BACK TO THE BIBLE WAY

BACK TO THE

BIBLE WAY

(The Mystery of God)

Without a careful search in theology (i.e. the study of

God), one may conclude that God is to blame with regards to this world of religious sects which have sprung up these days namely:

• Mohammedanism (i.e. Islam)

• Hinduism

• Buddhism

• Christianity

• Baha’i Faith, and so on.

But a careful search will reveal that by one man (i.e.

Adam), we have all come short of God’s glory (Rom.

5:12-16) and by another man (i.e. Jesus), this glory can be regained (Rom. 5:17).

Back To The Bible Way (Mystery of God)

On the other hand,without a careful survey of the Bible

(the only source of divine religious authority), one may seem to see that Christ and His religion have failed or disappointed the world – with regards to denominationalism in Christendom – different churches differing in faith and doctrine. Thus one church may seem to have been told in the Bible to:

• Baptize by sprinkling,

• Baptize infants,

• Use instrumental music for worship,

• Pay yearly and monthly dues (Tithes),

• Allow women to pray and teach in the presence of men in the churches and


• Worship God on Saturdays (Sabbatarianism); whereas another church may seem to have been told to do totally different things from the aforementioned items – confusion all the way.

And, of course, this sort of confusion in Christianity has caused some people to ignore the religion, whilst others are led astray by some self-claimed

“Christian churches and leaders”.

To this end, I personally believe that Christ groans within Himself day in and out, as long as the memory of His prayer for unity exists.


For, prior to His death, Christ prayed to God saying:

“Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe in me through their word that THEY ALL

MAY BE ONE…”(John 17:20-21). Paul, in his days, sounded some warnings against departure from the faith; “Take heed…for I know this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock…to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch…” (Acts 20:28-31).

“Now…brethren…speak the same thing…that there be no divisions among you…” (1 Cor. 1:10). “Now the spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing


spirits and doctrines of devils. Speaking lies in hypocrisy…forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats…” (1 Tim 4:1-3). “…mark them which cause division and offense contrary to the doctrine which ye have heard and avoid them…”.

(Romans 16:17-18). So it is evidently clear that men have departed from the old faith (the only way to God), a situation contrary to God’s will. But we shall please

God if only we will pay heed to the “Weeping Prophet”,

Jeremiah, who said; “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the Old Paths, where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your soul…” (Jer. 6:16). Hence the call to


“Back to the Bible Way”, THE OLD PATHS.

This writing is designed to help any true-seeking individual to come to know that God is not to blame with reference to this world of religious divisions; but that He has established only one religion (Christianity) through which all will be saved.

Secondly, it is designed to help any true-seeking individual to come to the knowledge of the LOVE of

God for man – even the Mystery OF GOD; and having known the Mystery of God, one will come to know the religion which is in connection with it. It will further


help the individual to know the essentiality of the unity in the God-instituted religion (Christianity). And with regards to church, it will help the individual to know the dangers in denominationalism. It will also help the individual to have a self-examination whether he/she is in the Bible church, and as to whether he/she is in the right position before God (II Cor. 13:5, I John 4:1, I Tim

4:1-3).

My short advice is that before you start reading through this writing, pray to God to show you the way.

Also, you should shun every prejudiced and preconceived ideas.


In other words, let us allow the Bible to become our neutral ground, common denominator and basis for unity. Thus it requires a willing and humbled mind.

God bless you.

Write to the address below for questions and further studies or call:

Philip Obeng-Owusu

Church of Christ OR Call :

P.O. Box A338 1-347-596-9111

La,Accra, Ghana ( In the U.S.A.)


THE MYSTERY OF GOD

The Bible reveals the Mystery of God.This is the central message of the Bible. The main character in the Mystery of God is the man JESUS CHRIST.

Without the knowledge of this MYSTERY OF GOD, one is lost. Let me present to you some facts to remember about this MYSTERY OF GOD. But first of all, kindly read carefully I Timothy 3:15-16.

The word “Mystery” from the Greek word

“MUSTERION” means primarily, “that which is known to the ‘MUSTES’, the initiated… In the New

Testament it denotes, not the Mysterious (as with the


English word), but that which being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by divine revelation, and is made known in a manner and at a time appointed by God and to those only who are illumined by His Spirit. In the ordinary sense a Mystery implies knowledge withheld…”

Vine‘s expository dictionary of the N.T. words, page

779.

Thus here, I am talking in terms of God’s secret plan for redeeming man after he fell from God. Let us bear in mind that before He created the world, God foreknew the state of man (Acts 2:23; I Pet. 1:2).


Therefore an advance plan was made as a provision for man to return to God later. Hence the MYSTERY

OF GOD. See Chart ‘A’ for illustration. Find time to read the following passages also: 1 Cor. 2:7-10;

Eph. 1:9, 3:9; Col. 1:27, 2:2.

Chart ‘A’:

Man’s 2 nd State

Isaiah 59: 1-2

Man’s 1 st State

Our Father

God

God’s scheme of Redemption after man’s fall


Shortly after the creation of man by God, man fell into the ‘sin of disobedience to God’. “…your iniquities have separated you and God, and your sins have hid

His face from you that He will not hear” (Is. 59:1-2).

Thus it is axiomatically believed that immediately after the fall of man, this scheme of Redemption must have started to function. This is clearly seen in God’s promise to Abraham of the SEED “…and thy SEED shall possess the gates of his enemies and in thy

SEED shall all nations of the earth be blessed because thou obeyed my voice” (Gen. 22:17-18). You see, God, who had earlier cursed man due to the latter’s transgression, is seen here as having


Chart ‘B’:

Man’s Access To

God

Gal. 3:16

Cf. Gen. 22:17-18

Is. 59:1-2

ABRAHAM

Our Father

God

The Promised Seed compassion on man and to bless him – what a privilege for man to go back to God by a promised seed of the patriarch Abraham! See chart ‘B’ which

Shows the beginning part of the systematic development in God’s plan for redeeming man. Bear in mind that at the time of the promise of the SEED,

Abraham and Sarah, his wife, were in their old age.


They wondered as to how they could bear a child, through whom the PROMISED SEED would come. So upon the advice of Sarah, Abraham went into Hagar, their Egyptian maid-servant, and a male child was born to Abraham. He was called Ishmael. (Note that this Ishmael was the father of the Arab world where

Mohammed, the founder of Islamic religion, comes from-: Gen.16:2-3, Galatians 4:25).

Abraham was confident and hopeful that the promised Seed would come through Ishmael; so left to him alone,the plan of salvation would have been as indicated in chart “C”


Chart ‘C’:

The Plan as

Abraham proposed

To God.

Is. 59:1-2

ABRAHAM

ISHMAEL

Our Father

God

The Promised Seed

This is seen to be so in a conversation between

Abraham and God. Because in the conversation,

Abraham, seeing that the SEED would not likely come through the loins of Ishmael, but through a legitimate child of Abraham and his wife, Sarah,..“fell upon his face and laughed and said in his heart,‘shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old?’.


And shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?”

And Abraham said unto God, “O that Ishmael might live before thee.” And God said, “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed and thou shall call his name

Isaac, and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant and with HIS SEED after him.

And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee; behold, I have blessed him, and I will make him fruitful exceedingly; twelve princes shall be beget, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant will I establish with

Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at the set time in the next year” (Gen. 17: 17-21). Thus on the contrary, the promised SEED was to come through


Isaac’s loins but not Ishmael. See Chart “D” for an illustration. And it will be seen that Ishmael is away from the covenant or the Promised line. He was not a godly person, for, it was foretold of him, “..he will be a wild man..” (Gen.16:12); Gen.21:10—“..cast out the bondwoman and her son..” ; so Isaac was chosen.

Chart ‘D’:

The Plan as

God proposed and

Implemented

(Isaac chosen).

Ishmael out of the promised line.

Is. 59:1-2

ABRAHAM

ISAAC


Our Father

God


Yes, God always wants a Godly seed (Mal. 2:14-15) in His dealings with man, in the Scheme of

Redemption. He named Isaac as His choice. Isaac brought forth Esau and Jacob, though Esau was the elder, but he sold his birthright to his younger brother, Jacob (Gen. 25:29-34), so the blessing in the promised line shifted to Jacob (cf. Gen. 25:22-26;

27:2229). See Chart “E”.

Chart ‘E’:

Is. 59:1-2 Our Father

God

Ishmael

ABRAHAM

Jacob Chosen

ISAAC

Esau

JACOB



This shows another development in God’s Plan for

Redeeming man. Jacob also brought forth thirteen children, and since it is the will of God that one person should be chosen at a particular point in time in HIS

SCHEME OF REDEMPTION. Judah was chosen among his brethren. (Gen. 49:8-10; Ps. 78:67-68).See chart “F”. It was through Judah’s loins that our Lord and Saviour descended (Matt. 2:1-6).

Chart ‘F’:

Judah Chosen

Ishmael

Is. 59:1-2

ABRAHAM

Our Father

God

ISAAC

Esau

JACOB

JUDAH



But before the coming of our Lord, God appointed prophets to prepare His way. Some of them were Moses

(Deut. 18: 15-20), Isaiah (Is. 7:14, 9:6), and Malachi

(Mal. 5:2). John the Baptist was the last prophet before

Christ came (Matt. 3:1, 11:13-14). So, we see the development in God’s plan of salvation taking a shape as we see Christ’s physical appearance on earth drawing nearer.

And at the appointed time, “…God sent forth His son…to redeem those who were under the Law that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Gal. 4:4-5). As it has earlier been known that Christ came through the loins of Judah, we see that the SEED as promised by


God to Abraham was the man Jesus Christ-Hallelujah!

(Gal. 3:16). It was neither Mohammed nor Hindu, etc.

And when Christ came,the Holy Spirit bore witness of

Him saying, “this is my beloved Son…” (Matt. 3:17).

God also, in Matt. 17:5, commands us to pay heed to

Him (Christ). So neither Hinduism nor Islam, but

Christianity, comes from God. Although Judaism came from God, it was to pave a way for Christ and His religion. For, even Moses, who was the real mediator in Judaism, forewarned any disobedience to Christ

(Deut.18:15-18); and John the baptist,the last prophet before Christ who prepared the Lord’s way (Matt.3:3) said “He must increase but I must decrease”-John.3:30.

Christ, knowing the plight of mankind, said, “Come unto


me…and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). And to assure us of eternal salvation, He said, “I am the way…”

(John 14:6). See Chart “G”.

Chart ‘G’:

“I AM THE WAY”

(John 14:6)

“COME UNTO ME”

(Matt. 11:28)

“HEAR HIM”

(Matt. 17:5)

Ishmael

Esau

ABRAHAM

ISAAC

JACOB

JUDAH

PROPHETS

Is. 59:1-2

Our Father

God

The Promised Seed (Gal. 3:16)Christ,the way{Jn.14:16}

It was the plan of God that Christ should die. Yet before His death, He promised to build his Church

(Matt. 16:18). This was fulfilled fifty days after the death of Christ ( Acts 2:1ff ).


Note that Pentecost was celebrated fifty days after each

Passover feast; and Christ was crucified during the

Passover feast. Hence the proof that the Church was established fifty days after Christ’s death; and from the

Greek Lexicon, Pentecost means fifty days.

The Importance of the Church

The Scriptures say that the body of Christ represents

His Church; and that Salvation is found in Christ alone; so it is logically true that Salvation is found in His

Church (John 1:4; Col. 1:22-23). This has been confirmed in Acts 2:47, “…and the Lord added to the


Church daily such as should be saved.” See Chart “H”.

Is. 59:1-2

Our Father

God

Chart ‘H’:

The church, the

Medium to God

(Acts 2:47)

Ishmael

Esau

ABRAHAM

ISAAC

JACOB

JUDAH

PROPHETS

Acts

2:47

Christ, The Seed (Gal. 3:16)

But the devil, knowing for sure that if all should be added to the Church would be saved, has since the beginning of the establishment of the Church made every effort to confuse people. An example is the fact that the devil has convinced men into believing that the way to


heaven is not one but many. Hence, the multiplicity of churches (denominationalism) – a situation which goes against the prayer of Christ (John 17:20-21). Thus left to the devil alone, God’s plan for Redeeming man would have been as indicated on Chart “I”:

Chart ‘I’:

“Any church is as good as another”

Ishmael

Esau

“The plan as the devil would have wished it to be”

Is. 59:1-2

Our Father

God

ABRAHAM

ISAAC

JACOB

Many ways to Heaven

JUDAH

PROPHETS

Matt. 16:18

I Cor. 3:11

Acts 2:47

Christ, The Seed (Gal. 3:16)

Back To The Bible Way ( Mystery of God)

But this cannot be true since God, in His dealings with man in the Plan of Salvation, has always chosen one person at a time and one thing at a time to stand in His promised line. The following are some helpful points to the above facts:

1.The man Abram,chosen out of his family (Gen 12:1-3),

2.One child Isaac chosen – Gen. 17:16-19,

3.One child Jacob chosen –Gen. 25:22-26,

4.One child Judah chosen –Gen. 49:8-10,

5.Godly seed always chosen – Mal. 2:14-15,

6.Christ as God’s only begotten Son John1:14;Heb.1:5,


(7) one way – John 14:6, 10:16,

(8) one shepherd, one flock – John 10:16,

(9) one door – John 10:9,

(10) oneness in God head –Matt. 28:18-20; John 17:20-21,

(11) oneness in Christ – I Cor. 1:10-14,

(12) one body, one Spirit – Eph. 4:4-5,

(13) one hope, one Lord – Eph. 4:4-5,

(14) one faith, one baptism – Eph. 4:4-5,

(15) one Father and

(16) one Church – Matt. 16:18, Acts 2:47.

With a sincere heart, one can see that there is much beauty and perfection in God’s Scheme of Redemption.

The devil is rather not allowing us to see things alike


in this Scheme. We therefore need to have an open mind and delve into the scriptures so as to be able to follow the apostolic examples of the early church.Thus if one wants to please God,one has to make sure if one’s

Church doctrine is in conformity with that of the early

Church. The name and doctrine of the church count a lot. Obeying Christ as an individual is also of paramount importance (Rev. 2:10; II Cor. 13:5).


Food For Thought

Our true faith in God would actually help us to accept whatever He says in the bible. Thus, if He says “no”, it is emphatically “no” and if He says “yes”, it is emphatically “yes”. In other words we should let His will be done. We humans have no choice but to listen and accept His will or words including:

(1) “…He shall be a wild man…” Gen 16:12-16, that is concerning Ishmael.

(2) “…and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant” Gen. 17:17-21, that is concerning Isaac.


(3) “The scepter shall not depart from Judah…” Gen

49:7-9.

(4) “Today, thou shalt be with in paradise” Luke 23:43

(5) “In him was life…” John 1:4

(6) “…upon this rock I will build my church…” Matt:

16:18

(7) “…the church which is His body…” Eph. 1:22-23

(8) “…wherein few, that is eight souls were saved by water”, I Peter 3:20-21

(9) “…and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be”…Acts 2:47.

(10) “…he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold…is a thief and a robber”, John 10:1


CAUSES OF CONFUSION IN CHRISTENDOM

The devil is the main architect of confusion in

Christendom, but we humans play some roles:

(1) LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONTRAST

BETWEEN OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS ( See the charts below ):

(a) Misinterpretation of Matt. 5:1719 “…I came not to destroy but to fulfill…” This passage doesn’t mean that Christ came to fulfill the “thou shalts”and “thou shalt nots”. Rather he came to fulfill that which was spoken about Him (Luke

24:44-47) in the law of Moses (Deut. 18:17-19),


in the prophets (Amos 8:4-8, Matt. 27:45-46, Jer.

31:31, Heb. 8:7-10) and in the Psalms (Psalm

110:1, Acts 2:34, Luke 24:44-47).

(b) “…now that faith is come we are no longer under a schoolmaster” (the OT Laws), Gal. 3:19-

25.

(c) Thus we are worshippers/ministers of the new testament, not the old (II Cor. 3:4-11).

(d) “…He taketh away the first in order to establish the second” (Heb. 10:9). “For if the first covenant had been faultless…” (Heb. 8:7-10).

(e) “For the priesthood being changed…change also of the law”-Heb.7:12


CONTRAST BETWEEN OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT

OLD TESTAMENT

Subject Description Passage(s)

NEW TESTAMENT

Subject Description Passages(s)

Shadow Heb. 8:5; 10:1-2 Substance (Object) Col 2:16-17

Good

Outward Worship

Heb. 8:6 Better

Heb. 9:8-10 Inward (Spiritual)

Worship

John 4:20-21; Ps. 78:67-70 Everywhere

Heb. 8:6

John 4:23-24

Matt. 18:19-20 Venue for Worship:

Jerusalem

Priesthood: Only

Levites

Administrator(s):

Priest(s)

Day of the Lord:

Every Sabbath

Day of Rest: Every

Sabbath

Jewish (Tabernacle)

Worship: Physical

Num. 1:50; Deut. 10:6-8

Num. 1:50; Deut. 10:6-8

Ex. 16:23

Ex. 20:8ff

Lev. 8: 1-10

Priesthood: Every

Christian

Administrator(s): Male

Christian(s)

Day of the Lord: 1 st day of the week

Day of Rest: Future eternal rest promised

Christian Worship:

Spiritual

I Peter 2:9-10

I Tim 2:8,11-14

Luke 24;1-6; Acts 2ff;

20:7; I Cor. 16ff

Heb. 4:1-11; 11:13-16

John 4:22-24; II Cor.

3:6,8

OLD TESTAMENT

Subject Description Passage(s)

Daily Burnt Offering as Sacrifice

Washing of Hands and Feet

Lighting of Lamps

Ex. 20:15-18, 38

Ex. 30:17-21

Ex. 30:8; 25:37

Daily Incense

Burning

Ex. 30;1-9

Tithes (Compulsory) Mal. 3:10

NEW TESTAMENT

Subject Description

Daily Devoted Life (As

Spiritual Sacrifice)

Heart Cleansing

Glorifying God

Daily Prayer Life

Passages(s)

I Peter 2:5; Rom. 12:1-2

James 4:7-8

Matt. 5:13-16

I Thess. 5:17

Instrumental Music;

Physical or Literal

Instruments

I Chron. 16;42; 23:1-5

Reading and

Studying God’s Word:

(I) The Law of:

Moses, Flesh Death

(II) Schoolmaster’s

Law

Deut. 31:11; Josh. 8:35;

Neh. 8:1-13

(I) Josh. 23:6; Rom. 7:5; II

Cor. 3:6-7

(II) Gal. 3:23; II Cor. 3:15

Show Bread: (I)

Displaying it on Table

(II) Changed and

Eaten Weekly by

Priest Only

Ex. 25:30; Lev. 6:16; 24:5-

9; I Chron. 9:32

No more Tithes, but

FREE will offering

Lips Music (The chords of the Heart being the instruments)

Reading and Studying

God’s Word:

(I) The Law of: Christ,

Spirit, Life

(II) The Law of Faith

Heb. 7:1-12; II Cor. 9:6

I Cor. 14:15-16; Heb.

13:15

I Tim. 4:13; II Tim. 2:15;

II John 9; II Cor. 3:6;

Gal. 3:25-26

Bread of Life (Christ’s

Body): (I) Displaying

Christ’s Body

(II) Eaten on 1 st day of week by Christians only

John 6:51; Gal. 3:27;

Acts 2:42; 20:7; I Cor.

10:16-18

PATTERN OF THE TABERNACLE

Altar of Burnt Offering

Ex. 29:15-18

Golden Censer-Altar of Incense

Ex. 30;1-9, Heb. 9:1-6

The Most Holy Place

Table of Showbread

Ex. 25:29-30

Holy Place (Sanctuary)

Heb. 9:2

Laver

Ex. 30:17-21

Ark of Covenant

Heb. 9:1-6

Lamp Stand

Ex. 25:31-37

Some Facts to Remember:

• With regards to the showbread and the Lord’s

Supper, it is generally known that the frequency of a pendulum is directly proportional to its shadow; thus the frequency of the eating of the showbread must be directly proportional to that of the Lord’s Supper; hence the weekly basis.

• On musical instruments, the Jews might wholeheartedly play; its allusion to New Testament music must not be the literal instruments wholeheartedly played, as far as the difference in shadow and object is concerned. It must have something better and stronger in order to be called the real substance of the shadow; hence the chords of the human heart, being the instrument.


THE PURPOSE AND DURATION OF THE OLD

TESTAMENT LAWS

Canaan

(Promised Land)

(Gen. 12:7)

Christ, the End of the Law

(Rom. 10:1-9)

Z

Period of the Law until Christ came

(Gal. 3:19-25)

A

Egyptian Bondage

(Gal. 3:17)

Red Sea

Period of the Law

(Gal. 4:1-5)

Mt. Sinai

The Law/Ten

Commandments

Given

(Ex. 20:1-17)

The First

Mentioning of the

Sabbath Law (Ex.

16:23-24)


“Tell Me, Ye That Desire To Be Under The Law, Do Ye Not Hear The Law?”

(Gal. 4:21-31)

Introduction - Paul challenges those who want to be under the Old Testament Law

The Lesson Analyzed:

ABRAHAM

Ishmael

Hagar

Isaac

Sarah

Bondwoman

Mt. Sinai

OT

Bondage

Judaism, System of Bondage

Persecutor

“Cast out the Bondwoman & her child…”

Judaism, System of Bondage

ALLEGORY Freewoman

Heavenly Jerusalem

NT

Freedom

Christianity, System of Freedom

Victim of Persecution

The Son of Freewoman is the Heir

Christianity, System of Freedom


(2) LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF EXPIRY OF THE

MIRACULOUS GIFTS, ( See the chart below ):

(a) Notice that God’s time-table must work accordingly, so if he says something would pass away at a particular point in time, it is axiomatic!

“when that which is perfect is come…” (I Cor.

13:1012). The “perfect” in this context is not

Christ, but rather the maturity state of the church,

(Eph. 4:11-14).

Let us continue to search the scriptures and we will come to know the truth. Hence a call to “ Back to the

Bible Way.”


THOROUGH ANALYTICAL STUDIES OF I COR. 13:8-13 AND EPH. 4:11-14

IN COMPARISON

I. The Gifts: I Cor. 12 (v. 8-10) v. 11 ( The Gifts as listed in Eph.4:11)

II.

Purpose: Compare with I Cor. 12:25 (to edify members) v. 12 To perfect the saints, for the edification of the church; for the work of the ministry (compare with v.13c, “..unto a perfect man..”), To confirm the word spoken by the apostles (Heb. 2:1-4),The then infant church needed to grow to maturity, “..on unto perfection..” (Heb.6:1-2 , Heb.13:20-21;James 1:4).

III.

Time Limit: v. 10 “…when that which is perfect is come…”. People mistakenly refer the perfect to

Christ –that’s wrong! Yes, we all know that Christ is perfect (Heb.5:9; 7:28), but do you know that the

Father (Matt. 5:48), the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4) and the Bible (Ps. 19:7; James 1:25) are perfect? And, do you know that Christians are expected to be perfect (Matt. 5:48)?

So, we conclude that the context will prove what the perfect is all about!

v. 13 “…till we all come in the unity of the faith…”

>The “we all” denotes Jews and Gentiles coming together:

(i) “…and other sheep…I must bring…there shall be one fold, one shepherd”-John 10:16.

(ii) “…that they all may be one…” . John 17:20-21

>And this unity has been attained:

(i) “…we are all one in Christ…” (Romans 12:5)

(ii) “…the middle wall of partition has been broken down…” (Eph. 2;14-15)

(iii) “…no Jew, no Gentile, for ye are all one…” (Gal.

3:27-28)

I Cor. 13:8-13

IV.

“…now I know in part, but then…” v. 12b: the

“now” denotes the time of miraculous gifts; the

“then” denotes the time the perfect would come (the knowledge of the son of God during the period of miracles was inferior to that of the period of perfection)

V.

“…when I was a child…” v. 11 (childishness was the order of the day); “…I spoke as a child…”

(period of miracles); “…I understood as a child…”

(dark sight/partial knowledge, v. 12)

VI.

“…but when I became a man…” (a state of maturity, period of perfection, v. 11)

Eph. 4:11-14 v. 13b “…and of the knowledge of the Son of

God…”

>Thus miracles must have existed till Jews be no more stumbled by the gospel, but have full knowledge about Christ as the Son of God (Romans

10:1-2; I Cor. 1:23)

>Also, till Gentiles no more term Christ’s gospel as foolishness, but rather come to know Christ as the

Son of God (I Cor. 1:23) v. 13c “…unto a perfect man…”, “…unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” (a state of perfection was expected) v. 14 “…that we henceforth be no more children…”

(a state of maturity; thus miraculous gifts would cease since the church was expected to be in a state of maturity - perfection)

VII.

“…and now abideth…” (essential elements to our salvation after the passing away of miracles are as follows): v. 13: Faith – yes, we have to go to

God; faith can help us to that far after which it will no more be needed (Heb. 11:1,6); Hope – yes, we need this too, to go to God; it can carry us to that far after which it will no more be needed (Rom.8:24-25);

Love – Love reigns supreme in heaven as it is on this earth; it will never end.Hence “…love never ends…” (I Cor. 13:8; I Cor. 13:13; Col. 3;14)

Voice of Prophecy

Old Testament

Joel 2:28

Fulfillment (Last Days)

New Testament

Manifestations Attention

Please!!

I COR.

13:8-13

Mark 16:15-16

Acts 1:8

Acts 2:14ff

Acts 8:16ff

I Cor. 12:1ff

I Cor. 14:1ff

Heaven

Judgment

Remnants Final Remnant

FAITH

HOPE

LOVE

ONLY

LOVE

I COR.

13:8

BEAR IN MIND THAT:

(a) Prophecies were made concerning the gifts of the

Holy Spirit to the early Christians (Joel 2:28).

(b) God had His purpose for which He gave the gifts through Christ.

(i) the Jews knew they would please God only by obeying Mosaic Laws.

(ii) They held this view with a clear conscience.

(iii) But God in His wisdom had a purpose and time limit for the Mosaic Laws, thus God’s timetable must work (Gal. 3:19-25).

(iv) Thus at the appointed time God sent forth His son (Gal. 4:4-5).


(v) Period of reformation was planned.

(vi) This period of reformation couldn’t materialize but by miracles .

(vii) When the time of reformation was due, miraculous gifts were given to confirm the WORDS for a limited period (I Cor. 13:8-13, Heb.2:1-4).

(viii) After the mission and the purpose of the gifts were acomplished,God,who cannot lie, makes sure

He goes by His time table-making those who claim to possess the ‘gifts’ big liars ; because the devil can perform lying wonders to deceive humanity

(Matt.7:22-23, IIThess.2:9).


SOME FACTS TO REMEMBER

(HISTORY OF THE LORD’S CHURCH VERSUS

DENOMINATIONALISM)

The Lord’s Church was established in about AD 33.

Founder - Christ (Matt. 16:18)

Venue – Jerusalem (Luke 24:47, Acts 1:4-8, 2:41-47)

Faith – One (Eph. 4:5)

DEPARTURES FROM THE FAITH

“Some shall depart from the faith “I Tim 4:1-4”

(Voice of prophecy) – ( See the illustration below ):

The above passage is a prophecy concerning the

Catholic church and its doctrine “…forbidding to marry…” (celibacy), “…abstaining from meats…”. After the Catholics, came other departures also with various doctrines.


CLAIMS OF SECULAR HISTORY CONCERNING

FIRST ROMAN EMPEROR TO BECOME A

CHRISTIAN – Constantine, (400 AD). If Constantine, said to be the first emperor to become a Christian lived around 400 AD, then he must have been a member of a church other that the Roman Catholic, which started

606 AD. No doubt it must be the first church which

Christ established after His death under the Roman

Empire-the church of Christ, out of which the Roman

Catholic church came. If this argument is wrong, which church then was he a member of? Let us be honest to

God and to ourselves.


“BACK TO THE OLD PATHS” Jer. 6:16

If the same seed planted in 33 AD that yielded the church is planted in 2000 AD, it will yield the same church. Thus the same Christ, if preached today will yield the same church – hence a call to “ Back to the

Bible Way ”. – THE OLD PATHS.

WHAT THEN MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

After having known the mystery of God, one has to make a self examination to see if one is in the faith:

IICor. 13:5


STEPS OF SALVATION

• Hear the Word – Romans 10:14

• Believe – Romans 10:14

• Repent – Acts 2:38

• Confess – Romans 10:9

• Be Baptized into the Church –Acts2:41-47.

After having been added to the church, one needs to live upright before God,2Pe.2:5-8,Rev.2:10

Thus being a member of the church without a good heart with God ( sincerety ) means nothing.On the other hand claiming to be sincere to God without being a member of the Lord’s church is nothing-

Acts 2: 47.May God forgive us of our sins and bless us in Christ’s name -AMEN


BACK TO THE BIBLE WAY

BACK TO THE

BIBLE WAY

(The Mystery of God)

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BACK TO THE BIBLE WAY

BACK TO THE

BIBLE WAY

(The Mystery of God)

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