Body of Christ: Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13, 18, 20, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4, 12, 15-16; 5:23, 30; Colossians 1:18, 24; 2:19.

Recommended reading: The Nature of the Church, by Earl Radmacher (Schoettle Publishing www.schoettlepublishing.com)

The term “body of Christ” is a metaphor for the Church and is one of several different metaphors in the New Testament for the Church. In relationship to Christ and the Church: The Shepherd and the sheep, The Vine and the branches, The Cornerstone and the stones of the building, The High Priest and the kingdom of priests, The Head and the Body with its many members, The Bridegroom and the Bride (these are from L.S. Chafer).

Other images include: The temple (naos – inner sanctuary) of God; The household of God; The pillar and support of truth (there is no “apostolic succession” – there is only Truth succession!); The church of the firstborn; The people of God. Probably others could be added, but these will suffice to help us realize the vital importance the church is in the plan of God.

Two aspects of our brief study: As we progress we will be going back and forth between two aspects of the Body of Christ / Church. One is a spiritual reality, the universal “invisible” church; the other is the local “visible” church. Together they constitute the “Body or Christ” or the “Church.”

Our focus: In this brief study we will look at the “body of Christ” metaphor then briefly look at the doctrine of the Church; “brief” meaning that this will be a very incomplete study of the Doctrine of the Church or Ecclesiology.

The English word “church” takes its meaning from the Greek word ekklsia (#1577) which is used 114x in the New Testament with 3 in Matthew and none in any other of the Gospels. The theological term for the study of the Doctrine of the Church is Ecclesiology from the Greek word. The adjective “Ecclesiastical” also comes from the Greek word meaning something referring to or belonging to the church or its ministers.

Colossians 1:18: the Body of Christ

The metaphor simply shows certain similarities between the human body and the Church. The “Body” and the “Church” are the same thing – as such it is a metaphor for the Church.

Jesus as “the beginning” is the “source” or “origin” of the Church (just as He is of all creation – Vv. 16-17); “the beginning” - Jesus is the originating cause and founder of the Church and without Him there is no church. His resurrection places Him at the head of this community of people who have received eternal life.

Man did not create the Church – God did!

1 Corinthians 15:20 (NASB) 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

All believers in Jesus for eternal life have already received spiritual eternal life and “have passed out of death and into life” (John 5:24). This spiritual eternal life also guarantees their physical resurrection from the dead into eternal life (John 11:25).

The concept of a “body” with Jesus as the “Head” speaks of the spiritual union between the God-man Jesus and the Church with whom He has shared His very unending life.

The term “body of Christ” primarily speaks of this spiritual eternal life-sharing with Jesus. Therefore, even though the phrase it is a metaphor there is a real organic unity because of this life-sharing actuality.

The phrase “firstborn from the dead” refers to the resurrection of Jesus Christ – He was chronologically the first to rise from physical death with the permanent glorified resurrection (see Revelation 1:5). All earlier resurrections were, in fact, resuscitations for they all eventually died again. There were no permanent resurrections to never die again until Jesus. Since He is risen we are guaranteed to rise also into a new glorified and eternal body like His (Philippians 3:21).

The divinely establish goal for this special relationship is that Jesus “might come to have first place (“the preeminence,” the “supremacy”) in everything.” That is that throughout eternity Jesus will remain in the exalted place, the highest place, and this placing has been done by the Father so that Jesus will have a name above every name (Philippians 2:8-9).

The Body of Christ: the visible local church - 1 Corinthians 12:12 -14, 18, 27

The body metaphor here stresses unity with each part having its function as in a living human body. For the human body it takes all the various parts to work together to make the body function; so the Church, as the body of Christ, is made up of individual believers who each have their own part to play in the successful functioning of the Church. Each part is working for the good of the whole – 1 Corinthians 12:7 – v.18 He has placed you in your right spot or part in the Church.

To say “I’m nothing,” or “I can’t do anything is to deny the Scriptures which state that every part of the body of Christ has been given at least one spiritual gift that is to be used for the good of the whole and that God Himself not only gifted you but placed you in your specific and needed spot in the local church you are now in!

The body has to work together! Like a human body the Church has been put together to work together to accomplish His purposes. Every part, every believer, is to work together in unity and harmony since every part is critical to the functioning of the whole to accomplish the body’s tasks.

The #1 priority is the learning of Bible Doctrine so that one moves to spiritual maturity

To refuse to learn and then become a faithful, active part of the local Church is to rebel against the plan of God for each and every believer! Hebrews 10:23-25

We are to work hard to keep the unity God has created: Ephesian 4:3

Tony Evans: “the fact is that God designed the church to be a unity of believers, whether we function that way or not. He has a purpose for you here on earth that is much bigger than your individual salvation. You were born into a community of believers when God saved you, and he wants you to function within that community….those who withdraw from the community of believers will find their relationship with God limited by their failure to participate in the fellowship of the saints” God’s Glorious Church, p.190.

And, I will add, they WILL fall into severe divine discipline – Hebrews 10:26-31. In context the willful sin is departing from active and faithful participation in the local church and instead to walk away from the knowledge of the truth they have received about eternal life and the requirements of discipleship. This is a defection from the faith.

The close identity between Jesus and the Church is seen in Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-5: Saul (later, Paul) was imprisoning and even killing believers – he was persecuting the visible Church.

1 Corinthians 15:9 (NASB) 9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Jesus told Saul that by persecuting the Church he was persecuting Jesus Himself. This is the close spiritual connection symbolized with the Body metaphor.

There is (1) the universal invisible Body of Christ and (2) the local visible Body of Christ.

“Invisible” because it focuses on the spiritual unity and thus includes both the living all over planet earth and the dead in heaven. “Visible” because in a local assembly we are physically together. Let’s take a look at the broader doctrine of the Church. First, the word “church.”

The ekklesia: The Greek word first meant “a called out or summoned assembly” of citizens usually to conduct public business. People were summoned from wherever they were to come and discuss and decide on governmental issues. Later in Greek culture the word simply came to mean an assembly of people gathered for any reason (such as in Acts 19 the riotous mob in Ephesus). In the New Testament, however, the word takes on a fuller meaning: “a Christian assembly” with a dual meaning, (1) spiritual, and (2) physical.

Matthew 16:18 Jesus refers to an entirely new entity which would come into being. Note the following:

1. It is something Jesus Himself was going to do: “I will build”

2. It is going to be in the future: “I will” a future event

3. It will be His possession: “My church”

4. It will be permanent: “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” This phrase was a Hebrew idiom for death; thus it means that the church will never die out

Jesus is bringing this new entity into existence because of the rejection of the Messianic Kingdom offer to national Israel. The Church is not seen in the Old Testament. The Church does not replace Israel in the plan of God but the Church is in the plan of God but they are two different plans. The promises given to national Israel will be fulfilled in the future but they are not fulfilled by the Church. The promises to national Israel are not promises to the Church. The Church has a different set of promises.

Believing Jews and believing Gentiles (all physically non-Jews) comprise the Church as one Body. Ephesians 2:14 – the two groups are Jewish believers and Gentile believers.

Ephesians 3:4-6 – Both groups now become “fellow members of the body,” the Body of Christ. The mystery is something unrevealed in the Old Testament, known only to God Himself, but is now revealed. The new revelation to Paul is that this new entity would consist of all believers, Jew and Gentile alike. All have an equal position and privilege in Christ.

A quick summary: The Church began on the day of Pentecost with the Baptism by the means of the Holy Spirit. Each believer is placed into the Church (the Body of Christ) when Jesus, using the Holy Spirit, baptizes each believer into the Church – 1 Corinthians 12:13 (“by” = “by the means of” since Jesus is the one who baptizes, Matthew 3:11, John 1:33 “with” = “by the means of”). This spiritual baptism happens at the moment of faith alone in Christ alone for eternal life.

Acts 2:42 - The church is formed on the Day of Pentecost as a spiritual entity but also they were a physical entity for they immediately came together to learn doctrine under the Apostles and then to have fellowship with each other as fellow believers, to share in Communion, and to pray with each other. However, after Acts 8 the physical unity was broken up as the believers scattered due to persecution. Acts 8:1-3. The persecution was against the individual believers; the individuals are the Church.

As they scattered they are still members of the spiritual entity of the Church and wherever they went they would get together with other believers and there would be a physical gathering or assembling of the Church. Even those who die as believers as still considered part of the larger Church – Hebrews 12:22-23. This metaphorical usage of the term Church refers to the spiritual entity – the universal or invisible Church that consists of every believer from the Day of Pentecost onward to the Rapture of the Church. One part is in Heaven, one part is on earth at any given time.

The one on earth at any given location is the local Church. The true members of the local church are also members of the universal invisible church. Unbelievers may attend a local church and even be on the membership rolls, but if they have never believed in Jesus alone for eternal life they are not a part of the church! Just because some group calls itself a Church does not make it a Church!

Colossians 1:18 Christ is the head of the universal and the local Church.

The rapture of the Church: The Lord jesus Christ will return to take His Body, the Church, home to heaven

John 14:2 (NASB) "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

When the Church is raptured out (before the Tribulation) it will be the first time that all the Church will be together and we will be for all eternity!

Every believer is expected by God to be baptized by water immersion and then to become a faithful and active part of the local Church for the remainder of their lives on earth.

Out of the 114 times the word ekkesia is used in the New Testament, 90 times it refers to a local Church. Obviously the local Church holds a place of great importance in the mind of God.

Does it hold this same importance in your mind?

Canaan land: In Genesis 10:6, as part of the Table of Nations, we learn that Canaan was the son of Ham who was one of Noah’s three sons. His descendants came to be called the Canaanites whose land possession is listed in Genesis 10:19. The map below shows the land of Canaan at about the time of the Exodus of Israel from Egypt under Pharaoh Amenhotep II (1449-1425) in about 1446-1447 B.C.

It is critically important to note that the ancient land of Canaan is more or less in the location of modern day Israel. The total Promised Land, however, was much larger as we see below.

Before we see the rest of our study, we must mention that some church songs mention “crossing the Jordan” as being death, Canaanland as heaven, while going to “Canaanland” is entrance into heaven. One Southern Gospel song “Canaanland is Just in Sight” says, in part,

And there will be no sorrow there in that tomorrow,

We will be there by and by;

Milk and honey flowing there is where I'm going,

Canaanland is just in sight.

Another is “Camping in Canaan’s Land”

Yes I've reached the land of promise with the saints of glory

My journey ended in a place so lovely and so grand

I've been led by Jesus to this blessed land of story

I'm camping, I'm camping, in Canaan's happy land

Or this popular hymnal song called “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks”

On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand,

And cast a wishful eye

To Canaan’s fair and happy land,

Where my possessions lie.

Refrain

I am bound for the promised land,

I am bound for the promised land;

Oh who will come and go with me?

I am bound for the promised land.

O’er all those wide extended plains

Shines one eternal day;

There God the Son forever reigns,

And scatters night away.

Never is this typology mentioned in Scripture! There is a spiritual lesson we can learn from the Old Testament history of Israel’s God-given right to the land and their possession of the land of Canaan, but death and entrance into heaven is not the lesson. Thank the Lord heaven is not full of enemies we have to fight as was the land of Canaan for Israel!

To learn the correct biblical understanding of the importance of the land of Canaan we have to go back to the Abrahamic Covenant found in Genesis 12:1-3, 7, 13:14-17.

One of the three basic aspects of the Abrahamic Covenant: the Land Covenant

In the Abrahamic Covenant there is a promise of a land, a seed, and a blessing: see above on pages 7-8 for more information. See Deuteronomy 29:1 – 30:20. In this section of our study we will only briefly look at the land promise or Land Covenant.

The promise to give to Abraham and his descendants a specific piece of real estate was made to Abraham and then repeated to Isaac, Abraham’s son, in Genesis 26:2-5. It is repeated again to Isaac’s son Jacob in Genesis 28:13-15. Since all Jews come from the physical linage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob the promise is given to all Jewish people. This Land Covenant is Israel’s title deed to the land.

Exodus 6:2-8

The extent of the land includes all of the original territory of Canaan but much more: If one goes to Genesis 15:18 and Joshua 1:4 it will be seen that the land extend from the Euphrates River in modern day Iraq to the river of Egypt: “This is probably the modern Wadi el-Arish in Northeastern Sinai” (The King James Version Commentary, Hindson and Mitchell, p.38). the above map shows the full land promise and that which Israel will have during the coming Messianic Kingdom.

Under the Jewish general Joshua much of the Promised Land was captured in fulfillment of God’s promise – Joshua 24:11-13. This occurred from about 1406 – 1399 B.C. a period of seven years. You can read of this in the book of Joshua in the Bible.

More land was later conquered by King David and held by his son King Solomon.

Deuteronomy 29 (see 30:17-20) warns the Jews of the dangers of disobedience and in 29:26-28 it speaks prophetically of a time when the majority of the Jews would rebel against God and be removed from the Land in divine discipline. This dispersion from the Land happened first under Nebuchadnezzar from 605-586 B.C. and then finally under the Romans in 70 A.D. after the nation’s rejection of Messiah Jesus.

Deuteronomy 30 promises a restoration (Vv.1-5) when the nation accepts Jesus as their Messiah at the end of the Tribulation and He returns in the Second Coming. You find this in Hosea 6:1-3, Zechariah 12:10 – 13:1, and Isaiah 64:1-12 for example. At this point the remnant of Israel (the believers) will be regathered into the Promised Land and all the promises of God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be fulfilled including the Land Covenant.

Amos 9:14-15 (NASB) 14 "Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit. 15 "I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land Which I have given them," Says the Lord your God.

In this final restoration and possession of the total Promised Land by Israel, the land of Canaan, which includes Jerusalem, will be central to the government during the Millennium for it is from here that Jesus will rule and reign for 1,000 years. The Land will be divided among the twelve tribes of Israel as in the chart below:

In the Scripture it tells of two regatherings of Israel back into the Land; the first in unbelief (as Israel is today) and then a turning in belief to the Messiah at the end of the tribulation period.

Arnold Fruchtenbaum writes,

…when the Bible speaks of a worldwide regathering of the Jewish people, it actually speaks of two distinct worldwide regatherings….First there is a worldwide regathering in unbelief in preparation for judgment: specifically, the judgment of the Tribulation. That is followed by a second worldwide regathering in faith in preparation for blessing, specifically, the blessing of the Messianic Kingdom (The Footsteps of the Messiah, p.99).

Finally, the spiritual lesson we can learn from “Canaan Land” for the believer today is this: the land of Canaan represents our spiritual life after receiving eternal life. The Lord has given the promises and the power we need to live successfully and “conquer” the land of the world, the sin nature, and Satan. These are enemies to be fought (spiritual warfare) but the Lord fights for us when we live out our lives in the learning and application of Bible Doctrine in the power of the Holy Spirit. We can go home to heaven victorious!

Carnality: from the Greek adjective sarkikos (#4559),”fleshly, carnal, pertaining to the flesh or body” (Zodhiates). It can simply refer to the physical flesh, but when it is used in contrast to pneumatikos (Greek # 4152, “spiritual” – a believer rightly related to the Spirit of God) it refers to the absolute state of a believer who is living under the dominating influence of the sin nature (in the New Testament this is referred to as the “flesh.”). The carnal believer is wrongly related to the Spirit of God and is oriented to the world. It is the opposite of the absolute state of spirituality which is the believer living under the dominating influence of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 3:1; Romans 7:14-24

1 Corinthians 3:1 (WuestNT)

1 As for myself, I also, brethren, was not able to speak to you as I would to those dominated by the Holy Spirit [pneumatikos], but as I would to those dominated by the evil nature [the sin nature, sarkikos], as I would to those in Christ who are still immature spiritually.

In 1 Corinthians Paul distinguishes between three groups of people:

1. 1 Corinthians 2:14: the “natural man” (psuchikós Greek, #5591) or “soulish man” is a human being who is without a human spirit, that is, an unbeliever who does not have eternal life. In 3:1 Paul refers to these unbelievers as “men of flesh” (sarkikos, translated “carnal” in some translations, the term we are using).

2. 1 Corinthians 3:1: the “spiritual man” or the in-fellowship believer

3. 1 Corinthians 3:1: the “man of flesh” or “carnal” (sarkikos) which is the believer out of fellowship, under the dominating influence of the old sin nature. This one is living life under the thinking, influence, and power of the sin nature in much the same way as an unbeliever. This is seen in 3:3 where Paul says, “are you not walking as mere men?” that is, you’re thinking and living like an unbeliever.

Being “spiritual” or “carnal” is an absolute state which excludes any mutual fellowship with God: 1 John 1:5-6. There is no middle ground! A believer is in fellowship through the open and honest practice of 1 John 1:9 (see Psalm 32:5), what we refer to as “spiritual rebound.” The result of confession is the filling of the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 5:18; if this is not practiced the believer is out of fellowship with unconfessed sin thus bringing them under the dominating influence of the old sin nature.

The believer immediately becomes “carnal” when they choose to commit personal sin and ends when that sin is confessed to God the Father. This choice precedes, if only by a nanosecond, the sin itself.

Rick Hughes is helpful with this comment in his booklet, “A Crash Course in Basic Christianity”:

“All sin begins with a thought and that thought leads to an attitude and that attitude leads to an action. You will know it is a sin in your thinking process because it is there that your volition will make a decision. Do I want to do it? “Yes.” Do I not want to do it? “No.” Once you decide yes, you want to do it, go for it, and when you go for it, you create the sin” (p.24).

The “carnal” believer will quickly lose the forward spiritual momentum they have had and can revert to lower levels of spiritual maturity, even back to babyhood (Hebrews 5:11-14; see Matthew 13:12).

In the same 1 Corinthians 3:1 passage Paul mentions the “babe in Christ” or immature believer. Every believer begins their spiritual life as a baby. The word translated “babe” is nepios (#3516, a non-speaking toddler, one beyond a newborn: it is used figuratively of a simple-minded, foolish, immature person – it is an insult!). The “babe in Christ” may be in fellowship (spiritual) or out of fellowship (carnal) especially if they are new believers; these have simply not yet matured in their spiritual life. Since this is a matter or growth this is not an absolute state but a relative one: the believer passes through all the stages of spiritual growth in much the same way one goes through spiritual growth – a little at a time. However, many believers remain spiritual babies all their lives and never grow up like those here at the church in Corinth and these are carnal as a result.

Believers are encouraged to grow out of spiritual babyhood in Ephesians 4:14-15 and Hebrews 5:13 (you have become one who needs milk which is simple, basic teaching). The more of Bible Doctrine you know and apply to your life the more you will mature as long as fellowship is maintained or restored quickly when sin occurs. Spiritual maturity comes as a result of (1) knowledge of truth (Bible Doctrine) 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 12:2, (2) application of truth to the details of life James 1:4; 1 Corinthians 14:20; Ephesians 4:11-16, (3) Time in fellowship with the Holy Spirit Ephesians 5:18; John 14:26, 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:12, and (4) Time in life as a growing believer – there is no instant maturity, Colossians 1:28; 2 Peter 2:2-8; Hebrews 5:12, 6:1, 12:1-3 (run with endurance which is staying faithful to doctrine and fellowship through time).

The “carnal” believer – the one thinking and living like an unbeliever – cannot please their Heavenly Father: Romans 8:5-8; 8:12. The “in the flesh” person is an unbeliever (see v.9) but the “according to the flesh” (v.5) believer is the carnal believer living and acting like the unbeliever. This one is not walking “according to [in subjection to] the Spirit” (Vv.4-5) with the result that this believer, like the unbeliever, cannot please God.

“You must understand that the sin nature has nothing God can use” (R. B. Thieme, “The Plan of God,” p.17).

The Danger of Reversionism – turning the opposite way

The carnal believer who will not fully practice 1 John 1:9 (“I’m not going to confess that as sin!”) goes into full spiritual reverse. Reversionism is the reversal of the process of spiritual maturity. In the spiritual life one is never standing still – one is either moving forward or moving backward. If the moving backward process continues then the believer is in reversionism. Now the sin nature is in maximum control.

Reversionism tends to be a gradual process as the believer moves gradually further and further away from the learning and application of Bible Doctrine. Not all carnal believers are reversionists but all reversionists are carnal – perpetually so! The reversionist is negative to Bible Doctrine and is indifferent to their spiritual life. The reversionist redefines the spiritual life to fit their own desires (“I don’t have to be in Bible Class and that doesn’t mean I’ve walked away from the Lord”). Human viewpoint, false doctrine, pleasing the sin nature, and the resulting lack of clear thinking is what dominates the reversionist’s mind (Ephesians 4:17-20). This believer is a loser in time and eternity.

Chastisement: Heb. #4561 musar; Grk. #3809 Paideia Discipline, education, chastening (or chastisement), instruction, guidance, child training, correction.. “Originally to bring up a child, to educate, used of activity directed toward the moral and spiritual nurture and training of the child, to influence conscious will and action,” The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament. Proverbs 1:2 (the word “instruction” is musar). Job 5:17 (“discipline”) Titus 2:12 (“teaching”) 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 (“disciplined ), 2 Timothy 3:16 (“training”), Hebrews 12:5-11 (“discipline”); Revelation 3:19 (reprove: tell us where we are wrong; discipline: to guide us to what is right including severe correction as needed).

Proverbs 13:24 – human parental discipline (musar) is an expression of genuine love. The same is said of our Heavenly Father toward us in Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:6; Revelation 3:19. God the Father is a perfect disciplinarian (trainer) for His children and it is always done in perfect love for His child (the believer). While we might not enjoy the discipline, He always knows what is best for us and for His glory Hebrews 12:11.

The main meaning of the word paideia is child training and as a father trains his children through instruction, guidance, training in various ways, including serious correction, so it is with our Heavenly Father. His goal in our lives is to transform us into Christlikeness (spiritual maturity so that we are fully rewardable at the Judgment Seat of Christ). As such discipline is not always or even most of the time correction for something wrong. It is wise for us to recognize that there are two aspects to divine discipline or chastisement:

The Two Aspects of Divine Discipline

The goal: the spiritual advancement of the believer

to rewardable spiritual maturity

The means: Schooling and correction

Hebrews 12:1-11; James 1:2-4, 12;

Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Revelation 3:19-21

Correction

Given when we are out of fellowship, sinning, and not responding to schooling

Schooling

For advancement when we are in fellowship

Moving discipline for correction to discipline for schooling

1 John 1:9; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

As believers in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life we not only have eternal life given to us as a free gift but we also have a marvelous potential that is also handed to us at the moment of belief. That potential is to receive many different rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ, to be honored before God the Father by Jesus, and to become a co-heir or joint ruler with Jesus Christ in the coming Messianic Kingdom and on into eternity.

The gift of eternal life cannot be lost because it is based on who Jesus is and what He did. The potential, however, can be lost because it is based on what we become and what we do as believers. See Hebrews 3:6, 14; 6:11; 10:35-36

Hebrews 12:5-11 – this passage includes discussion of both aspects of discipline, schooling and correction. First, a quick overview of the passage:

v.5: this is addressed to “sons,” that is, to believers whom He desires to mature. God will never overlook the needed training (schooling and correction) of His children.

Vv.5-6: the quote is from Proverbs 3:11-12 – discipline is evidence of divine love - He wants you to have a full reward and to rule with Him. God’s purpose is never to persecute us but to perfect (mature) us! The scourging of v.6 means that some lessons are very hard to learn!

Vv.7-8: the believer is to go through and willingly embrace the challenge and the suffering of schooling and correction for God the Father is training us as the maturing sons (Gk #5207: huios) He desires us to be. These maturing sons are those who by this process are being trained for reigning with Christ – “bringing many sons to glory” Hebrews 2:10. The word “partakers” (Gk #3353: metochoi) refers to the companions or sharers of Christ in the coming Kingdom (see 1:9; 3:1, 14; 6:4).

The “illegitimate children” in this verse does not refer to unbelievers; rather, it refers to believers who are still the children of God but who will not mature in the faith no matter what schooling and correction the Father gives. They will never become mature sons who will receive the reward of reigning with Christ.

Vv.9-11: We should have a submissive and responsive attitude when undergoing schooling and correction for the results are worth it! First, we can have the abundant life both in time and eternity (the “live” of v.9). V.10: Second, we will know and experience what is best for us in time and eternity as we mature by sharing His holiness (character qualities, Christlikeness). V.11: Finally, we develop practical righteousness in time which means we are applying Bible Doctrine to the details of life.

Only by going to 1 Corinthians 11:31 can we assess if a situation, suffering, or struggle is schooling or correction.. Apply 1 John 1:9 if it is the latter. If there is no unconfessed sin, then apply James 1:2-5. All of the following stages can also be seen as schooling!

Divine correction can be broken into three major areas (see Gene Cunningham, The Basics, p.132):

1. Warning discipline: this initial form of correction may simply be internal with the Word confronting our thinking and behavior (Psalm 19:11), a loss of mental and emotional stability (James 1:8), a loss of joy (Psalm 32:3-4), our biblically-informed conscience disturbing us (1 Samuel 24:5; 1 Timothy 1:5). Warning discipline can be hard on the believer – Hebrews 12:5 – which is why the writer says, not to faint! The word “reproof” is elegcho (Gk. #1651) meaning to prove one wrong and to shame him. Cunningham adds the meaning, “to rebuke, to chew out, to chide.” It also may be external as we have many different things beginning to go wrong in our life.

2. Intensive discipline: Hebrews 12:6; 1 Corinthians 11:30 As far as correction is concerned, if the believer fails to respond to warning discipline and persists in a sin pattern, then God increases the pressure. The word “scourges” (Gk. #3146 mastegoo) means to whip, to lash, to flay. This corrective discipline brings a pot of personal pain and suffering and may negatively impact others around us (for example see 1 Chronicles 21). This may go on for many years if we do not respond. 1 Corinthians 11:30: “weak” mentally and emotionally, “sick” physically both being intensive discipline.

However, we must consider that this level may also be schooling:

Divine chastisement, (as denoted by mastigóō) though inclusive of it, is not strictly action taken for sins in particular (as denoted by mastízō ). Rather, it entails all and any suffering which God ordains for His children which is always designed for their good (Rom. 5:3, 4; 8:28). God's chastisement of us includes not only His "whipping" us, as it were, for specific transgressions (with remedial not retributive intent), but also the entire range of trials and tribulations which He providentially ordains and which work to mortify sin and nurture faith. AMG's Complete Word Study Dictionaries - The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament.

3. Dying discipline: 1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 John 5:16 (see Acts 5:1-11) In the 1 Corinthians passage the word “sleep” is referring to believers who have experienced physical death due to stubborn, unconfessed sin. 1 John refers to it as the “sin unto death.” It is not possible to be too specific about this except to say that God may take a believer home who persists in sin especially as it effects a local church as seen in the Acts passage as well as 1 Corinthians 11:30 where the context is people causing problems in the local church (see also 1 Corinthians 3:17 where the “temple” is the local church).

Sometimes God may leave a rebelling believer suffering at the intensive discipline level for a lifetime for sometimes this is greater discipline than physical death.

Results in eternity: failure to respond to God’s schooling and correction in time results in terrible loss in eternity. The worst fate for the believer is to be outside the joys and gladness of reigning with Christ but instead to miss it totally. In Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30 this is referred to as the “outer darkness” and an experience of profound regret even while in heaven and the coming Kingdom.

Christ / Christology Greek # 5547 christos (Christ) (see Matthew 16:16): the anointed one; Same meaning as the Hebrew #4899 mashiach (Messiah) (see Psalm 2:2 “Anointed”). Jesus is the Christ or Messiah. Christology is the study of the doctrine of Christ. The word “Christ” is used 569 times in the New Testament (KJV).

Romans 9:5 (NKJV) of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

A complete study of the doctrine of Jesus Christ would include His deity, pre-existence, eternality, activity before the incarnation, humanity, hypostatic union at the incarnation, kenosis, earthly life, impeccability, spiritual and physical deaths at the cross, the purpose of His deaths on the cross (usually studied under the doctrine of Soteriology or Salvation), burial, resurrection, ascension, session, rapture of the Church, and second coming. Obviously, for this short presentation we must be not only incomplete and brief but also selective.

Matthew 16:15: “Who do you say that I am?”

There are a variety of wrong opinions about Jesus:

To the Muslim he was a human prophet, not God in any sense, and a lessor prophet than Mohammed

To the Jehovah’s Witness he is a created angel – Michael the Archangel.

To the Jew Jesus was a false Messiah, a fraud.

To the Mormons he is a man who became a god.

To the New Agers (and Hindus) he was a man who realized his godhood.

To many, many others he was just a good man.

Who does the Bible say Jesus was and is?

Jesus Christ is the unique Theanthropic person of the Universe (from Theos, God and anthropos, man): the God-man. Jesus Christ is God the Son, the Second Person of the Triune God, who has existed from all eternity without any beginning. He took on true humanity without any loss of His deity thus taking on two natures and He retains this undiminished deity and true humanity in His one unique Person forever.

He is God: He is of the same essence as God. As the Second Person of the Triunity He is co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, although His personality and work: Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:3, 8; John 1:1, 10:30-33; Romans 9:5

His Pre-existence: This simply points to the fact that Jesus existed before His birth. His pre-existence further means He existed before anything else in creation existed. John 1:1, 14. The “beginning” mentioned here is looking back before the created material and angelic world: the “Word” (who is Jesus, v.14) was already in existence when everything was created Colossians 1:16-17. The Old Testament predicted this in Micah 5:2. See also John 8:58, 17:5 and Hebrews 1:10.

His eternality: While pre-existence is similar to eternality, this aspect of the truth of Jesus Christ is that He has no beginning or end because He is fully God. Hebrews 1:1-3, 8; John 1:1, 10:30; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 2:9. As God Jesus He is eternal.

The preincarnate Christ (before He took on humanity): His activity in creation: He is the one who spoke all things into existence. John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2. All things were created for him: Colossians 1:16. From the creation He has always held all things together Colossians 1:17. Jesus is the one speaking in Genesis 1-2 bringing all things into existence. In the Old Testament Jesus also appeared as the Angel of the Lord and the Shekinah Glory but we do not have the space to cover these.

The incarnation: John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 4:2; Hebrews 2:14, 10:5. From the Latin carne meaning flesh or matter, the word “incarnation” simply means “in flesh,” “embodied in flesh” or “taking on flesh” At the God – Jesus – was born of a human virgin (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14; Genesis 3:15, “her seed”) and took on human flesh. This is called the “hypostatic union” – the unique one-person union of the two natures (God-man) in Jesus. Jesus maintains this human, though now resurrected and glorified, body forever – see Matthew 28:9; John 20:19-20. The purposes for the incarnation include, but are not limited to:

· To reveal God to mankind: John 1:18; 14:7-11

· To be able to die for our sins as our sinless sacrificial substitute: Romans 5:6-10; Hebrews 10:1-10; 1 Timothy 2:6 satisfying the perfect justice of God the Father by the means of his sacrifice 1 John 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:19

· To be the perfect example for the believer’s spiritual life in time: Hebrews 12:1-3; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6. Jesus in His humanity lived successfully in every detail and in every challenge on the basis of the filling of the Holy Spirit and the application of Bible doctrine – He faced it all yet without sin. In His humanity He never employed His deity to resist temptation or pass a test Matthew 4:1-12.

· To be an understanding High Priest to whom we can go for help in time: Hebrews 4:14-16

· To fulfill God’s promises in the Davidic Covenant: Luke 1:31-33

The “kenosis”: the word means “emptying”: Philippians 2:7. The basic meaning is that Jesus voluntarily (self-imposed) restricted the independent use or manifestation of His divine attributes while in the earthly incarnation: He was always subject to the will of the Father John 4:34, 5:30, 6:38; Philippians 2:5-8. “The kenosis means leaving His preincarnate position and taking on a servant-humanity.” Basic Theology, Charles Ryrie, p.262.

Impeccability or sinlessness: In His humanity Jesus did not commit any act of sin John 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 1:19; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5 though His temptations were genuine Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:15. This also teaches He was not able to sin not just that He did not sin. “Furthermore, there is no record of our Lord ever offering a single sacrifice, though He frequented the temple. This silence speaks of the fact that He did not need to do so since He was without sin.” Basic Theology, Charles Ryrie, p.263.

Spiritual and physical deaths at the cross: Jesus died two deaths on the cross. The word “death” simply means “separation: and this meaning must be kept clear. When we see the word “death” we should also ask, “Separation from what?” The first death was when Jesus was spiritually separated from the Father on the cross thus paying the penalty of sin for all mankind Matthew 27:46. This “separation” of fellowship of the Father from the Son is seen in the statement by Jesus: “My God, my God, [speaking to the Father] why hast thou forsaken [implying a separation] me?” This separation occurred when sin was imputed to Jesus by the Father 2 Corinthians 5:21. When Jesus cried out, “It is finished” John 19:30 the imputation was completed and the sin debt was “paid in full” for all mankind 1 John 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:19. The second death came when Jesus voluntarily died physically where His soul and spirit separated from His human body Matthew 27:50. Just as Adam died twice, so did Christ. In Christ’s physical death He experienced the spiritual death consequence of sin in time and paved the way for the resurrection thus overcoming all the consequences of sin 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 26, 42-57.

Resurrection: After His death and burial John 19:30-42 Jesus was resurrected in an imperishable glorified body thus the incarnation continues forever John 20:19-21; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. His resurrection was the first to a glorified human body: thus Jesus is referred to as the “the first fruits of those who are asleep” (believers who have physically died) 1 Corinthians 15:20. His resurrection also declared His Sonship Romans 1:4.

Ascension: Seven weeks after the resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-11. Jesus sat down at the right hand of God the Father in heaven Hebrews 1:3, 10:12, 12:2. This demonstrates that work of the first advent of Christ was complete to the full satisfaction of the Father Hebrews 10:10-13.

Session: meaning “sitting,” this refers to the present ministry of Christ in heaven at the right hand of the Father “now to appear in the presence of God for us” Hebrews 9:24. It includes His ministry as our representative Hebrews 9:24; Ephesians 2:6, Intercessor Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25, and Advocate Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2 (Advocate: our legal representative who pleads our case). These are all functions of His being our High Priest Hebrews 4:14-16.

Rapture of the Church: Jesus will return from Heaven for the Church. This will occur before the seven-year Tribulation on earth and is called the “rapture” of the Church 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Philippians 3:20-21.

Second Coming: The Second Coming occurs when, after the seven-year Tribulation on earth, Jesus, the Promised Messiah, returns to literally rule the earth as King for 1,000 years Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-6.

From www.chafer.edu

Fulfillment of Old Testament Messianic Prophecies

by Jesus Christ

Prophecies Concerning His Birth

Prophecy

Fulfillment

Born of the Seed of Woman

Gen 3:15

Gal 4:4

Born of a Virgin

Isa 7:14

Matt 1:18, 24-25

Son of God

Psalm 2:7

Matthew 3:17

Seed of Abraham

Gen 22:18

Matthew 1:1

Son of Isaac

Gen 21:12

Luke 3:23, 34

Son of Jacob

Num 24:17

Luke 3:23, 34

Tribe of Judah

Gen 49:10

Luke 3:23, 33

Family Line of Jesse

Isa 11:1

Luke 3:23, 32

House of David

Jeremiah 23:5

Luke 3:23, 31

Born at Bethlehem

Micah 5:2

Matthew 2:1

Presented with Gifts

Psalm 72:10

Matt 2:1, 11

Herod Kills Children

Jeremiah 31:15

Matthew 2:16

Prophecies Concerning His Nature

Prophecy

Fulfillment

His Pre-Existence

Micah 5:2

Col 1:17; John 17:5

He Shall Be Called Lord

Psalm 110:1

Mt 22:43-45

Shall Be Immanuel

Isaiah 7:14

Matthew 1:23

Shall Be a Prophet

Deuteronomy 18:18

Matthew 21:11

Priest

Psalm 110:4

Hebrews 3:1

Judge

Isaiah 33:22

John 5:30

Special Anointing of Holy Spirit

Isaiah 11:2

Matt 3:16-17

His Zeal for God

Psalm 69:9

John 2:15-16

Prophecies Concerning His Ministry

Prophecy

Fulfillment

Preceded by a Messenger

Isaiah 40:3

Mt 3:1-2

Birth in Galilee

Isaiah 9:1

Mt 4:12-13, 17

Ministry of Miracles

Isa 35:5; Isa 35:6

Matthew 9:35

Teacher of Parables

Psalm 78:2

Matthew 13:34

He Was to Enter the Temple

Mal 3:1

Matthew 21:12

He Was to Enter Jerusalem on a Donkey

Zechariah 9:9

Lk 19:35-37

Stone of Stumbling to Jews

Psalm 118:22

1 Peter 2:7

Light to Gentiles

Isaiah 60:3

Act 13:47-48

Prophecies Fulfilled After His Burial

Prophecy

Fulfillment

Resurrection

Psalm 16:10

Acts 2:31

Ascension

Psalm 68:18

Acts 1:9

Session

Psalm 110:1

Hebrews 1:3

Prophecies Fulfilled in One Day

Prophecy

Fulfillment

Betrayed by a Friend

Psalm 41:9

Matthew 10:4

Sold For 30 Pieces of Silver

Zechariah 11:12

Matthew 26:15

Money to Be Thrown into God’s House

Zechariah 11:13

Matthew 27:5

Price Given for Potter’s Field

Zechariah 11:13

Matthew 27:7

Forsaken by His Disciples

Zechariah 13:7

Mark 14:50

Accused By False Witnesses

Psalm 35:11

Mt 26:59-60

Silent Before Accusers

Isaiah 53:7

Matthew 27:12

Wounded and Bruised

Isaiah 53:5

Matthew 27:26

Smitten and Spit Upon

Isaiah 50:6

Matthew 26:67

Mocked

Psa 22:7; Psa 22:8

Matthew 27:29

Hands and Feet Pierced

Psalm 22:16

Luke 23:33

Crucified with Thieves

Isaiah 53:12

Matthew 27:38

Rejected By His Own Countrymen

Isaiah 53:3

John 7:5, 48

Hated Without a Cause

Psalm 69:4

John 15:25

People Shook Their Heads

Psalm 109:25

Matthew 27:39

Stared Upon

Psalm 22:17

Luke 23:35

Garments Parted and Lots Cast

Psalm 22:18

Jn 19:23-24

To Suffer Thirst

Psalm 69:21

John 19:28

Gall and Vinegar Offered to Him

Psalm 69:21

Matthew 27:34

His Forsaken Cry

Psalm 22:1

Matthew 27:46

Committed Himself to God

Psalm 31:5

Luke 23:46

Bones Not Broken

Psalm 34:20

John 19:33

Burst Heart

Psalm 22:14

John 19:34

His Side Pierced

Zechariah 12:10

John 19:34

Buried in a Rich Man’s Tomb

Isaiah 53:9

Mt 27:57-60

Anointed for Burial

Psalm 23:5

Mark 14:3, 8

Table Prepared in the Presence of Enemies

Psalm 23:5

Mark 14:12-17

Overflowing Cup

Psalm 23:5

Mark 14:23-24

Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

Psalm 23:4

Mark 14:34-36

Eternal Life

Psalm 23:6

Mark 16:19

Citizenship Gk. #4175 politeuma, Place of citizenship, a colony, a commonwealth, a community (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary). (KJV translates it as “conversation” taking it to mean a certain lifestyle). políteuma; gen. politeúmatos, neut. noun from politeúō (#4176), to behave as a citizen. Any public measure, administration of the state, the condition or life of a citizen. In the NT, the state itself, community, commonwealth, used metaphorically of Christians in reference to their spiritual community and their status as citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20). AMG's Complete Word Study Dictionaries - New Testament.

The Believer’s Spiritual True Citizenship

Philippians 3:20; Ephesians 2:19

Philippi was a Roman (Italian) colony on former Greek territory and was one of only five cities in the entire province of Macedonia to be granted the high status of ius Italicum, which the highest privilege obtainable by a Roman provincial municipality. It meant “the right to be governed by Roman law and to be exempt from direct taxation” and it was considered Italian soil. This Roman colony had many retired soldiers and other Roman citizens living in it. Rome was their homeland and all those born in the city automatically gained Roman citizenship. For these Roman citizens of Philippi their allegiance was given to their Roman homeland even though they lived in a land other than homeland. Their lifestyle followed Roman traditions and customs. In addition, Rome expected them to be faithful to its governmental rulers and not to rebel.

The biblical commentator Barclay writes concerning this Roman influence in Philippi:

Wherever they were, these colonies were little fragments of Rome and their pride in their Roman citizenship was their dominating characteristic. The Roman language was spoken; Roman dress was worn; Roman customs were observed; their magistrates had Roman titles, and carried out the same ceremonies as were carried out in Rome itself. They were stubbornly and unalterably Roman and would never have dreamt of becoming assimilated to the people amidst whom they were set.

Being a citizen of Rome was a distinct privilege and something to be taken very seriously and they did not conform themselves to the surrounding culture.

Above: a picture of the some of the ruins of ancient Philippi today.

In Philippians 3:20 Paul connects this earthly reality of the situation in Philippi to the believer’s status in this earthly realm. Paul’s use of the term refers to the believer’s positional status as one having a homeland, a citizenship, somewhere else other than planet earth and the specific place in which one was living. Paul writes, “For our citizenship is in heaven” and to the church at Ephesus he says, “you are fellow citizens [sumpolitēs] with the saints.”

Because of this true and real citizenship believers are to live in this physical world as one living in a foreign land having their ultimate allegiance to their true home with God in heaven from which also the Lord Jesus Christ will come to take us into the eternal state. The believer’s true citizenship is to be a real and vital part of their lives on a daily basis while in this world – IN it but not OF it. Believers are to recognize their positional status and refuse to be conformed to this present world.

To repeat, as believers, our true citizenship is in heaven where the Lord Jesus Christ currently is and from which He will one day come to take the believers home in the rapture (John 14:2-3). In God’s timing all believers will enter into their homeland.

John 18:36; 17:11, 13-18

18:36: Jesus’ Kingdom is a spiritual Kingdom in that the believer’s in this current age are the legal residents not only of heaven but also of the coming future Kingdom that will be manifested on earth with the Second Coming. Entrance into this Kingdom is not be rebellion but by the new birth and the resulting transfer from Satan’s kingdom into God’s kingdom.

17:11, 13-18: Jesus makes it clear that the believer is IN the world – their physical existence is in the material world which is under the domain of the evil one (1 John 5:19) which makes this physical world to be foreign enemy territory – but they are not OF the world. That is, their true spiritual residency is in the kingdom of God from the moment of faith alone in Christ alone (Colossians 1:13; John 3:3) and they have a new spiritual life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:5, 4:24). Because of this reality the believer is to live as a heavenly citizen and not to follow (be conformed to) the thinking and lifestyles of the world around us (Romans 6:2, 12:2; Colossians 3:1-3). All believers are sent by Jesus into the world (John 17:18) in order to bring the Message of Life to the world. As such the believer is light in the darkness (Matthew 5:14-16).

In Hebrews 11:9 Abraham is lifted up as an example as to how a believer is to consider themselves in this physical world: “an alien…in a foreign land.” The word “alien” is translated “foreigner, stranger, sojourner” to express their relationship to this world which is a “foreign land.” This world is “foreign” because, like those at Philippi, we are citizens of another land, the heavenly one – Hebrews 11:10, 13-16; 13:14.

This really speaks of a mindset. How do we view our relationship to this world? What are our priorities? What dominates our thinking? What are we looking for out of life? What are our goals? What lifestyle choices do we make? Do we consider ourselves “strangers and exiles” or are we really settled into the patterns of thinking and living of this age on the earth?

Revelation 3:10 – earth dwellers are those with a mindset that focuses on the earth. Believers can live as “earth-dwellers” since they can live just like an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 3:3).

In Philippians 1:27 Paul made the connection between positional citizenship in heaven and our practice here. “Conduct yourselves” is politeuomai meaning to “live as a citizen”

to be a citizen of a state, to live as a good citizen, to conduct oneself according to the laws and customs of a state. It generally means to live or to order one's life and conduct in accordance with a certain rule.

AMG's Complete Word Study Dictionaries - New Testament.

Here the “living as a citizen” is described as “a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Our new life in Christ and because of our heavenly citizenship that comes immediately upon belief, live like it. In other words, you ARE a believer; you ARE a citizen of another homeland; so then LIVE like it. Just as the citizens of ancient Philippi lived like Roman citizens, so Paul directed these believers – and us - to recognize and live by an even higher, more privileged citizenship – the heavenly and eternal citizenship.

It is terribly damaging to the gospel, the Message of Life, for a believer to live a lifestyle that is contrary to the Word of God. So do not live this way! Instead, walk worthy of your Lord and your positional heavenly citizenship.

Ephesians 4:1 (NASB) Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.

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