As Paul the
apostle continued to share how God “revealed” His
“mystery” that the Gentiles would also be included in His
Salvation plan, he shared how “in other ages” it “was
not made known unto the sons of men”. However, at Paul's time
is was “revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit”. In chapter three and verse six of his letter to the
Ephesians, Paul shared how the “Gentiles should be fellowheirs
of the same body” where we read:
That the
Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body,
and
partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
The
verse begins, “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of
the same body,...” Paul began with the phrase, “That the
Gentiles” which refers to “multitudes, companies, troops and
swarms of individuals of the same nature or genus and heathens”
“should be fellowheirs” which means “joint heirs, and
ones who obtain something assigned to themselves with others and
joint participants”, “and of the same body” or
“belonging to the same body or church”. The “mystery” of God
revealed that “Gentiles”, who were once distant from a
relationship with God, “belonged to the body of Christ which is
known as the church”.
The
verse goes on to say, “...and partakers of his promise in
Christ by the gospel:” Paul
continued, “and partakers”
which means “taking together with one and co-participants” “of
his promise” or “God's
announcement, assent, pledge and message” “in Christ”
who is “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “by
the gospel” which means “good
news and tidings of the kingdom of God” which is “soon to be set
up, and subsequently also of Jesus the Messiah, the founder of
this kingdom. After the death of Christ, the term comprises also the
preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ as having suffered death on
the cross to procure eternal salvation for the men in the kingdom of
God, but as restored to life and exalted to the right hand of God in
heaven, thence to return in majesty to consummate the kingdom of
God”. In addition to being
“fellowheirs, and of the same body, the Gentiles were to be
participants in the “promise”
given by Jesus Christ of the “good news” of the Kingdom of God.
When
we think through these words of Paul, we admire God's plan to include
the “Gentiles” in His Salvation plan. Rather than being
alienated from the “family of God”, the Gentiles were now
“fellowheirs” and “partakers” with those who
were originally in a position to relate to God. Because of Jesus'
sacrifice on the cross, the “good news” of Jesus Christ to the
Gentiles was that they belong to His church too. May all read Paul's
words give praise and honor to our Creator God who has made such
provisions for all people to be a part of His family.
Next
time Paul shares tells the Ephesians that is was “the
gift of the grace of God” that
made him “a minister”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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