Secondly, the Church is the Community of The Called or The Chosen
I appreciate that this makes it sound like the Church is an exclusive club - but it is.
That's God's choice, not mine.
You don't have to look far to see how exclusive it is, how few might be in the Body of Christ compared to how many who are not, just in the place where you live.
(But keep reading to the final post in this mini-series to discover why this smallish group has been chosen to receive its calling before the eventual reconciliation of the remainder at the consummation of the ages - the called have a distinct role to play in God's plan for His creation.)
Reports of God's calling of those he has chosen permeates all of Scripture. Here's a small sample relating to the church.
Symeon has related how God first looked graciously on the Gentiles to take from among them a People to be called by His name.
[Acts 15 : 14 Weymouth]
James said this referring to Simon Peter's earlier comment that "God originally made a choice among you that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the Message of the Good News, and believe." [Acts 15 : 7 Weymouth]
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, to the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints ... [1 Corinthians 1 : 1 - 2 NIV]
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. [James 1 : 18 NIV]
God has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
[2 Timothy 1 : 9 - 10 NIV]
It is clear that the Church is a community of people who have been specifically called (chosen) by the Spirit of God to be members of the Body of Christ, and incredibly, that choice was made by God before time began.
That's how God operates - always choosing people, as individuals or groups, to implement His plans.
And we'll discuss what that plan is for the Body of Christ in a coming post.
Let's see a few more examples of God's choosing throughout Biblical history.
After Adam and Eve sinned, God promised that He would undo the curse of sin that the human race inherited. [Genesis 3 : 15]
After Cain killed Abel, God gave them another son named Seth (meaning the set or appointed one) as the one appointed to take the place of Abel.
God later chose Noah (meaning comfort or rest), a descendant of Seth and a righteous man, to save mankind when God judged the wicked in the flood.
Through Noah's son Shem (meaning name, fame, renown) God chose another man named Abram (meaning high or exalted father) to be an ancestor of Jesus Christ.
God's plan in calling Abram, who was later called Abraham, was to make a great nation of people who would be, not only the people from whom the Messiah would come, but also they would be God's chosen nation (Israel), a witness and example to all other nations. [Genesis 12 : 1 - 3, Exodus 19 : 3 - 6]
In fact, Abraham was to be more than the father of just one nation, but of a multitude of nations - those of the circumcised (Hebrews) and those of the uncircumcised (Gentiles). [Genesis 17 : 3 - 6, Romans 4 : 11 - 12]
And what about the mighty Pharaoh, who thought he was completely in charge of his world. For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very reason I have raised you up, so that I may demonstrate my power in you, and so that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." [Romans 9 : 17 LEB]
And finally the words of Jesus as He responds to the grumbling of the Jews: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me should draw him ..." [John 6 : 44 DBH]
It is clear that one's calling into the Body of Christ is God's doing, God's choice - and His alone. It is not a choice that we make, no matter how often we hear people saying things like "I invited Jesus into my heart" and "I decided to become a Christian" or "I decided to give Christianity a go". It is not an "I" decision at all: it is solely God's choice as to whom He calls into the Body of Christ.
Interestingly, C.S.Lewis admits he was dragged into the church kicking and screaming, definitely not his choosing at the time.
To finish, an interesting point from the Greek of the New Testament.
The word klesis is translated in English as 'a calling' and the word ekklesia is translated as 'church' or assembly.
Notice the similarity between these Greek words demonstrating that the church consists of those who have received a calling by God.
Blessings, Barry
(Part 3 coming in the next post)
Over the centuries, the word "church" has come to mean either the building in which people of Christian persuasion meet or the actual people who have so gathered.
Neither meaning is consistent with Scripture, which tells the story about what the real church is, has and does.
Let's explore what the Bible says about the Church - the Real Church.
(We'll use several posts to cover this exploration)
Firstly, the Church is described as the Body of Christ.
Although this might seem a strange term to use, it is full of meaning and symbolism.
The Apostle Paul used the term frequently to describe the various communities of believers - assemblies of Christians - that he founded and served.
... Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. [Ephesians 5 : 23 NIV]
After all, people never have never hated their own bodies, but they feed and care for them, just as Christ does the church - for we are members of his body. [Ephesians 5 : 29 - 30 NIV]
And he (the Son) is the head of the body, the church; ... [Colossians 1 : 18 NIV]
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. [Colossians 1 : 24 NIV]
God has put all things under His (Christ's) feet, and has appointed Him (Christ) universal and supreme Head of the Church, which is His Body, the completeness of Him who everywhere fills the universe with Himself. [Ephesians 1 : 22 - 23 Weymouth]
The statement "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it"
follows a fascinating exposition on the unity and diversity in the Body in 1 Corinthians 12, which all assemblies of Christians would
find value in reading on a regular basis.
Interestingly, many churches also teach that the Church is the Bride of Christ, although the Bible does not specifically say this.
However, Paul metaphorically links the Church with a betrothed virgin.
I betrothed you to one husband, to present to the Anointed* as a pure virgin. [2 Corinthians 11 : 2 DBH]
Also Paul uses the love of Christ for his Church to set the expected standard for a husband's love for his wife,
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loves the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy ... [Ephesians 5 : 25 - 26 NIV]
and the fact that a husband and wife become one flesh to show that Christ, the Head, and the Church, the Body, are one.
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church. [Ephesians 5 : 31 - 32 NIV]
So although this idea can appear to have some biblical support I struggle to get my head around the arrangement whereby the same entity can be the Bride and the Body of the Bridegroom at the same time.
I am thinking that it is more likely that Israel will become the Bride of Christ after she is saved (after the full number of the Gentiles come into the Body of Christ - Romans 11 : 25 - 26) as she is described as the Wife of God in the Old Testament [Jeremiah 3 : 14] and, in the future, God plans to restore her to that position after her long period of unfaithfulness. [Jeremiah 31 : 31 - 33, Isaiah 54 : 4 - 8, the whole book of Hosea especially Hosea 2 : 16, Revelation 19 : 7 - 9, Revelation 21 : 1 - 2]
(The Revelation references linked to Israel in this way may also challenge some traditional church thinking.)
So for me, the Church is clearly the Body - the hands and feet - of Christ on this planet at this time, and operates under the direction of Christ - the Head.
The Body members are those who are living under this direction through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings, Barry
*David
Hart always translates the Greek 'Christos' as the Anointed rather than
the Messiah or the Christ as other translators usually do.
Readers of my book "The Really Good News About God" and long-time readers of this BLOG and my website at www.ibtechservices.com.au will be familiar with my frequent criticisms of the poor translation of some key words in our most popular English Bibles, especially their New Testaments.
In my writings (and in my preaching) I usually offer a Biblical text or two to illustrate the point I am making to demonstrate the Biblical backing for the view being addressed.
If I quote from a popular version like NIV or GNB, I often have to adjust the quotation using a literal translation so that it better reflects what the Biblical writer is trying to say. Sometimes I actually quote the text from a literal translation like Young's or Rotherham's or the Concordant Version even though they use older King James style English and their expression is not usually free-flowing, quite wooden in fact.
Now some really good news.
Last week I was introduced to a brand new literal translation of the New Testament that was published just over 12 months ago. It is "The New Testament - A Translation" by David Bentley Hart.
My copy arrived in the post two days ago and I haven't been able to put it down since. I haven't read it all the way through yet, but I have read sizable chunks of it and especially chunks that include chapters containing the poor translations I have to keep adjusting.
And I am delighted!
If I can quote from this translation in my writings (I am inquiring about any copyright restrictions at the moment) I will never have to make those adjustments again because the translation is already literal and the English style and expression is very acceptable for written works.
David Bentley Hart is an Eastern Orthodox scholar of religion and a fellow at the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study. He set out to translate the New Testament etsi doctrina non daretur (as if doctrine is not given), and has produced a brilliant (IMO) 500-page translation that contains copious footnotes explaining the reasoning behind many of his translation decisions.
Some people will criticise a translation by one person rather than by a committee, just because it is a single person.
But I find a literal translation by an eminent scholar is more likely to be true to the original manuscripts and thus avoid doctrinal biases than a popular translation by a committee formed from a particular doctrinal persuasion on the one hand or by a committee representing many different doctrinal positions whose work needs to be smoothed over to keep all committee members on board.
Here is my signature Bible text from this new translation (sorry for the US spelling):
"For we labor and struggle to this end, because we have hoped in a living God who is the savior of all human beings, especially those who have faith. Enjoin and teach these things."
[1 Timothy 4 : 10,11 DBH]
If there are no copyright problems, you will see this translation used most (maybe all) of the time from now on.
Blessings, Barry
Since publishing the previous post "Are We In the Last Days?" I have been asked to write a bit more about "The Last Days mentioned in the Bible".
This is a huge topic as it is mentioned in so many of the Biblical Books and raises several questions about what Christians often refer to as the "second coming" of Christ.
I won't repeat the references from the previous post that showed that most of the New Testament writers were aware they were living in the last days, which I suggested were the last days of the Old Covenant or Mosaic era - I'll just add a few more.
The writer to the Hebrews opens his letter with:
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. [Hebrews 1 : 1 - 2 NIV]
And a bit later added:
But he (Jesus) has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. [Hebrews 9 : 26b NIV]
It seems clear that the time of Christ's arrival, ministry, death and resurrection was considered to be in the last days of the "wrapping up" or climax of the Mosaic ages.
When we consider what Jesus taught about "the last days" or "the end", we see an interesting mix of reward and punishment in store for the nation of Israel.
In the explanation of the Parable of the Weeds in Matthew 13, the end of the age is truly in focus.
Jesus identifies the generation in which he is living as the one that will be experiencing God's judgement. (Matthew 23 : 36)
And Matthew chapters 24 and 25 give vivid predictions of the destruction of the temple, the sign of Jesus' coming and the end of the age, and the rewards and punishments of those in that generation.
Secular history confirms the physical fulfillments of these predictions, and debates have raged for centuries over the non-physical - preterist, futurist, pre-mill, post-mill, a-mill discussions abound. (But those debates are well outside the focus of this BLOG.)
Hope that's enough to tempt you to put your study specs on and satisfy your curiosity about "the last days". I'll get back to our usual theme of the extravagant grace of God in the next post.
Blessings, Barry
This topic is not directly relevant to the exploration of God's extravagant grace that is the major focus of my book, blog and website.
However, I am asked this question often so I will answer it and place the question and my answer on the website under the "Questions" link.
So my answer? - Maybe, no, and I don't think so.
If the question is referring to the last days of the church age, then my answer is "maybe"; if it's referring to the last days of the world, then my answer is "no".
And if the question is referring to the last days mentioned frequently in the Bible, then my answer is "I don't think so".
The Last Days of the Church Age
I'm not sure we can find many clues from the Scriptures regarding the last days of the church age.
During the age in which we are currently living, God has put national Israel to one side whilst he gathers the Body of Christ (the Church) from all nations (including Israel).
God has these members already chosen and gives them faith when they hear the gospel so they become believers and the first fruits of the full harvest which is to be completed at the end of the ages.
So the church age will end when the final member of the Body of Christ has been added, and God turns his attention again to national Israel.
And only God knows when that will be because only he knows whom he has predestined to be in the Body of Christ.
So are we in the last days of the church age? ... Maybe ... but who knows but God alone?
The Last Days of the World
From my comments above it is clear than there is still an age or time to come when God deals with, and saves, national Israel. (Romans 11 : 25 - 27)
So are we in the last days of the world? ... No ... there is still much more to come.
The Last Days Mentioned in the Bible
There are many references to the last days in the Scriptures: but they don't appear to be referring to our church age or to the end of the world.
Let's take a look at some of them and see if we can determine to whom they might refer.
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter is explaining why the disciples are behaving in such a strange way:
These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!
No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.'
[Acts 2 : 15 - 17 NIV, this event occurred in the 30's AD]
Peter was aware that this gathering was taking place "in the last days".
He was implying that "we are in the last days right now".
Paul was equally aware of the days they were in.
In summing up some warnings from Israel's history, he said:
Now these things happened to those people as an example, but are written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come.
[1 Corinthians 10 : 11 LEB, written in the 50's AD]
The writer to the Hebrews also described Jesus' visit as being at the end of the ages:
For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf,
and not in order that he can offer himself many times, as the high priest enters into the sanctuary year by year with blood not his own,
since it would have been necessary for him to suffer many times from the foundation of the world, but now he has appeared once at the end of the ages for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of himself.
[Hebrews 9 : 24 - 26 LEB, written in the 60's AD]
John was even more precise when he wrote:
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come.
This is how we know it is the last hour.
[1 John 2 : 18 NIV, written in the 60's AD]
The time in which the New Testament writers (and the early Church) lived was variously described as the end of the ages, the last days and even the last hour.
So, the question becomes: the end of what ages, the last days of what, the last hour of what?
I believe they were in the last days of the Old Covenant era - the ages that culminated in 70 AD with the destruction of Jerusalem.
So are we in the last days referred to in the Bible? I don't think so - they have long gone.
Blessings, Barry
I have spent the holidays re-designing the website and it will be ready for display by the end of the month as scheduled.
At this stage it will contain similar content to the current site, but will now be suitable for viewing by all types of phones, tablets, laptops and desktops.
It is composed mainly of brief snippets from the book together with articles (predominantly from this BLOG) that dig a bit deeper than a book designed for the general public would allow.
It will be at the same web address - www.ibtechservices.com.au.
I have also prepared a Scripture Index for "The Really Good News About God" which lists, in Biblical order, all texts referred to in the book. It can be viewed and downloaded from www.ibtechservices.com.au/downloads/ScriptureIndex.pdf.
I have also shifted the Discussion and Study Guide for "The Really Good News About God" from its original location to the same downloads folder. It can now be downloaded from www.ibtechservices.com.au/downloads/DandSGuide.pdf, and can be printed using the suggestions in the post on January 1st 2017 called Study Guide for "The Really Good News About God".
So, very little study and writing in January, just playing web site developer.
Blessings, Barry
In several previous posts I have listed a number of Bible texts that demonstrate the plan of God to eventually reconcile all of his creation. In this post I will use some of them to show how the expression of this plan runs right through the New Testament.
In the beginning God
created all things (Genesis 1) and all (these) created things are to be reconciled to himself (Colossians 1 : 16 - 20), because all things are from him, through him and to him (Romans 11 : 36). For this to be so, God must be in the restoration business (Acts 3 : 21). In fact, he promises to make all things new (Revelation 21 : 5).
God's plan is unchanging (Hebrews 6 : 17), his love, kindness and mercy are also unchanging, even towards his enemies (Luke 6 : 27 - 36), and his patience allows everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3 : 9), reflecting his desire for all people to be saved and to know the truth (1 Timothy 2 : 4). Indeed, he has allowed us all to be stubborn and disobedient so that he can have mercy on us all (Romans 11 : 32).
God appointed his Son, Jesus Christ,
to be the heir of all things (Hebrews 1 : 2), placing all things under his control (Ephesians 1 : 22), and to all of them he will give eternal life (John 17 : 2), through the giving of himself as a ransom for all people (1 Timothy 2 : 6), so that all people will see God's salvation. (Luke 3 : 6)
Jesus, knowing that God had given him authority over all things (John 3 : 35 and John 13 : 3), promised to draw all people to himself (John 12 : 32), and lose none of them (John 6 : 37 - 39). However, if any of them does stray, he will go after them until he finds them (Luke 15 : 4).
Jesus came so that all people should come to belief (John 1 : 7 and 9) ensuring that the world would be saved through him (John 3 : 17) - his grace bringing salvation to the world (Titus 2 : 11) by taking away the world's sin (John 1 : 29 and 1 John 2 : 2). As Jesus said, "I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world" (John 12 : 47), and he did this by destroying the works of the devil (1 John 3 : 8), destroying death and bringing life and immortality through the gospel (2 Timothy 1 : 10).
So, not only has sin been dealt with (Hebrews 9 : 26), but Jesus gave his life for the life of the world as well (John 6 : 33 and 51). Yes, every descendant of Adam who has inherited death from him will become a descendant of Christ and will therefore inherit life from him (1 Corinthians 15 : 22).
Jesus completes his work when all things have submitted to him (Philippians 2 : 10 and 11), and he hands over his kingdom to God so that God becomes everything to everyone (1 Corinthians 15 : 24 - 28).
Consequently,
we can be assured that God will bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ (Ephesians 1 : 10), having brought justification and life to all people (Romans 5 : 18), that assurance being confirmed by the knowledge that God's gifts and call are irrevocable (Romans 11 : 29).
Surely a quick summary like this can be used as a reasonable excuse for being a heretic.
Blessings, Barry
