Holy Apostles and Prophets Part 4

Continued...

We have already determined that the apostles and prophets Paul refers to in his epistles are only those who are in the body of Christ.  Paul is the chief apostle (as is Peter in the kingdom program), and there are secondary apostles under him.

The gift of prophecy was needed during the early part of Paul’s ministry.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-20

Quench not the Spirit.  Despise not prophesyings.

1 Thessalonians is an early epistle written by Paul before he had received and recorded the complete mystery of Christ.  So how would the saints understand the mystery like we can?  They couldn’t read about it; but they had two things: prophets in the body of Christ and Paul’s prophetic ministry.

Paul talks about the spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 13.

1 Corinthians 13:1-2

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

The apostle Paul had every spiritual gift.  There was nothing that the Spirit of God gave to any man that Paul didn’t also have, and more.

2 Corinthians 12:4

How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Paul alone could speak the tongue of angels.  When Paul was caught up, he heard and understood the language angels speak in heaven.  (When on earth, angels communicated with man in human languages.)  Paul could communicate with anyone in the universe.  He could speak in any language/tongue of man; and he could speak with angels in their language.

So we see in 1 Corinthians 13:2 that Paul was a prophet.  Not only were there other prophets in the body of Christ, but Paul devotes an entire chapter to the operation of that spiritual gift.

1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Paul was telling them to ask God to give them this gift of prophecy.

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Like the church today, they desired to speak in tongues but they didn’t know how to use them or that the purpose was for edification.  Paul said to forget that; but rather desire to prophesy (i.e., speak forth) the mystery of Christ in their own language to the church the body of Christ.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

Paul tells them that they should want to have the gift of prophecy to be able to edify people in the doctrine of grace, the mystery of Christ.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.  I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Colossians 4:3

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

There were women in the body who had the gift of prophecy; they just couldn’t use it in the church.

1 Corinthians 14:34

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.

When Priscilla and Aquila ministered as a couple, Priscilla could also communicate the doctrine; she was a believer.

Acts 18:26

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

Romans 16:3

Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

God wants women to understand this information too.  But women couldn’t teach in a leadership capacity in authority over men in the local assembly.

There are other women in the bible who were prophets.

Exodus 15:20a

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron

Judges 4:4

And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

2 Chronicles 34:22a

And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess

Nehemiah 6:14

My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.

Luke 2:36a

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser

These women were prophets because men were not taking the leadership role that they should have.

Paul functioned as a prophet by communicating doctrine.

Romans 16:17

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned [from Paul]; and avoid them.

1 Timothy 4:6

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

1 Timothy 4:16

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

2 Timothy 3:10

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

There were other prophets in the body of Christ besides Paul.

1 Corinthians 14:37

If any man think himself to be a prophet [if you think you have the gift of prophecy], or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

One of the main functions of a prophet was not just to say, ‘Thus saith the Lord’ verbally; but it was to actually determine what was scripture and what wasn’t.  It was to point to something that was written and say, ‘This is scripture.’  The bible wasn’t put together by some church council (in Rome); it was ‘canonized’ by prophets in the body of Christ in Paul’s day.

Hopefully this helps! 

_†††

_{++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++}

Northern California Grace Fellowship

Do you have a question for Pastor Ron?

 Heir of God or Joint-Heirs with Christ? 

Wrongly Deriding Joint-heirs with Christ

Holy Apostles and Prophets Part 3

Continuing on...

We have been dealing with the issue of apostles and prophets and the reason why God had Paul lists them in that order.  Remember that the way Paul talks about the apostles and prophets in Ephesians 3:5 is consistent with the book of Ephesians and with his ministry to the church the body of Christ, as opposed to how the Bible refers to those offices in time past - (first) prophets and (then) apostles.

Let’s look at our text again:

Ephesians 3:5

[speaking of the mystery of Christ] Which in other ages [before the age of grace]was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

We explained how after Paul, there were secondary apostles in the body of Christ.  God communicated the mystery to them by the Spirit of God.

Romans 1:5

By whom we [Paul and others] have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Paul is the head apostle who also received visions and revelations.

2 Corinthians 12:1

It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

We see that there are secondary apostles, who established churches, throughout the book of Acts, as well.  The Spirit of God revealed the mystery of Christ to the prophets who would identify and speak/prophesy God’s word.

1 Corinthians 13:9

 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

Quench not the Spirit.  Despise not prophesyings.  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

But there were apostles in the body of Christ first:

1 Corinthians 12:27-28

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  And God hath set some in the church [the body of Christ], first apostles, secondarily prophets [so we see the order when it comes to the body], thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

That is why Paul intentionally says in Ephesians 3:5, ‘apostles and prophets.’

Ephesians 2:20

[speaking of the one body] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Ephesians 4:11

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

So that is the order in the body of Christ.  But in prophecy there is another group of prophets and apostles (including Peter, James and John who learned from Paul but who were not a part of the body of Christ’s holy apostles and prophets).

In the prophetic book of Luke, the Lord Jesus Christ mentions prophets and apostles as he upbraids the unbelieving, religious leaders of Israel.

Luke 11:48-49

Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.  Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them [Israel] prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

So when God dealt with Israel in prophecy, he sent prophets first; and then during Christ’s earthly ministry he ordained twelve disciples/apostles.

Matthew 10:1

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Israel is built upon the prophets.  Moses was a prophet.

Deuteronomy 34:10

And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,

Luke 24:27

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Jesus Christ our Lord was a prophet.  God first sent prophets to Israel, and then apostles under the kingdom program.

Acts 3:22

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

In another prophetic book, 2 Peter in the Hebrew epistles, the order in which the prophets and apostles are listed is consistent with the old testament scriptures.

2 Peter 3:2

That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Peter talks about himself as a holy apostle to Israel, but first gives honor to the holy prophets.  We can see the distinction in the Bible between the mystery program and the prophetic program in the specific order in which prophets and apostles are listed. 

The one exception is in the book of Revelation, the only prophetic book that lists apostles and prophets in the same order as Paul’s epistles.  That is because John writes all his books futuristically.  He calls Christ Jehovah God, who calls those things that be not as though they were (Romans 4:17).

John 3:13

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Jesus Christ had not yet ascended into heaven (John 20:17, Acts 1:9), and he was not in heaven when he was saying this to Nicodemus.

In Revelation 18:20, John is making reference to a future people.

Revelation 18:20

Rejoice over her [destroyed Babylon], thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

Isn’t that interesting?!  With the destruction of Babylon in the future, John calls for rejoicing and links heaven with holy apostles and prophets.  He lists the apostles before the prophets (as does Paul), but notice where they are.  They are in heaven!  They are members of the church the body of Christ which will already be in heaven when John’s prophecy of the Day of the Lord will be taking place.

Revelation 12:12a

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them [the body of Christ, as well as the holy angels].

So the reason that John did not list the prophets first like Luke and Peter did, is because he is talking about those in the body of Christ and not those in the prophetic program for Israel.  The holy apostles and prophets in the body of Christ were persecuted just like those in Israel, the Little Flock members.

Matthew 5:12

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

John 15:20

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Acts 7:52

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

Galatians 1:13

 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

2 Corinthians 4:9

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

1 Thessalonians 2:15

Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

Once the church was established, the prophets would prophecy the word of God (the mystery of Christ).  God supernaturally imparted this information to them.  Prophecy was a supernatural-operating gift of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:1-3, 6, 39

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

The reason that we no longer have apostles and prophets is because we now have the completed word of God.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.¹⁰ But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

The operating of the spiritual gifts is a huge issue in the church; but  Paul tells us that they were only temporary in nature until the word of God, particularly the mystery of Christ, was fully communicated.

To be continued…

Holy Apostles and Prophets Part 2

Continued from Holy Apostles and Prophets Part 1…  

The focus of the entire book of Ephesians is the church which is his body, the church the body of Christ, and our calling/vocation for the heavenly places.  So when Paul talks about the holy apostles and prophets,

Ephesians 3:5

[speaking of the mystery of Christ] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, [Obviously that is time past before this present dispensation of grace when none of the sons of men knew about it.] as it is now [in the dispensation of grace] revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Early in the dispensation of grace, the Spirit of God was revealing to Paul that he was now dealing with Gentiles and that Jews and Gentiles were now in one body by the cross—that was the secret, the “mystery” now revealed.  God was taking individual Jews and Gentiles and putting them into a new agency called the church the body of Christ for the heavenly places reconciled by the cross.

Ephesians 2:16

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

Colossians 1:20

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

You mentioned that Paul had a prophetic ministry.  Well, the apostles did to!  Prophecy is speaking forth the word of God: “Thus saith the Lord.”  A prophet was someone who spoke on behalf of the Lord.

Exodus 4:22

And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

Isaiah 7:7

Thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.

But these apostles and prophets that Paul is talking about are not those who were in Israel before him.  Again, when the Bible talks about the prophets and apostles in the prophecy program, the wording makes it very clear that the prophets came first, and then the apostles.  God sent prophets to Israel throughout their history; it was only later during the Lord’s earthly ministry that he sent the apostles.  They are consistently mentioned in that order.

But concerning the church the body of Christ, we see in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14 how it was formed by God.  Paul compares our physical, human bodies to the spiritual body, the church the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

For as the body is one [the physical, human body], and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

He didn’t say “the body of Christ;” he said “Christ” – our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians is about the body of Christ.  Colossians is about Christ as the head of the body.  The two work together.  Ephesians and Colossians are sister epistles.

The body of Christ is made up of many members, but we are all one body.  That is why Paul goes on to say:

1 Corinthians 12:13

For by one Spirit [of God] are we all [both Jew and Gentile] baptized into one body,

That is a spiritual baptism that is not done by man in water.  The moment a Jew or Gentile trusts Christ’s shed blood for sins, the Spirit of God baptizes him/her into the body of Christ.

whether we be Jews or Gentiles [race is not an issue], whether we be bond or free [social position is not the issue]; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

In Galatians Paul adds that our gender is not an issue, for all are in Christ.

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.

1 Corinthians 12:27-28

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

So the issue Paul is dealing with is clearly the body of Christ.

And God hath set some in the church [the body of Christ], first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

When Paul talks about the structure of the body of Christ—how God is forming it in its infancy—he shows that God first gives apostles to establish local assemblies.  Paul is the main apostle and there are, what I would call, secondary apostles under Paul.  But Paul is the apostle.

Romans 11:13

For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

But Paul was not the only one to whom God revealed information.  After Paul preached the gospel in a location and some were saved, he would move to another area to establish a church.  God would then call some of those saved men to be apostles.

Romans 1:5

By whom we [plural] have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

So there were ‘assistant’ apostles who were under Paul and who would assist him in establishing churches.  The Holy Spirit would supernaturally reveal information to them (Eph. 3:5):

as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Paul received visions and revelations directly from the Lord Jesus.  But how would the new saints in the body be established?  By these apostles who went out with Paul and labored with him.

2 Corinthians 8:23

Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 3:2

And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

Philemon 1:1

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 

Philemon 1:24; 4:3

Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

God sent out other men under Paul to communicate the doctrine before he wrote it down in scripture and to prophecy (speak forth) the information about the mystery of Christ.

Ephesians 3:4

Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

The prophets would speak the word; they identified the word of God (scripture), ‘Thus saith the Lord.’

1 Corinthians 14:37

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

They were to acknowledge that Paul’s epistles were the word of God.  Notice that in the body of Christ there are apostles (first) and prophets (second).  Paul already brought up this issue in Ephesians 2.

Ephesians 2:19-20

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

So as Paul is dealing with the Gentiles in Ephesus who were being added to the body of Christ, this household of God, this building, this temple of the Lord, he says the foundation is ‘of the apostles and prophets.’

1 Corinthians 3:11

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Paul is the original apostle who laid the foundation.  When he says, ‘the foundation of the apostles and prophets,’ he is not taking away from the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is the issue; but he is saying that they are the ones who are preaching Christ and laying the foundation of the body of Christ by preaching Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.

Romans 16:25

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

God is using these apostles and prophets in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:28) to build up the saints in the body of Christ.

Although Peter, James and John are holy apostles, they are not who Paul is talking about in Ephesians 3:5; he is talking about body of Christ saints who are apostles and prophets.  Peter, James and John are not members of the body; they are kingdom saints, members of the Little Flock, the Jewish remnant.  They will rule in the earthly kingdom with Christ.  The apostles and prophets in the body of Christ will be in the heavenly places with us.  John mentions them in the book of Revelation regarding the future in the heavens.

Revelation 18:20

Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

In Ephesians 4, Paul breaks down how God formed the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:10-12

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

The Lord Jesus is taking his place as the rightful head of the church the body of Christ.

And he gave [past tense] some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [Why?]  For the perfecting of the saints [‘members in particular’], for the work of the ministry, for the edifying [building up] of the body of Christ:

So when apostles and prophets appear in Paul’s epistles, and specifically in that order, he is always talking about the church the body of Christ.

Hopefully this helps...Maranatha!

_†††

_{++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++}

Northern California Grace Fellowship

Do you have a question for Pastor Ron?

Holy Apostles and Prophets Part 1

I am endeavoring to polish my understanding of Ephesians 3:5:

Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Paul mentions the mystery not revealed to his holy apostles and prophets.  I deduce that by the time Ephesians was written that Peter had also come unto the knowledge of the mystery.

Galatians 2:7-9

But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas [Peter], and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Therefore, Peter, James and John would be among these holy apostles referred to by Paul.  My question regarding Ephesians 3:5 is two-fold: 

Are there any other apostles that Paul is referring to? and 

Who are the prophets Paul mentions?   (I know that Paul functioned in a prophetic capacity, but I can’t see a specific passage that would prove this point.)

In Ephesians Chapter 3, in fact in the entire book, the Apostle Paul is dealing with this special revelation of the mystery given to him regarding the church which is his body, or the church the body of Christ.

Colossians 1:24

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

We’ll begin with verse one to get the context for Chapter 3:

Ephesians 3:1-6

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;  That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

So Paul is talking about this revelation of the mystery.

Romans 16:25

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

He is talking about what God promised before the world began.

Titus 1:2-3

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

Colossians 1:25-27

Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

The church the body of Christ was a mystery.  God dealt with the nation of Israel in time past up until the time of Paul who was saved, or as he says, born out of due time.

1 Corinthians 15:8

And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

The Apostle Paul’s salvation which was by grace through faith plus no works was a mystery.  He was the chief of sinners.

1 Timothy 1:15-16

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. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Paul was the chief persecutor of the Jewish believing remnant, the Little Flock, the kingdom saints.  The Apostle wasn’t qualified to be saved under that past dispensation.

1 Timothy 1:13

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Mark 3:29

 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost [Acts 7] hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.

But God began a new dispensation, the Dispensation of the Grace of God in which he is now dispensing grace and peace.

1 Corinthians 1:3

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is no longer dealing with humanity under the law.  With the salvation of Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul) in Acts 9, God is sending out a new message of grace and peace to the Gentile world.  That is what Paul is talking about here in Ephesians 30+ years into that ministry.  He is now in a Roman prison when he says:

Ephesians 3:1-2

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

God gave Paul this information about the church which is his body.  That is what is important in this passage.

The way Peter, James and John learned about his mystery was by Paul.

Galatians 2:7-9

But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;  (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship [at the Jerusalem council]; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

That is when Peter, James and John began to understand Paul’s ministry.  So when Paul mentions the holy apostles and prophets, he is not referring to those before him.  Paul is talking about those who were in the church the body of Christ.  When God created the body of Christ, the one new man…

Ephesians 2:15

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;

…he also created apostles and prophets.  When we are dealing with prophecy – the information that God gave the nation of Israel for the earth before Paul was saved  –  and apostles and prophets are mentioned in scripture outside of Paul’s epistles, they are listed as prophets and then apostles.

 

Luke 11:49

Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

2 Peter 3:2

That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

The only exception to that order (prophets and then apostles) is written by John in Revelation…

Revelation 18:20

Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

…in reference to the heavenly places where the body of Christ will then be.

It is true that when Paul wrote Ephesians late in his ministry, Peter already had knowledge of the mystery.  He at least understood the change in the program.

2 Peter 3:16

As also in all his [Paul’s] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Although Peter, James and John were holy apostles and prophets in the Lord’s earthly ministry to the nation of Israel in prophecy, I don’t believe that is who Paul is referring to in Ephesians 3:5 and I will show you why.

Peter, James and John were not in the church the body of Christ which is what Paul is talking about in Ephesians 3:5.  There is a distinction.

To be continued…..

Hopefully this helps...Maranatha!

_†††

_{++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++}

Northern California Grace Fellowship

Do you have a question for Pastor Ron?