The Difference Between the Rapture of the Church and the Second Coming of Christ

[Marilyn C]

Why don't you explain the "Great Commission to the Church" at the end of Matthew's Gospel?

.

Hi BABerean,

`Then Jesus came and spoke to them (11 disciples) saying, "All authority has been give to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matt. 28: 18 - 20)

Note only the 11 disciples. So when they were considering choosing the 12th man they said -

`Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.` (Acts 1: 21 & 22)

Now what did Peter preach on -

`Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.` (Acts 2: 36)

The 12 disciples were to preach of Jesus as Lord and Christ, the one they witnessed resurrected. Note however they never knew of such a thing as the Body of Christ because the Lord Himself did not reveal that revelation to them, but to the Apostle Paul who went to the Gentiles.

We preach all that the Lord told the 12 disciples, (in the gospels) and....what he revealed to the ascension apostle Paul concerning the Body of Christ.

Marilyn.

 

[BABerean2]

The 12 disciples were to preach of Jesus as Lord and Christ, the one they witnessed resurrected. Note however they never knew of such a thing as the Body of Christ because the Lord Himself did not reveal that revelation to them, but to the Apostle Paul who went to the Gentiles.

Marilyn,

You keep repeating this error, which often comes from "Mid-Acts Dispensationalism", despite being faced with the scripture that says otherwise.

Some of your fellow Dispensationalists here have attempted to correct your error, but you have also ignored them.

Mat 16:16　 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.　
Mat 16:17　 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.　
Mat 16:18　 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.　


In Galatians 1:6-9 Paul reveals that there is only one Gospel.
He did not say that the Gospel preached by Peter was different.

Paul also preached to Jews in synagogues.

.

 

[Adstar]

Ok here is my post on the Rapture and it's Timing..


The Day of the Lord is the Day of the Messiah's Second Coming Jesus describes what will happen on that day. I will bold the words i wish you to take close note of.[/I]


Matthew 24

27For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.


So After the tribulation Jesus will return and gather the elect to Him.


There is another Rapture verse spoken of by Jesus that links the Day of the Lord to the Rapture.


Luke 17

29but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31" In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. 32Remember Lot's wife. 33Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. 35Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. 36Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left."


When will the Son of Man (Messiah Jesus) be revealed? At His second coming the Day of the Lord. Who will take the sleeping man and the woman grinding and the man working in the field? The angels sent out in Matthew 24 verse 21


It is also nice to note that Jesus revealed that this will be a world wide event because at the time of His return it will be day on one half of the world "In that day" and it will be night on the other half of the world "in that night"


Also this will be an event that will take place in a twinkling of an eye Paul reveals the rapture and its timing at the Last trumpet this scripture is probably the best rapture supporting scripture in the bible:



1 Corrinthians15:

49And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.


Here Paul is saying that as we inhabit earthly bodies derived from dust so shall we inhabit new bodies changed and not made of dust. Paul goes on to explain why:



50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.


So the bodies that we inhabit cannot enter the Kingdom of God and also "corruption" dead bodies must also be changed also. Then Paul reveals a mystery:



51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.


So Paul is saying that "we shall not all sleep" now I hope everyone can agree that he is talking about physical death here? Paul is saying not everyone will experience physical death. He goes on to say that "we shall all be changed" both the dead and the living "in a moment", now at this point it could be argued that both the dead and the living could be changed in a moment in time, but at different times. That is to say the moment is only referring to the time it takes to change, not at the same moment. But we read on and Paul states the moment will be. "in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet." So not only shall both the living and the dead be changed to inherit the Kingdom of God But they will both change at the same moment, at the last trumpet. As He goes on to say "For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." Paul goes on to explain it in more detail:



53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory.


So here again we see Paul referring to the two states of being that the saints will be in at the time of the 1st Resurrection/Rapture "So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality," Dead saints and living saints caught up together in a twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet.


So from what we have read the first resurrection and the rapture (although different experiences for them that take part) will happen at the same instant in time at the last trumpet.


So now we go on to the next scripture this is the last trumpet revealed in the book of Revelation:



Revelation10

7but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.


Now the sounding of the seventh Angel is the last of a series of seven trumpets in revelation. Note that the scripture says the "Mystery of God would be finished" now the coming of the Messiah has been described by scripture at a coming in the sky (a darkened sky) and all people will see Him. Now after this event there will be on ifs or buts about the Mystery of God because all will see that God is and who He is. Everyone will know from that moment on, there will be no Mystery left. As for the darkening of the sky this is described as happening beforehand on the sounding of the forth trumpet:



Revelation 8

12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.



Now This brings up the belief in two resurrections. The resurrection of the saints that happens at the second coming and the resurrection of the rest of mankind at the end of the 1000 years for the great final Judgement. The Book of Revelation chapter 20 clearly states that their will be two distinct resurrections one at the return of the Messiah Jesus and another at the end of the 1000 year reign of the Messiah Jesus:



Revelation 20


4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.


satanic Rebellion Crushed

(1) 7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[2] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.



The Great White Throne Judgment

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God,[3] and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books

 

[Adstar]

But is not the whole world broken up into 10 nations/kingdoms after the Rapture of the Church?

That is a theory someone came up with .. Th Bible does not say that directly.. Someone has interpreted the Bible and decided thats what it means..

 

[Biblewriter]

Ok here is my post on the Rapture and it's Timing..


The Day of the Lord is the Day of the Messiah's Second Coming Jesus describes what will happen on that day. I will bold the words i wish you to take close note of.[/I]


Matthew 24

27For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.


So After the tribulation Jesus will return and gather the elect to Him.


There is another Rapture verse spoken of by Jesus that links the Day of the Lord to the Rapture.


Luke 17

29but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31" In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. 32Remember Lot's wife. 33Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. 35Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. 36Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left."


When will the Son of Man (Messiah Jesus) be revealed? At His second coming the Day of the Lord. Who will take the sleeping man and the woman grinding and the man working in the field? The angels sent out in Matthew 24 verse 21


It is also nice to note that Jesus revealed that this will be a world wide event because at the time of His return it will be day on one half of the world "In that day" and it will be night on the other half of the world "in that night"


Also this will be an event that will take place in a twinkling of an eye Paul reveals the rapture and its timing at the Last trumpet this scripture is probably the best rapture supporting scripture in the bible:



1 Corrinthians15:

49And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.


Here Paul is saying that as we inhabit earthly bodies derived from dust so shall we inhabit new bodies changed and not made of dust. Paul goes on to explain why:



50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.


So the bodies that we inhabit cannot enter the Kingdom of God and also "corruption" dead bodies must also be changed also. Then Paul reveals a mystery:



51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.


So Paul is saying that "we shall not all sleep" now I hope everyone can agree that he is talking about physical death here? Paul is saying not everyone will experience physical death. He goes on to say that "we shall all be changed" both the dead and the living "in a moment", now at this point it could be argued that both the dead and the living could be changed in a moment in time, but at different times. That is to say the moment is only referring to the time it takes to change, not at the same moment. But we read on and Paul states the moment will be. "in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet." So not only shall both the living and the dead be changed to inherit the Kingdom of God But they will both change at the same moment, at the last trumpet. As He goes on to say "For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." Paul goes on to explain it in more detail:



53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory.


So here again we see Paul referring to the two states of being that the saints will be in at the time of the 1st Resurrection/Rapture "So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality," Dead saints and living saints caught up together in a twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet.


So from what we have read the first resurrection and the rapture (although different experiences for them that take part) will happen at the same instant in time at the last trumpet.


So now we go on to the next scripture this is the last trumpet revealed in the book of Revelation:



Revelation10

7but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.


Now the sounding of the seventh Angel is the last of a series of seven trumpets in revelation. Note that the scripture says the "Mystery of God would be finished" now the coming of the Messiah has been described by scripture at a coming in the sky (a darkened sky) and all people will see Him. Now after this event there will be on ifs or buts about the Mystery of God because all will see that God is and who He is. Everyone will know from that moment on, there will be no Mystery left. As for the darkening of the sky this is described as happening beforehand on the sounding of the forth trumpet:



Revelation 8

12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.



Now This brings up the belief in two resurrections. The resurrection of the saints that happens at the second coming and the resurrection of the rest of mankind at the end of the 1000 years for the great final Judgement. The Book of Revelation chapter 20 clearly states that their will be two distinct resurrections one at the return of the Messiah Jesus and another at the end of the 1000 year reign of the Messiah Jesus:



Revelation 20


4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.


satanic Rebellion Crushed

(1) 7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[2] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.



The Great White Throne Judgment

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God,[3] and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books

As I said, most of the arguments against a pre-tribulation rapture neglect the fact that the scriptures describe more than one future return of Christ.

 

[Biblewriter]

It took 5 posts to show the proof of your doctrine. Very nice story. Very well written.

Ignore "the time of the judgment of the dead" in Revelation 11:18, and Christ "coming as a thief" at Armageddon in Revelation 16:15-16, and those under the Blood of the Lamb in Revelation 12:11, and maybe you can make it work.

.

Rather, the proof of what I said is so extensive that it took five posts to cover just its main points.

 

[BABerean2]

As I said, most of the arguments against a pre-tribulation rapture neglect the fact that the scriptures describe more than one future return of Christ.

You must be correct about Christ returning more than one time, because Christ returns "as a thief" at Armageddon, in Revelation 16:15-16, and He also returns in Revelation 19:11-19...

Do these two passages prove that you are correct?

.

 

[Adstar]

As I said, most of the arguments against a pre-tribulation rapture neglect the fact that the scriptures describe more than one future return of Christ.

There is only one return of the LORD Jesus Christ.. Not two or three..

One return. One return only Vasily

 

[precepts]

If the scriptures, in and by themselves, are not the final authority, then we have absolutely nothing to go on, whatsoever. Jesus himself clearly stated that tat not only every word, but even the very spelling of every word, was important. (Matthew 5:18)

Say whatever you like, but it's a proven fact which means you're misinterpreting the verse. And as to your claim of the whole book being no good if one iota isn't from God, I say go ahead and throw out the baby with the bath water, because that's how you people think and reason - at least what you would want people to believe. And we've been thru this before, the book not being without error.

Vacillate from the truth if you must, but the facts are clear.

 

[precepts]

In your above post, you made the following remark:

"- Sleeping in the dust does not mean being absent from the body and being present with God. It means being unconscious in the grave, which is considered sleep, because "death" is burning forever in the lake of fire."

Which is in direct conflict with the Scriptures, as recorded in 2 Cor.5:6-8, confirming Ecc.12:7. As well as Lk.16:19-31; Rev.6{9-11 and 7:9-17.

There is no such thing as soul sleep.


Quasar92

Lazarus wasn't absent from his body and present with God when he died. He was asleep, as Christ confirmed. Take it or leave it. Your argument is one-sided, therefore it's false. Fool who you can.

 

[Biblewriter]

Say whatever you like, but it's a proven fact which means you're misinterpreting the verse. And as to your claim of the whole book being no good if one iota isn't from God, I say go ahead and throw out the baby with the bath water, because that's how you people think and reason - at least what you would want people to believe. And we've been thru this before, the book not being without error.

Vacillate from the truth if you must, but the facts are clear.

I have personally examined the most commonly cited claims about errors in the text of the Bible, and have found the claims to not only be incorrect, but deceptively stated. That is, the claims themselves show evidence that the claimant was aware that he (or she, as the case may be) was misrepresenting the facts.

For myself, I will go with the words of Jesus, "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." Matthew 5:18

 

[Biblewriter]

There is only one return of the LORD Jesus Christ.. Not two or three..

One return. One return only Vasily

There is not even one scripture that says that.

 

[Quasar92]

Lazarus wasn't absent from his body and present with God when he died. He was asleep, as Christ confirmed. Take it or leave it. Your argument is one-sided, therefore it's false. Fool who you can.

When a person dies, their spirit/soul returns to God, who gave it, and the body goes back to dust from where it came. Confirming Ecc.12:7 and 2 Cor.5:9 KJV. There are some passages of Scripture related to where a person who died was brought back to life, such as Lazarus. All of which were miracle, to the glory of God.

Other examples of the disposition of the spirit/soul after the death of the physical body, can be found in Lk.16:19-25; Rev.6:9-11 and Rev.7:9-17.

There is no such thing as soul sleep. It is a herey.


Quasar92

 

[precepts]

When a person dies, their spirit/soul returns to God, who gave it, and the body goes back to dust from where it came.

Again you're choosing to be one-sided. It is the "breath" that goes back to God, not a spirit because we are not spirits. We are flesh, blood, and bone beings. We do not function without flesh, blood, and bones, the reason we are awaken out of the dust and given glorified "bodies." It is the breath blown into man that animated the dust into flesh, blood, and bones. When that leaves, we cease to exist.

All of scripture has to align. You can't accept what you want to accept and ignore the rest. That's being bias and partial in your understanding.

Confirming Ecc.12:7 and 2 Cor.5:9 KJV. There are some passages of Scripture related to where a person who died was brought back to life, such as Lazarus. All of which were miracle, to the glory of God.

None saying they were called back from heaven, and many others proving death as we know it to be sleep/slumber. When Saul contacted Samuel from the grave, what was Samuel's reply?

1Sa 28:8 And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

1Sa 28:9 And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
1Sa 28:10 And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.
1Sa 28:11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.
1Sa 28:12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.
1Sa 28:13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.
1Sa 28:14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.
1Sa 28:15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.​

- Proof positive that you're wrong, that you're mistaken.

Other examples of the disposition of the spirit/soul after the death of the physical body, can be found in Lk.16:19-25; Rev.6:9-11 and Rev.7:9-17.

There is no such thing as soul sleep. It is a herey.

Please! Heresy is ignoring the verses that prove otherwise. You're acting as if they don't exist, which is heresy on your part.

 

[BABerean2]

Lazarus wasn't absent from his body and present with God when he died. He was asleep, as Christ confirmed. Take it or leave it. Your argument is one-sided, therefore it's false. Fool who you can.

Mat_10:28　 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

.

 

[precepts]

Mat_10:28　 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

.

And?

 

[precepts]

I have personally examined the most commonly cited claims about errors in the text of the Bible, and have found the claims to not only be incorrect, but deceptively stated. That is, the claims themselves show evidence that the claimant was aware that he (or she, as the case may be) was misrepresenting the facts.

For myself, I will go with the words of Jesus, "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." Matthew 5:18

There's a reason why I didn't get an alert for this message. And it's because they, as well as you, know better.

Pick your choice: bible contradictions - YouTube

 

[Biblewriter]

There's a reason why I didn't get an alert for this message. And it's because they, as well as you, know better.

Pick your choice: bible contradictions - YouTube

In my upwards of fifty years in the ministry, without a single exception, EVERY purported contradiction that has EVER been presented to me, has been the result of misinterpreting one or both of the passages alleged to be in contradiction.

 

[Marilyn C]

Marilyn,


Mat 16:16　 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.　
Mat 16:17　 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.　
Mat 16:18　 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.　


In Galatians 1:6-9 Paul reveals that there is only one Gospel.
He did not say that the Gospel preached by Peter was different.

Paul also preached to Jews in synagogues.

.

Hi BABerean,

Let`s see what we agree on - The gospel, the good news that Jesus is both Lord and Christ, and that He gave His life as a sacrifice in our stead. Through Him we come to the Father and have eternal life.

This is what the 12 Apostles preached and what we preach also. (No drama there ay bro?)

Now as you quoted the Lord said He would build His `ekklesia,` His called out ones. The disciples knew that they, Israel were the `ekklesia` the called out ones in the wilderness. Jesus did not go on to explain the details of what He meant. If He did he would have been a liar, for in Ephesians 4 we read how the revelation given to Paul of the Body of Christ, was NOT known to the sons of men previously.

Thus when Paul talks to the Ephesians as he is about to leave them, he says -

`Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men, for I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.` (Acts 20: 26 & 27)

And what is that `whole counsel of God`? It is all the 12 disciples knew plus what God had revealed to Paul concerning the Body of Christ.

Marilyn.

 

[BABerean2]

If He did he would have been a liar, for in Ephesians 4 we read how the revelation given to Paul of the Body of Christ, was NOT known to the sons of men previously.

Eph 4:1　 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,　
Eph 4:2　 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;　
Eph 4:3　 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.　
Eph 4:4　 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;　
Eph 4:5　 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,　
Eph 4:6　 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.　
Eph 4:7　 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.　
Eph 4:8　 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.　
Eph 4:9　 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?　
Eph 4:10　 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)　
Eph 4:11　 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;　(Notice that the word is plural.)
Eph 4:12　 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:　
Eph 4:13　 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:　
Eph 4:14　 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;　
Eph 4:15　 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:　
Eph 4:16　 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.　

The New Life
Eph 4:17　 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,　
Eph 4:18　 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:　
Eph 4:19　 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.　
Eph 4:20　 But ye have not so learned Christ;　
Eph 4:21　 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:　
Eph 4:22　 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;　
Eph 4:23　 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;　
Eph 4:24　 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.　
Eph 4:25　 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.　
Eph 4:26　 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:　
Eph 4:27　 Neither give place to the devil.　
Eph 4:28　 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.　
Eph 4:29　 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.　
Eph 4:30　 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.　
Eph 4:31　 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:　
Eph 4:32　 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.　


I cannot see what you are claiming ???

.