THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH

[Doug]

[Ephesians 5:28 KJV] 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Only in Paul do we find instructions on how husbands and wives should relate to one another.

Only Paul reveals that marriage depicts the relationship between Christ and the church, the body of Christ.

In Genesis God revealed that in marriage man and woman would become one flesh........[Genesis 2:24 KJV] 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Paul restates Genesis 2:24, but fully manifests what God meant in saying husband and wife would be one flesh..........[Ephesians 5:31 KJV] 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh............hidden in Genesis was that the joining of husband and wife in marriage to become one reflected how that the church, in the same manner, would be joined together with Christ.........[Ephesians 5:32 KJV] 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

It just came to mind what the secular world says in regard to loving yourself. The wisdom of the world says that you can't love another until you first love yourself. God says otherwise. God says we inherently love ourselves........[Ephesians 5:29 KJV] 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

 

[Behold]

None of the origianl 12 Apostle who were with Jesus during His ministry, understood anything about the NT Church.

This "mystery" was initially revealed by Paul.

 

[LoveYeshua]

None of the origianl 12 Apostle who were with Jesus during His ministry, understood anything about the NT Church.

This "mystery" was initially revealed by Paul.

you guys are incorrigible @Doug

Jesus Himself proves the claim false, because He taught the apostles, opened their understanding, and prepared them for the church long before Paul ever believed. After His resurrection, Jesus “opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). This shows that the apostles already knew God’s plan. He spoke to them directly about His church, saying to Peter, “on this rock I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18), so the church was not a secret held back from them. Jesus also promised them the Holy Spirit, saying, “He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26), which means they would receive full understanding through the Spirit Himself.

Jesus sent the apostles out with the same mission He had received from the Father when He said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21). He told them plainly that they would be His witnesses to every part of the world, saying, “you shall receive power… and you shall be witnesses to Me… to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This shows they already understood the worldwide mission of the church before Paul ever began preaching. Then, on the day of Pentecost, Peter preached the first salvation message of the church, saying, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized… For the promise is to you… and to all who are afar off” (Acts 2:38–39). This proves the apostles understood the message, the mission, and the nature of the church from the start.

The words of Jesus and the actions of His apostles make it clear that the original twelve did understand everything they needed to know, because Jesus taught them directly and the Spirit confirmed it. The idea that the church was a mystery first revealed to Paul cannot stand against the plain words of Scripture.

I am really tired to see such comments that diminish Christ and his disciples, this is clearly wrong.I have told you before but you still deny it fully.

Please no need to reply.