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`Neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, the which
minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in
faith'.
This has more to do with the faithful exercise of ministry, whatever it
may be, than the revelation of any new truth, and, while including the
dispensation of the Mystery so far as Timothy shared it with Paul, does not
actually deal with it.
We trust it is clear that the dispensational standing of the Church,
the calling of the Gentile, and the revelation of the Mystery after Acts 28,
constitute a unique revelation and stewardship.
It is essential that the reader should distinguish `The Mystery' of
Ephesians 3:3, which had been hid in God until it was revealed to Paul, and
the Mystery of Christ, which has been the subject of revelation right down
the ages.
Ephesians 3 speaks not only of the Mystery as it relates to the new
dispensational dealings of God with the Gentiles, but also with the Mystery
of Christ. Now this mystery must not be read as meaning simply the
fulfilment of prophecy. While many in Israel saw the teaching of their
Scriptures as to the coming of the Messiah in glory and dominion, few saw the
Mystery of the Messiah which related to His Coming in lowliness, rejection
and suffering. Christ said, speaking of the mysteries of the kingdom of
heaven, `many prophets and righteous men have desired to see these things ...
but have not seen them' (Matt. 13:17), and into the Mystery of Christ `angels
desired to look' (1 Peter 1:12). Mystery necessitates revelation. It is
something that cannot be inferred or arrived at by study.
First we will set out the structure of Ephesians 3:1 -13 where the two
mysteries occur:
Ephesians 3:1-13.
The prisoner of Christ Jesus
A
1.
Prisoner for you (huper humon).
B
Dispensation of grace of God. a
2.
Dispensation given.
Revelation of the Mystery.
b
2.
To you -
ward.
b
2.
To me.
a
3.
Mystery revealed.
C
Two
d
4.
Mystery of Christ.
Mysteries
e
5.
Apostles and prophets (plural).
and two
f
5,6. The Mystery.
ministries.
g
In Spirit.
h1
Joint -heirs.
h2
Joint -body.
h3
Joint-partakers.
g
In Christ.
e
7.
Paul alone (singular).
d
8.
Unsearchable riches of Christ.
B
Dispensation of the Mystery.
Making known
a
9.
Dispensation hidden
wisdom of God.
since the ages.
b
9.
By God Who
created