August 14, 2013 Overview of Ephesians by Pastor Tom Bruscha of Grace Bible Church, Warren, MI.
http://www.rightlydividing.org/biblemp3/After%20Acts%20-%...
This was last Wednesday night's study, which I had to hear again, for it touches on the subject of NOT calling this a "church age," but "The Age of Grace," which Baptists seem to be quite reluctant to use. Such claim that "grace" there was throughout the ages. They also, continually, seem to have us, the body of Christ, all over the place, to include, New Jerusalem! WRONG!
Here what a wonderful brother to whom I posed the question responded, today:
My explanation for why we shouldn't call this time period the "church age" is this.
The word church basically means, a called out group/assembly. If you look at:
Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
we see that the word church is NOT specific to the body of Christ. Here the word is clearly speaking about Israel in the wilderness. Once we can brake our thinking that the word "church" always means us, then we can see that there are different churches shown in the Bible. Today, God is saving people into the body of Christ.
In
Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
we see that before Paul (and after Israel wandering in the wilderness) there was a church. But again, this church which had just witnessed the Holy Ghost coming down, was STILL led by the 12 apostles (12 because they will sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel).
Today, the church we are apart of is the church, the BODY of Christ, which gets its instructions from Paul the apostle.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.
This church is not the church which the 12 apostles were responsible for with a destination of earth.
Our church today, for those who have accepted the free gift available to all men by the cross, is called the body of Christ and Paul said he is the chief of those (before) sinners that Christ came to save. In him are we to see the pattern for suffering for Christ's sake AND by his strength alone. We sit in heavenly places in Christ, not on earth.
1Ti 1:15 This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
1Ti 1:16 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.
So, in summary I see AT LEAST 3 churches in the Bible. 1- wilderness, 2- early Acts Israel-kingdom believers, 3- today's church: the body of Christ. Therefore, saying this is the "church age" is problematic... Which church?
I hope this helps. Let me know if want more clarification of how I see this issue.
In Christ,
Pete Boucher
Isn't it simply AWESOME, that a brother can give such a response, on the spur of the moment? This is what happens, when it is the preaching gotten by such as Pete Boucher, has been always scriptural and marvelously detailed, as is the preaching by Pastor Tom Bruscha of Grace Bible Church, Warren, MI.
I am so very thankful to God, that He as directed me to such edifying instruction!
Helga Hickman How appropriately this be an overview of Ephesians, where we also find:
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Ephesians 6:16 (King James Bible)- Helga Hickman Not that the Baptist be wicked, just woefully misled, since it is they not divide the word of God:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Bible)
They need keep in mind WE ARE NOT PROPHECY!
WE ARE THE MYSTERY of which Paul speaks:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
1 Corinthians 2:7-8 - Helga Hickman Yesterday, I heard a sermon given by Bryan Denlinger about the "Marriage supper of the Lamb," which is TOTALLY WRONG!
Since WE are a mystery, WE ARE NOT FOUND IN THE GOSPELS OF MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOHN, which is where he reaches for verses. He mentions us being "prophecy!" He calls this the "church age," YET, he also mentions the dispensations. He does not claim to be a Baptist, but a Baptist upbringing he had, and it shows! He is young, and still learning, which he also admits in the same sermon.
Bryan Denlinger has done some very good studies, but he is a bit mixed up regarding what we are, i.e., the body of Christ, and where we will be in future, in heaven, and NOT New Jerusalem! New Jerusalem is for the Jews!
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