Hi Pam,
I realize that you claim to be Mid-Acts, but this is almost what I hear form the Acts 28 position. The difference is that the 28ers say that the Body started after Israel was cast away, but your position is saying that ALL of the body truth was not revealed until after Acts 28.(if I am understanding you correctly) I have a problem with that stand (and also with the Acts 28 one ).
Those who hold to the Acts 28 position believe there are two bodies of Christ. STP does not believe that there are two bodies of Christ. Neither do I and I believe much the same as he.
Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
There are two groups that make up that "one body", "fellowheirs, and of the same body", the "one new man".
Ephesians 3:6 KJV That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
(1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV)
There are the "we" "who first trusted in Christ"
Ephesians 1:12 KJV That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
beginning with the the apostle Paul
1 Timothy 1:16 KJV Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
and including the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians and Thessalonians. These were those to whom Paul was first sent. Here is Paul recalling what the risen ascended Lord Jesus Christ told him in Acts 9. Look at what it says at the end of verse 17 taking note of "unto whom NOW I send thee.
Acts 26:16-17 KJV But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
Here they are:
Acts 13:26 KJV Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
Here they are again~"to the Jew first and also to the Greek":
Romans 1:16 KJV For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
But unto them which are called, "both Jews and Greeks”. Paul is already sent to both Jews AND Greeks.
1 Corinthians 1:24 KJV But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
They had a hope. They were in the commonwealth of Israel. They were in the promise.
Galatians 3:29 KJV And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
All Greeks were Gentiles, but not all Gentiles were Greeks.
The Ephesians were Gentiles OUTSIDE of the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise (such as we). These Gentiles in time past had no hope!
Ephesians 2:11-12 KJV Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
These Ephesians are of the "ye" whom "also trusted"
Ephesians 1:13 KJV In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
These are Gentiles that Paul became a prisoner for when he revealed the vision:
Please take note of for "I will send thee" far hence unto the Gentiles. Earlier you saw a "now I send thee" and now you see a "will send thee". These are not the same sendings!
Acts 22:21-22 KJV And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. 22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
Ephesians 3:1-6 KJV For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
But now!
Ephesians 2:13-15 KJV But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
And again showing the two groups in the ONE Body of Christ~
"that he might reconcile BOTH unto God IN ONE BODY by the cross
the "you which were afar off" (like the Ephesians) and the "them that were nigh" (the those who "first trusted"...)
Ephesians 2:16-18 KJV And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Here's why: After the first revealing of Body by Paul( mid-acts), he did not hold back any "secrets".
Let’s take a look.
2 Corinthians 12:1-6 KJV It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth
such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
“for I will say the truth: but now I forbear”. Paul is definitely holding back.
The whole "newness" of this gospel was that now all are one(=equal) in Christ. There was no "Jew" as far as a different hope, and there was no "Gentile" for the same reason.
The Jew still had the advantage
Romans 3:1-2 KJV What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
And the Greeks by association were in a privileged position as they feared the God of Abraham. They were in the right place at the right time (synagogues Acts 14:1 KJV, Acts 17:1-2, Acts 18:4 KJV) to receive a blessing as promised (Genesis 12:3 KJV). The blessing they would receive was Paul’s my gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV) and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (Romans 16:25-27 KJV)
The message was that all that were saved NOW would be in the Body of Christ. All "Gentiles"- near and far. These were the two groups.
There was a middle wall of partition that separated Gentiles near and far during the Acts period. It was not revealed that it was broken down until Paul made it known.
Ephesians 2:13-18 KJV But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Not three, as your position says in all actuality.
Not three, but two groups in the ONE body. I hope the above will help you to see what is the fellowship of the mystery.
Ephesians 3:9-12 KJV And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
