Chapter 3
... Mystery of Fellowship
...Wisdom of God
v.9
"And to make all men see
what is the fellowship of
[or association to]
the mystery,
which from the beginning
of the world
hath been hid in God,
who created all things
by Jesus Christ:
v.10
To the intent
that now unto
the principalities
and
powers
in heavenly places
might be known
by the church
the manifold
[variegated .. complex]
wisdom of God."
-Eph.3:9-10
Even though Paul feels unqualified to preach about Christ ... he knows that God is going to use him to define the Fellowship of the Mystery ... and reveal the "manifold wisdom of God" to the Church.
We will eventually see how the Mystery of Fellowship ... and ... the Mystery of the First Love Lost ... both relate in some way to "fellowship" ... or to an "association" [G2842] of some sort.
In this case ... it is God's desire to have all men see the "association" or connection that the mystery has with the "wisdom of God."
When we see this connection ... we will then be better equipped ... to identify and understand ... both mysteries.
This "fellowship" or "association" is a secret that has been hidden in God ... since the beginning of the world ... when "He created all things by Jesus Christ."
We are now privileged to be living in these end times when God intends to reveal the mystery ... making this complex ... "manifold" [G4183] ... wisdom of God known to all true believers.
v.41
Then
they that gladly
received his word
were baptized:
and
the same day there were
added unto them
about three thousand souls
[people .. followers].
v.42
And
they continued steadfastly
in the apostles' doctrine
and fellowship,
and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers.
-Acts 2:41-42
This Scripture ... describes true believers.
"And to make all men see
what is the fellowship of
[or association to]
the mystery,
which from the beginning
of the world
hath been hid in God,
who created all things
by Jesus Christ:
v.10
To the intent
that now unto
the principalities
and
powers
in heavenly places
might be known
by the church
the manifold
[variegated .. complex]
wisdom of God."
-Eph.3:9-10
Even though Paul feels unqualified to preach about Christ ... he knows that God is going to use him to define the Fellowship of the Mystery ... and reveal the "manifold wisdom of God" to the Church.
We will eventually see how the Mystery of Fellowship ... and ... the Mystery of the First Love Lost ... both relate in some way to "fellowship" ... or to an "association" [G2842] of some sort.
In this case ... it is God's desire to have all men see the "association" or connection that the mystery has with the "wisdom of God."
When we see this connection ... we will then be better equipped ... to identify and understand ... both mysteries.
This "fellowship" or "association" is a secret that has been hidden in God ... since the beginning of the world ... when "He created all things by Jesus Christ."
We are now privileged to be living in these end times when God intends to reveal the mystery ... making this complex ... "manifold" [G4183] ... wisdom of God known to all true believers.
v.41
Then
they that gladly
received his word
were baptized:
and
the same day there were
added unto them
about three thousand souls
[people .. followers].
v.42
And
they continued steadfastly
in the apostles' doctrine
and fellowship,
and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers.
-Acts 2:41-42
This Scripture ... describes true believers.
They became believers ... when they embraced the Word of God ...and then continued steadfastly ... or "adhered" to it
... as the word ... "steadfastly [G4314] ... indicates.
In other words ... once those who were called by the Father ... received the Word of God ... they stuck like glue to the doctrine (or interpretation of the Word) Christ had personally handed down to the apostles.
As a result they experienced true "fellowship"
... the same close "association" [G2842]
... that connects the "mystery" to the "wisdom of God".
Why is it so important to mention this type of "fellowship" and how it has an identical connection to the mystery?
Genuine "fellowship"... as defined in this passage in Acts ... is telling us that ... wherever true believers gather ... we will witness true fellowship.
It is our responsibility to be able to accurately identify the churches that are marked for removal by Christ and to either be instrumental in their repentance or avoid being "guilty by association."
Genuine "fellowship"... as defined in this passage in Acts ... is telling us that ... wherever true believers gather ... we will witness true fellowship.
It is our responsibility to be able to accurately identify the churches that are marked for removal by Christ and to either be instrumental in their repentance or avoid being "guilty by association."
The type of "fellowship" one believer has with another believer will identify true believers ... and help us correctly discern ... the condition of the church ... and whether it is marked for removal.
This ability to discern will be given to us by the Spirit of God
... through our own "fellowship"... or our own mutual "association" ... with the "wisdom of God".
It is this "association" with the "wisdom of God" that reveals whether our relationship with God is genuine.
This relationship is not determined by accomplishment or ecstatic spiritual experiences ... but depends on whether our hearts are in harmony with the Word of God.
In this way ... even the new Christian ... who is just beginning to receive the "wisdom of God" ... can participate in true "fellowship" with other believers.
It is very possible that our "association" with the "mystery of fellowship" may not be clear to the reader yet ... remember we were warned that the wisdom God wants to reveal is "manifold" meaning complex.
Therefore ... we may not be able to identify the specific connection "fellowship" has with the "wisdom of God" just yet.
Each Word of God is simple to understand ... yet complex as it is being assembled
... and ... in the end ... vital
... therefore we need to keep collecting every important Word ... in order to ultimately be able to see ... the entire picture.
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