 |  |
apostle of this dispensation) and of his God-given message or gospel "may not be laid to
their charge" (II Tim. 4: 16).
The "joint-body", composed of two heavenly callings, assemblies or bodies, is as
regards the Gentile portion still being formed or built-up by the Holy Spirit in this
"dispensation of the grace of God" given to Paul usward (Eph. 3: 2).
"The one new man": "The one body" is a new creation in Christ, when God's
purposes have been completed concerning the forming of the "joint-body". The "holy
temple in the Lord", in which both the heavenly "bodies" have their part, still awaits
completion, for we read:
"IN WHOM ye (Gentiles) also are being built in together for an habitation of God
through the SPIRIT" (Eph. 2: 22).
Why should not Eph. 3: 6 and other passages mean exactly what they say? If we
believe all as written, then the questions which arise in our minds and to which we must
seek the answer of Scripture are:
(1)
Who are the "SAINTS" of Eph. 2: 19?
(2)
When are "THE BOTH" and "THE TWAIN" made "ONE", and how (i.e., under
what human relationship does God illustrate this "CREATION IN CHRIST INTO
ONE NEW MAN", so that we may grasp as much as the finite mind can do of
spiritual realities).
(3)
Can we trace in Scripture the "TWO" BODIES forming the "JOINT-BODY",
which IN CHRIST will be made into "ONE" BODY? And if so, does God name
them?
(1) We can deal with questions 1 and 3 together. We know that the word "saints" has
not the same meaning in all its occurrences in Scripture, but we have to be guided by the
context. As regards Eph. 2: 19, Dr. Bullinger in his Lexicon says that the N.T. "saints"
refer to "God's heavenly people", and we know that in connection with the Jew or Israel
there is a heavenly as well as an earthly calling, even as there is in connection with
Gentiles in this dispensation. I Cor. 15: 40 tells us that those who are members of the
heavenly callings will have "heavenly bodies", those on the new earth "bodies earthy",
and verse 41 points out that there will be differences in position "IN GLORY", even as
the passages we are considering point the complete oneness of all in Christ and in God.
In Eph. 4: 13 the goal set before us Gentiles who are members of "His body" is "a
perfect or full-grown MAN" in Christ; it is also spoken of as a "new man" in Eph. 4: 24
and Col. 3: 10.
In II Cor. 11: 2 Paul, speaking in his earlier ministry to that other assembly or body,
mainly Jewish, formed in Christ, says: "I have espoused (betrothed) you to one husband,
that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ", and in Revelation we learn of a
heavenly people or assembly designated "the bride".