Bride, The Manifestation Of The
- The Body Of Christ Is Being Formed On Earth In This Present Age: EPH 1.22-23; 2.16; 4.4-5; 5.23; COL 1.18; 1.24; 2.19
- No One Marries A Child, And Christ Will Not Marry A Child Bride. Once The Last Believer In God's Plan Is Saved, The Church Will Be Completed.
- When The Bride Is Complete, Christ Will Come To Save Her From The Earth: 1 THES 4.16-18; 1 CO 15.51-57; COL 2.15; REV 19.6-8; ZECH 13.2; 1 THES 3.13
- During The Tribulation The Bride Will Be Prepared In Heaven:
- By Entering Into Ultimate Sanctification: 1 CO 15.51-57; PHIL 3.21; 1 JO 3.1-2; 1 CO 3.12, 15
- The Bride Will No Longer Possess An Old Sin Nature.
- The Bride Returns With Christ At The Second Advent: 1 THES 3.13
- Once Christ And His Bride Return, Our Enemies Will Be Defeated: Psa 110.1
- All Demons Are Defeated Before Christ: COL 2.15
- Satan Is Imprisoned For 1000 Years: REV 20.1-3
- Demons Are Cast Into Prison: ZECH 13.2; COL 2.15; 1 CO 15.24-25
- Christ Assumes His Throne On Earth: REV 19.6
- The Wedding Supper Of The Lamb Begins: REV 19.7-9
- The Marriage Occurs In Heaven, But The Celebration Is On Earth: MAT 25.1-13; REV 19.6-9
- The Groom Is Christ
- The Friends Of The Groom Are Old Testament Saints
- The Bride Is All Church Age Believers
- The Friends Of The Bride Are Tribulational Saints: MAT 25.1-13
Church, Analogies To
- Christ Is The Head, Believers Are The Body: EPH 1.22-23; 2.16; 4.4-5; 5.23; COL 1.18,24
- Christ Is The High Priest And We Are A Kingdom Of Priests: He 7.25; 10.10-14; 1 PE 2.5-9; REV 1.6
- Christ Is The Groom And We Are The Bride: 2 CO 11.2; EPH 5.25-32; REV 19.6-8
Church Age, Doctrine Of The
- Titles Used For The Church:
- In Christ: Emphasizes Our Relationship With Christ Designs The Church
- Church: Greek Ekklesia Denotes Our Response To Christ: AC 7.38; MAT 18.17
- The Body: Denotes Our Response To The Head, Being Christ: 1 CO 12
- The Church Universal: All Believers Are United In Christ: EPH 1.22-23; 5.25-27; COL 1.18
- The Local Church: Because Of Human Limitations, We Join Together In Local Assemblies: 1 CO 1.2; 1 THES 1.1; REV 2-3
- The Church Was A Mystery, Not Revealed In Old Testament Times: RO 16.25-28; COL 1.20-27; EPH 3.1-5
- The Church Began At Pentecost: AC 2; MAT 16.18; AC 1.5; 1 CO 12.12-13; AC 11.15-16
- The Church Age Ends At The Rapture: 1 THES 4.13-18; COL 2.14-15; REV 19.6-8; ZECH 13.2; 1 THES 3.13
- Synonyms For Christ And The Church:
- Last Adam....New Creation: GAL 6.15; 1 CO 15.45-47; 2 CO 5.17
- Head.....Body: EPH 1.22-23; 2.16; 5.23; 4.4-5; COL 1.24; 2.19
- Shepherd.....Sheep: JO 10; HEB 13.20; 1 PE 5.4
- Vine....Branches: JO 15
- Chief Cornerstone.....Stones: EPH 2.20; 1 PE 2.4-8
- High Priest.....Royal Priesthood: HE 7.25; 10.10-14; 1 PE 2.5-9; REV 1.6
- Bridegroom.......Bride: 2 CO 11.2; EPH 5.25-27; REV 19.6-8
Heirship, Doctrine Of
- Christ Is The Heir Of All Things: HEB 1.2
- By Accepting Christ We Become Heirs To The Kingdom: JO 1.12-13
- We Receive This Heirship By Faith: GAL 3.26-27
- Death Of Christ Made Heirship Possible: RO 5.8
- Heirship Demands Eternal Life: TIT 3.7
- Christ Is The Source Of Eternal Life: 1 JO 5.11-12
- This Inheritance Is Eternal: HE 9.15
- The Holy Spirit Is The Downpayment Of Our Heirship: EPH 1.12-14
Intercalation (Mystery Of The Church)
- The Church Age Is Ignored In The Old Testament: DAN 9.24-27
- That Age Is Often Skipped In God's Prophecies In The Old Testament: ISA 61.1-2a; ISA 61.2b-3
- Christ Recognized Intercalation By Stopping His Reading At The Point Where The Church Age Was To Begin: LU 4.17-21
- Other Places Where Intercalation Is Present: DAN 2.40-41; HOSEA 3.4-5; PSA 110.1-2
Mystery, Doctrine Of The Church Age
- The Church Age Was Not Revealed By God In Old Testament Times: EPH 3.1-6; COL 1.24-26
- The Church Age Is An Old Testament Mystery: RO 16.25-26
1. The Greek Word For Ministry,
diakonos, {pronounced dee-ak'-on-os}, is used:
a. For the position of
chief servant in the church of Christ:
Matthew 20:26-28 (KJV) "But
it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him
be your minister (diakonos); {27} And whosoever will be chief among you, let
him be your servant (doulos): {28} Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered
unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (also
Mark 10:43-45)
Matthew 23:11-12 (KJV) "But
he that is greatest among you shall be your servant (diakonos). {12} And whosoever
shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall
be exalted."
Mark 9:35 (KJV) "And
he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire
to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant (diakonos) of all."
1 Corinthians 3:5-6 (KJV)
"Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers (diakonos) by whom
ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? {6} I have planted, Apollos
watered; but God gave the increase."
2 Corinthians 3:3-6 (KJV)
"Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ
ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living
God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart. {4} And such
trust have we through Christ to God-ward: {5} Not that we are sufficient of
ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
{6} Who also hath made us able ministers (diakonos) of the new testament;
not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit
giveth life."
2 Corinthians 6:3-4 (KJV)
"Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: {4}
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers (diakonos) of God,
in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,"
Ephesians 6:21-22 (KJV)
"But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved
brother and faithful minister (diakonos) in the Lord, shall make known to
you all things: {22} Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that
ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts."
b. For every believer
submitted to Christ:
John 12:26 (KJV) "If
any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant
(diakonos) be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour."
Romans 16:1-2 (KJV) "I
commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant (diakonos) of the church
which is at Cenchrea: {2} That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints,
and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she
hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also."
c. For state/ governmental
leaders, who God allows to govern local and national entities:
Romans 13:3-4 (KJV) "For
rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not
be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise
of the same: {4} For he is the minister (diakonos) of God to thee for good.
But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword
in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him
that doeth evil."
d. For our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans 15:8-9 (KJV) "Now
I say that Jesus Christ was a minister (diakonos) of the circumcision for
the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: {9} And that
the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause
I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name."
e. For Satan's false prophets,
servants to evil and confusion:
2 Corinthians 11:14-15 (KJV)
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
{15} Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers (diakonos) also be transformed
as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
f. For even Apostles, who
served God in their calling:
Ephesians 3:6-7 (KJV) "That
the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of
his promise in Christ by the gospel: {7} Whereof I was made a minister (diakonos)
, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual
working of his power."
g. For a specific office
in the local church, the office of deacon
1 Timothy 3:12-13 (KJV)
"Let the deacons (diakonos) be the husbands of one wife, ruling their
children and their own houses well. {13} For they that have used the office
of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness
in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."
2. Diakonos as related to the
Pastor/ Teacher:
1 Corinthians 3:5 (KJV)
"Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers (diakonos) by whom
ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?"
1 Timothy 1:12 (KJV) "And
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me
faithful, putting me into the ministry (diakonos);"
a. presbuteros, {pronounced pres-boo'-ter-os},
Meaning Old Man. This Illustrates The Maturity The Pastor Is
Supposed To Have.
Acts 20:16-17 (KJV) "For
Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time
in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the
day of Pentecost. {17} And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the
elders (presbuteros) of the church."
The pastor must not be young
in the faith, but must be well established in the doctrines of the Scripture:
1 Timothy 3:4-6 (KJV) "One
that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all
gravity; {5} (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he
take care of the church of God?) {6} Not a novice, lest being lifted up with
pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil."
b. episkope, {pronounced
ep-is-kop-ay}, Meaning Overseer, Manager. Emphasizes The
Work Of The Pastor, who spiritually oversees the flock of God.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV) "This
is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop (episkope), he desireth
a good work. {2} A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,
vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; {3}
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not
a brawler, not covetous; {4} One that ruleth well his own house, having his
children in subjection with all gravity; {5} (For if a man know not how to
rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) {6} Not
a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of
the devil. {7} Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without;
lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."
c. poimenos didaskalos,
pastor-teachers, emphasizes the main function of the pastor, to teach
and direct the flock of God in spiritual biblical truths:
Ephesians 4:11-15 (KJV)
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists;
and some, pastors and teachers; {12} For the perfecting of the saints, for
the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: {13} Till
we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ: {14} That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; {15} But speaking the truth
in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"
3. God places the pastor in
the work of ministry, though he is qualified or called to that position
by the local church:
1 Timothy 1:12-13 (KJV)
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he
counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; {13} Who was before a blasphemer,
and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly
in unbelief."
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV) "This
is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop (episkope), he desireth
a good work. {2} A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,
vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; {3}
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not
a brawler, not covetous; {4} One that ruleth well his own house, having his
children in subjection with all gravity; {5} (For if a man know not how to
rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) {6} Not
a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of
the devil. {7} Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without;
lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."
Rapture Of The Church
- The Rapture Is Necessary Because Only Our Souls, Not Our Bodies, Are Saved When We Accept Christ As Savior: 1 CO 15.35-44
- The Rapture Will Save Some From Death, Though Those Dead In Christ Will Rise First: 1 CO 15.50-54; 1 THES 4.13-18
New Covenant, Doctrine Of
- God Designed A New Covenant For Israel To Be Used During The Millinial Reign Of Christ: JER 31.31-34; HEB 8.8-12; GAL 4.4; HEB 10.15-18
- This Covenant Will Authorize A Form Of Worship And A Priesthood During The Millinium Only.
- God Designed A New Covenant For The Church Age Believer: HEB 9.15; 10.29; 12.24; MAT 26.28; MK 14.24; LU 22.20; 1 CO 11.25; 2 CO 3.6; HEB 7.22
- This Covenant Recognizes An Interruption Of The Age Of Israel
- Our Royal Priesthood Is Authorized By This Covenant.
- The Victory Of Christ In His Death And Resurrection Is Recognized By This Covenant.
Church, Doctrine Of The
- Terms Used To Describe The Church:
- In Christ, Denotes The Universal Church Of Christ: 1 CO 1.2, 30
- Even If You Are Backslidden, You Are Still In Christ: RO 8.1; 8.38-39; 2 CO 5.17, 21; EPH 1.3, 6
- Body: 1 CO 12.12
- Church, Greek Ekklesia, Means "Assembly". Refers To An Assembly Of Believers Under The Leadership Of A Pastor: AC 7.38; MAT 18.17; AC 19.25; 1 CO 1.2; 1 THES 1.1; REV 1-3; PHIL 1.1; EPH 1.22-23; 5.25-27; COL 1.17-18; 2.9-10
- All Believers Are A Part Of The Church: 1 CO 12; 1 CO 14
- Structure Of The Church: PHIL 1.1
- The Saints Comprise The Congregation
- The Bishop Is The Pastoral Head Of The Church. He Is Referred To In Several Descriptive Terms In The Original Language Text:
- Episkopos, "Bishop". Used To Designate The Authority Of The Pastor.
- Presbuteros, "Elder". Used To Designate The Wisdom Gained By Experience Of The Pastor.
- POIMEN, "Shepherd, Pastor". Designates The Function Of The Pastor Over The Flock.
- Diakonia, "Minister". Denotes The Service The Pastor Offers To The Congregation.
- Deacons Are The Administrators Of The Congregation.
- The Church Only Exists In The Church Age. This Began At Pentecost: ACTS 2
- The Function Of The Church Was A Mystery In Old Testament Times: EPH 3.1-6; COL 1.25-26; RO 16.25-26
- Synonyms For The Church Age: 1 CO 15.45-47
- The Church Is A New Creation, And Christ The Creator.
- The Church Is The Body, And Christ Is The Head.
- The Church Is The Sheep, And Christ Is The Shepherd: 1 PE 5.4; REV 13.20; 5.6; JO 10
- Christ Is The Vine, And We Are The Branches: JO 15
- Christ Is The Chief Cornerstone, And We Are The Building Blocks: EPH 2.20; 1 PE 2.4-8
- Christ Is The High Priest, And We Are The Priesthood: 1 PE 2; HEB 7, 10
- Christ Is The Bridegroom, And We Are The Bride: EPH 5.25-27; REV 19.6-8
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