Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Inheritance

All The Holy Ones Would Inherit The Kingdom

Background

At the end of the age, the holy ones, would inherit the kingdom of God.
Daniel 7:18
But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom unto the age, and unto the Age of ages.

The False Teaching

The holy ones who followed the Way of the Flesh would inherit the kingdom. Holy ones who were women, children, slaves or who followed the Way of the Spirit would not inherit the kingdom.

New Testament Response

Paul says that all the holy ones would inherit the kingdom:
1 Thessalonians 3:13 (NIV)
May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Colosians 1:12
giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the holy ones in light;

Related Verses in Ephesians:

Eph. 1:5

Saturday, April 13, 2013

False Teachers

Who Were the False Teachers?

The false teachers that had come to Ephesus were most likely like those who came to Antioch in Acts. They placed a heavy emphasis on Old Testament Law and circumcision:
Acts 15:1
Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can't be saved."
Their teachings were theologically sophisticated and they used Old Testament Scriptures to support their arguments. Given the anti-Pharisee view of the New Testament Scriptures, I think it is safe to assume the false teachers were Pharisees or some type of teachers of the Law.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Paul and the Truth

Was Paul Lying?

The False Teaching

Paul was lying because he only taught the Way of the Spirit and not the Way of the Flesh.  He didn't want the Gentiles to be saved on the Day of Destruction.

New Testament Response

Paul responds:
Colossians 4:4 (NIV)
Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

1 Timothy 2:7
to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Romans 9:1
I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit,

Galatians 1:20
Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I'm not lying.

2 Corinthians 11:31
The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forevermore, knows that I don't lie.

1 Corinthians 15:3
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (See also Galatians 1:11)

1 Thessalonians 2:3
For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.

2 Corinthians 4:2-3 (NIV)
Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

One Body

The False Teaching:

Since there were Two Ways, there should be two bodies, or two groups of people, in the assembly.

New Testament Response:

There is one body and no distinctions should be made between groups of people.

Faith and Works

Who had faith and who had works?

The False Teaching:

Those who followed the Way of the Spirit, relied on their faith in the Spirit of Christ for salvation from torment in Hades. Those who followed the Way of the Flesh, relied on their works of the Law for salvation from torment in Hades and salvation from the Day of Destruction.

New Testament Response:

Those who had faith in Christ would be saved in both ways and that both faith and works have a role in the Christian life.
James 2:18
Yes, a man will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.


The Afterlife

What would happen to those in the Church when they died?

The False Teaching:

When those who followed the Way of the Spirit died, they would go to the good side of Hades. They would not be resurrected at the end of the age. Those who followed the Way of the Flesh would also go to the good side of Hades but only holy ones would ascend to heaven and would be resurrected at the end of the age.

New Testament Response:

Those who had faith in Christ would go to heaven when they died and would be resurrected when Christ returned.
1 Corinthians 15:12-14
Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain.
New Testament writers respond to the idea that only holy ones ascended to heaven by saying that one one had ascended into heaven.
John 3:13
No one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.
Not even King David made it into heaven.
Acts 2:34
For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand