try, or, test, the things that are different

[epouraniois]

I would really like to talk about 2 things. Each of which are much more than incredibly huge subjects. Much More.One is the instruction to try the things that are different, and the other would be the subject of what is a better resurrection. We might do well to ask, better than what? Is there something different that we might need to really pay some attention to? The apostle says there is, and that we do.This, I feel, must be preempted by historical fact. In the CB we find, in app. 180, a chronology of the the books, or epistles, written after Christ resurrected. We are keen to know about the historical order of the OT, while at the same time seemingly unawares of the order of the NT writings. This is a mistake we make without conscious acknowledgment. An important oversight to be sure. This oversight is, in fact and in practice, a crusher.Are you aware that the apostle was given to write seven more epistles after the period covered by the Acts find Israel unable to obtain? Now, I am not much of a mathematician, but I know that, in math, when we add a parenthesis, (), we are adding an additional factor that changes the equation, and after all those letters written during the Acts (when the kingdom hope for Israel was active) we are given some information by the risen Christ through His chosen vessel Paul, a parenthesis concerning the time that now is. Biblically, this parenthetical time-frame is called the times of the gentiles (be fulfilled), and also called, the fullness of times.These are easily followed by looking up the words 'but now'. Something was such and such a way, but now...The apostle goes to great lengths to say he is emphatically NOW revealing something new, something God hid from ages and from generations - something God had hid in Himself (and not in the Bible); even calling this new doctrine and new practice a new creation. The apostle testifies that he is now a prisoner for the hope of you gentiles. And he explains all this in detail. Paul says these things are untrackable, meaning, they are not in the OT, that there are no tracks of this revelation to be discoverd. Indeed, the apostle does not, because he cannot, quote the OT when revealing what he is told to call 'the mystery', wherein the apostle writes of this in his 'prison epistles', all written after Acts concludes, being Eph, Col, Ph'p, and 2nd Tim. The other three written after Acts are of a personal nature and do not really have so much of doctrine and practice in them as do the four just given.In the Greek, we have two possible renderings of this verse ~Phi 1:10 That ye may approve {try/as in testing} things that are excellent {that differ}; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; This verse echoes another ~2Ti 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Paul has been praying here (Phi 1:9), that your love may abound yet more and more, but in a very specific way. First, the apostle prays that your love may abound yet more and more in acknowledgment (the Gr. = 'in acknowledgment', not 'in knowledge'), then adds to this acknowledgment, that your love may abound more and more in all judgment. For what cause? That your love might have a continual abounding in all acknowledgment and and in all judgment so that you may be able to try the things that are different, "that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ". This goes to the apostles acknowledgment that some things are different, are better, are more excellent, and that there are things which must be rightly divided to the intent that you might be found a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Studying (Gr. = earnestly endeavoring) to show thyself approved unto God, being tied into the above from 2Tim2.15 and Proverbs, teaching that we are not to be leaning on our own understanding, but trusting the Lord to direct His own paths, our acknowledgment of the paths which He has cut straight. So there are most definitely things that the Lord has made differences of, and we are to rightly divide them by acknowledging where the Lord has cut them, trying the things that are different, approving of the things that are more excellent.The book written to the Hebrews has the mark of 'better running throughout. What are these things that are more excellent, what is a better resurrection? All these things and more are included in that which must be rightly divided, in those things which can be easily found when we try the things that are different.Many will say that things are the same as they always have been, that there is no difference. To these folks, I would ask in vain for a list of verses showing what it is that is the same, the subject being what is the same during the Acts compared to that which was revealed after Acts. It will be a short list to be sure. But Paul does not instruct us to list the things that are the same, rather, the apostle writes that we list the things that are different. This then, must be the better way. * ‘The earth’ (Matt. 5:5)The Kingdom* ‘Jerusalem which is above’ (Gal. 4:26)The Bride* ‘In heavenly places’ (Eph. 1:3)The Body

 

[epouraniois]

A word on predestination is in order.First it must be realized that there are no Biblical unbelievers referred to in the doctrine of predestination. the word comes down to us from two Greek words, pro, or prior, and, horizo, or horizon. It is a prior horizon which has been set. The horizon is a boundary where the sky meets the earth or sea. This boundary has been prior set, and the Lord knows who will desire to walk within the Biblical pre-set boundary and who will not. Let us quickly acknowledge that the Bible declares, there are vessels unto honor and vessels unto dishonor. All will be raised, the just and the unjust. Christ died for the ungodly. He was made sin for us in the reconciling of the world. We need to be reconciled unto this fact declares the apostle of the reconciliation (Paul).The word predestination has been taken to an extreme not found in the Bible. That we can see the word destiny in the word does not come into the Biblical window. The measure is faith, and the walk is one of two found in the Bible. The righteous can only be found so in so far as they are covered with the righteousness of Christ.To argue that some are destined to perish for all ages begs the review in the difficulty to see how any one holding such a doctrine, could ever preach the gospel of salvation, could ever contemplate the "plucking" of even "one brand from the burning" or why anyone should bother to preach at all.Predestination occurs twice in Ephesians, once it is "unto adoption" and once to an "inheritance" (1:5,11). This second occurrence falls into line with the usage of the LXX. Horizo in the LXX is found in the proximity of the words kleros and kleronomia, words that mean "the obtaining of an inheritance by lot". "This shall be your west border" horion (Num. 34:6). "Jordan shall be their boundary, horizo, on the east: this is the inheritance (kleronomia) of the children of Benjamin" (Joshua 18:20 LXX). "See, that I have given to you (lit. "cast upon you") these nations that are left to you by lots (klerois) to your tribes . . . and the boundaries (or he shall be bound horizo) shall be at the great sea westward" (Josh. 23:4 LXX).C.Welch writes ~In the context of most of the references to horizo will be found words that mean an inheritance obtained by lot. Seeing that the Apostle has linked "predestination" prohorizo with "obtaining an inheritance" (kleroo), this O.T. usage must be recognized. Predestination, or "marking off beforehand" is what every one does when he makes a will. Here, in the Will of the Father, we are permitted to see that "adoption" and "inheritance" are secured. That a human "will" is a permissible analogy, Galatians 3:15 and 4:1,2 will make dear. Those who were chosen in Christ before the overthrow of Genesis 1:2, were also (in addition to God's earthly peoples) "marked off before hand" and as the R.V. reads were "foreordained unto adoption".Turning to the section that speaks of predestination we read: "For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified" (Rom. 8:29,30).The simple analysis of the passages ~A PREDESTINATION-Conformity. Steps leading to B PURPOSE-Christ. Firstborn among many brethrenA PREDESTINATION-Glory. Steps leading to.The word proginosko, to foreknow, occurs five times in the N.T., and the noun, prognosis, twice, making seven references in all. Acts 2:23; Acts 26:4,5; Rom. 8:29; Rom. 11:2; 1 Pet. 1:2; 1 Pet. 1:20; 2 Pet. 3:17A Reference to Christ and His sacrifice (Acts 2:23) B Reference to man and his previous knowledge of facts (Acts 26:4,5) C Reference to the elect people of God (Rom. 8:29; 11:2, 1 Petr. 1:2)A Reference to Christ and His sacrifice (1 Petr. 1:20) B Reference to man and his foreknowledge as a result of Scriptual testimony (2 Petr. 3:17)In John 17 we find the Christ in prayer, stating that 'thy word is truth'. Let us hold fast the form of sound words and not be carried off by every wind of doctrine by the slieght of men who lie in wait to deceive.We are nearly prepared to look at what differs, and what is more excellent, as Abraham had also done, and, being an example, did not settle for what he was promised, but awaited something 'better'. We shall find, if we want to do this study, that there is something written to the nations which aligns with Abraham's 'better resurrection', BUT something that has nothing to do with Israel's things, as it is written.* ‘The earth’ (Matt. 5:5)The Kingdom* ‘Jerusalem which is above’ (Gal. 4:26)The Bride* ‘In heavenly places’ (Eph. 1:3)The Body

 

[epouraniois]

Differences, as noted above, there must be. To approve that which is more excellent indicates this as well. There must be something specific to be found rightly dividing. Can we look at something that brings us close to some differences, but first let us remember to place this epistle in it's proper point in time, which would be, the first letter written after Acts, while Paul sat chained to a Roman soldier in his own house for two years. Remember too, that in Acts, Paul was in bonds for the hope of Israel, while here we read something not found in previous letters ~Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,When we see these words, ‘For this cause’, we immediately realize that this refers to something that has gone before. And this is the case here, and especially referring to the chapter before. Paul has been describing a church here, that is reconciled, at peace, blessed far above all that is flesh, and the strife that is found in the flesh, and built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone. And this building is growing together that it might be an habitation for the Spirit. There are immediately 5 things that are unique and readily discernible. They are different than anything else we’ve ever found in the Bible before. 1.Blessings that were promised are unique, because it is every blessing that is spiritual. That is different than they'd ever had before because they'd never had every blessing that is spiritual.2.And the sphere of their enjoyment is unique, because the enjoyment is in heavenly places, whereas every blessing before this had always been spoken of as being enjoyed on the earth. 3.The period of choice is unique, because these were chosen before the overthrow of the world, whereas all other choosing had been since the overthrow. 4.The position is unique, made to sit together in heavenly places, in Christ. That is a high and unique position.5.The unity is unique. Back in 2. 15, that the twain, the Jew and the Gentile, were created one new man. It is all these things that Paul has in mind, when he starts out to say, “For this cause”. It is everything Paul has already been speaking about in the first two chapters, written after Israel takes her place amidst the nations, written after 'the Salvation of God is sent to the nations...departing to have great reasoning among themselves'. (Acts 28.28, 29).The Berean Expositor points out ~Throughout the Acts of the Apostles and the epistles of the period, the Jew is "first" (see Rom. 1:16). The Kingdom of Israel is ever before the mind (see Acts 1-6); when the Apostle Paul reached Rome, he did not visit the Church so far as we are told, but sent for the elders of the Jews. After an all-day conference, the people of Israel were solemnly dismissed by the quotation of Isa. 6:9,10, and, for the first time since the call of Abraham, the salvation of God was sent to the Gentiles without reference to the people of Israel.Things that are the sameEnglishmen:Eat,Drink,Sleep.Frenchmen:Eat,Drink,Sleep.Things that differ England is a Monarchy.English money standard is the £ .English rule of the road is "Keep left". France is a Republic.French money standard is the Franc.French rule of the road "Keep right".What divides them is the English Channel.Things that are the sameThe Word of God.Redemption by blood of Christ.God the Father.(The Dispensation covered by the Acts)Things that differThe people of Israel a present factor.The presence of Miraculous gifts.The Hope of Israel.Things that are the sameThe Word of God.Redemption by the blood of Christ.God the Father.(Acts 28 The Dispensation of the Mystery Ephesians) Things that differThe people of Israel absent.The absence of miraculous gifts.The hope of glory.In the Prison Epistles of Paul, Israel has gone, and with Israel the hope connected with that nation. In its place is "the hope that is laid up in heaven", "which was preached unto every creature under heaven" (see Col. 1:5,23,27, 3:4)."Englishmen eat, drink and sleep. Frenchmen eat, drink and sleep, therefore Englishmen are Frenchmen." You may have been exercised in your reading of the Scriptures as to the evident differences that are to be found in the Gospels, the Acts, the epistles and the Book of Revelation, for example, differences as to spheres of blessing, such as, "the meek shall inherit the earth", and "all spiritual blessings in heavenly places." You may have discerned a real difference between "The Kingdom" and "The Church," or between "The Bride" and "The Body", and then someone has demolished the whole of your conception of truth by saying something like this: "All the redeemed are saved by the same precious blood, they receive the same gift of life, they read the same inspired Book, they worship the same God, they own and are owned by the same Father, therefore all these so-called differences are fanciful and highly dangerous,"Now while you readily perceive the fallacy in the argument about Englishmen being Frenchmen because both eat, drink and sleep, you may not so readily perceive the self-same fallacy in the argument that denies all the differences concerning different companies of the redeemed taught by the Scriptures, simply because such companies have some things in common.

 

[epouraniois]

Col 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God.God chose an earthen vessel by which He would fulfill (Greek pleroo, "complete") the Word of God. That's what Paul did - with the revelation of the mystery [secret] given to him, God has completed His word to the world.Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Ti 2:15 To cut straight, as paths; to hold a straight course; generally, to make straight; to handle rightly the Word of God, by acknowledging Him to direct the pathsIn all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Pro 3:6 We are given in the OT and throughout the Acts of the NT God's purpose to establish a literal, physical, earthly, Davidic, Messianic kingdom, with Jesus Christ as the king of kings, ruling over the twelve apostles, who will rule over the twelve tribes of Israel, who will rule over the nations of this earth. This is God’s prophetic program for His people.We are given in the Prison Epistles alone God's purpose to form a spiritual body of believers called "the Body of Christ", with Christ as the Head. This body will be perfectly "conformed to the image of His Son" and will rule and reign with Christ in the heavenly places. This is God’s mystery program.The purpose for the time now present is two-fold and has to do with those who are in heavenly places being made known something of the manifold wisdom of God by the church:Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,Let’s look at some mighty differencesROPHETIC SPOKEN about since the world began(Luke 1:68-70; Acts 3:21-24)MYSTERY Kept SECRET, hidden since the world began(Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:5,9; Colossians 1:26)PROPHETIC Focus is THE EARTH(Genesis 1:28, 9:1, 13:14-17; Deuteronomy 11:21; Isaiah 11:9; Jeremiah 23:5; Psalms 37:9-11; Matthew 5:5; Matthew 6:10)MYSTERYFocus is THE HEAVENLY PLACES(Ephesians 1:3, 2:6; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:1-4)PROPHETIC Jesus Christ is THE KING of Israel and the whole world(Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:13-14; Zachariah14:9, 16; Matthew 2:2; John 1:49; Luke 1:31-33)MYSTERYJesus Christ is THE HEAD of the church, the body of Christ(Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18)PROPHETIC ISRAEL is God's chosen nation and will be given supremacy over all nations(Deuteronomy 7:6, 28:13; Isaiah 6:1-5; Matthew 10:5-10;Romans 9:6)MYSTERY In the Body of Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile (Romans 10:12, 3:22; Ephesians 2:16-17)PROPHETIC Redeemed Israel to rule and reign with Christ on the earth(Isaiah 62:1-4; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Exodus 19:4-6; Revelation 5:10)MYSTERYThe Body of Christ to rule and reign with Christ in the heavenlies(Ephesians 2:6, 14-16, 3:6, Philippians 3:20; 1Corinthians 6:3)PROPHETIC Gentiles to be blessed through Israel's RISE to kingdom glory(Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 61:6-9; Zechariah 8:13-23)MYSTERY Gentiles blessed through THE FALL of Israel(Romans 11:11,12,15; Acts 28:27-28)PROPHETIC The chief Apostle is Peter(Matthew 16:18-19; Acts 1:15, 2:14)MYSTERY Paul is the Apostle for this age of grace(Romans 11:13; Ephesians 3:1; 1Timothy 2:5-7)PROPHETIC The number 12 is associated with Israel(Matthew 19:28; Revelation 7:4-8)MYSTERY ONE is the number for the Body of Christ(Ephesians 4:3-4)PROPHETIC Physical and spiritual baptism(Exodus 29:1-7; Matthew 3:2-7, 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:32; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:5,8)MYSTERY Spiritual baptism only(Ephesians 4:4; Eph 5:26)PROPHETIC Physical and spiritual circumcision(Genesis 17:9-14; Luke 2:21; Deuteronomy 30:6)MYSTERY Spiritual circumcision only(Colossians 2:11-13; Romans 6:1-6)PROPHETIC Atonement yet FUTURE(Acts 3:19; Matthew 25:31-34; Romans 11:25-27)MYSTERY Atonement NOW(Romans 5:11; Colossians 2:13-14)PROPHETIC The Goal: The God of Heaven to set up the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, Christ to have preeminence(Deuteronomy 11:21; Daniel 2:44; Matthew 25:34)MYSTERY The Goal: To form a spiritual body of believers perfectly conformed to the image of Christ and through whom Christ will have the preeminence in the heavenly places(Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:16)PROPHETIC This has been God's purpose FROM the foundation of the world(Matthew 25:34)MYSTERY This has been God's purpose from BEFORE the foundation of the world(Ephesians 1:4, 3:11)PROPHETIC This program has been temporarily DELAYED(Romans 9-11)MYSTERY This program is NOW in effect(Ephesians 3:1-11; Colossians 1:24-27)PROPHETIC The 12 Apostles called by the Lord while He was on the earth(Matthew 10:1-4)MYSTERY Paul called to be an apostle from the ascended Lord(Acts 9:1ff; 1Corinthians 15:8-10)PROPHETIC The apostleship of the 12 was to Israel alone, and then to Israel first(Matthew 10 ff, Acts 3:25,26)MYSTERY Paul was commissioned as "the apostle of the Gentiles" because now the program of God is different(Romans 11:13; Ephesians 3:1-9)PROPHETIC The 12 Apostles, under their commission, sought to bring the nation of Israel to repentance in view of them crucifying their Christ. They indicted them for the crime but offered them the forgiveness and blessing of God so they could participate in Israel's "at hand" kingdom(Acts 3:12-26, 5:27-32)MYSTERY Paul, under his commission, announced that Israel had fallen and that God has temporarily set Israel's program aside and Israel's fullness and kingdom won't come until after the fullness of the Gentiles come in(Romans 11:11-25)PROPHETIC The 12 Apostles announced to Israel that her last days were present. They lived in the days that all the prophets from Samuel and after had foretold of(Acts 2:16-21, 3:24)MYSTERY Paul announced that God is now long-suffering and He had set Israel and the things on her time schedule aside and that the times and seasons are not being fulfilled now in this dispensation of grace(Romans 11:11-25, 1Thessalonians 5:1-11; 2Thessalonians 3:1-6)PROPHETIC The 12 Apostles under their commission operated on a God established distinction existing between the Jews and Gentiles(Numbers 23:9; Matthew 10:5-7, 15:21-28; Acts 3:25,26)MYSTERY Paul under his commission declares that the "time past" distinction is now done away and the middle wall of partition is broken down, God having made both one. Now there is no difference(2 Corinthians 5:14-19, Ephesians 2:11-14)PROPHETIC The 12 apostles operated with the law still in view along with the rudiments of the world that it employed(Matthew 5:17-19, 23:1-3 James 2:10, Matthew 28:20)MYSTERY Paul is given to declare to us that God has not put us under the law, but under grace and that today He is not treating us as children under the law with the rudiments of the world(Romans 6:14; Galatians 4:1-11; Colossians 2:8-17; Romans 7:4-6)PROPHETIC The 12 Apostles during the Lord's earthly ministry never understood or appreciated the meaning or significance of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21-23; Luke 9:43-45,18:31-34) Following Christ's resurrection and the 40 day Bible seminar they had from Him they understood the necessity of Christ's suffering and the benefits received from it, as it pertained to the establishment of Israel's kingdom glory(Luke 24:25-27, 44-49, Acts 1:1-2, 2:22-36, 3:12-21, 4:8-12)MYSTERY To Paul God committed the full meaning and significance of the cross of Christ. He preached the cross and Christ crucified. The good news about His death, burial and resurrection - proclaiming it in all its glory as "the power of God and the wisdom of God." Also to Paul was committed the testimony concerning Christ giving Himself a ransom for all men(1Corinthians 1:18, 23; 1Timothy 2:1-7; 1Corinthians 2:6-8; Ephesians 1:8-10)PROPHETIC The 12 Apostles were commissioned in their apostleship to bring Israel's rebelliousness to a head and in doing so vindicate the outpouring of God's wrath upon that generation(Matthew 23:29-36; Luke 11:45-51)MYSTERY Paul was commissioned to proclaim that God is now longsuffering and is extending mercy and grace to all in spite of Israel's climactic rebelliousness.(Romans 11:28-36)"...that in all things He might have the preeminence ..". (Colossians 1:18)It is by means of these two programs that the Lord Jesus Christ will have the preeminence on the earth and in the heavenly places.Rightly Dividing cuts straight the word of God in those places where God has directed His paths, submitting to all Scripture, honoring that which is different. The Church of the One Body is blessed even above heaven’s nobility. Dominions and thrones are beneath it in its super -heavenly sphere ... While epouranios is used outside Ephesians, no other company of believers is blessed In these exalted regions as their sphere. The blessings of the Church of the One Body are not only "heavenly", but "up in heaven"‘.

 

[epouraniois]

Rarely do I find anyone trying to expound on this next verse. It must be of a particularly difficult nature then. Let us have a look-see.Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:In Ephesians one, we find the apostle praying that we may know what is HIs inheritance in the saints in light. Did you know that Christ has an inheritance? And that it is the same inheritance as the church which the apostle is inspired to reveal in Ephesians?“Ho hagios”. “The saints”. The construction of the word in the Greek is in the plural, in the genitive, which means “the holy places”. The inheritance of the saints. “Hath made us meet, to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light”. “Meet” means “to qualify”, and the words “saints in light” are the same words used to describe “the holiest of all”, or “the holy of holies”, depending on where we read it. What we are being told seems just to good to be true, yet, we are asked to acknowledge it nevertheless. When reading in the prison epistles, there are several key words to place in your minds, as they run throughout. “Meet”, “oneness”, “fullness”, “unity”, “worthy”, “accepted”, “riches”, “grace”. Lets look at a few verses to get an idea of the impact of the message we are to receive. Exo 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.He made a meeting place for the transgressors, and in the consequences He made a meeting place for us, which is our acceptance in the beloved.Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. A retranslation:And the Lord had made to meet on Him the iniquity of us all.Isa 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession [a meeting place] for the transgressors. moving to the NT ~Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. This is the same expression we find in Col. 1, and again in the verses below ~Heb 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. Heb 9:2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. Heb 9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the holiest of all; “The holiest of all”, “the saints in light”. The words ‘holiest’ and ‘saints’ are the same word. We, in our English may not naturally attribute a word associated with a person to an object, but Father does oft. This is where we need to pray for the opening of our understandings to gain acceptance in His message to us that are of the church which is His body in the dispensation of the mystery.In the dispensation of promise, the Jew could never commune with the LORD, but once a year the high priest entered, and not without blood. [Heb. 8 & 9]. There was no true access or acceptance. But in the church which is His body, we have both “boldness” and “access”, “with confidence”, “by the faith of Him”.Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. This was made possible by the fact that Christ “hath broken down the middle wall of partition” at the end of Acts by the creation of 'one new man'. Even a gentile convert was unable to pass beyond “the middle wall of partition”, as it meant that loss of life would soon follow. This church being revealed after Acts and called His body is an entirely different church than those assembled during the Acts of the apostles.The instruction to this new company of called out ones is imbued with the argument ~Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; What I am getting at, is that with all our faults, we are so made meet by the blood of the cross, and undeserving as we are; it just may be that this is one reason for the difficulty in acknowledging such a 'high calling'. In this church, there is no place for the Jew and all that goes with it, likewise, there is no place for the separation of the gentile either. It is a new creation where the membership is found Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled Col 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight: I want to place in your mind, that when in one place, we find our inheritance is far above all, and in the holiest of all, and another place says the inheritance is somewhere else; there is either a contradiction, or a there is an expansion and an explanation. Paul will explain here, in the first post Acts epistle, what the need for prayer is now all about ~Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the [ack]knowledge[ment] of him: Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, We see this wording again; instructions to an inheritance for a company called 'the church which is His body'. An inheritance which is 'far above al'l, 'in heavenly places', 'with Chirst', 'in the holiest of all'. First Christ, then the apostles preached the kingdom, “which is in the earth”. “The meek shall inherit the earth”. Here, the mystery body finds it's calling “in the holiest of all”, “where Christ sitteth”. So which church do you believe you belong to? The one pronounced during Acts which was never a secret, or the one after Acts which was 'hid from ages and from generations'? The one 'in the earth', or the one 'in heavenly places'?Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; As there is no word that means “with” in the Greek, & Hebrews says that the word “saints” has been used over and over again as heaven’s sanctuary. We are fellow citizens of the sanctuary, not the one built with hands, which was but a shadow, but the one that God made in the household of God.Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; This calling is built upon the foundational teachings of the apostles and the prophets. Oh, what a high calling we have here in this church which is His body; and so are called to “walk worthy” and try our best to not cause a spot or wrinkle or a blemish to Him, but instead, to endeavor to guard the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit. Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Looking at the word “sit”; to sit together in the heavenlies in Christ.Heb 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:See how important that is? He did what no priest could ever do, and can sit down in the presence of Father. He showed that He had the authority at His first reading on the temple mound.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: Eph 1:4 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: Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.Notably is the fact that only in the prison epistles written after Acts is the word church never to be found in the plural. For the number for this church is one. The members of the church which is His body have for their inheritance, glory in the very throne room of God, in the holiest of all, the holy of holies. It sounds almost too good to be true, and if Father hadn’t told us that it is true, it would be blasphemous. This reminds me of the love of Father, and a good definition of the grace of God; giving to us what is just too good to be true, as members of the church which is His body. Accepted in the beloved.* ‘The earth’ (Matt. 5:5)The Kingdom* ‘Jerusalem which is above’ (Gal. 4:26)The Bride* ‘In heavenly places’ (Eph. 1:3)The Body