The
Church in the Epistles Scripture Reading: Romans 11:11-16.
Memory Verse: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God . . ." (Romans 8:16).
Introduction: References to the Church within the Gospels
are
almost non-existant. Twice the four authors penned this word. As the
body
of believers continued after Christ's death, Luke used the word many
times
while writing the book of Acts. Here, we see a record of the Church
coming
into manifestation and operation. But it is in the Epistles, especially
those of Paul, "the great mystery" is truly revealed. As in the growth
of a corn seed, "first the blade," seen in the Gospels, "then the ear,"
seen in Acts, "then the full corn in the ear," seen in the Epistles.
The revelation of the Church in the Epistles provides most all
of the practical application for organization, membership,
discipleship,
fellowship, and discipline within the body. It is here such issues as
the
gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12), discipline of believers (1
Corinthians
5:1-5; Galatians 6:1-5), marriage (1 Corinthians 7:1-24; Ephesians
5:21-33),
and qualifications of elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13) are
discussed
in detail.
Concerning the Church in the Epistles, a word must be said about
the Apostle Paul. Most of the Epistles were written by Paul, and they
contain
reflections of his personality, character, education, and relationship
with the Savior. Unlike the other apostles, Paul was a Roman citizen,
educated
as a Pharisee, and called to minister to the Gentiles. Because of his
background
and call to ministry, God used Paul to shape the New Testament Church
by
addressing a myriad of problems among the Jews and Gentiles, writing
those
things inspired and revealed to him of the Spirit, and educating the
modern
believer in God's will for the Church.
As the Church has been defined largely by the letters of Paul,
the fact that many were written from prison is quite significant. What
we now have as a detailed map for charting the Church through dangerous
waters was written in the worst possible circumstances, testifying of
God's
grace and provision and Paul's willingness to submit to God's will.
Knowing
his personality and character, God placed Paul in prison that he might
write many of the "instruction manuals" the New Testament Church now
possesses.
Lesson Questions:
1. Why did Paul understand the mystery of Christ and the Church?
Ephesians
3:3; 1:9; 1 Corinthians 2:8-10.
2. What specifically is the mystery of the Church? Ephesians
3:6-9; Colossians 1:25-27.
The actual mystery Paul reveals is
a two-fold truth: the Gentiles coming into blessing in Christ, and the
Jew and Gentile coming together in one Body.
3. What does the Old Testament say about the Gentiles coming into
blessing in Christ? Isaiah 42:1-9; 49:6-12,22; 60:1-5,11,16; 66:19-22;
11:10,11; Malachi 1:11.
4. What great work was accomplished at Calvary to allow Jews and
Gentiles to be made members in the same Body? Ephesians 2:11-18;
Colossians 3:9-11; Galatians 3:27-29.
5. By what marvelous catalyst was the unity of the great mystery
made a reality? 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9-17.
6. How does a person who is made spiritually alive completely
change the way in which he estimates others? 2 Corinthians 5:12-17.
7. Of what great inheritance do the redeemed become partners?
Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:29; 4:4-7; Titus 3:7; Hebrews 11:7.
8. Discuss the warning Paul issues to the Gentiles about boasting
against Israel. Romans 11:17-23.
9. How does Paul answer the Christian Jews who rejected the coming
in of the Gentiles? Romans 3:25-29; Philippians 3:3.
