Acts
Bible Study
Lesson 20
12 In (the
Body) or 12 Out (of the Body)?
2 Corinthians 12:3 (whether
in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;)
Did the Kingdom saints stay Kingdom saints or
transfer into the Body of Christ?
Reasons they could have been transferred
into the BOC.
¥
Paul, writing to those in the Body of Christ, says to the Corinthians Òwith all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus
ChristÓ. This indicated there is no distinction between Kingdom and BOC. They
are also said to be baptized by one Spirit into one body. (1 Corinthians
12:13).
¥ Romans 12:5 calls all those Paul is writing to members of
the Body. How could Paul do this if there were two groups of believers?
¥ Both Barnabas and Silas were saved under the Kingdom
program. Would Paul have chosen men who were not members of the BOC to minister
to Gentiles?
¥ Apollos was saved under the Kingdom program but yet later we see him working in harmony with Paul for according to 1 Corinthians 3:6 Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. This obviously refers to the BOC.
¥ Andronicus and Junias were in Christ before Paul and
therefore were Kingdom saints. They were in Rome at the same time Paul wrote
Romans and therefore were included in the reference to being in the one Body
(Romans 12:5).
Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in
prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in
Christ before I was
¥ Galatians 2:7—9 states Peter was entrusted with the Gospel of the Circumcision and Paul the Gospel of the Uncircumcision. Peter indeed WAS given this commission, but after PaulÕs commission was given they joined him in proclaiming the gospel of the Grace of God.
¥ Imagine the confusion of having to preach different doctrines to two different groups with two different destinies.
Reasons they could have stayed Kingdom
saints.
¥ Peter clearly wrote to Kingdom saints to encourage them as they saw the Kingdom program diminishing. This is why he told them that God is faithful to fulfill His promises.
¥
The Kingdom saints have an earthly hope while we have a heavenly hope. How can
they have both.
Ephesians 2:6 and raised us up with
Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
¥ When Peter and Paul agreed to maintain separate ministries (Galatians 2:7—9) this showed there were two distinct groups otherwise there would be no need to agree to split up the ministry duties.
¥
Paul clearly points out these two groups (circumcised and uncircumcised)
calling them the new creation (the Body of Christ) and the Israel of God (the
Kingdom saints, believing Jews).
Galatians 6:15—16 15For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
¥ A careful reading of 1 Corinthians 1:2 show that Kingdom saints and BOC saints are referred to as sanctified—those who call on the name of the Lord. Paul further separates the two groups in verse 2 by saying: Òtheir Lord and oursÓ. However, the letter is only addressed to Body saints so when 1 Corinthians 12:13 says we are all baptized into one body, it is only referring to Body saints.
¥
Andronicus and Junias were said to be in Christ
before Paul. If we assume that being in Christ is being in the Body then this would
be a valid point. However, both Kingdom and Body saints can be considered to be
in Christ as far a their redemption is concerned. It is Jesus Christ who is the
foundation for all believers, past, present and future.
¥
Paul calling all believers in Rome members of the Body of Christ does not stand
up to scrutiny if you realize that Paul directly addressed Jews in Romans 2,
9—11. Why would Paul single out Jews if he were talking to Body members
where there is no distinction of Jew or Gentile? Paul make it clear when he
addressed Kingdom saints so as not to confuse the two groups.
¥ Just the fact that God raised up a new Apostle to go to the Gentiles indicates the Kingdom saints stayed Kingdom saints. If the 12 Disciples became Body saints, they would be the ones going to the Gentiles.
Connections between Kingdom and Grace
¥ We often highlight the differences between the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Gospel of the Grace of God but seldom look at their commonalities.
- IÕm sure this occurs because we are always trying to contrast the events and doctrine of the Gospels with that of the Church, the Body of Christ to prove a new dispensation has begun.
- If everything was the same between the Gospels and PaulÕs writings, there would be no dispensational distinction—no new dispensation would have begun.
¥ However, there are a number of things that ARE very similar between the two.
- Just because there are similarities does not at all take away from the evidence that a completely new program was introduced by God through Paul.
- Just because there are many similarities between the laws of Minnesota and Iowa does not mean they are the same. They are still considered two completely different sets of laws.
¥ Christ as the foundation.
- Chosen by GodÕs foreknowledge
- Sanctification
- Cleansed by the blood of Christ
- By GodÕs grace
-
through His resurrection
1 Peter 1:1—3 1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens,
scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen
2according to the foreknowledge of
God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and
be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest
measure. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Titus 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of
God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the
knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we should always
give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has
chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the
Spirit and faith in the truth.
Romans 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much
more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who are asleep.
- Repentance
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some
understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but
everyone to come to repentance.
Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance
and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
- Christ as Cornerstone
Acts 4:11" He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by
you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.
Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
- What we believe about Jesus
Christ is based on what is written in the Old Testament
Ephesians 2:20
having been built on the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
- Partakers of the New Covenant
(spiritually, not physically).
Hebrews 8:8 For finding fault with them, He says, "BEHOLD, DAYS
ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I
WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF
JUDAH;
2 Corinthians 3:6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new
covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the
Spirit gives life.
Romans 15:27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.
- We and they have a faith that
is equally precious.
2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of
Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours (a faith that is equally precious), by the righteousness
of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
- All
are in Christ whether in the Kingdom or in the Body.
1 Peter 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love Peace be
to you all who are in Christ.
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ
Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the
overseers and deacons:
¥ Similarities in godly living
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Encouraged to get into the Word
1 Peter 2:2 like
newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow
in respect to salvation,
2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one
approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles
the word of truth.
- Told to obey authorities.
1 Peter 2:13
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human
institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
Romans 13:1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
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Husbands are to love, honor and be understanding
1 Peter 3:7 You husbands in the same
way, live with your wives in an understanding wayÉ and show her honor as a
fellow heir of the grace of life,
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
-
Wives are to submit.
1 Peter 3:1 In the
same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbandsÉ
Colossians 3:18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
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Love one another.
1 Peter 4:8 Ékeep fervent in your love for one
another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
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Use your God-given gifts.
1 Peter 4:10 As each
one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Romans 12:6 Since we have gifts
that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them
accordingly:
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Trust God completely
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your
anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
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Example: Barnabas (Kingdom saint)
encouraging Gentiles (Body) to remain true to the Lord.
Acts 11:20—23 20But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who
came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord
Jesus. 21And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number
who believed turned to the Lord. 22The news about them reached the
ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23Then
when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to
encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;