Stewart Topping's E-Newsletter August 26, 2011

Stewart Topping's E-Newsletter   Aug 26, 2011
Understanding the Body of Christ By Charles F. Baker But since there are two different bodies of Christ mentioned in the Bible, we must first make some distinctions. One of the bodies mentioned is the physical, fleshly body in which the Son of God became incarnate. There are some twenty-seven references to the Savior's physical body in the New Testament. Probably the most familiar passage is that at the Last Supper, "This is my body which is given for you" (Lk. 22:19). Another often quoted passage is 1 Peter 2:24: "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness." The other Body of Christ, and the one which is the subject of this book, is "the Church which is His Body" (Eph. 1:22, 23). This Body is mentioned only in Paul's epistles. Paul uses the word "body" approximately twenty-nine times in reference to the corporate Body of Christ, composed of all of the saved people of this present dispensation with Christ as its Head. Likewise, there are two Christ’s in the New Testament. There is first of all the Personal Christ. Most of the references to that name refer to Jesus Christ personally. However, Paul does use this word in referring to both the Head and the Church which is His Body. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 12:12: "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is (the) Christ." Paul is not speaking of the personal Christ or of His physical body. Paul also seems to use the word "Christ" in this sense in Ephesians 3:4 and in Colossians 4:3 where he speaks of "the mystery of the Christ." When Paul speaks of the Mystery in these two epistles, he is speaking of the hitherto unprophesied Church which is His Body. Christ personally was prophesied hundreds of times, but the Christ, composed of the Body and the Head, was never predicted.  The subtitle to this book, A Pauline Trilogy, describes its content. A Trilogy is defined as "a set of three related writings which, though each has its own unity, form together a larger work." Paul's three Prison Epistles, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians are the three related writings, forming together the larger work, the Mystery concerning the Church which is the Body of Christ. The word Mystery is a translation of the Greek word, musterion, derived from the verb muo, to shut the mouth, to keep silent. The Mystery of which Paul speaks is thus a body of truth about which God had kept silent. Paul's own words are, "the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints" (Col. 1:26). The mystery is described as a Dispensation or Stewardship which was committed to Paul concerning the Church, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church; whereof I was made a minister according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfill the word of God" (Col. 1:25). The Mystery is that which "fulfills the word of God." The word fulfill means to complete. There was a gap in the revelation of God's great plan caused by the fact that 6 God had kept silent about a part of it, and this secret or mystery part which is now revealed, fills up to the full that gap. The Mystery is not only a distinct part of God's eternal purpose which He had never before made known: it is also a revelation of a distinct out calling or Church, which is called the Body of Christ. The subject of the Mystery is the Body of Christ, of which He is the Head.  The word church simply means an out calling or assembly of people. This word needs to be qualified in order to determine what particular assembly is in view. In the Bible the word is first used of the Israelite's who came out of Egypt under Moses (Acts 7:38). Some forty times the congregation of Israel is called a church in the Septuagint Greek version of the Old Testament, as in Nehemiah 13:1. Then Jesus called His little band of disciples whom He had called out by this same name in Matthew 18:17. In the Millennial Kingdom, yet to come, Christ's redeemed Jewish brethren will be called a church (Heb. 2:12 quoted from Ps. 22:22).  God's called out people in our present dispensation are also called a church, and this church is identified as the Church which is His Body, or as the Body of Christ. Much confusion bas resulted from a failure to keep the Church which is His Body separate and distinct from the other churches of the Bible. The Body of Christ church is the subject of the Mystery which was never before made known to the sons of men until it was revealed to Paul by the ascended Lord Jesus Christ. This is a the beginning of the introduction of the book. If you want to download a copy (PDF) of the book go HERE >>> Link to my website	The Body of Christ by Stewart Topping Dear Reader Today a special people have been called out to be separate and they are called the Body of Christ. They are not labeled Jew or Gentile. In the days of old, God called another special group out from the world; the nation of Israel.  Now God has called the Body of Christ out of the world to be separate and with the foundation of Jesus, not the foundation of the law. .... read on.  For a long time people have thought of themselves as a Completed Jew or that God has taken the covenant that was made with Israel and given it to the Church because of there disbelief. (Replacement  Paul says we are the Body of Christ; it is a very special group of believers.  When you are born again you become a member in the Body of Christ; because you are filled and indwelled with the Holy Spirit.   1 Corinthians 12:27 (KJV) Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.   The body of Christ doesn't live by the law but by the spirit (Gal 5:18).  It is not the Church you go to. It is who you are. What is the Body of Christ?  Why don’t we hear more about it?   Is it important for a Christian to understand?  Where in scripture do we find reference to it? 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (KJV) 12 For as the body is one,and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. The key is the one spirit; because with that spirit, Gods Holy Spirit, we are baptized into the body.  What is nice when this happens is that God doesn't call us Jew or Gentile anymore, only his Body of which he is the head.  It was the shed Blood of the perfect Lamb of God that set us free.  There was always the understanding that there is no forgiveness or redemption without the shedding of Blood from the beginning of time (after Adam sinned).  Jesus did shed his blood at the cross for you and I.   Colossians 1:18 (KJV) 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.  Some would think that the sacrifice begin with the Mosaic Law; but actually the Sacrifice may have begun with Adam and eve;   Genesis 3:21 (KJV) 21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.   But most would not disagree with it beginning with Abel and Cain;  Genesis 4:3-5 (KJV) 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.  Now we see that the shedding of Blood continued into the Law Period.  They had daily sacrifices.  Colossians 1:14 (KJV) 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Why have blood sacrifices in the Old Testament ; because it is a type and shadow of the Death of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.  Sometimes we humans take a long time to understanding what God wants from us.  Sometimes we want to believe that it takes more than believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus to be redeemed.  Remember the verses in 1 Cor. 15:1-4, it explains how simple it is be redeemed by God.  His only purpose God has is to reconcile us to Him.  He wants us to believe in Him, have a relationship with Him and trust Him. Hebrews 9:22 (KJV) 22 and almost all things are by the law purged with blood; andwithout shedding of blood is no remission. The Body of Christ is a called out group having the same nature of God.  We have been saved by the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead.  If that power can raise a dead person than why can’t it restore one from spiritual death.  Of course it can you say!!!  We do have to believe that the shed blood of the perfect lamb has set us free from spiritual death. Mark 14:24 (KJV) 24 and he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. We have communion in Church to recognize the Body of Christ; but do we see it as part of the shed blood that God required.  Do we do it in remembrance; that there was a need and requirement for a blood sacrifice? 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (KJV) 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. The common bond we have is the Body of Christ; we don’t use definitions of Jew or Gentle because we are new creatures in Christ and members of the Body of Christ.  It is a very exclusive club of believers filled with the spirit of God, the Holy Spirit. The purpose is to create the unity of the body, the same spirit and the one baptism (Holy Spirit).  One faith is the same belief in the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus. Ephesians 4:3-6 (KJV) 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. One Lord – Jesus our Lord One Faith – The body of Christ One baptism – The filling of the Holy Spirit                      Anything else will be confusing.  Praise God we are the Body of Christ!!!! Link to website >>> Stewart Topping Hi, my name is Stewart Topping, just reaching the young age of 71. I enjoy teaching and having Bible study's where everyone can voice their opinion and make comments. I live in Alabama on a beautiful lake and I work on my house. Link to my website

Stewart Topping's E-Newsletter August 19, 2011

Stewart Topping's E-Newsletter   Aug 19, 2011
The Law Read this and see if you agree with this ... That is because the Law had been for filled with the death of Jesus.  The law is misunderstood. There are 3 things that people feel are part of the Ten Commandments: Most people think; the law was given to the first man, Adam.  Actually it was after 2500 years of history, about 1500 BC; God gave the Law to Moses for Israel only. Most people think; that the Law was given to mankind, but it was given to Israel alone (Deut 5:2,3) Most people think; that the Law was given to help us to do right, even Clergy teach this.  The Bible teaches that the Law was given to show that we were sinners and in need of a savior. (Romans 3:19)  Check out these and other scriptures. You have to prove it everything by by scripture. Link to my website Prayer .... God doesn't care when we talk to him.  We can pray in the house, in the car, as we take a walk, running, and when we are in bed. But it is important that we do talk to him, and often. If you care, then tell God how much you care about Him and the His death off His Son at Calvary! Link to Website ************************** THE CHRISTIAN'S PRAYER LIFE        BY CORNELIUS R. STAM     Prayer to God manifestly must hold great importance to those who would be truly spiritual.  While God's Word to us is always to have first place in our lives, prayer must certainly have second place; indeed, we must even study God's Word with prayer for understanding and willingness to obey. The Scriptures everywhere exhort God's people to pray, and in the Epistles of Paul we find greater cause, greater reason and greater incentive than ever to pray -- to pray "always," "in everything," "without ceasing." The example of our Lord and of His apostles -- particularly Paul -- is a call to prayer.  Every need, every anxiety, every heartache is a call to prayer. Every temptation, every defeat -- yes, and every victory is a call to prayer. Yet, merely praying, or even spending much time in prayer, is not in itself evidence of true spirituality. Many carnal Christians, still "babes in Christ," and even many unsaved people, spend much time in prayer.  But the truly spiritual believer will join the Apostle Paul in saying: "I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also" (I Cor. 14:15). "With the spirit": earnestly, fervently, pouring out to God my adoration, my supplications and my thanks. And "with the understanding also": intelligently, with a clear grasp of what the Scriptures, rightly divided, say about God's will and His provisions for my prayer life in this present dispensation of grace. Link to my website	The Apostle Paul a Pattern of our Salvation Dear Reader 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (KJV) 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. This week let’s take apart this portion of scripture; I have highlighted the three key areas I want to discuss.  We know the letter was written to Timothy, who was a young preacher. This is the first letter of three letters that are called the Pastoral Epistles that were written to establish the basics of the early Christian Church.  I think the most important thing for Paul would be to establish salvation.  How to receive it, conditions, etc.  Remember you cannot build the Body of Christ, the spiritual body, without having the cornerstone of faith is Jesus.  Here are the 3 key areas of Paul’s message in 1 Tim. 1:12-17. 1.       for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry Who was before a blasphemer, and a, persecutor and injurious but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief 2.       Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners 3.       that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting Paul will use himself as example for a really good reason.  First Paul didn’t consider himself to be worthy to be in Ministry or even to be saved, because of whom he was and what he had done in the past.  He considered himself to be unworthy and on his way to Hell. I when to the dictionary to get clear definition of these words, after looking them up, here is what I found.  This explained who Paul was during the time he persecuted believers.  These believers were Jewish believers with faith in the name of Jesus and still practicing the law.  Blasphemer: To speak of (God or a sacred entity) in an irreverent, impious manner. Persecutor:  To oppress or harass with ill-treatment, especially because of race, religion, gender, beliefs. Injurious:  Causing or tending to cause injury We do know that Jesus came into the world to save sinners; He was the prophecy of the Old testament from the time of Adam till the end of the Gospels;   Genesis 3:15 (NKJV) 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." Until the death of Jesus on the cross; 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (GW) 9 It was not God's intention that we experience his anger but that we obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. The thing that is important about Paul’s message is how Paul’s conversion is the center of our faith in Jesus.  Paul was allowed to receive his salvation because he was ignorant in his unbelief. Paul says in; 1 Timothy 1:16 (NKJV) 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. In me first Paul says … Paul was the first converted with the new message of believing in the Death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  He became a pattern to those that believe.  We are to continue to use the same pattern concerning salvation.  When you build a house you make a pattern to cut the first stud.  If you change and use one that was cut from the pattern then it may change the length but if you use the pattern for the cutting of all the studs then all of them will be the same length.  If a woman was to make 5 dresses she would make a pattern and proceed to cut five dresses from the same pattern, this way all dress would be identical.  If she used one cut from anything other than the pattern it would not be identical. That’s why it is important to receive your salvation from the one who is the pattern for our salvation. Paul made it very clear in; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (NKJV) 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, If Paul is the pattern for our salvation and he says in 1 Cor. 15; 1-4 that his gospel (good news) by which you are to be saved is to believe in the Death, Burial and resurrection of Jesus. Then that is the way we must believe.  This is why we have so many different ways to heaven, people use different Pattern for how we are to be saved. We want to make peace with God; we should expect God to provide a way of salvation and a clear path to that salvation.  Paul was a committed man in his belief towards God, but it was wrong.  God did not hold it against him because he was ignorant in his belief.  So now Paul is the Pattern of someone who received salvation from God because now his belief is correct. Paul gives us the ability to believe in God’s salvation but first we must believe that He is; Think on this verse.  Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. What is the reward? 1.       Peace with God 2.       Salvation 3.       Receiving the Holy Spirit, seal of God’s promise 4.       Ability to receive peace of God.