The Members Ministry Ordination, Order and Power

A: THE MAKING OF MAN

Let us go into the depths of the Word and discover the truths that will drive the Church to perfection. Keep this in mind: to identify Christ is to discover the true identity of the Church, His body.

In order to understand the mind of God, in the redemption of man we must look into the hidden mysteries of creation.

Genesis 1:26-28

26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Moses gave us a very vivid account of the creation of the earth and all that is in it. Therefore, let us look into the making of man, the workmanship of God.

A. “LET US MAKE MAN”

God is speaking to someone who is present with Him in the six days of creation. The prases “let us” and “our image" in Genesis 1:26 are relative to the construction of Adam, the prototype.

Note here also that verse 26 declares the companionship of others. However, verse 27 defines the "us" and "our" as "His" image. Thus denoting a Godhead.

I John 5:7

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Now we know identity of the Godhead itself: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. Though they be three (thus accounting for the "us and our") they are one.

Understanding the oneness of the Godhead is important. The Godhead simply reveals the methods of operation of God. For instance, look at the original creation.

Genesis 1:1-3

1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

3. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

The entire Godhead is functioning in the creation: God the Father, God the Word, and God the Holy Spirit. Here we see the triune nature of God, or the trinity of the Godhead. They are three in one. It is the Spirit and the Word that came out from the Father. Therefore, the Word and the Spirit, being of God are indeed God.

B. THE TRINITY OF MAN

God created man in His own image and likeness. Though many carry this phraseology too far at times, the triune state of man is manifest.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

I Thessalonians 5:23

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The trinity of man consists of the body, soul and spirit. Contained in the body is the soul which functions as an expression of the thoughts of man's mind.

1. The Spirit of Man

The spirit of man is the conscience or "knower" of man. The conscience was designed to lead the flesh in the ways of God. The conscience knows the law of God and desires to perform it.

The spirit is the hidden man of the soul/heart. Though sometimes referred to as the conscience, He judges the thoughts of the mind.

Romans 2:15

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) . . .

1 Corinthians 2:11

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Note the parallel here. As the Holy Ghost knows things pertaining to God, likewise the spirit of man knoweth the things of a man.

2. The Soul of Man

The soul of man is the spirit of his mind. It is the exhalation of his thoughts and desires.

Below are examples of some of the expressions manifested in the spirit of the mind.

Deuteronomy 14:26

And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household . .

1 Samuel 1:10

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

Judges 16:16

And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death . . .

1 King 1:29

And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress . . .

Job 10:1

My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

Psalm 35:9

And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

Psalm 35:13

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

Psalm 42:2

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

The soul gives power to the thoughts of the mind. It provides emotions that create the will to act out the contents of the mind. The exhalation of the soul creates a spiritual atmosphere of love, joy, sadness, lust, righteousness or iniquity.

The soul is the heart of man. It houses emotions, will, imaginations and desire. Being the spirit of the mind, the soul expresses the true disposition of man.

Likewise, the Word of God is an expression of the mind of God. The Word is a visible expression of the thoughts and character of God. It, too, has the power to express the desires, thoughts and emotions of the Father.

3. The Body Of Man

The body is an essential part of man. It is the temple of the spirit and soul of man. The body was given so that man could physically experience the handiwork of God.

The body was also given so that man could perform the will of God in the earth. However, the body alone is dead. Remember, the body of Adam was formed first, but it was brought to life by the soul that was breathed into it.

James 2:26

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

18. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

19. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

The triune nature of man reflects the imagery and likeness of his God. However, we must be careful not to carry the connotation of likeness any further than truth allows.

1 Corinthians 15:45-50

45. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

46. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

47, The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

48. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

49. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

50. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Hebrews 1:2-3

2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath

appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Adam was not begotten of God. He was made from the substance of the earth, therefore he is of the earth or earthy. Likewise are his offspring.

ADAM

• THE IMAGE OF GOD
• Natural Man
• Earthy
• Earthly offspring

CHRIST

• EXPRESS IMAGE OF GOD
• Spiritual Man
• Heavenly
• Spiritual offspring

With the help of Vines and Strong, let us look a little closer at the image of God. First of all the Chaldean word used in Genesis 1:26 defines Adam as:

A visible representation of God. A creature able to bare responsibility and to reproduce, having Godlike qualities, such as the love of goodness and beauty, none of which are found in a mere animal.

In the Fall, man ceased to be a perfect vehicle for the representation of God; however, God's grace in Christ will yet accomplish more than what Adam lost.

JESUS CHRIST: THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF GOD

Hebrews 1:3

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high . . .

2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Colossians 1:15

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature . . .

IMAGE:

d) of Christ in relation to God, <2 Cor. 4:4>,; "the image of God," i. e., essentially and absolutely the perfect expression and representation of God the Father. In (Col. 1:15), "the image of the invisible God" gives the additional thought suggested by the word "invisible," that Christ is the visible representation and manifestation of God to created beings; the likeness expressed in this manifestation is involved in the essential relations in the Godhead, and is therefore unique and perfect; "he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father," (John 14:9).

(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

(Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

There are some key words we must note if we are to truly discover the identity of our Lord. These words are: heavenly, image of the invisible God, and express image of God.

St. John 17:8

For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

St. John 17:14-18

14. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

St. John 1:1-3

1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2. The same was in the beginning with God.

3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

St. John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

I could continue to list scripture after scripture that confirms the fact that Jesus Christ is the Lord from heaven. However, I will list them later as references. These above will suffice for making my present point.

Now the reason I have taken the time to rehearse many simple and well-known truths is that in doing so you will discover the true personage of the Church. Bare with me as some are not as versed on these things as others. Remember, the mystery of God is always found in the simple truths.

Throughout His earthly ministry, the Lord declared Himself to be "not of this world."

Hebrews 10:5

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me . . .

Here is the record of another conversation of the Godhead. The Father had no delight in the sacrifices and burnt offering of Israel. For those offerings could not purge the conscience of sins.

We need to really see the mind of God in this operation. First of all, it was the Word of God that declared the weariness of the Father. It was the Word also who acknowledged the "body," which the Father had prepared for Him. Note the true meaning here. Not that the Word would go down and enter a body that was prepared for Him as we thought in the times past. This is important, saints. We must see and comprehend this simple truth in order to understand our fellowship in this mystery.

The Word of God did not enter a prepared body . . . the Word was prepared a body. The Word became the body of sacrifice. Yes, the Word of God was fashioned into the body of a man child.

Now before I forget, there are some very important truths here.

1. He was the express image of the invisible God.

Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh. In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God. How could Jesus be anything other than a visible manifestation of God the Father?

Remember the basic simple scriptures. Our God is One. The Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost. These three are one.

Philippians 2:5-8

5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

While Christ was in the form of God (the Word), He thought it not robbery to be at one with the mind of God. In other words, He thought it not robbery to become one with the will of God knowing also that the Father’s love for man needed a sacrifice that could purge them of sins once and for ever.

Therefore, He conformed to the will of the Father and consented to being made in the fashion of a man in order to die on the cross. He laid aside His glory and became a suffering servant.

Notice He declares: "I came in the volume of the book." In other words, He came to fulfill all that was written of Him. He was a living presentation of God. The word made flesh.

God fashioned the body for Christ.

Hebrews 2:9

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

1 Corinthians 15:36-38

36. Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

37. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

38. But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

1 Corinthians 15:40

There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

The Word is Spirit. Therefore, the body it was fashioned into is spiritual. Jesus declared men must eat of His flesh and drink of His blood.

St. John 6:53

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

St. John 6:58

This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

St. John 6:63

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Here you can see the oneness of the flesh of Jesus with the Word, which is spirit. We cannot see the invisible God, nor His Spirit, nor His Word which too is spirit. Therefore, God fashioned Himself into a body of flesh for the salvation of man.

Jesus proclaimed that He was not of this world. He submitted that He came out from the Father. Therefore, He is a celestial being. His body was not made with hands, but by the Word of God. Thus He is a spiritual being, given a body that pleased the Father. However, He needed to be made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death. This raises another issue.

2. He took on the seed of Abraham.

Hebrews 2:16-17

16. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Now the Word itself, being the seed of God, how is it possible for It to also be the seed of Abraham? The key to understanding this issue is the phrase: "He took on the seed." The seed of Abraham was brought into His being for He is the offspring of God, born of a woman, whose body and blood was sanctified by the overshadowing power of the Holy Ghost.

Nevertheless, His mission was to die on the cross and to purge the sins of man by the shedding of His blood. According to the words of Christ, flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, but He was the King of the kingdom, even as He spoke those words.

After the resurrection, the church became bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh. There is no mention of the church becoming sons through the blood of Jesus, but we were begotten by the Spirit of Christ. The blood that was in His body was provided by Mary, as life for the Adamic man is in his blood. The blood of Mary, the seed of Abraham, is what made Him the kinsman to the human race.

The blood purged the sins of the world, and by the blood are most things cleansed, said Paul to the Hebrews. Once the sacrifice was offered, the blood was drained out of that body for the receiving of the inheritance.

The body of Jesus, which we will inherit, is celestial flesh and bone. For that which was planted in the earth is not the body that it shall be but will bring forth many members who will partake of the celestial glory.

In our search for the identity of the Lord Jesus Christ, the following references surely reveal His personage.

Genesis 1:1-3

1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

3. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

St. John 1:1-4

1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2. The same was in the beginning with God.

3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

St. John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Psalm 33:6

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Hebrews 1:1-3

1. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high . . .

The Father has spoken to the world by His Son Jesus. However, it is also by this Jesus that He made all things. Therefore, it might prove rewarding if we were to know the true identity of our Lord and Saviour.

According to the above passage, the following are distinct attributes of the Son of God:

1. He is the "express image" of God's personage.

2. He is the maker and creator of all things.

3. He is the brightness of God's glory.

Taking note of the aforementioned scriptures, one can only conclude that Jesus Christ is the Word of God, who is God, having taking on the form of a Son and a suffering servant for the purpose of reconciling the world to Himself.

B: THE FIRST COMING OF CHRIST

It is most important that the Church comes into the complete understanding of the Body of Christ. Although this is the season of revelation, we will never truly understand the purpose of the Body of Christ without first understanding the purpose for the first coming of our Lord. The Father is allowing us to look beyond the veil and see the eternal purpose for the Body of Christ, which was manifest before the foundations of the world.

Ephesians 2:12

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world . . .

We were without God. A people lost, with no covenants, no promises and no hope. We were alienated from God, a race doomed to eternal damnation. This is the state of man, the race of Adam. The entire race is alienated from God. Therefore, it is indeed in need of a saviour.

It will be most helpful to our study, if we take a closer look at the operation of faith that brought us into redemption.

Ephesians 2:13-19

13. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God . . .

The first coming of Christ was effectual in achieving the following:

A. To pay the penalty of sin by the shedding of His blood.

B. To break down the middle wall of partition between Jew and

Gentile.

C. To reconcile both to God.

D. To make in Himself of twain, one new man.

E. To provide access to God by His Spirit.

F. To establish us as Sons of God.

Ephesians 2:20-22

20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

This is the end. This is the totality of the purpose of God. This is the mystery hid in God from all the generations of man.

It is the plan of the Father to live in the earth, among His people, in the Body of Christ.

Notice the progression here. The foundation of the building is the apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone to which the whole building is fitly joined together.

The building must grow into a holy temple. Growth here is spiritual as well as numeric. Just as the Body of Christ increases in members, it must also increase in righteousness.

Ephesians 4:11-16

11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Every part or member of the body is compacted by the grace of God. This grace is the influence of God working in the heart of the members enabling the body to edify or build itself up in love. Thus, the effect of grace on every part is to be an increase in love for one another.

To grow in grace is to grow in love. Without which, there is no evidence of the presence of God in the Body. For God is love.

Ephesians 3:7

Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

The effectual working is the gift of grace and it was by this grace that Paul was made a minister. Therefore, it is given to the body by God to bring us to the fullness of the stature of the man Jesus Christ.

WHY THE DEATH OF THE CROSS?

Deuteronomy 21:22-23

22. And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:

23. His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Here again is the prudence of God in fulfilling the spoken Word. The law as given to Moses declared a man hanged upon a tree to be cursed by God Himself. Thus, the death of the cross was a need be in the redemption plan. For the race of Adam lived under the curse of sin and death, instituted in the Garden.

Galatians 3:13

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree . . .

Christ became the atoning substitute for the sins of the human race. He became a curse so we could be delivered from the curse.

Colossians 2:11-12

11. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

The salvation experience is the operation of God. This experience came about as a result of the faith of Christ. Therefore, having died with Him by baptism in the Spirit, we, too, can now rise in the newness of His life.

Colossians 2:13-14

13. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross . . .

Herein is the grace of God manifested to the Church. While we were yet sinners, Jesus died for our sins. He loved us that much. We were the walking dead. Our consciences were given over to dead works and our flesh fought to live out the evil of its mind.

Nevertheless, Christ made us one with Him. He paid the penalty for our sins, and made us partakers of the Spirit of life. He has freed us from the bondage of sin and death, by providing a route of escape. “His spirit,” He and He alone, has achieved the righteous standard of the Father.

However, in His mercy, the Father has quickened us together with Christ. Thus confirming that salvation is the grace of God, not of works of the flesh. In His desire to have offspring, He became the Father of spirits and the God of abundant mercy.

TO BE "IN THE FAITH"

Ephesians 3:9-12

9. 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:

10. To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11. According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him

It is by the faith of Christ that we live and prove that faith is indeed the Holy Ghost. For it is by the Spirit of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, that we have our life. Thus to walk in the Spirit is to walk in the faith and power of Jesus Christ. For the Holy Ghost is that spirit of Faith given to every member of the body.

Furthermore, the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Christ . . . the life of Christ Jesus sent back to earth to dwell in man. Thus the life of Christ is a life of trust and obedience to the Father. Therefore, to possess that life is to possess the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ.

Now we can understand the statements, “justified by faith” and “saved through faith.”

Galatians 3:22-24

22. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

The promise of the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, is given to those who believe in the faith of Jesus Christ. This is what it means, "to be in the Faith." For it is the Faith of Christ that has made us free from the law of sin and death. Jesus is the redeemer simply because He believed in the Word of the Father. He lived in that trust and belief. Therefore, He is rewarded by the Father with eternal glory and honor. One must become a partaker of that faith, the faith of Christ, in order to partake of the righteousness of God.

Now those who believe in the sacrifice He made for the sins of the race of Adam can become partakers of His life. This is the purpose of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the law of life. That life is the life of Christ Jesus and is the believer in the manifold wisdom of God. He is the one who trusted the Father to be able to do all that He promised. Therefore the promise of the Spirit is given only because of the faith of Jesus Christ.

It is the faith of Jesus that was revealed after the law. He is that spiritual one who came down from heaven to a foreign land, enduring the contradictions of sinners. He is the one who was humiliated yet sinned not, because of the purpose of the Father. He is the one who obeyed the Father unto death, even the cruel death of the cross, knowing that His dying would procure many sons for the Father. He knew that only those having the same Spirit of Faith could inherit the promises of the Kingdom of God and His faith in the Father was the only criteria for meeting the standard of righteousness set by God.

Galatians 2:16-20

16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

17. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

18. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

19. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Once again, we see those accepting the work of Christ are the only ones justified by His faith. To those who believe in Him, it is His faith and obedience to the Father that allows us to be partakers of His righteousness. Thus, the stain of sin is cleansed from our being and the penalty is paid by His death. We have become the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:25-26

25. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

The power of the Faith of Christ is the adoption of the children of God.

Galatians 3:27

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

To believe in Christ is to be baptized in Him. This means that the inward man takes on the life of Christ by the Spirit. Our being is now in Him, and He therefore, is our life.

Acts 17:28

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

We all have been baptized in the Spirit of Christ. Therefore, we are no longer of the race of Adam but have been adopted into the royal family of God. We are His offspring, begotten by His Spirit.

Herein is the Christian, the born again believer, whose inner man is hid in the Spirit of Christ. Thus a new creature is formed, not Jew or Greek, male nor female. He is Christ. He is born of the Spirit. He is the Son of God.

Galatians 3:29

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Abraham’s seed is Christ. Therefore, to be baptized into Christ is to also become the seed of Abraham.

C: THE IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY

I want you to see even more clearly the purpose of God for the Body of Christ. Along the way, I hope to bring peace to your soul by revealing the hidden mystery of the glorious coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:49

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

We are already born of God so what does this scripture mean? Through Christ Jesus, we are already the Sons of God, created in the image of God, but the Word speaks of some later event that will translate us into the image of Christ. What is the image of the heavenly we are lacking?

1 John 3:2

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

It seems that the Apostle John agrees with this line of thought. Now, right now we are the sons of God, but the completeness of the nature of the sons has not yet been manifested. When Christ returns, we shall be like Him and we will see the true physical body of Christ in its glorified estate.

Therefore, the question is, will we be given a new body like that of Jesus, or does it mean we shall be a part of the physical body of Christ? I dare to say that the latter is true. We will indeed inherit the physical body of Christ. We are of His seed and we are of His kind. By making us partakers of the Spirit, He made us partakers of the glory that shall be revealed on the Day of the Lord.

Consider these verses. They tell of the awesome plan of God.

Ephesians 2:15-16

15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby . . .

1 Corinthians 12:12-14

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.

1 Corinthians 12:27

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Ephesians 5:29-32

29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Ephesians 1:10-14

10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:15-23

15. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16. Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23. Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

It is the mind of the Father and the good pleasure of His will to gather all of His offspring into one body. That body is the one prepared by the Father to bring glory to the Son. For it is the Father who places each member in their places in the body.

Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches, and my Father is the husbandman." It is very clear that the branches are part of the tree. They are not only like the tree, but they are the parts in particular that makeup the tree.

Paul describes this operation of God best in his letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 15:35-44

35. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

36. Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

37. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

38. But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

39. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

40. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

42. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43. It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

44. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

We shall be raised in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. For in Him we live and have our being. We are the offspring of God. That one bare grain was planted in the earth to die and was quickened by the Spirit of Life, and now that seed has produced a vine whose branches will cover the whole earth.

Isaiah 61:3

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

THE MIND OF CHRIST

The whole Body will be of one mind in the Millennium. There will be no schisms in the Body, no sedition or variance. We will all be one mind.

As I was preparing this lesson, I heard the Lord speak very plainly to me concerning this matter. This is what He shared:

Some saints are not as encouraged as they should be regarding the rapture of the Church and the Millennial Reign to follow, because they are not certain or clear on the disposition of the saints after the rapture. When they look at their frailties, failures, faults and occasional lusts, even if they make it into glory, they question how will they maintain perfection throughout eternity?

It is the reality of this struggle that has caused some to doubt. Being ignorant of the disposition of the saints after the rapture creates a void in our hope and belief system. This is not good because our hope is the anchor for the soul and belief in the invisible things assure our steadfastness in the truth.

Romans 7:24

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Why did Paul refer to his natural body as a body of death? The foregoing verses explain the struggle of the natural man to do the will of God.

Romans 7:22-23

22. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

This is the reality and fear of some in the Body of Christ. Regardless of the good we desire to do according to the influence of the inner man, there is still a law which is working our members. It is the law of sin and death.

Thank God, Jesus has given us power to subdue the flesh by the Law of the Spirit of Life, [the Holy Ghost]. Nevertheless, the battle continues.

Galatians 5:16-18

16. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Take note here that it is the flesh, the human body that wars against the Spirit of God. It is the fleshy body that lusts for the things of this world. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life are the attributes of the human body. What the eyes see stimulates the thoughts. What the flesh touches or takes pleasure in wars against the Spirit of God.

Therefore, the only hope of overcoming sin is the renewal of the fleshy mind. This we may accomplish, but as long as the creature is confined to this body, He will have a continuous fight to "keep his body under."

Although we win, we must always suffer in the flesh to hold fast our profession of Faith. We must continue to die daily to the things of this world, working out our soul salvation with fear and trembling.

Paul asked the question. "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ. For one day He will redeem us from this body of death.

Romans 8:23-25

23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

This is the final redemption. The redemption of the body. For we shall be fashioned into His glorious body.

Now the body of sin will be destroyed forever, the mind of the new body is the mind of the Christ. There will be no lustful human members of our body to contend with. The new body is that of the Lord. It is the bone of His bone and the flesh of His flesh. It is a body that has no memory of sin.

The soul is preserved to maintain the word of our testimony and love toward God for His great mercy towards us. However, it will be clothed in the righteousness and power of God. He will be all in all. Finally, God cannot be tempted with sin . . . this is the prize and the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!

God bless you,

Apostle Mary Banks