Paul’s Grace Message

Only as we understand the statement, “where sin abounded grace did much more abound,” and how grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:20 and 21), can we really appreciate the truth concerning the children of God in Romans 6:14, “ye are not under the law, but under grace,” and Romans 3:24, “being justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Under the law, God’s people received the spirit of bondage unto fear. But it is so different under grace. (Romans 8:15). “Wherefore thou art no more a servant but a son; and if a son then an heir of God through Christ.”
How did God get His people from under the law? Note Colossians 2:13 and 14: “Blotting out the HANDWRITING of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.” (Colossians 2:14.)
It require the unspeakable suffering of the eternal Christ, the Lord of glory, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and all the shame and tragedy of Calvary to get that HANDWRITING out of the way. Read Ephesians 2:13 to 19.
Under the law, the transgressor of the HANDWRITING of God, died without mercy under two or more witnesses. (Hebrews 10:28). The Lord Himself wrote the commandments on two tables of stone; “Thou shalt” - “thou shalt not.” God gave Israel a yoke of bondage which no one was ever able to bear, (Galatians 5:1 to 3 - Acts 15:10). (Hebrews 12:18 to 21). God gave unto Moses upon Mount Sinai two tables of stone, WRITTEN WITH THE FINGER OF GOD.” (Exodus 31:18).
The Lord Jesus Christ was made under the law. (Galatians 4:4). He asked the question “which one of you convinceth Me of sin?” (John 8:46). Christ truthfully said, “I do always those things that please God.” (John 8:29). Christ never had to apologize to one human being for doing wrong. He never had to confess one sin to His holy Father; for Christ was without sin. On the cross of Calvary the sinless Christ died with law-breakers and was made a curse to deliver law-breakers from the curse of the law. (Galatians 3:13 - Luke 23:32).
Before Christ went to Calvary some self-righteous men, who were sure they were real respectable, religious law-keepers, and expert judges of others, found a woman transgressing the seventh commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” They said, “Moses in the law commanded us that such should be stoned. What sayest Thou?” (John 8:5). Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. This was the SANDWRITING. Just what He wrote, perhaps we will learn in heaven. But Christ said to the would-be stone-throwers, “He that is without sin, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7). Christ did some more SANDWRITING, (John 8:8). The religious men all disappeared. Christ, Who was without sin, was left alone with the sinful woman. (John 8:9 to 11). Christ could have cast the stones. Christ came to save sinners, not to stone them. (I Timothy 1:15).
The law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17). Moses did say that that woman should surely be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10). The law was, the ministration of death. (II Corinthians 3:7). But Christ was not Moses. Christ came to do, by grace, for the human race, what Moses an and the law could not do. (Romans 8:3 - Hebrews 7:19 - Romans 10:4). The law was the ministration of condemnation, THE HANDWRITING of II Corinthians 3:9 and 3:7.
With the SANDWRITING Christ said to the condemned woman, “neither do I condemn thee, go in peace and sin no more.” (John 8:11). Christ was not minimizing the woman’s sin. He was magnifying His grace and proving John 3:17: “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”
The hands that wrote the law at Sinai were nailed to the tree at Calvary. (Galatians 3:13).

Posted by Cecil Spivey at 7:31 AM

In writing to Timothy some twenty-five years or more after Christ died, the Holy Spirit, by Paul, said; “But if any provide not for his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (I Timothy 5:8), This is indeed strong language.
In Luke 3:11, the Holy Spirit, by John the Baptist, said; “He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none, and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.” In this order we have the principle of communism.
Then note the words of the Lord Jesus, spoken to His disciples; “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.” (Luke 12:32 and 33). Could Christians today sell or give away what they possess and provide well for their families? Christ’s language in Luke 12 is plain. Then in harmony with this we observe the events of Pentecost some months later: “Then they that gladly received his Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” “And all that believed were together and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” (Acts 2:41 and 44 and 45). This is almost complete communism.
The little flock became a larger flock; for three thousand more were added. If the Pentecost Church is our pattern Church, where is our communism?
Then note Acts 4:4, 34 and 35: “Howbeit many of them which heard the Word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.” “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of land or houses sold them, and brought the price of the things that were sold. And laid them down at the apostles’ feet and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
The little flock continued to increase and even multiply. (Acts 5:14 - Acts 6:7). Is it not as inconsistent to preach Acts 2:38 with the cry, “back to Pentecost” and not demand the sale of property and the surrender of the proceeds as it is to preach Mark 16:14 to 16 and wink at Mark 16:17 and 18?
In the Gospel of Luke surely the Lord Jesus Christ was Israel’s “Shepherd-King.” And from the messages proclaimed by Christ and the kingdom program He announced, Israel should surely have lived by the twenty-third Psalm, saying, “the Lord is my Shepherd.”
Remember that Christ was born in the city of David, and this was announced to shepherds. (Luke 2:8 to 14). Christ was born in the house of David, to deliver Israel from their Gentile oppressors (Luke 1:67 to 77).
Christ was born the Seed of David to be Israel’s Saviour, and to take the throne of David. (Acts 13:23 - Luke 1:27 to 33). These Scriptures state these facts most clearly and definitely. Christ’s disciples were thus instructed; “seek not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink” - “Take nothing for your journey, neither money, nor, its equivalent, no bread and just one garment.” (Luke 12:29 - Luke 9:3 - and Luke 10:3).
How could a Christian obey these instructions and at the same time obey I Timothy 5:8 providing well for his family?
In Luke 12:27 Christ said: “Consider the lilies that toil not.” In Proverbs Israel was instructed to consider the toiling ants, in a different dispensation.
Christians in this age of grace should consider both. Christians should toil but obey Philippians 4:6 and 7.
Again we ask if the Church of Pentecost was the ideal Church, why is not the communism of Acts 2:41 to 44 and 34 to 37 God’s program today? The whole Pentecost program was a Kingdom program.
Not long after those Christians gave up their property they were driven out of Jerusalem, and thus all their earthly possessions were gone. (Acts 8:1 and Acts 11:19).
Moreover later on Paul was asking Christians out of Jerusalem, including Gentiles, to send money by him for the support of the poor. (Romans 15:27). Our communism program is Romans 12:13.

Posted by Cecil Spivey at 11:16 AM

The three laws of Romans 8:1 to 4 occupy a very large place in the Bible:

1 . The law of sin and death - by Adam. 2. The law given at Sinai - by Moses. 3. The law of the Spirit of life - By Christ.
Some of the most interesting and significant truth in all the Bible is found in Romans 5:20 and 21: “Moreover, the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound; That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1. The offence entered by Adam. 2. The law entered by Moses. 3. Grace reigns unto eternal life by Christ.
The law of sin and death is universal. Death is spiritual, physical and the second death. (John 5:23 to 29) (Ephesians 2:1 to 6) (Romans 6:23) (Revelation 20:12 to 15). Sin and death entered by Adam. (Romans 5:12). The law was given by Moses. (John 1:17). By the law is the knowledge of sin, and by it let every mouth be closed. (Romans 3:19 and 20). “Wherefore the law worketh wrath.” (Romans 4:15). The law is “the ministration of death.” (II Corinthians 3:7), The law made nothing perfect; but the work of Christ on the cross did (Hebrews 7:19). This is the truth of Romans 8:2 to 4.
A very religious, sincere man tried to be righteous by the law and failed, because “the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.” Christ did what the law could not do. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 7:14 - Romans 8:3 - Romans 10:4). Note Paul’s confession and conclusion in Philippians 3:4 to 10 - Galatians 3:21 - Romans 3:28.
There is wonderful news for sinful humanity, in Romans 8:1 to 4, in the law of life in Christ Jesus.
All are condemned in Adam. (Romans 5:17 and 18). Moses’ law is the ministration of condemnation. (II Corinthians 3:9). But there is no condemnation to believers in Christ. (Romans 8:1). “By Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Read this good news in Acts 13:39 and give thanks unto the Lord for the truth of Romans 5:20 and 21.
Thus we see that By Adam is the entrance of sin. (Romans 5:12). By Moses is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20). By Christ is the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 13:38) (Romans 8:3).
The sum total of man’s spiritual duty and responsibility is To APPROPRIATE the law of the Spirit of life. To DEMONSTRATE the law of the Spirit of life. To PROPAGATE the law of the Spirit of life.
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus is the fact that the omnipotent, eternal perfect Christ had power to lay down His life in death, take it up in resurrection, and abolish death and give life and incorruptibility to believing sinners. (John 10:17 and 18 - II Timothy 1:10). Surely the very heart of the gospel is in II Timothy 1:9 and 10, confirming John 11:25 and showing how Christ established the law of life.
To APPROPRIATE this law of life is to be saved, is to pass out of death into life. Then God declares the believer to be alive from the dead. (Romans 6:13 - John 11:25 and 26 - Galatians 2:20 - Colossians 2:13). This is the truth of Romans 8:2, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
To DEMONSTRATE this law, means to demonstrate Galatians 2:20 - II Corinthians 4:6 - by walking in the Spirit, manifesting the fruit of the Spirit and fulfilling the righteousness of the law. (Romans 8:4). When the sinner by faith appropriates the law of life, he receives the Holy Spirit.
To PROPAGATE this law of life is to preach this life, giving the message to others. “We preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake; for God. Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (II Corinthians 4:5 and 6). As we thus demonstrate and propagate, let us remember I Corinthians 1:21.

Posted by Cecil Spivey at 11:14 AM

Let us read in Mark 6:11 the solemn words of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is going to be revealed in flaming fire for vengeance upon them who will not have Him as Saviour, (II Thessalonians 1:7 to 10), being assured that this awful judgment is rapidly approaching:
“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.” (Mark 6:11).
Compare with this His awful pronouncement upon Capernaum in very much the same language. The Lord referred to the mighty works that He had done in their midst. According to historians, terrible destruction fell upon Capernaum; but the words meant more terrible judgment than the destruction of that Christ-rejecting city. (Hebrews 9:27). (Luke 10:13 to 15).
Let us compare Genesis 19:24 and 25 and II Peter 2:6: “Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord of heaven: And He overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.”
A more terrible judgment than God’s upon Sodom and Gomorrah was pronounced upon the people, who would not hear and heed the messages which Christ proclaimed by His messengers. That fire and brimstone destruction of Gomorrah was an example of the “fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Christ died to deliver us from God’s wrath to come. Read Hebrews 10:29 to 32 - I Thessalonians 1:9 and 10. Then read II Peter 2:6 with II Thessalonians 1:7 to 10.
Why more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah? Sodom and Gomorrah did not have a visit from the incarnate God, the Lord Jesus Christ. They did not see the mighty works of the Son of God and hear Him speak as never man spake. Think of it; the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed about 1900 B.C. That was more than 500 years before Moses was directed to write Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, the first five Books of the Bible. The inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah did not have God’s written revelation. They had the revelation of God in Creation (Romans 1:18 to 30). They had the law written in their hearts. (Romans 2:15). Just imagine the people of the United States without a line of the Bible and never having heard of Christ, His teaching, death and resurrection.
Surely Lot’s testimony was about worthless. What other prophets did they have? Compare our spiritual privileges and spiritual opportunities with those of Sodom.
If they were without excuse (Romans 1:20), think of the inhabitants of Capernaum and Jerusalem after 4000 years of God’s dealings with man. They had the thirty-nine inspired Books, the Holy Scriptures, and then a visit of their own Divine, eternal Jehovah, Who proved by fulfilling the Scriptures and by miracles, signs and wonders, and by speaking as never man spake, His unity and equality with God. He proved to His friends that He was Israel’s promised Messiah. Sodom and Gomorrah had little Divine light compared with Israel in the days of Christ.
Note what Christ declared by Paul some years later: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” Acts 17:30. Compare this with Hebrews 10:28 to 33.
This age will end in the most terrible judgment this earth has ever known (Matthew 24:21 to 24).
Now the United States has all that Capernaum had and also the complete revelation of God in the Bible, 1900 years of Christianity, and in this country think of the gospel by radio, the Bill of Rights. No nation has ever been blessed with such spiritual privileges and opportunities as has this country.
It will be less tolerable for the people who live in the United States in the day of God’s wrath than for the inhabitants of Sodom or Capernaum. Wake up! stupid sinner and sleeping saints.

Posted by Cecil Spivey at 11:12 AM

In Hebrews 3:14 we read that we are made PARTAKERS OF CHRIST. Then let us see how this chapter begins: “Wherefore, holy brethren, PARTAKERS of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” (Hebrews 3:1).
We are PARTAKERS of the heavenly calling. We are PARTAKERS of Christ. So we want to consider just how we PARTAKE. Something of this is told by Christ in John 6:51; 53 to 58.
There are several different Greek words translated “PARTAKERS” or “PARTAKE.” The word used in Hebrews 3:14 and 3:1 is “METOCHOS.” This word is used in Luke 5:7 where the word is translated “PARTNERS.”
Note again in Luke 5:10, concerning James and John in the fishing business, “which were ‘PARTNERS’ with Simon.” This word translated ‘PARTNERS’ is the Greek “KOINONOS.” This is the word translated “PARTAKERS” in II Peter 1:4: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be PARTAKERS of the Divine nature.”
Here we learn that Christians are PARTAKERS of Christ’s nature; by promises. Then note Ephesians 3:6 “That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same Body, and PARTAKERS of His promise in Christ by the gospel.”
Here we learn that the once-alienated Gentiles are joint-heirs of the Joint-Body and JOINT-SHARERS of His promise. The Greek word here is “SUMMETOCHOS”, meaning COPARTNERS. Paul, in Romans 15:27, and Romans 11:17, tells the Gentile Christians that they were PARTAKERS of Israel’s spiritual BLESSING.
But in Titus 1:1 and II Timothy 1:9 we learn that before Israel was created for God’s glory, long before Adam was created in God’s image, Gentile members of the Body of Christ were promised eternal life. Read also Romans 8:28 to 32 - Ephesians 1:6 and 11.
Let us note Philippians 3:10: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the FELLOWSHIP of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.” FELLOWSHIP.” This word “FELLOWSHIP” is the Greek “KOINONIA”, which is translated “PARTAKER” in Romans 15:27 quoted above. Also in I Peter 4:13, where the same thought as Philippians 3:10 is expressed; Christians are to be PARTAKERS of the sufferings of Christ.
Note how this is expressed in II Timothy 1:8: “Be thou a PARTAKER (SUSKAKOPATHEO) of the afflictions of the gospel.” This means to really suffer. It has special reference to the ministry and message for which Paul was in the Roman prison. He wrote from that prison and called Philemon his PARTNER. (Philemon 17). This is the same Greek word as used in Luke 5:10.
We are told in Hebrews 2:14 and 15, that Christ was a PARTAKER of flesh and blood, to destroy Satan’s death power, and to deliver saints. In addition to Christ’s Divine nature He was a Partaker of human nature for the purpose of suffering death, (Hebrews 2:9), that we might, in addition to our human natures, be partakers of His Divine nature. (II Peter 1:4).
This blessing comes to believers who are PARTAKERS of Paul’s grace. (Philippians 1:7). This make them PARTAKERS of Christ’s holiness. (Hebrews 12:10). We are PARTAKERS of the Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 6:4). If we are PARTAKERS of Christ and PARTAKERS of His sufferings, we shall be PARTAKERS of His glory. (I Peter 5:1). Therefore we are PARTAKERS of hope. (I Corinthians 9:10).
We are warned against being PARTAKERS of other men’s sins. (I Timothy 2:22 - Ephesians 5:7 and 11). And a very special warning is given to Christians to have no fellowship in the support of any preacher who denies the Deity of Christ and salvation by His blood. Lest we be “PARTAKERS” of his evil deeds. (II John 5 to 9).

Posted by Cecil Spivey at 11:10 AM

First let us consider the two broken stones on which God Himself wrote the ten commandments. Israel’s law: “And He gave unto Moses, when He had made an end of communing with him upon Mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” (Exodus 31:18). “And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon tables.” (Exodus 32:16). “And it came to pass as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and BRAKE them beneath the mount.” Exodus 32:19.
This was very significant. The BROKEN STONES meant not only that Israel had broken God’s law, but the best that the best of the human race could do would be to break God’s law. “And I took the two tables and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes.” Deuteronomy 9:17. But note Exodus 34:1: “And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou BRAKEST.” And 25:21: “And thou shalt put the mercyseat upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.”
Here we see both the terror of the law and the mercy of God under the law. In Hebrews 2:1 to 3 and in Romans 3:25 to 27 we learn that surely every disobedience and transgression must receive a just recompense of reward and that God must first be just and then merciful. The law of the Lord is just and demands justice and perfection. The mercyseat spoke of Christ on the cross being the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. (I John 2:2).
The law worketh wrath. (Romans 4:15). (Read John 7:19). Christ made peace through the blood of His cross. (Colossians 1:20).
Christ lived a sinless life under the law, then died with lawbreakers, for all lawbreakers, to deliver them from the curse of the law, (Galatians 3:13). Thus Christ became the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:4).
Because of Christ’s perfection in life, death and resurrection, God can be just and the Justifier of all who believe on Christ and accept His perfect propitiation. God freely justifies all such believers. (Romans 3:24 to 28 - Acts 13:39). Of this the blood-sprinkled mercyseat, above the unbroken stones spoke.
When God gave the law at Sinai no one could endure it. (Hebrews 12:20). It was contrary to them. (Colossians 2:13 to 16). It was a yoke no one but Christ was able to bear. (Acts 15:10).
Thus we have the BROKEN STONES and the BROKEN COMMANDMENTS. “The House of Israel and the House of Judah have BROKEN My Covenant.” (Jeremiah 30:10 - Psalms 89:31 and 34). Later Israel and Judah fell on the Stone of Matthew 21:44 and were BROKEN. (Romans 11:11).
Now note the words of Christ in Luke 22:19 and the words of Paul in I Corinthians 10:16 and I Corinthians 11:24: “And He took bread and gave thanks and BRAKE it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me.” “The bread which we BRAKE, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” “And when He had given thanks, He BRAKE it, and said, Take, eat; this is My body, which is BROKEN for you: this do in remembrance of Me.”
Thus we have the BROKEN STONES - The BROKEN COVENANT (law) - The BROKEN BODY of Christ - The BROKEN BREAD.
We BREAK bread at the Lord’s Table because His body was BROKEN, because the descendants of Adam BROKE the law.
Then after we accept the broken body of Christ for redemption and think of Calvary, when taking the broken bread at the Table, let us remember another broken thing: “The sacrifices of God are a BROKEN spirit: a BROKEN and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms 51:17.
In Jeremiah 30:8 we read that the Lord will come to BREAK the Gentiles’ yoke off Israel.

Posted by Cecil Spivey at 11:09 AM

In God’s message and program of grace revealed to the apostle Paul, we read: “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature,” “he has put off the old man and has put on the new man, who is created in the image of Him Who created him.” The new creature has died and has been buried and resurrected with Christ (spiritually); and he is a member of that Church Which is one flesh with Christ. Christ will present that Church unto Himself as a glorious, spotless Church, holy and without blemish. (II Corinthians 5:17 - Colossians 3:10 - Romans 6:3 to 6 - Ephesians 5:31 and 32 - Ephesians 5:26 and 27).
In Genesis 1:26 and 27 and 5:1 and 2, we have a two-fold story of the creation of Adam. Adam was created, without Eve, in the image and likeness of God. Then in Genesis 5:1 and 2 we read that God created them (Adam and Eve) . . . “God called THEIR name ADAM.” We read in Genesis 2:23 that Adam and Eve were one flesh. Adam and Eve, one flesh, called “ADAM”, typified the Lord Jesus Christ and the Church, one flesh, called “Christ”, in Ephesians 5:31 and 32 and I Corinthians 12:12.
Christ was the one Perfect Man. Christ and the Church will be one Perfect Man. (Ephesians 4:13). God will complete that which He is making according to Ephesians 2:15, “One New Man”. Adam, the first man, was a figure of Christ the Second Man, the last Adam. (Romans 5:14 - I Corinthians 15:45 to 48). Then note the contrast, between Adam created in God’s image and likeness and Adam’s children born in his sinful likeness. (Genesis 5:3).
This sinful image and likeness of Adam has been passed on to every member of the human race. (Psalm 51:5 - Romans 5:12).
Jesus Christ was the express image of God’s Person, and the effulgence of God’s glory. In Christ dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Hebrews 1:1 and 2 - Colossians 2:9 - Colossians 1:15 to 19). Christ was God in human form. The Word became flesh, the Man Jesus of Nazareth, in the form of flesh and blood; in the likeness of sinful flesh. (John 1:14 - Hebrews 2:14 - Romans 8:3). Open your Bible and read Philippians 2:5 to 10.
Before Adam sinned God foreknew and predestinated that, for the glory of His Son, He would have a race of sons conformed to the image of Christ, God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus. Whom God foreknew He predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:28 to 32 - Ephesians 2:10). In Romans 8:20 and 31 we learn that man’s glorification is included in this eternal purpose of God. (II Timothy 1:9 - Ephesians 3:11). So the believer can say “Christ liveth in me, the hope of glory.” (Galatians 2:20 - Colossians 1:27).
Yes, the believer is a new creature in Christ Jesus. Note his experience, told in II Corinthians 3:18 - II Corinthians 4:16 and in Romans 8:23.
“Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” This means that the man, whose soul is redeemed, is longing for and groaning for a glorified body.
The Holy Spirit is the earnest of something better than the condition of the believer described in II Corinthians 4:16. Read Ephesians 1:13 and 14. In Philippians 3:20 and 21 we learn that the glorified state of believers means bodies like unto the glorious body of the glorified Christ. Then the spotless glorious Church will be presented unto Christ.
Christ, in addition to His Divine nature, took upon Himself human nature; that believing children of Adam, in addition to their human natures, might receive Divine natures. (Hebrews 2:14 - II Peter 1:3 and 4 and John 1:11 to 13).
The Lord Jesus Christ will appear in a moment in the twinkling of an eye for the redemption of the bodies of members of His Body. (I Corinthians 15:51 to 55). Then for the redemption of Israel. (Luke 21:27 to 33). Then for the redemption of the earth.

Posted by Cecil Spivey at 11:07 AM

Most important instructions are given to members of the Body of Christ in Ephesians 6:11 and 12 - “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (the heavenlies).” Think of the paradox; The angel of light is the head ruler of darkness.
These great unseen heavenly forces are real and only the blood-redeemed saint of God, in the panoply of Ephesians 6:11 to 18, can stand against spiritual wickedness and Satan’s PRINCIPALITIES and POWERS in the heavenlies. Let us not think of Satan as being in the lake of fire. But while he is at the head of evil forces in heaven, we know that Satan also is the god of this age and the prince of this world. (John 12:30 to 32 - Luke 4:1 to 10 - II Corinthians 4:3 and 4). As we read Satan’s offer to Christ in Luke 4, we know something of his power.
Yes, Satan is at the head of all world systems, societies and brotherhoods, whether they be political or religious, if Christ is not the center. He is transformed into an angel of light. (II Corinthians 11:14). He is subtle, wise, powerful and clever. He is the great deceiver not only deceiving the sinners but he uses his devices on Christians. (II Corinthians 11:1 to 3 - II Corinthians 2:12 to 14 - Ephesians 6:11 and 12). Even though Satan is the prince of the world, Christ Himself said, “render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s.” (Matthew 22:21). So we read in Titus 3:1, “be subject to PRINCIPALITIES and POWERS, to obey magistrates.” Satan is a usurper, and is doomed.
How wonderful for the Christian to know that PRINCIPALITIES and POWERS, whether under Satan as a political leader or under him as a religious leader, can never separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:38 and 39).
We learn, in Colossians 1:16, that the Lord Jesus Christ created thrones, dominions, PRINCIPALITIES and POWERS. When they were created before the fall of Lucifer, the anointed cherub, they were not antagonistic, ungodly PRINCIPALITIES and POWERS. Christ created all things but nothing evil. The fourteenth chapter of Isaiah, the twenty-eighth of Ezekiel, together with Luke 10:18, Revelation 12:7 to 11 and Revelation 20:1 to 10 tell us how the prince of this world’s course is down, down, down, down and down. Out of the mountain of God into other heavenlies; next to the earth as the dragon; then to the bottomless pit and finally to the lake of fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
Satan, as a roaring lion, does go about seeking whom he may devour. (I Peter 5:8 and 9). But we read of the prince of the power of the air in Ephesians 2:1 to 3, the spirit now working in the children of disobedience. Yes the devil is the ruler of world darkness at the head of PRINCIPALITIES and POWERS. (Ephesians 6:11 to 13).
In Ephesians 1:19 to 23, we read of the mighty power of God which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him far above the heavenly PRINCIPALITIES and POWERS. Christ, thereby, spoiled PRINCIPALITIES and POWERS and made a show of them triumphing over them in His resurrection and His ascension. (Colossians 2:15).
Christ will come back to this earth, as the last Adam, to put down all rule (PRINCIPALITY), and all AUTHORITY and POWER. (I Corinthians 15:24). Then He will deliver the kingdom up to God that He may be all in all. (I Corinthians 15:28).
The reason why every Christian should make others see the dispensation of the mystery, that the Church might make known to PRINCIPALITIES and POWERS the manifold wisdom of God, which has to do with the Body of Christ, seated in the heavenlies, and perhaps headed for the high place once occupied by Satan. (Ephesians 2:6 and Ephesians 3:8 to 11).
Satan hates this truth with a vicious hatred but very few Christians are causing him much concern by propagating it or even knowing it.

Posted by Cecil Spivey at 1:54 PM

In very clear, simple language we read in Matthew 10:5, the command which the Lord Jesus Christ gave to His twelve apostles, “go not into the way of the Gentiles.” Christ meant what He said.

In Romans 10:13 to 15 we learn that faith cometh by hearing the Word of God. How can they believe unless they hear and how can they hear unless a preacher be sent? Christ on earth and his apostles and disciples were not sent to Gentiles. Gentiles could not hear, for the preacher was not sent to the Gentiles while Christ was here on earth. His statement concerning His own ministry is very positive and clear: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 15:24). He spoke of the Jews as “children”, the Gentiles as “dogs.” The rulers of Israel had to tolerate the Gentiles politically, but religiously they held them in contempt. Israel in “the times of the Gentiles”, politically had to render unto Caesar the things that were Caesar’s.
Read what the Jews did to Christ when He mentioned in their synagogue how two Gentiles had received the Lord’s blessing: “And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath. And rose up and thrust Him out of the city, and led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong.” (Luke 4:28 and 29). Think of it - the religious Jews angry unto murder because Gentiles had been blessed by God.
Note what the twelve apostles said when they had a splendid opportunity to preach to a poor needy Gentile: “But He (Christ) answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.” (Read Mark 7:24 to 30).
This poor needy Gentile woman was of great faith and she took her place as a Gentile “dog,” receiving the leavings from the Jews’ table. (Matthew 15:25 to 27 - Mark 7:28).
At the time the Lord Jesus Christ was on earth, made under the law (Galatians 4:4), born to be Israel’s Saviour (Acts 13:23), He was the Minister of the Jews, sent only to Israel. (Romans 15:8 and Matthew 15:24). At that time the Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, far-off atheists. (Ephesians 2:11 to 13).
For some months after the death and resurrection of Christ, the apostles and disciples preached to Jews only. (Acts 11:18). It was not permissible for the Jewish Christians to go to unsaved Gentiles. (Acts 10:28). When the Jewish Christians refused to sit at the same table with Gentile Christians, after the commission of Acts 13:2, that was going too far. (Galatians 2:11 to 14).
When Paul told the Jews at Jerusalem that he saw Jesus in a trance in their temple and Jesus said to Paul, “get thee out of Jerusalem; I will send you far hence to the Gentiles”, those Jews wanted to tear Paul into pieces. (Acts 22:17 to 21). But when they forbade Paul and others to preach Christ to the Gentiles, they got into very, very serious trouble. (I Thessalonians 2:14 to 16).
But Israel’s serious trouble and disgrace brought great blessing and grace for the Gentiles. (Romans 11:11, Romans 11:15 and Romans 11:30). God then ushered in a new period and gave Paul a new dispensation of the grace of God for Gentiles. (Ephesians 3:1 to 11). Then God revealed His eternal purpose, His long-kept secret. (Colossians 1:24 to 28). A part of that secret was, “Christ in the Gentile believer”, “the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27).
Then there was no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles. They that were nigh (Israel) and they that were afar-off (the Gentiles) were made one in Christ, in the JointBody of Ephesians 3:6.
In 1945 A.D. we are living in “the times of the Gentiles,” politically, and spiritually.
In the Four Gospels, as well as in much of the Book of Acts, we find much grace mixed with God’s religious program, but not God’s unmixed, all grace program that we find in Paul’s Epistles.

Posted by Cecil Spivey at 1:53 PM

In this lesson we are studying some of the DOORS of the New Testament Scriptures.

First let us read Matthew 28:2; “And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from THE DOOR, and sat upon it.”
Paul in I Corinthians 15:17 wrote: “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”
The very crux of Christianity is the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. If Christ had not made good His claim of John 10:17 and 18, concerning His power to lay down and take up again His life, Christianity would have perished in a very short while. But God by His mighty power raised Christ far above all principality, even far above all heavens. (Ephesians 1:19 to 23 - Ephesians 4:9 to 11). The DOOR of Christ’s sepulchre was opened and He came out and showed Himself alive by many infallible proofs. (Acts 1:3 - Revelation 1:18).
Because of the perfect redemptive work of the perfect Christ we may accept at full face value, and with absolute assurance, His words in John 10:9 - “I AM THE DOOR: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” The Lord Jesus Christ is the one and only DOOR to salvation.
If you and I knew the day of the month that God did what is recorded in Acts 14:27, we should celebrate it with greater joy than we celebrate the Fourth of July. What a day for us Gentiles! Read it - “God opened THE DOOR OF FAITH UNTO THE GENTILES.” This was not while Christ was on earth. It was some years after He went back to heaven. At that time the Gentiles were alienated from the life of God. (Ephesians 4:18).
There is a sense in which every member of the Body of Christ is a DOORKEEPER in the House of the Lord. (I Timothy 3:15 and 16). And you know what the Psalmist said in Psalm 84:10. We are not to put religious timber in front of the door, but point sinners to the open door.
In I Corinthians 16:9 Paul said, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” There are still many open doors and even more adversaries under the chief Adversary.
Note the message of Revelation 3:8, ‘‘Behold, I have set before thee an open door.” Never before were there so many open doors of opportunity for Christians.
Then Paul said, in II Corinthians 2:12, “A door was opened unto me of the Lord.” It is wonderful to know when the Lord opens the doors for us. We repeat that there were never as many open doors for the gospel as there are today. God is calling Christians everywhere to enter in. What a privilege, and what a challenge, and what a wonderful opportunity under our Bill of Rights! Public meetings, street meetings, printed tracts, radio and posters.
Remember these solemn words. “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut the door.” (Luke 13:25). God will close the door of grace, the door of opportunity for Christians, the door of salvation for sinners.
Yes, we read in James 5:9, “Behold, the Judge standeth before the door.” Why not enter in by Christ, the door, have Him as Saviour rather than Judge?
Perhaps you could count within a few minutes all of the Christians who are today praying the prayer of Colossians 4:3, that a door of utterance for the mystery of Christ, the most wonderful message for saints in all the Bible, might be opened. Begin praying now. And sinner, remember Christ stands at your door (your heart) and wants to come in. (Revelation 3:20).
It is interesting to read Acts 13:45 and 46, Acts 14:1 to 7 and Acts 14:27 and learn that the door of faith was opened unto the Gentiles when and because Israel would not believe that Christ was raised from the dead to give to them the sure mercies of David and remission of sins and justification by and through the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 13:30 to 39). Do not have the DOOR of Acts 14:27 open before God opened it.

Posted by Cecil Spivey at 1:51 PM