For more lessons on what is the mystery of Christ find an audio lesson, outline, seminar series, and online tract about What is the Mystery of Christ. Paul revealed that grace, not Law, is the realm in which the believer in Christ operates. The truth of this “mystery” is captured well in the last verse of that great Christmas hymn, “O Holy Night”: Truly He taught us to love one another, This message has such radical implications that it is all Paul can do to keep Christians from breaking all cultural norms and societal structures. This mystery of Christ is distinct from what “was spoken of by the mouth of the prophets since the world began” concerning Christ (Acts 3:21, Rom 16:25, Eph 3:1-3). This mystery has now been revealed through Jesus Christ: we are all one body. This mystery has now been revealed through Jesus Christ: we are all one body. Paul writes to the Ephesians, “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:6). Chapter 3 speaks about the mystery of Christ revealed (Ephesians 3:1–13). With a firm understanding from a biblical perspective on the very nature of love, we can then move on to at least a partial understanding of the mystery whereof Paul speaks in Ephesians 5:32. A verse by verse study of Ephesians 3:1-13, about the mystery revealed in the gospel of Christ. Yes, we know that in Christ there are no distinctions, but given the society these new Christians found themselves in, it is still best for wives to continue to submit to their husbands, for example, or for slaves to continue to obey their masters. In Christ there is no longer any distinction. The apostle Paul used the word mystery 21 times in his epistles: the mystery of God (Colossians 2:2), the mystery of faith (1 Timothy 3:9), the mystery of iniquity (2 Thessalonians 2:7), etc. Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. Without understanding the mystery Christ revealed to Paul we cannot be faithful stewards of those mysteries, nor faithful ministers of Christ. Again, writing to the Colossians from prison, Paul states, “Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all” (Colossians 3:11). Rightly Dividing Prophecy and Mystery The profound mystery of becoming one flesh and giving up our individual freedom and being supernaturally bound with our spouse highlights the profound mystery of becoming one with Christ and being supernaturally bound to him. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. But Paul is very clear: we do these things out of reverence for God and deference for each other, not because Christ makes these distinctions. In Col. 1:26-28, Paul speaks of another "Mystery" which had been hid from "Ages" and from "Generations," but was then made manifest to the saints. Paul tells us that, “beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great.” Then he records what may be an early hymn of the church: “He [Jesus] appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16). The mystery … Indeed, as Christians, Paul exhorts us to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). Male Headship Wasn’t a Big Deal—Until I was Sexually Harassed by My Pastor, The Yellow Wallpaper: Reflecting on Aimee Byrd’s Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, A Prayer to End Discrimination Against Women in the Church, Sign Up to Get CBE’s Academic Journal Online. In Christ there is no longer any distinction. Paul explains this mystery in the form of a hymn or creed: the incarnation of Jesus Christ, His resurrection, exaltation in heaven, gospel call to the Gentiles (nations usually refers to Gentiles), the expression of faith, and His ascension . Paul is stating not only that the separation between God and humans has been removed through Christ, but also that the separation between human and human has been removed. In chapter 1 Paul speaks about the gospel of God which had been promised before by the Old Testament prophets, but in chapter 16 Paul, in speaking of the gospel, mentions a mystery which had been kept secret but which is now revealed by the New Testament prophets. The Mystery of Christ —Ephesians 3:1-13. “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 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 3:8-9. For, &c. — And this I now declare, because I would not have you ignorant of this mystery — Of the mysterious dispensation under consideration, which, on the first view of it, may appear very unaccountable; lest you should be wise in your own conceits — Should have too high an opinion of yourselves, on account of your being made the people of God in place of the Jews. Romans 11:25-27. The mystery revealed to Paul regarding sanctification is the identity of a new creature called the church, the one body of Christ (Rom 12:5; Eph 4:4). By revelation, not by the wisdom of man (as in 1Corinthians 2:7-16): for "God hath revealed them to us by His Spirit. This is true because when a person speaks in tongues under the influence of the Holy Spirit, he will speak in a normal, understandable human language, though it is a language the speaker himself does not understand. The mystery revealed to Paul regarding sanctification is the identity of a new creature called the church, the one body of Christ (Rom 12:5; Eph 4:4). In each case, the “mystery” involved a declaration of spiritual truth, revealed by … He was the chief persecutor of the twelve apostles and he calls himself the chief of sinners, but was called by God to be an apostle of God’s grace (Acts 8:1; Rom 1:1, 15:15). Mystery in Paul has a very, very specific meaning and definition. He already picks up that theme of mystery in Ephesians 1: 9 and 10 where he says that in Christ all things have been summed up. “The mystery was made known to … Paul was a unique apostle. Paul began every letter with a grace salutation to remind believers of his gospel of this new relationship. The given laws, sacrifices, and feasts in the Old Testament were only types and shadows of what was planned to come. The essential content of Christian preaching, Paul says, is the mystery of the gospel. 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. So, what is this mystery revealed to Paul? He calls it the Mystery of "Christ in You." Mixing mystery truth with the message prophesied to Israel has led to many doctrinal heresies and confusions. The Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus and many times after to reveal what was “from the beginning of the world… hid in God”, that is, the fellowship of the mystery. The church is to practice and preach the gospel of Christ and all its blessings free in Christ to all men through faith(Rom 5-8; Eph 1:3, 3:3-9). Read Colossians 2.6-15 and respond to the following: 1. A. The Apostle Paul calls it “the mystery of lawlessness.” He writes, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7). God has brought upon Israel a "partial hardening." 1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— . And what faith is Paul speaking of, that we are to be obedient to, verse 26, Rom 1: 5, because it sounds like faith is already established and we are called to be obedient to it.? He wants them to understand one of the central mysteries of God's relationship with Israel and humanity at large. Paul was the channel to whom God revealed the mystery, the truth that all believers, Jews and Gentiles, have been united together in Christ. The Ephesians, by reading Paul's words, could then have his understanding of this "mystery of Christ" - Ep 3:4 4. Paul, in turn, made known the "mystery" through his writings - Ep 3:3b 3. . Then they raised their voices and shouted, ‘Rid the earth of him! He concludes his message by saying, “‘Then the Lord said to me, “Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”’ The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. 2010 Ambassadors Seminar – Introducing the Mystery of Christ, Introduction to Mid-Acts Dispensational Right Division. praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 1 Timothy 3:16 Verse Concepts Let’s first notice what Paul says about this mystery. The second part of this chapter emphasizes Paul's prayer for spiritual strength, and ends the first half of … Seven mysteries in the heart of God from the beginning, revealed to Paul. He’s not fit to live!’” (Acts 22:21-22). Paul is given a revelation which he shares with the Ephesians, so that they may have the same enlightenment that was granted him. When Paul returns to Jerusalem after his third missionary journey, the crowds try to have him killed, but he calms the crowd by speaking to them in their language, Aramaic. The church is to practice and preach the gospel of Christ and all its blessings free in Christ to all men through faith(Rom 5-8; Eph 1:3, 3:3-9). Particularly in Ephesians chapter 3, he speaks of the mystery that has been revealed. What is the “mystery” that Paul speaks of? The “mystery” of Colossians 1:27 is explained in the two previous verses. You can also read about what people confuse for the Mystery of Christ here. Please have respect to others who are sincerely asking and are also interested in truth, and not rather speculation; yes and i know i can ask God. By means of Paul, what God had intended for His church since the beginning of time began to be fulfilled. 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