Having in our previous posts (which please see) now an understanding of what it means to be “IN Christ Jesus”, the next question naturally would be, How does one get “IN Christ Jesus” in the first place? How do we get into the body of Christ? The Apostle answers that we were baptized into it, and hence are now counted as members of our Lord, members under him as our Head, members of “the Church which is his body.” “But…
A word of Warning, continued In spite of the fact that we presently reside in the “Time of the End” when the book (Daniel’s prophecy concerning the time of the end) has been unsealed and opened (Dan 12:4, 9, 10; Rev 10:2) many still (even among those begotten of the Lord’s spirit) willingly chose to remain in ignorance of the times and seasons and of impending events soon to transpire. The general opinion is that the study of prophecy is…
Deuteronomy Chapter 13 A word of Warning, continued VERSE 1-4 “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying (in essence), ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the…
Being IN Christ Jesus was also explained by the Apostle in another series of word pictures, in the first of which the consecrated followers of the Lord are likened to members of his Body. In the twelfth chapter of the first letter to the Corinthians he used this metaphor to explain how unity in Christ’s Body permits of great variety in the personal qualities and abilities of its members. “Now hath God set the members every one of them in…
2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 (2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, 1981 Study continued) Verses 11 and 12 “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” The deluded ones will have “pleasure in unrighteousness” (lawlessness), that is, in truth not taught by God. Volume 5 (entitled, “The At-One-Ment”), page 198, says, “The spirit of error assumes to be wiser than…
This study comes to us from an article written by Brother L. H. Bunker entitled, “The Source of Our Life, Strength and Joy” “To all the saints IN Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:1) “The Apostle Paul was preeminently the Apostle of “the mystery” — that mystic union of Christ, the Head, and the Church, his spiritual Body. His letters abound in direct and implied references to the oneness of the Christ, a unity which Paul described as the “mystery which hath…
How and what specifically do we sacrifice? Scriptural Usage of the Term “Sacrifice” “The word “sacrifice” may be used from different standpoints. If an animal were killed for some benevolent reason or purpose, it might be spoken of as a sacrifice, particularly if it were something done in harmony with the Divine arrangement. But the mere killing of an animal would not be sacrifice. A dog might be killed without being sacrificed. But if the dog’s life were surrendered for…
2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, 1981 Study Note: In the 1981 study, these four verses pertaining to the end of the age were treated in detail and only from the standpoint of the consecrated. The expanded explanation follows. Some of this we have already considered, but nevertheless we can never be to settled as these things pertain to events shortly to take place and it is better to be overly prepared than under prepared. Once the trials and deceptions begin it’s going…
Considering what we have thus far discussed in our previous post right about now many are probably thinking to themselves this all seems much too complicated, the Gospel of salvation is not supposed to be this complicated it’s supposed to be simple, viz. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” (Acts 16:31). This is true for the most part, but then we are not referring to “our common salvation” (Jude 3), of the salvation which comes…
2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 A word of Warning, continued VERSE 11 and 12 “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion that they should believe the lie that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness (in falsehoods, errors).” The level of damnation (judgement) is scaled proportionate to our enlightenment. Enlightenment is a blessing, not a curse, yet some are willingly ignorant because they do not want the responsibility of…