THE EXPRESSION “whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free” must be seen in a wider context to include the meanings or connotations that whatever the nationality of a man, and, whatever may have been a man’s former condition of life, on surrender to Christ and at baptism, the Holy Spirit removes all former differences (of nationality, conditions of life etc.) between him and other believers to make him a member of the one body which Christ is the head. This generates in the new believer, the willingness to let Christ lead all the time.
To allow Christ to lead one’s life, involves accepting that the New Covenant was secured with the blood of Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20) which purchased the church of God (I Cor. 12:12, 13) as God’s new design to save man from all evil here on earth and lead him into eternal life.
Apostle Paul describes the church as “the mystery which in other ages was not made known” (Eph. 3.3-6) being “hid in God” from “the beginning of the world” (Eph. 3:9). This New Covenant and the Administration of the church comes between Israel’s rejection and the second advent of Christ. Now God is visiting the Gentiles to take out “a people for Himself” (Acts 15:14).
This New Covenant, based on the redemptive work of Christ, is purchased by God to culminate in the salvation of all who believe in the deityship of Jesus and His Sonship united with the Father and the Holy Ghost before the creation of the world. It has application to the church in this present age as the basis for the out-calling of God’s new people. Its reward, yet future, and blessings of the present, are assured by God’s faithfulness. They include spiritual regeneration and fellowship with God, resulting from true repentance on the part of man and forgiveness by God which guarantees eternal salvation.
This age of the administration of the church is also called the “Dispensation of the Holy Spirit” because the spirit has been especially manifested by His formation and indwelling of the church (John 16:7, 8).
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment”. (John 16:7,8).
The death, resurrection and ascension of Christ are important events in the outworking of the salvation plan. And Apostle John is saying in this passage that without these, the era of the Spirit would not have became a reality. Christ’s departure was thus, to (first) the disciples and (generally) to mankind, profitable and an advantage. In His incarnate body, Jesus could not be present everywhere, but through the medium of the Holy Spirit, He is able to be with each of His followers at all times and in all places (see Matt. 28:20).
The Greek word “elegcho” meaning “to convict” is translated so in John 8:9, but in chapter 8:46, it is translated “convince” (cf ICor. 14:24; Titus 1:9; James 2:9) In this passages (John l6:13) as in Luke 3:19; Eph. 5:11, 13; II Tim. 4:2, it is rendered reprove while in 1 Tim. 5:20; Titus 1:13; Heb.12:5, Rev. 3:19, it is translated “rebuke”. Jesus during His ministry on earth achieved all this in the life of those who heard Him, in one way or the other. The day of Pentecost, the day on which the church of Christ was inaugurated with the gift of the Spirit bestowed, provides a striking manifestation of this work of the Holy Spirit. Those who heard Peter’s address on that day were “pricked in their hearts” (Acts 2:37) one of the first evidence of the operation of the Holy Spirit is the deep conviction that one is a sinner. The Holy Spirit does not only expose sin, but also convicts of positive righteousness. He urges men to accept the righteousness of Christ both imputed (Rom. 10:3-10) and imparted (Gal. 2:20; Phil. 2:13) Jesus during His earthly ministry warned men of the judgment to come (Matt. 5:21, 22; 10:15; 11:22, 24; 12:36) None can escape the judgment which is as sure as death. (Heb.9:27) However, fear of judgment should not be the prime motive of right doing, it is nevertheless, a powerful agency in awakening sin-darkened minds, and therefore could be rightly and frequently appealed to (see Mark. 9:43-48; Rev. 14:11-19). Apostle Paul in Eph. 3:9 speaks of the church as “… the administration of this mystery which for ages past was hidden in God …” (NIV).
“…. The fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the word had been hid in God ….”
The new covenant sealed with the blood of Christ’s vicarious sacrifice on the cross of Calvary has the principal purpose of effecting God’s redemption plan to bring salvation to all men. The Scripture and life alike talk of the outworking of this eternal purpose (see Eph. 3:1l) first, through Jesus whom the believer must acknowledge as not only Lord, but also the Christ of God’s eternal purpose to bring about man’s salvation, and vindicate God’s character made manifest in the very Jesus Christ. And secondly, the outworking of God’s purpose of the ages is to be through the church, which was intended to be a living demonstration of God’s wisdom. Indeed, the church is not so much an agent of the power and wisdom of God (as most people make of it today) as it is a proof or evidence of God’s wisdom and power. The church makes its ‘witness best when it draws upon all the gifts of all its members, because the unity of God’s purpose calls for, or requires total submission of each believer’s will to God.
The gospel brings to light the “mysteries” of God’s eternal purpose, His wisdom and power – His character; which were hidden upto Calvary. Through the gospel, the whole human family — Jews and Gentiles — was to see the purpose of God, and, benefit from the great Covenant of Salvation (Redemption) through the administration of the church of the great out-I calling. The wisdom of God is to be shown in this fellowship — the church — which is the steward of the mystery hidden before Calvary, but now being made manifest.
The plan of redemption was on, before the foundation of the world, was laid. The historical outworking of the plan is an expression of God’s eternal goodness. The universal purpose in redemption includes the vindication of God’s sovereignty, name and character, which have been challenged by Satan and questioned by angels. This is the greatest spectacle that heavenly intelligences can contemplate.
By the gracious covenant of redemption and the administration of the church, the believer is brought closer to his Maker through the exposition of the character, wisdom, love, mercy, sovereignty and all goodness of God found only in His Son Jesus Christ.
Any church or any preaching that does not accomplish this is failing in its mission!
The End
