15, members of Christ’s Body are thus instructed, “rightly dividing the Word of Truth.”

GOD’S DIVINE PRINCIPLE

Let us study the Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as from Genesis to Malachi, and the first twelve chapters of Acts, in the light of God’s truth revealed after the radical change marked by Acts 14:27.

Then let us study all Divine Truth, from Acts 14:27 to the other radical change, marked by Acts 28:25 to 28, in the light of Paul’s Epistles, written after the close of the “Acts” period.

Thus we should find that God’s “golden key” for the interpretation, appropriation, application and enjoyment of the Scriptures, is in the “Body Truth” in Paul’s Prison Epistles.

Let us study all Scripture in the light of Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Titus, II Timothy and other Epistles and be careful not to frustrate the grace of. God or eliminate any precious truth that God wants brought over from some former dispensation. “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His Body’s sake, which is the Church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the Word of God; Even the Mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: To Whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; Which is Christ in you the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:24 to 27.

NOTHING TO PAY

Nothing to pay ! Yes, this is true,
There is nothing left for the sinner to do.

There’s nothing to pay to earn God’s love
There’s nothing to pay for a home above.

The sinner has nothing good within;
The sinner has nothing to pay for sin.

No human can keep God’s holy law
None can remove a single flaw.

God’s debtors we are in our bankrupt state ;
How can we pay our debt so great?

Apart from grace, though doing our best,
We find no pardon, peace or rest.

Christ came from heaven to die on the tree.
Eternal life! God’s gift, is free;

For God hath accepted the work of His Son,
He saves, guilty sinners by the work He has done.

God saves by grace, without good deeds;
Christ is all that the sinner needs

This is the gospel so often we’ve heard
The message of grace in God’s own Word.

Why should a sinner think he can aid?
Why should he pay what Christ has paid?

No value is there in a human plan;
But Christ tasted death for every man.

No payment more will God require,
What more than Christ should man desire ?

Complete in Christ and justified,
Forgiven, cleansed and sanctified.

Let us thank God for His infinite grace;
And the Saviour Who was willing to die in our place,

To die on the cross to put sin away,
Rejoicing to know there’s nothing to pay.

The work of our Saviour we’ll never forget;
Forever we’ll praise Him for paying our debt.

We’ll honor and praise Him, looking above,
Seeking each day to be filled with His love.

Yes, looking to Jesus, we’ll run well the race,
Depending each day on God’s wonderful grace.

God’s Word is true; we’re sure of reward
For all that is done in the name of the Lord.

The Unsearchable Riches of Christ

Measured by true standards and values, the Apostle Paul was the greatest man who ever lived on this earth, with the single exception of the God-man, the Lord of glory, the Second Man from heaven. Whether or not this is our unanimous opinion we are all agreed that Paul was “Number One” Christian. He won all the rewards and crowns that it is possible for a Christian to win.

Note Paul’s testimony.

“FOR WE PREACH NOT OURSELVES, BUT CHRIST JESUS THE LORD; AND OURSELVES YOUR SERVANTS FOR JESUS’ SAKE. “ “BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM: AND HIS GRACE WHICH WAS BESTOWED UPON ME WAS NOT IN VAIN; BUT I LABOURED MORE ABUNDANTLY THAN THEY ALL: YET NOT I, BUT THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH WAS WITH ME.” “AND I THANK CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD, WHO HATH ENABLED ME, FOR THAT HE COUNTED ME FAITHFUL, PUTTING ME INTO THE MINISTRY.” “AND THE GRACE OF OUR LORD WAS EXCEEDING ABUNDANT WITH FAITH AND LOVE WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS.” “HOWBEIT FOR THIS CAUSE I OBTAINED MERCY, THAT IN ME FIRST JESUS CHRIST MIGHT SHEW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFERING, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING.” “FOR I SPEAK TO YOU GENTILES, INASMUCH AS I AM THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES, I MAGNIFY MINE OFFICE.” “BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME, EVEN AS I ALSO AM OF CHRIST.” “ACCORDING TO THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN UNTO ME, AS A WISE MASTERBUILDER, I HAVE LAID THE FOUNDATION, AND ANOTHER BUILDETH THEREON. BUT LET EVERY MAN TAKE HEED HOW HE BUILDETH THEREUPON.” II CORINTHIANS 4:5—I CORINTHIANS 15:10—I TIMOTHY 1:12,14,16—ROMANS 11:13—I CORINTHIANS 11:1 AND I CORINTHIANS 3:10.

Paul was Christ’s man. Note Paul’s words in Acts 21:13 and Acts 20:24.

“Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Then note what Paul wrote at the end of his stormy career after many years of faithful and fruitful service.

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” II Timothy 4:6 to 8.

In I Corinthians 15:1 to 7, Paul declared that more than five hundred Christians saw the Lord Jesus Christ after He was raised from the dead. Paul declared that the gospel, by which sinners are saved, is the fact that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Yes, all of this was “according to the Scriptures.”

Note how this same truth is stated in Acts 13:29 and 30.

“And when they had fulfilled all that was written of Him, they took Him down from the tree, and laid Him in a sepulchre. But God raised Him from the dead.”

When the Lord Jesus Christ had fulfilled all that had been prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures concerning His suffering, when Israel had done to Christ all that Israel’s prophets foretold, Christ was taken down from the tree (Calvary) and laid in the sepulchre. But God raised Him from the dead. Then Christ after His death shewed Himself alive by many infallible proofs. He appeared to more than five hundred brethren.

“AND LAST OF ALL HE WAS SEEN OF ME ALSO, AS OF ONE BORN OUT OF DUE TIME. “ I Corinthians 15:8.

Paul was one born out of due season. Paul declared that he had personally seen the resurrected Christ. There is no hint that Paul, as Saul of Tarsus, ever saw Jesus of Nazareth while He was the Man approved of God in the midst of Israel by miracles and signs. Acts 2:22.

Paul declared, in Romans 15:8, that Jesus of Nazareth was in the midst of Israel with a “confirmation” or “fulfillment” ministry.

“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.”

Note how the Lord Jesus stated this before His death and then right after His resurrection.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matthew 5:17 and 18.

“Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:45 to 47.

Paul went into the Jewish synagogues of Asia and Europe preaching this “confirmation” message, proclaiming Divine truth that had been prophesied by the Lord’s prophets, from Moses to Malachi. Note how he stated this fact in his own defense – “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer and that He should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.” Acts 26:22 and 23.

Note the “none other things,” the death and resurrection of Christ, and light unto Jews and Gentiles.

See Paul at work in this ministry in the Jewish synagogue.

“And Paul as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, Whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” Acts 17:2 and 3.

From the synagogue in Thessalonica, he went immediately to a synagogue in a nearby town, Berea. Note the results: “Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.” Acts 17:12.

THE NOBLE BEREANS

Those Bereans were serious and sensible. How wonderful it would be, if, in the midst of all of the religious confusion of this day, church-members and others would be as wise as those Bereans. To their credit and praise it is written

“THESE WERE MORE NOBLE THAN THOSE IN THESSALONICA, IN THAT THEY RECEIVED THE WORD WITH ALL READINESS OF MIND, AND SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY, WHETHER THOSE THINGS WERE SO.” ACTS 17:11.

With this statement we should read I John 2:26 and 27. In these verses we learn that the Holy Spirit is God’s infallible teacher. No Christian has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit. All human teachers are fallible. The Holy Spirit is the infallible teacher. Human interpretations of the Scriptures may be faulty but the Scriptures are infallible. The Lord has selected and endowed some men to be special messengers and teachers to members of the Body of Christ. Ephesians 4:8 to 14. But He wants all members of that Body to be Bereans; to receive with meekness and with all readiness of mind the Word of God from the servant of the Lord, and then to prayerfully, diligently, and spiritually search the Scriptures to see whether those things be true. Never was such an attitude more necessary than today, when the Church of Christ is torn asunder with sectarianism and the confusion of doctrines.

Let us ever be Bereans. Those Bereans searched the Scriptures when Paul preached to them “confirmation” truth; that is, when Paul preached what Christ had done in fulfillment, of the prophecies recorded in the thirty-nine Books in the Old Testament Scriptures. We might say what was in fulfillment of the thirty-eight Books of the Old Testament and Genesis; for there is not a line of the Old Testament in Genesis. The Old Testament began with Exodus 20. Now right here, let us be Bereans and see whether this be true.

THE CONFIRMATION MINISTRY OF THE TWELVE

We have observed that Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1), was in the midst of Israel with a “confirmation” ministry. Romans 15:8.

Now note the statement concerning the ministry of Peter and the Eleven. Peter with the Eleven stood up on the day of Pentecost to address devout Jews from every nation under heaven. Acts 2:14 and 2:5. They had a message for “ye men of Judaea”, “ye men of Israel”, for “all the house of Israel.” Acts 2:14— Acts 2:22— Acts 2:36.

The Twelve addressed Hebrews. Now note Hebrews 2:3 and 4.

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.”

The Twelve confirmed the “confirmation” ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Be a Berean. Carefully study the ministry of the twelve apostles, in the first twelve chapters of Acts, and you will learn that everything that Peter and the Eleven preached to Israel and the household of Cornelius was in fulfillment of prophecies by Israel’s Old Testament prophets. As Christ’s “confirmation” ministry was accompanied by signs, so also was the “confirmation” ministry of the Twelve.

Now by way of contrast let us be spiritual Bereans and carefully consider this unique statement of Paul, in Ephesians 3:8.

“UNTO ME, WHO AM LESS THAN THE LEAST OF ALL SAINTS, IS THIS GRACE GIVEN, THAT I SHOULD PREACH AMONG THE GENTILES THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST.”

We learned, in Acts 17:11, that the noble Bereans searched the Old Testament Scriptures to see if Paul was telling the truth. He was preaching prophesied truth. But what would those noble hearers in Berea have done, if Paul had preached to them “the unsearchable riches of Christ”? They simply could not have done any searching with success. Why? Because what Paul wrote in the third chapter of Ephesians was never made known by Israel’s prophets of old, nor made known to them. Therefore the Holy Spirit gave to Paul the word “unsearchable”. Note how Paul stated this truth in Colossians 1:25 and 26.

“WHEREOF I AM MADE A MINISTER ACCORDING TO THE DISPENSATION OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN TO ME FOR YOU, TO FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD; EVEN THE MYSTERY WHICH HATH BEEN HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS, BUT NOW IS MADE MANIFEST TO HIS SAINTS.”

Very interesting this. New Divine truth, truth about which all of Israel’s prophets, priests and kings had been silent and ignorant, was given by revelation to Paul to fulfill (complete) the Word of God. The Holy Spirit calls the new Divine truth, the new revelation to Paul, “the Mystery” or “the Secret”.

Whose Secret had it been? God’s own sacred Secret.

“AND TO MAKE ALL MEN SEE WHAT IS THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY, WHICH FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD HATH BEEN HID IN GOD, WHO CREATED ALL THINGS BY JESUS CHRIST.” Ephesians 3:9. “HAVING MADE KNOWN UNTO US THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL, ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE WHICH HE HATH PURPOSED IN HIMSELF.” Ephesians 1:9.

“Hid in God”. The mystery of God’s will. But the Lord Jesus made known that Secret, and God is eager that every member of the Body of Christ should know that Secret.

Note the very clear statement concerning God’s stewards, in I Corinthians 4:1 and 2. “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” If you claim to be a minister of Christ, you should be a steward of the mysteries of God. What are you doing about obeying Ephesians 3:9?

“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.”

THE SEARCHABLE AND THE UNSEARCHABLE

Most assuredly all Christians believe II Peter 1:19 and 20: “ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.”

We know that many wonderful events concerning Christ, His redeemed Israel, and His Messianic kingdom on this earth, are yet to take place. Much of prophecy concerning this glory of Jesus Christ is unfulfilled up to date. We believe the words of Jesus Christ, in Matthew 5:17 and 18—”Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

But at the same time, let us know the difference between fulfilling the law and the prophets concerning the kingdom of heaven, and fulfilling, or completing the Word of God with that Divine truth, not included in the law and the prophets. That Divine truth is called “the unsearchable riches of Christ” among the Gentiles.

That truth was proclaimed by a man who began the third chapter of Ephesians, with these words

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words). Ephesians 3:1 to 3.

Then note Ephesians 3:11. The “Mystery” is called “the eternal purpose of God in Christ Jesus”—“The unsearchable riches of Christ”. “The Mystery of God’s will”.—“The Mystery hid in God.”—“The mystery not made known to the sons of men in other ages”.—Note how this blessed Divine truth is stated in II Timothy 1:9.

“God’s purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

It was not God’s desire or will to make known this special truth concerning the hope and calling, position and possessions of members of the Body of Christ, from the time He talked with Adam, in Eden, until after the twelve apostles had completed their ministry in the first half of the Book of Acts. Then it was time for God to disclose His Secret. This His Son did, telling Paul all about it. Christ caught Paul away to paradise and revealed to Him many truths that no one on earth had ever heard. II Corinthians 12:1 to 6.

The “Unsearchable Riches of Christ” had to do with the truth of Romans 8:28 to 30, and I Corinthians 2:7.

“And we know that all things work together for good to ‘‘them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called; and whom He called, them He also justified; and whom He justified them He also glorified.” ‘`For we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.”

This blessed truth is not explained in detail, in Romans and Corinthians, but it is in Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, II Timothy, and other Pauline Epistles. One phase of the Secret is presented in Romans, the eleventh chapter, the fact that the casting away of Israel brought reconciliation for Gentiles. Romans 11:15.

Note Romans 11:30 and 31: “For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.”

What then was said?

“O THE DEPTH OF THE RICHES BOTH OF THE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD HOW UNSEARCHABLE ARE HIS JUDGMENTS, AND HIS WAYS PAST FINDING OUT!” Romans 11:33.

This word “unsearchable” is an altogether different word from the “unsearchable” of Ephesians 3:8, concerning “the unsearchable riches of Christ”. But it is interesting to note that the “unsearchable” of Ephesians 3:8 is the same Greek word translated, in Romans 11:33, “past finding out”.

Then how are we to reconcile “past finding out” with Ephesians 1:9, “having made known the Secret of His Will?” The explanation is, that Romans was written several years before Ephesians was written. Note Ephesians 3:3, “as I wrote afore in few words.” But then follows the revelation of that Divine truth that had been past finding out.

NO LONGER CHILDREN

Note why the Lord wants every member of the Body of Christ to know the difference between the searchable riches of Christ and the unsearchable riches 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.” Ephesians 4:14.

“The unsearchable riches of Christ” cannot be searched out in Israel’s Scriptures. The Greek word “unsearchable” means “not traceable.” You cannot trace the truth, concerning the members of Christ’s Body, seated with Him in the heavenlies, through the Old Scriptures, for there is not a word to be found in those Books concerning this heavenly truth. It was God’s eternal purpose, but it was not made known to the sons of men in other ages. It was past finding out. But it is not now past finding out. But for some reason, with which Satan has much to do, the majority of Christians have no desire whatever to know the difference between the prophesied ministry of Jesus Christ and the unprophesied ministry, called “the unsearchable riches of Christ.”

It was with particular reference to this all-important distinction that Paul wrote II Timothy 2:15.

“STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING-THE WORD OF TRUTH.”

But let us be assured that we must still pray and heed the prayer of Ephesians 1:17 to 23, if we would know God’s Divine truth for this a parenthetical period, this dispensation of the grace of God, “the dispensation of the mystery.” We quote Ephesians 1:17 to 19.

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”

In the messages printed in this volume, it is our desire and purpose to compare the “confirmation” ministry of Christ, of the Twelve and of Paul, with the “revelation” ministry of Paul, building up from the foundation to the capstone of Divine truth.

Certainly, if God tells us “to test things that differ”, we should know the difference between “the gospel of the kingdom”, “the gospel of the grace of God,” and “the mystery of the gospel,” for which Paul was in the Roman jail.

“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, For which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:19 and 20.

Quite frequently we hear a preacher remark, “Christ is coming for His Church”, and then “Christ is coming with His Church”, stating dogmatically that the Church of the Mystery will not go through the tribulation. In the very next message they will preach on political signs to prove that Christ will soon come for His Body, and then ignorantly preach the Church right into the tribulation because they do not know the difference between the “searchable” and the “unsearchable” riches of Christ.

Is it any wonder their followers are in such utter confusion?

Will you be a Berean ?

The Dispensational Answer to Undispensational Religious Practices

One of the principal reasons why we are publishing this 320 page book, entitled “The Unsearchable Riches of Christ,” why we are sending forth these messages emphasizing the Divine truth which the risen Christ revealed to the Apostle Paul, is to prove that that truth, designated “the unsearchable riches of Christ,” is God’s curative for every doctrinal ill and “ism” with which the Body of Christ is afflicted. It is God’s curative for the fanaticism which is being practiced and propagated by many sincere, zealous saints who are sincerely wrong. You will find many statements reiterated many times in these messages, for they are printed from manuscripts. We trust that they may be used among some of the members of our Radio Bible Class when they gather in groups for Bible study.

Let us explain what is meant by “the dispensational answer to undispensational religious practices.” You and I know that there are many saints in the different religious organizations in this country. We refer to the organizations that claim to be Christian organizations. They claim that they are organized to practice and propagate Bible Christianity. In creed, doctrine, and practice, they attempt to prove by statements from the Bible that they are carrying on a Scriptural religious program.

Presently we shall mention by name some of the twenty sects or religious leaders which we have in mind. In the religious program of these twenty “churches” we find that they teach and practice

1—Christians should eat no pork.
2—Christians should keep Israel’s seventh day Sabbath.
3—Christians should wash one another’s feet.
4—Christians should not wear jewelry.
5—Christians should sell their property and put the money in a common treasury
6—Christians should not pay a pastor a stipulated salary.
7—Preachers should go out two by two.
8—Preachers should not have any money in their purses.
9—Christians should cast out demons.
10—Christians should raise the dead.
11—Christians should heal the lepers.
12—Christians should lay hands on the sick and thus restore health.
13—Christians should anoint the sick with oil.
14—Christians should bless aprons and handkerchiefs and cure the sick by putting them on their bodies.
15—Christians should have visions and dream dreams.
16—Christians should not be injured by the poison from serpents.
17—Christians should speak with tongues and other Christians should be able to interpret.
18—Christians should have the gift of discerning of spirits.
19—Christians should cut off their offending hands and pluck out their offending eyes.
20—Christians should lend money to any one who would borrow and not expect the return of the loan.
21—Christians should take a gift to the priest when they are healed.
22—Christians should have miraculous jail deliverances.
23—Christians receive no more forgiveness from God than others receive from these same Christians.
24—The meek shall inherit the earth.
25—Christians should do greater works than Christ did.
26—Christians should give up their cloaks also when sued for their coats.
27—Christians should not have two coats.
28—Christians should be circumcised.
29—Christians should practice the imposition of hands.
30—Believers should be baptized with water for the remission of sins.

Before you condemn or ridicule any of these twenty groups for including these religious ceremonies and practices in their programs, find one single one of them that is not wholly Scriptural. Then ask yourself this question: “How many of the thirty do I practice?” Check them on the list. Then tell yourself why you do not include more of the thirty in your program. Your answer will perhaps be, “they do not belong to this dispensation.” Those that you rule out by your dispensational principle, mean your dispensational answer to some undispensational religious practices. But are you absolutely positive that what you believe, endorse or practice is both Scriptural and dispensationally correct?

When that religious woman in California recently cut off her hand because it offended her, was she not obeying the words of the Lord?

GOD’S ONE CHURCH

Every saved individual, during the present Divine economy, whether Jew or Gentile, is a member of the Body of Christ, “the Church of God which He hath purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28. In this age of grace God requires no religious ceremonies for salvation or for membership in the one true Bible Church. But God does demand faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His shed blood for salvation. And God’s Book declares, “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8 and 9. There are multitudes of religious people, members of some religious organization, who are not saved. Moreover there are perhaps as many trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His redemptive work, who, like the foolish Galatians, are trying to make the finished work of Christ more efficacious, by mixing in some religious doings. To them the Apostle Paul has written

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 2:21, Galatians 1:6 and 7, Galatians 5:1.

We shall not consider the religious programs of the new metaphysical cults, which are propagating their Satanic vagaries, in the name of Christianity, in fulfillment of II Corinthians 11:13 to 15, II Peter 2:1 and 2, and I Timothy 4:1 and 7. With their Christianized pagan philosophies they have here and there mixed in a verse of Scripture which they have invariably corrupted. Every one of them deny all of the fundamentals of true Bible Christianity. But they all have much to say about Jesus and His program of physical healing, without the use of drugs or other material remedies. Concerning them God’s warning is, “bringing in the damnable heresies denying the Lord that bought them”; “seducing spirits”; “doctrines of demons”; “gone in the way of Cain.” II Peter 2:1, I Timothy 4:1, Jude 11.

But now let us consider the “church” creeds and religious programs of religious organizations whose members claim to believe the Bible and who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His precious shed blood.

CASE NUMBER ONE

About fifty miles north of Chicago there is a religious town made up of religious people. And there are some splendid, godly, saved people there. At the head of that religious colony there is a religious man, who preaches much sound doctrine. He doesn’t seem to obey I Peter 5:3, “neither as being lords over God’s heritage.” But he does proclaim the message of blood redemption and presents a high standard of Christian living, even if it is a mixture of grace and law.

There is a religious hotel in that religious town. In the dining-room of that hotel the religious cooks are forbidden to serve any meat that has come from any part of a hog. Even Swift’s Premium bacon is tabooed. Undoubtedly if one of the cooks in that hotel should serve a piece of pork in that religious dining room, that cook would learn that he might think he is living in the day of grace, but he would be discharged by the overseer, according to the law of Moses. That overseer prefers to be governed by the legal message of Deuteronomy 14:8, rather than by the grace message of I Timothy 4:3 to 5. But you and I must agree that the brother is Scriptural in his law, “no pork.”

Along with the law of “no pork” is the law of “no surgeons.” Divine healing of the body is one of their principal doctrines. Many of them practice, as well as preach, Divine healing. But of course they die just like other saints, and like all the sinners, in spite of their doctrine, for until the Lord Jesus returns to redeem the bodies of God’s people the death rate will continue to be one apiece. But you and I must agree that God’s saints in the Bible, during certain periods, were miraculously healed without doctors and medicine.

These dear people have gone through litigation, sorrow, and some disgrace trying to carry on the communism, described in Acts 2:44 and 45 and in Acts 4:34 and 35.

“And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” “Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”

Yes, a communism is Scriptural. Now we say that the founders and leaders of that religious colony have capriciously and arbitrarily selected a few of the thirty religious practices found in the Bible, and have eliminated and ignored the others, without explanation or apology.

CASE NUMBER TWO

It would be wonderful if sane evangelical Christians would display the aggressive spirit, the zeal, the determination, and the energy found among the Seventh Day Adventists. They believe the Bible, although you and I often feel that the Epistles of Paul have been wholly ignored by them. We wonder if they have ever read the Epistle to the Galatians, the third chapter of II Corinthians, or the second chapter of Colossians, or Romans 6:14.

They, too, have capriciously and arbitrarily selected a few of the thirty religious practices which we have enumerated, and have passed up the others. They have selected Israel’s seventh day sabbath; “no pork”; “the religious washing of feet”; and some of them are strong on water baptism for “the remission of sins”; and some are stronger than others on Divine healing.

Of course they have in their program a damnable heresy teaching that the believer’s sins will ultimately be placed on Satan, the scape-goat, who will be loosed to go into the wilderness. They have a silly unscriptural teaching concerning “the sabbath” and “the mark of the beast.” But in many of their religious practices they are Scriptural. We quote the Scriptures:

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” “The seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Exodus 20:8 and 10.

“He (Jesus) came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” Luke 4:16.

“On the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.” Acts 16:13.

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14.

“And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet sheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.” Deuteronomy 14:8.

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38.

The first day of the week is not the sabbath of the Lord thy God. The seventh day is the Scriptural sabbath. The Lord never has changed the sabbath from the seventh day to the first day. But there are some dear religious people who call Sunday “the Christian sabbath”; and others miscall Sunday “the Lord’s day.” Is not a Christian a follower of Jesus Christ? Did not Jesus Christ attend Divine services on the seventh day sabbath? Did not Paul also?

Intelligent students of the Bible know from Colossians 2:11 to 16, II Corinthians 3:9 to 16, and Ephesians 2:6 that members of Christ’s Body have nothing to do with Israel’s sabbath.

But why do most of the Christian leaders, who are straight on the sabbath, pay no attention to John 13:14, and neglect the washing of feet? They use water in baptizing, but not in washing of feet. They say the washing of feet was symbolic of cleansing. Was not also water baptism?

But the Adventists are Scriptural in their religious practices. But of course they are utterly inconsistent in selecting five or six of the religious practices and ignoring the others.

CASE NUMBER THREE

In the city of Minneapolis there is a splendid man of God, a fighting, uncompromising Fundamentalist. He has been a real defender of the faith, and an aggressive evangelist. He is a zealous immersionist. For years in his auditorium a very godly man carried on a special ministry of healing. He prayed over, and in some way blessed handkerchiefs that were in turn used for healing the physical infirmities of the saints. The dear brother was very much in earnest about those blessed handkerchiefs, and of course claimed positive cures.

The pastor, who believed in physical healing, endorsed the healing ministry. But he has failed to include in his “church” program the other religious practices mentioned above.

Now the question, “isn’t it Scriptural to bless handkerchiefs”? Didn’t Paul say, “follow me,” and didn’t Paul bless handkerchiefs?

“And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” Acts 19:11 and 12.

The pastor of that church tried to practice some of the program of Acts 19:1 to 12. He has accepted water baptism and the blessing of handkerchiefs. Well, some believers were baptized and the apostle prayed over handkerchiefs or aprons. But our brother is very inconsistent because he has wholly ignored the religious practice recorded in the same chapter, Acts 19:6:

“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they speak with tongues, and prophesied.”

Now let’s be honest and unprejudiced and fair-minded. What right has any servant of the Lord to arbitrarily select baptism, and some religious handkerchiefs, and ignore the imposition of hands for Holy Spirit baptism and the speaking with tongues, when all are linked together in the same chapter and the same Divine economy? Didn’t Paul say, “follow me” If we are to follow Paul in the matter of water and religious handkerchiefs, why not in the imposition of hands for Holy Spirit baptism and speaking with tongues? Hear Paul’s testimony

“Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.” “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.” I Corinthians 14:39 and 14:18.

There is a very zealous Fundamentalist here in Chicago. He is the brother responsible for disrupting the fellowship in the Fundamentalist Ministers’ Association by introducing a resolution concerning water baptism into the Association. He and one of the leading pastors of the city carried through their determined purpose after they were urged and warned. But the brother was somewhat consistent in contending so strenuously for the water because he delighted in the use of oil for physical healing. Water and oil belong to the same spiritual program in the Bible. Although James did write “to the twelve tribes of Israel,” and although he did say in Acts 15:19, “wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God,” and although there is no record in the Bible that any Gentiles were anointed with oil, the Bible does say,

“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:13 and 14.

All of these brethren dispensationally, or otherwise, rule out many of the religious practices mentioned above, while holding on to their “pet” doctrines and practices.

CASE NUMBER FOUR

Have you ever heard of the Two-By-Two saints ?

These religious Christians have very little fellowship with other Christians. They are sincerely religious and endeavor to strictly and literally obey that part of the program of Jesus that they have selected for their program, especially Luke 10:1 to 12 and Matthew 10:7 to 14.

The program in Luke 10 is very much the same as in Matthew 10. Let us note something of the message and the method in these commissions of Jesus of Nazareth to His twelve Jewish apostles to the Jewish nation

“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them TWO AND TWO before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come.” “Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.” “And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of His hire. Go not from house to house.” “And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” Luke 10:1, 4, 7 and 9 to 11.

“But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand, Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver, nor brass in your purses. Nor scrip for journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.” Matthew 10:6 to 10.

The Lord Jesus most assuredly commanded His chosen messengers to preach and do what the “Two-and-Two” religious messengers in this country are trying to do. They certainly endeavor to conduct themselves according to the Bible. Other Christians call them “fanatical.” Why are they fanatical? If they are fanatical, it is not because they are unscriptural, but because they are undispensational. They pay no attention whatever to “the dispensation of the grace of God” of Ephesians 3:1 to 11, and God’s orders in II Timothy 2:15, “rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” They ignore the message and program which the risen Christ gave to “the apostle to the Gentiles,” to supersede His kingdom message to Israel, and cry with other confused and deluded Christians, “back to Jesus.” They disfellowship all Christians who do not send and receive two preachers instead of one, or any company of believers who pay a pastor a monthly salary. They try to obey the Lord’s command “take no money for your journey.” They have utterly failed in one of the Lord’s commands, “raise the dead.” But they will shake the dust off on those who do not receive them.

Of the thirty religious practices mentioned above they arbitrarily select seven or eight of them and forget the others.

CASE NUMBER FIVE

For some years a very religious and clever woman in California has been the head, the bishop, the evangelist, the baptizer, the pastor, and the Bible-teacher of a company of sincere religious people. The leader and the followers have been very zealous for Jesus, and they would not think of receiving into their membership or fellowship any person who did not believe in the verbal inspiration of the Bible and the Deity and redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. That religious woman has had several slogans for her particular program—“Jesus Christ the Same Yesterday, Today and Forever”; “Health, Happiness and Heaven”; “This Is That”; “The Latter Rain”; and many others.

She has included about as many of the thirty practices in her religious program as any other person. She has been strong on baptism, but she has scattered flowers on the water, without any Scriptural authority. Under the influence of her religious hands many have fallen under some kind of power with the cry, “this is that,” “slain of the Lord.” They have experienced religious ecstasy and have broken forth speaking in new tongues. Part of her program is certainly according to the Bible. Note Mark 16:17 and 18:

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

But she has been positively disobedient to the plain word of God, in I Timothy 2:11 and 12.

“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. “

She can cleverly explain this away to the satisfaction of her deluded followers. She can prove to them by her visions that she is one of the handmaidens about whom Joel prophesied.

This religious sister, whose slogan has been “back to Jesus” and “back to Pentecost,” has overlooked or ignored Luke 12:33:

“Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.”

She has accumulated no small fortune. Financially, she is well fixed. She has let her followers obey Luke 12:33 to her gain. There are about fifteen of the thirty practices that she has eliminated or ignored.

Some of the Pentecostalists in their programs have added one or more religious practices to this woman’s program.

CASE NUMBER SIX: THE SNAKE BITING PREACHER

In today’s newspaper is an account of the arrest of a preacher who has encouraged members of his flock, and some of his own family, to prove that Mark 16:17 and 18 is for this age; and that if it were not for the unbelief on the part of Christian preachers, these miracles would be constantly performed by all believers. So the poisonous serpents are brought into the religious meetings for the demonstration. Let us read the verses:

“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

“If they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them.” So they drink it to prove that Christ and the Scriptures are true. We say they are fanatical.

CASE NUMBER SEVEN

We might group the Lutherans, the Methodists, the Baptists, the Plymouth Brethren, the Presbyterians, and others. Consider the program of any one of them.

All of these churches, without explanation or apology, without presenting any intelligent Divine principle, have from their church creeds and programs omitted eighty per cent of the thirty religious practices which we have quoted from the Bible. They have all ignored I Corinthians 12:28 and I Corinthians 12:8 to 11:

“And God hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” I Corinthians 12:28. “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.” I Corinthians 12:8 to 11.

If God set them in the Church, who set them out? No one but God had that right. If He did it, when and how did He do it?

By whose authority have the Presbyterians voted for water baptism by sprinkling and kept silent concerning these sign-gifts of I Corinthians? Think of the inconsistency of the other denominations that teach that this present “grace” economy began with Peter and the Eleven on the day of Pentecost and without explanation or apology, they omit from their “church” programs, the visions, tongues, miracles, surrender of houses and lots, baptismal regeneration, anointing with oil, blessed handkerchiefs and aprons and every other religious practice except the baptismal font or tank of the “Acts” period. They all like the water, but concerning this religious ceremony no two of them agree. Many of them talk much of following the Lord in baptism, but they have nothing to say about following Him in many other religious practices. Why?

They make not the slightest endeavor to obey the “kingdom” orders and program of Jesus of Nazareth presented to His people when He was here on earth, but many of them condemn in no uncertain language another messenger who presents the Scriptural principle to be used by members of the Body of Christ for the selection or the elimination of those Scriptural ceremonies and commands which rightly belong to other dispensations but which have no rightful place in this present economy of grace.

The Roman Catholics have much religion in their program. But they frankly admit that their ecclesiastical potentates and dignitaries have assumed the right both to interpret the Scriptures and to add to the Bible such other religious doctrines and practices as they may elect. They have a healing ministry. Their priests and bishops bless water, or bones, or garments for the healing of physical afflictions, and the recipients of this healing ministry are instructed to obey Matthew 8:4:

“ . . . go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.”

Other healing preachers are not so consistent. They claim to heal on the authority of Matthew 8:3, 16 and 17; but they wholly ignore the command of Matthew 8:4, concerning the priests and the law of Moses.

A FEW QUESTIONS

Now these important and interesting questions:
1—How many or how few of the thirty religious practices are for the obedience of members of the Body of Christ?
2—Have Christians any Scriptural right to select one, two, three, five, ten, or twenty, or more of the thirty for their obedience and practice without offering some Godgiven principle?
3—Is there not such a Divine principle in the Bible?

The answer to this question, and many other questions, is found in this book with the title, “The Unsearchable Riches of Christ.”

If God did not radically change the program for His Church after the Nation Israel was set aside, and the transition of the “Acts” period came to an end, then one hundred per cent of the members of the Church of God are disobedient and unfaithful. And as some preacher has said, “if the signs of Mark 16:17 and 18 are the credentials of a Christian, there have been no Christians since the apostles died.”

Dedication

This volume is dedicated to a group of several hundred saints of God who know the meaning of II Timothy 1:8: “Be thou not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.”

I have been privileged to serve them as pastor for more than seventeen years. They have stood uncompromisingly for the gospel of the grace of God, for the Pauline message, and the Divine truth concerning “the Church of the Mystery.” Inasmuch as they have learned something of Paul’s suffering for “Body” truth, they have counted it a pleasure to suffer with him for their testimony. “My gospel; wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the Word of God is not bound.” II Timothy 2:9.

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” II Timothy 3:12.

We also praise the Lord for the many faithful loyal Christian friends who have supported our daily radio ministry for more than fifteen years.

Let us all continue in the prayer of Ephesians 1:17 to 19—“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.” Ephesians 1:17 to 19.

And let us continue to rejoice in the truth of Ephesians 1:6 and 7. “To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

J. C. O’HAIR
1011 Wilson Ave. Chicago, Ill.

Foreword

As we send forth these Bible messages we are praying that those who read and study them may be helped in the understanding of the Holy Scriptures, and be influenced to love the Lord Jesus Christ as never before, and to live well pleasing unto Him.

We do not differ with any true Christian as to the plenary inspiration of the Bible. We agree heartily with other Christians who believe in progressive revelation confined to the limits of the Book. “All Scripture is God-breathed.” The inspired messages in the Bible were given on the installment plan. God revealed Divine truth to Moses that He had never made known to Abraham, Noah, Seth, Abel and Adam. God revealed truth to the twelve apostles that He had never made known to Moses or to any of His holy prophets. The Lord Jesus revealed truth to the Apostle Paul that no prophet or apostle had ever known.

But concerning progressive revelation, we say, spiritually speaking, “ANY THING THAT IS TRUE IS NOT NEW”; “ANY THING THAT IS NEW IS NOT TRUE.” Since the day that the last apostle of Christ wrote the last truth revealed from heaven any servant of the Lord who has spoken spiritual Divine truth has spoken nothing new. If it is true, it can be found in the Book. If it is new, it is not true.

All Christians are agreed as to the eternal Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ and as to His sinless and perfect life. All “Bible” Christians believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was foreordained to be the spotless Lamb of God; that His death on the cross was neither premature nor accidental; that He was not the helpless victim of circumstances when He offered Himself without spot to God at Calvary. They believe just as firmly in His bodily resurrection, and they know that apart from the perfect redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ no member of the human race can be or will be saved.

We agree with every intelligent spiritual Christian as to salvation by grace, the salvation truth of Ephesians 2:8 to 10: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

We agree with every intelligent, spiritual student of the Bible that we are today living in the dispensation of the grace of God, and that during this present economy and age God has one and only one Church, and that that Church is the Body of Christ. We agree with every such student that every sinner, who is really trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and relying on His once-for-all sacrifice for sin, becomes a member of that one Body the very moment he is saved by grace through faith. And we heartily agree with every Bible-taught spiritual saint of God that God expects those who and redeemed by grace to walk worthy of the calling wherewith they are called, in a separated life of service, in the name of the risen Christ.

WHEREIN WE DISAGREE

We heartily disagree with other servants of the Lord who teach that the Old Testament began with the first chapter of Genesis; that the New Testament began with the first chapter of Matthew; and that the “dispensation of the grace of God” began with Peter, in the second chapter of Acts.

These false assumptions have led to faulty “dispensationalism” which we are seeking to expose and correct in these lessons, by presenting a consistent “dispensationalism” that will clear up many of the seeming contradictions and discrepancies which are to be found in the dispensational teaching generally accepted and propagated by the majority of “grace” preachers who are Premillenarians.

We submit here several verses of Scripture:

“FOR FINDING FAULT WITH THEM, HE SAITH, BEHOLD, THE DAYS COME, SAITH THE LORD, WHEN I WILL MAKE A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH: NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS IN THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; BECAUSE THEY CONTINUED NOT IN MY COVENANT, AND I REGARDED THEM NOT, SAITH THE LORD.” “IN THAT HE SAITH, A NEW COVENANT, HE HATH MADE THE FIRST OLD. NOW THAT WHICH DECAYETH AND WAXETH OLD IS READY TO VANISH AWAY.” Hebrews 8:8 and 9 and 13.

“BUT EVEN UNTO THIS DAY, WHEN MOSES IS READ, THE VAIL IS UPON THEIR HEART.” “BUT THEIR MINDS WERE BLINDED; FOR UNTIL THIS DAY REMAINETH THE SAME VAIL UNTAKEN AWAY IN THE READING OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, WHICH IS DONE AWAY IN CHRIST.” II Corinthians 3:15 and 14.

“BUT CONTRARIWISE, WHEN THEY SAW THAT THE GOSPEL OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION WAS COMMITTED UNTO ME, AS THE GOSPEL OF THE CIRCUMCISION WAS UNTO PETER; (FOR HE THAT WROUGHT EFFECTUALLY IN PETER TO THE APOSTLESHIP OF THE CIRCUMCISION, THE SAME WAS MIGHTY IN ME TOWARD THE GENTILES:) AND WHEN JAMES, PETER, AND JOHN, WHO SEEMED TO BE PILLARS, PERCEIVED THE GRACE THAT WAS GIVEN UNTO ME, THEY GAVE TO ME AND BARNABAS THE RIGHT HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP; THAT WE SHOULD GO UNTO THE HEATHEN, AND THEY UNTO THE CIRCUMCISION.” Galatians 2:7 to 9.

“FOR THIS CAUSE I PAUL, THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST FOR YOU GENTILES, IF YE HAVE HEARD OF THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN ME TO YOU-WARD: HOW THAT BY REVELATION HE MADE KNOWN UNTO ME THE MYSTERY; AS I WROTE AFORE IN FEW WORDS.” “AND TO MAKE ALL MEN SEE WHAT IS THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY, WHICH FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD HATH BEEN HID IN GOD.” Ephesians 3:1 to 3 and Ephesians 3:9.

Here we learn that the Divine Covenant, or Testament, by which Israel was governed from the day God led that nation out of Egypt, was made old after Christ died on the cross.

The Lord Jesus had not died on the cross when the events covered in the first chapter of Matthew took place. When did God lead Israel out of Egypt? When Moses was eighty years old. That was about 2500 years after God put Adam out of Eden. Therefore, from the sin of Adam to the giving of the law at Sinai, there was no Old Testament or Covenant. Therefore, there is not one line of the Old Testament in Genesis.

The Covenant, made old by the death of Christ on the cross, was entered into about 430 years after God made a covenant with Abram. Galatians 3:16 to 19. The Abrahamic Covenant was not made “old” by the death of Christ on the cross. It is still alive and in force.

The gospel of the circumcision was committed to Peter after Christ arose from the dead. Galatians 2:7.

“The dispensation of the grace of God” was not committed to the Twelve by the Lord Jesus on or before the day of Pentecost; but to Paul, by revelation some years later.

Because of the utter confusion, due to the lack of knowledge concerning the difference between the Lord’s program given to Peter and the Eleven, and the program which He gave by special revelation to Paul, few, if any, of the Premillennial “grace” preachers, who teach these errors, are making any effort to obey Ephesians 3:9. “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.” The Lord Jesus wants this order obeyed.

In these lessons we are not only showing why this order is not obeyed; but we are endeavoring to present constructive Bible messages building up from the foundation to the capstone of Divine truth.

“WHEREOF I PAUL AM MADE A MINISTER; WHO NOW REJOICE IN MY SUFFERINGS FOR YOU, AND FILL UP THAT WHICH IS BEHIND OF THE AFFLICTIONS OF CHRIST IN MY FLESH FOR HIS BODY’S SAKE, WHICH IS THE CHURCH; WHEREOF I AM MADE A MINISTER, ACCORDING TO THE DISPENSATION OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN TO ME FOR YOU, TO FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD; EVEN THE MYSTERY WHICH HATH BEEN HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS, BUT NOW IS MADE MANIFEST TO HIS SAINTS.” Colossians 1:23 to 26.

“WITHAL PRAYING ALSO FOR US, THAT GOD WOULD OPEN UNTO US A DOOR OF UTTERANCE, TO SPEAK THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST, FOR WHICH I AM ALSO IN BONDS: THAT I MAY MAKE IT MANIFEST, AS I OUGHT TO SPEAK.” Colossians 4:3 and 4.

Paul had a new and different ministry. He had to fill up or complete
1—That which is behind of the afflictions of Christ.
2—The Word of God with the Mystery. The capstone of truth.

Paul was in prison for the mystery. He wanted all Christians to pray for open doors where this glorious Divine truth might be presented. This is still the Lord’s will concerning every Christian. These messages are written with the desire, hope, and prayer that you may be led to obey the, Lord in this matter.

Faithfully and sincerely yours,
Together with you in Christ Jesus by the Grace of God

J. C. O’HAIR.