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Paul talks a lot about the believers and about being
One Flesh. Let’s look at some of these passages that Paul talks about.
Romans 12:4-6 (CJB)*
4. For just as there are many parts that compose one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function; 5. so there are many of us, and in union with the Messiah we comprise one body, with each of us belonging to the others. 6. But we have gifts that differ, and which are meant to be used according to the grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, use it to the extent of your trust.
Paul explains that believers “are many parts that compose one body”, they “don’t all have the same function:”, Verse 4. There is a union with the Messiah {Jesus} since they are one body. There is a melding together – belonging to – that binds the believers into On Body.
This union with Jesus is something that needs more explanation. Paul talks about a “mystery” that God had hidden from the people of the Old Testament but now is revealed to the believers as they understand how they are to function. Let’s dive into this next facet of how the believers become in union with Jesus.
Ephesians 3:2-6
(CJB)*
2. I assume that you have heard of the work God in his grace has given me to do for your benefit, 3. and that it was by a revelation that this secret plan was made known to me. I have already written about it briefly, 4. and if you read what I have written, you will grasp how I understand this secret plan concerning the Messiah. 5. In past generations it was not made known to mankind, as the Spirit is now revealing it to his emissaries and prophets, 6. that in union with the Messiah and through the Good News the Gentiles were to be joint heirs, a joint body, and joint sharers with the Jews in what God has promised.
So ‘this mystery’, this secret plan, is “that in union with the Messiah and through the Good News the Gentiles were to be joint heirs, a joint body, and joint sharers with the Jews in what God has promised.”
Verse 6. Believers are joint heirs, a joint body, and joint sharers in what was promised to the Gentiles through the Jewish People. How is this so? Let’s look into Galatians.
Galatians 3:6-9 (CJB)*
6. It was the same with Avraham: “He trusted in God and was faithful to him, and that was credited to his account as righteousness.” 7. Be assured, then, that it is those who live by trusting and being faithful who are really children of Avraham. 8. Also the Tanakh, foreseeing that God would consider the Gentiles righteous when they live by trusting and being faithful, told the Good News to Avraham in advance by saying, “In connection with you, all the Goyim will be blessed.” 9. So then, those who rely on trusting and being faithful are blessed along with Avraham, who trusted and was faithful.
Now Avraham, {Abraham}, ‘trusted’ or had Faith in God and because of his trust he ‘was credited’ or deemed to be a righteous man. So a standard or Law had been established through Abraham’s obedience. When anyone acts in the same way as Abraham they will be ‘credited’ with this same ‘right standing’ along with Abraham these are to be considered ‘children of Abraham’. The Tanakh, or Scriptures, states that this was a foreshadowing of what would take place later in the history of the People of Israel, the earthy children of Abraham would be granted this inheritance. A joint heir with Christ. Jesus Christ was the ‘Seed’ that God told Abraham was to come. Why not seeds’ as there are many that follow Jesus’ teaching and have received the gift of Salvation, the promised to Abraham. Let’s look further into Galatians: -
Galatians 3:16-18 (CJB)*
16. Now the promises were made to Avraham and to his seed. It doesn’t say, “and to seeds,” as if to many; on the contrary, it speaks of one —“and to your seed”— and this “one” is the Messiah. 17. Here is what I am saying: the legal part of the Torah, which came into being 430 years later, does not nullify an oath sworn by God, so as to abolish the promise. 18. For if the inheritance comes from the legal part of theTorah, it no longer comes from a promise. But God gave it to Avraham through a promise.
Paul earlier in the above passage states that when an oath or promise is made then at sometime later it can not be altered either by another oath or law. This is why that even though the Law which, can later setting out rules or Laws, the Promise to Abraham was not overturned. So Jesus is the Seed of Abraham, and the true believers are Joint heirs with Jesus. Then how do we become the Sons of God? Let's see what it states in
John Chapter:1.
John 1:11-13 (CJB)*
11. He came to his own homeland, yet his own people did not receive him. 12. But to as many as did receive him, to those who put their trust in his person and power, he gave the right to become children of God, 13. not because of bloodline, physical impulse, or human intention, but because of God.
Verse 12, “right to become children of God”, or sons of God. This will be unfolded in the next section of this Study.
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(CJB)*
The Complete Jewish Bible" used with permission.
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