The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 3:9 that the reason
for his ministry is "...to make all men see what is the fellowship of the
mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God..."
What is this "fellowship of the
mystery" which was so important for men to see that God raised up an
apostle for this very purpose? If it were this important, why had it been kept
hidden for so long and why should it now be revealed?
In answer to the why, let us simply rest
assured that this was the way God wanted it and, whatever his reasons, that is
the way it should be.
It remains, therefore only necessary for
us to discover what the "fellowship of the mystery" is. This we shall
now attempt to do.
The preposition "of" suggests
that something belongs to, is associated with or is contained in something
else.
A mystery is a secret which has not been
revealed prior to this time but once revealed, it can be readily understood. A
fellowship is an association or joining together of two or more separate
entities. From this, it follows that the "fellowship of the mystery"
is a secret concerning the joining together of things which had been separate
prior to this point in time.
One might be tempted at this point to
contend that there are many mysteries spoken of in scripture and therefore we
should not choose one and claim for it the unique significance we are here
attempting. While the many mysteries do exist, we believe that Paul, himself,
guides us into this selection of one above all the rest. Let us, therefore,
allow God's word to both speak for itself and make the choice if there is to be
one.
In Ephesians 3:1-8, Paul tells us he has
been given the "dispensation of the grace of God," and that by
revelation, God made known unto him a mystery which had not been revealed to
men in other ages. In verse 4 , he calls it the mystery of Christ (the secret
about Christ). In verse 6 he specifically states that the mystery is "That
the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His
promise in Christ by the gospel"; He then continues in verse 7 to state
that he was made a minister of this message.
Many would say at this point that we need
go no further for we have the key to this mystery--the Gentiles are to be added
to the church founded by Christ and started by Peter and the others at
Pentecost. In fact, we find this very evident in Acts 10 where Peter, himself,
is sent to Cornelius after a special revelation from God (see verses 34 and
35). However, from these same verses, we must con-clude that this cannot be the
secret to which Paul is referring. One thing is certain, however-- that the
Gentiles should share with the Jews in salvation through Christ was no secret.
See Is. 11:10; 60:3; Matthew 12:17-21; Luke 2:28-32. These are but a few examples.
What then does Paul mean by
"fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in
Christ"?
The beginnings of an answer can be found
in Ephesians 2:14-22. Here we see that Christ has broken down a partition and
made into one the two that were separated by it. That men are the things being
brought together can be seen from verse 15. So who are these men? Verses 11-13
clearly show them to be the Jew and the Gentile. These two then are now of the
same body and that is Christ's body (2:15) of which Christ is the head
(1:22,23). We can now conclude that "of the same body" clearly points
to the Jew, the Gentile and our Lord Jesus Christ being joined together into
one body, the body of Christ.
From Ephesians 2:11-13, it would seem
that the Gentiles have been made fellowheirs with Israel. However, verse 2:19
suggests a deeper meaning. Here we see that we have become members of God's
household. If we can determine what position we are to fill in this household,
we should gain additional light on our question.
Ephesians 1:5 leads us to the key. Here
we are said to be predestinated to adoption as children (huiothesia) of God by
Jesus Christ. Follow-ing this thought leads us back to Romans 8:14-17 where we
are told that we have been adopted as children (teknon) of God and made to be
joint or fellowheirs with Christ. The same idea is presented in Galatians
4:1-7.
Now then, if we are not to be fellowheirs
with Israel but rather are to share in Christ's inheritance, the promises that
the body of Christ will partake of are not the promises made to Israel but the
ones made to our Lord Jesus Christ.
From this we conclude that the
"fellowship of the mystery" is a fellowship consisting of Jew and
Gentile, placed by the Holy Spirit (1 Corithians 12:13) into one body with
Christ as the head. The members of his body have been adopted as children of
God and are to be joint heirs of God with Christ. Because of this position they
will share with Christ in all that He has received from the Father. We further
con-clude that this fellowship is not a fellowship in which Gentiles are now to
share in the gospel of the kingdom promises made to Israel as a nation but
rather that the nation of Israel is but a part of the inheritance of Christ in
which we will share.
How marvelous a secret this is and what
better way to show forth the grace of God than by its revelation. Nothing but
the matchless grace of God could provide so great a treasure as fellowhship
with Christ Jesus, (to share with the Creator in all that He has created), as a
free gift. A gift which cannot be purchased, earned or deserved. A gift to be
given by God to those whom He has chosen to receive it--those who believe
(Ephesians 2:8-9).
Won't you join with us as we endeavor to
follow the great com-mission given to the Body of Christ, (today's church),
through the apostle Paul--to make all men see what is the fellowship of the
mystery? (Ephesians 3:9)
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Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
(A 10 Minute Video)
Posted By Cecil and
Connie Spivey
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