Gospels and Raptures (Grace - Part 28): Additional

The Gospels and their Raptures (Grace - Part 28)

Additional

The end part of the probational period, that ±40 years of Israel under testing, Acts 28:28, brought about the official suspension of the Kingdom program for the next 2000-years. Israel under the promise of Abraham had fallen through the cracks, the Jews were dispersed and the temple was in ruins. 

This also marked the beginning of the 'undiluted' grace church, the Body of Christ, where there was no more wall of separation, no more distinguishing between the nations, no more preeminence of the Jew. Paul's writings to the far hence Gentiles was now the only valid doctrine of the day and provided all humanity with a new hope and salvation where once there was no hope and no salvation apart from Israel. It was during this time that the Word of God was unfettered, even though the messenger had been in chains for those last few years,

2 Timothy 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

The two parts of the Body of Christ

One thing that is important to understand at this late stage in the study is that the Body of Christ has two parts to its whole. If one is ignorant of this concept, then it becomes difficult to place the origin of the grace church. Let me clarify. 

The first part of the Body of Christ were those believers who came to salvation under the gospel of Christ. These were them which came out of the synagogues, —those Jews and Greeks who were stirred in faith to believe Paul's gospel of Christ. The Body at this point was a mix of Jew and Greek (Gentile) in a melting pot of culture and tradition. The church was under a moderated version of the law, as according to the decisions at the council meeting in Jerusalem, Acts 15:28-31, and under tolerance and cooperation of cultures as by the pen of Paul, for example, 1 Cor.8:1-13; 1 Cor.11:1-16; Rom.14:1-23. 

These brethren, being connected to the Jewish faith and blessings, were still under the promise of Abraham. They were heirs according to promise (Gal.3:29), and in true sense could be identified as spiritual Jews. If the kingdom program had come, these Gentiles would have been saved because of their connection to Israel, because they blessed them and acknowledged them according to the purposes of God.

The second part of the Body of Christ were those 'far hence' Gentiles who came to salvation under the gospel of the grace of God. These were them who had no hope and were without God in the world according to Eph.2:11-13.

Eph.2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

It is these believers whom Paul calls, 'fellowheirs', being joined with those 'heirs' in the first group to make up the complete body of Christ. Paul provides more details of this merging of saints in the following passage,

Eph.2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Can you see the two parts of the Body of Christ here. The reason for these two parts is simply the fact that this program transitioned out of the Jewish kingdom program. This transition took 30-40 years to fully complete, and in all this time, there was still a chance that Israel could turn and believe. There were grey lines between the Jew and the Gentile and there was cross-pollination between the cultures and traditions. However, the Body existed as a fledgling, only maturing, to the point that we know it today, when the unbelief of Israel resulted in their fall and the destruction of the temple.

It is this complete Body of Christ that is the new creature (2 Cor.5:17). As Paul writes,

2 Cor.5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

This body of Christ is a unique creature, having died when Christ died, having been buried when Christ was buried, and having been resurrected when Christ was raised. The work of Christ is imputed to this body. We are made complete in Him and associated by his complete work. The Body of Christ stands apart from all other dispensations because of this association. Our destination in the heavens and the position of honour the body will have in the Millennium is beyond what we can envision. That is the grace and love that is poured out over us in this time of grace.

Eph.2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Eph.1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: