The Church of the Mystery (Paul's Prison Ministry)

(Class Notes)

• What is the Subject of this Great Mystery (I Timothy 3:15)?
  • The subject of this great mystery is NOT Christ
    • The Lord's flesh VEILED rather than revealed His Deity (Hebrews 10:19-20 cf. Isaiah 53:2) just as the covering of animal skins over the Tabernacle CONCEALED the beauty of its contents (Exodus 26:14; Exodus 36:19)
  • The subject of this great mystery is the Church
    • The CONTEXT of this great mystery (I Timothy 3:16) is a chapter which deals with the qualifications of LEADERSHIP in the Church:
      • Bishops (I Timothy 3:1-7)
      • Deacons (I Timothy 3:8-13)
    • As a leader in the Church, Paul exhorts Timothy how to conduct himself in the Church, which is the "pillar and support of the truth" (I Timothy 3:14-15) for it is God Who is at work in the Church (I Timothy 3:16)

• What is the Greatness of this Mystery (I Timothy 3:16)?
  • Manifested in Flesh
    • The GLORY of God is revealed physically through the earthly TRIBULATION of His people to demonstrate the POWER of His RESURRECTION life (II Corinthians 4:6-11 cf. II Corinthians 12:7-10)
  • Justified in Spirit
    • The Church's SPIRITUAL blessings (Ephesians 1:3) are RIGHTLY experienced "in spirit" (Ephesians 2:22) and appreciated by believers possessing an "enlightened spirit" (Ephesians 1:17-18)
    • Israel's EARTHLY kingdom (Matthew 6:10 cf. Daniel 2:44) message was preached with VISIBLE SIGNS (Mark 16:17-20), but the Church's HEAVENLY blessings (Ephesians 1:3) are experienced by the faith which "looks" to the UNSEEN "eternal weight of glory" (II Corinthians 5:6-8 cf. (II Corinthians 4:17-18)
  • Seen of Angels
    • The angelic ministry of the LAW (Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2) has been "stripped off" by Christ through His CROSS (Colossians 2:14-15) and replaced by the Church's dispensation (stewardship) of GRACE" to be observed by the angels (Ephesians 3:2,10)
  • Preached among Gentiles
    • Paul preached the "UNSEARCHABLE" ("UNTRACEABLE") riches of Christ among the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:8) concerning the MYSTERY that God would reveal His glory through them (Colossians 1:24-27)
    • According to PROPHECY, it was NO SECRET that God would reveal His glory through Israel (Isaiah 46:13; Isaiah 60:1-3)
  • Believed in (the) World
    • The gospel concerning the "grace of God that bringeth salvation" (Titus 2:11) is "spoken throughout the WHOLE world" (Romans 1:8) and "bringeth forth fruit" (Colossians 1:6) in those who have placed their "faith in Christ Jesus" (Colossians 1:4)
  • Taken up in Glory
    • The Church will be received up into heaven and each of Its members will be given a GLORIFIED body by Its Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20-21)

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