DO YOU BELIEVE HEAVEN AND HELL AS REAL LITERAL PLACES?

By: Bishop Albert B. Gran

Job 11:8
It is as high as HEAVEN; what canst thou do? deeper than HELL; what canst thou know?

 DESTINIES WHERE YOU CAN SPEND FOR ETERNITY:  THE HOPEFUL AND THE HOPELESS

1 Corinthians 15:18-20

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁸ Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

¹⁹ IF IN THIS LIFE ONLY WE HAVE HOPE IN CHRIST, WE ARE OF ALL MEN MOST MISERABLE.
²⁰ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Bear with me to contemplate the bold statement of our Apostle Paul in recognition to the HOPE we had in Christ. The more sure foundation by continuously believing the perfect demonstration of a spirit-soul eternal conscious existence was proven by Paul in connection to the HOPE issue and in consonance to the power of His resurrection after overcoming death from the cross of Calvary in that land of Golgotha.

It was very plain as stated that ‘IF’ IN THIS LIFE WE HAVE HOPE IN CHRIST, WE ARE OF ALL MEN MOST MISERABLE. Ask yourself where your life today spends for existence, interaction, or being interrelated unto for exposition, disposition, and undertakings?   Paul made this remark to show to all human kind that there’s more important life distinct from the life we have at present through which this life was renewed by and through the resurrection power of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, why “if”? Logically, it was stated to show you readers a condition that believers in Christ had different position to those who didn’t believe spiritual matter or hope issue such as this hope of God’s resurrection plan, enabling us members of the Body of Christ to have sure HOPE, security, and destiny, and making us special among majority of masses. Suffice to prove based on this verse itself that those unbelievers who ceased to uphold this kind of belief (denoting by implication or by means of persuation against this notion) were men most miserable.

My point is this: Shall we contrast the soundness of this reality of HOPE with the foundation that our surety position shall not continuously be performed IN THIS LIFE, that’s why Paul exclaimed “IF IN THIS LIFE WE HAVE HOPE, WE ARE OF ALL MEN MOST MISERABLE”? Think about it many times.

OLD TESTAMENT ‘HELL’: WHAT’S THIS?

Is “hell” really not a place? This is the question often ask when your faith was challenged if someone tried to testify this was not a real place. Let’s share some information from the Scripture what it says therefore about hell and verify if indeed it’s a real place.    

Deuteronomy 32:21-23

King James Version (KJV)

²¹ They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
²² For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the LOWEST HELL, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
²³ I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.

In this passage, the description of hell connotes location or place which was determined as found in the lowest part which could consume the earth due to her increase (vastness of its area which is able to consume the earth). More description in hell is through which the foundation of the mountains was the set on “fire”. This is the modern term “volcano” wherein beneath of it is where you can find the magma. Since this is how God describe hell wherein through his anger “shall burn unto the lowest hell”.

Psalm 9:16-18

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁶ The Lord is known by the JUDGEMENT WHICH HE EXECUTETH: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

¹⁷ The wicked shall be turned into HELL, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

Another clear description in matters of this “hell” issue was its relativity to the JUDGEMENT OF GOD which he executed to the wicked  or for the ungodly and even to nations that forget God.        This was relative to the agony and sufferings when God through His judgment the wicked SHALL BE TURNED INTO HELL.

   Psalm 55:14-16

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

¹⁵ Let DEATH seize upon them, and let them GO DOWN QUICK INTO HELL: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
¹⁶ As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord SHALL SAVE ME.

Again, it’s really evident in the passage which in the OT proved how God through revelation gave its emphasis about hell wherein it was situated (as in the scripture states) found beneath the earth and also related to the EXECUTION OF HIS JUDGEMENT for the wicked and the ungodly.

“HELL” IN THE SO-CALLED GOSPEL S (Matt.- John) ACCOUNT

Matthew 5:21-23

King James Version (KJV)

²¹ Ye have heard that IT WAS SAID OF THEM OF OLD TIME, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

²² But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in DANGER OF HELL FIRE.
²³ Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

Christ even confirmed that what was said of them of “old time” concerning those which were stated above were really true and such information he set forth and made to emphasize was the DANGER OF HELL FIRE.

Will there no more fire for the wicked today because the thing which were spoken of in the old time (as confirmed by Christ in His time) had ceased in existence because we are now in the dispensation of Grace which through others interpretation the day of the New Covenant and those things belonged to prophecy? (as only a mere assumption and thereby baseless ). Such notion of ‘no hell fire’ today perhaps could be true if they can prove that there would no longer be wicked people in our present time. As long as there are wicked and wickedness, the fire won’t stop burning. Will there be cessation of wickedness?  Those who were in “hell fire” were already judged to be forever wicked as the fire burning which would be for everlasting.  

CHRIST’S WARNING:

Matthew 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.

There’s a notion through which a belief of no hell was supposedly viewed based on the fact that Paul not cited even a word hell in his epistles. Now, would that be the exact basis for Paul to exclaim that nowhere he mentioned about God’s wrath and His judgment to the wicked and ungodly?  Notice these things:

SUPPOSED “NO HELL” MENTIONED WITH PAUL

Romans 1:17-19

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁷ For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

¹⁸ For the WRATH OF GOD is revealed from heaven AGAINST ALL UNGODLINESS and UNRIGHTEOUSNESS OF MEN, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
¹⁹ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them

In here, it’s plain and simple that God will pour out His wrath (declaring judgment) against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.

Romans 2:5
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself WRATH against the DAY OF WRATH and revelation of the righteous JUDGEMENT OF GOD;

Again, there’s a righteous judgment of God in the day of wrath which was mentioned by Paul in his epistle as an inclusive revelation in our “But Now” period.

Romans 9:22
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath FITTED TO DESTRUCTION.

It was made it plain how dangerous is the time when God pour out His wrath for it speaks in wise as an execution of judgment FOR DESTRUCTION.

Ephesians 5:5-7

King James Version (KJV)

⁵ For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the WRATH OF GOD UPON THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE.
⁷ Be not ye therefore partakers with them

Now will it be reasonable to not believe “no hell” doctrine today because Paul did not mention it? Why it’s reasonable to know Paul mentioned about God’s judgment against the children of disobedience?

PROOF THAT PAUL IS TALKING ABOUT HELL;

Psalm 16:10
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

 Ephesians 4:7-9

King James Version (KJV)

⁷ But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

⁸ Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
⁹ (Now that he ascended, what is it but that HE ALSO DESCENDED FIRST INTO THE LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH?

Christ went or descended to the LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH. It’s a fact! What is that lower parts of the earth based on my previous presentation? It’s H-E-L-L.

 THANKS BE TO GOD AS HIS JUDGEMENT TO THE BOC MEMBERS:

Romans 8:1

King James Version (KJV)

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

YOUR EXISTENCE  AFTER LIFE:

 Will there be life after death? Is there any significant proof when man ceases to exist after death? Can we prove  the annihilationists’  theory?

 Questioning the astute fundamental basis of our hope after many occurring modern teachings to disprove the restored life of God which is the hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus is obviously falsifying the truth through which the purpose of God to restore humanity was preached especially in our age of grace. Through the GRACE of God he freely offered His life through which the most precious life of Jesus for sin was offered as the penalty for our sins. However , the done deal  act of God didn’t only work at that time. When the due time came, (in the dispensation of grace) God’s relative purpose to restore man’s life through Christ was perfectly preached TO ALL, FREELY GIVEN TO ALL, only it requires a sublime TRUST to achieve so that he would also achieve the same victory in Christ Jesus and have obtained hope of ETERNAL LIFE, (Rom. 6:23, 3:24-25) a life which surpasses beyond the life we have at present because our hope is NOT IN THIS LIFE ONLY. If there’s an emphasis of “ONLY”, without doubt, it would prevail towards a never ending existence and thus make it E-T-E-R-N-A-L-.

Titus 1:1-3
King James Version (KJV)

1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

² In HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
³ But hath in DUE TIMES (Dispensation of Grace) manifested HIS WORD through preaching, WHICH IS COMMITTED UNTO ME (Paul) according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

Titus 3:6-8

King James Version (KJV)

⁶ Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

⁷ That being justified by his grace, we should be made HEIRS according to the HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE.
⁸ This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Many disbelievers whose thoughts were like of Hemeneus and Alexander reaffirmed and revived their theories assuming to believe in Christ and yet there’s no literal heaven because their spirit life in Christ could be equated with a spiritual heaven which they emphasized and conjectured as not the literal place.  

My shout out was akin based on the relevance of spiritual soundness in view of God’s wonderful plan of hope which is not in this world, with kind of life in this world. I hope many would cling to believe and remain consistent and unwavered by the hope the Lord God Almighty promised to us today.             

 This study has not to be lightly taken from among those who have hope in Christ in our present time considering that this is the blissful hope the Lord had promised to the members of the Body of Christ. Many often cause dissention contending this belief of reality as though only an imagery and illusion.  

Of course those people who would not believe future resurrection contend this hope of heaven as a real place which is something for them a strange view. Many declined and abhor the basic foundation on the tenet of God’s faithful promise. Along in this article were sophisticated proofs to provide you more significant assurances proving that heaven is really and indeed a real place promised by God for those who believed in a present-future hope.

HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF DELIVERANCE: IT’S THE SOLUTION

“As hell was a literal place for the wicked , heaven was the right destination for the saints…”

Futurists had to stick in full acknowledgement of truth to incline this basic principle believing that heaven was such a real place because it’s the ultimate way to qualify God’s design to let us joy together in the Lord for all eternity. How can we prove the essence of continuing life if only in this life we have hope in Christ? My point was that there was a reality of a life not seems like or the same earthly life we had although we already claimed Christ is in us. We couldn’t see this life we had in our present life is a life with the absence of troubles, suffering, and pain. This is a fact that we’re still living in this devastated world of ours. A world ruled by the god of this world whose minds were blinded and whose nature were called the children of wrath and children of disobedience. If there would be no future hope with the reality of this blissful place of reality called “heaven” then suffice to not relinquish the veracity of His promise in the hope of deliverance pertinent to our “vile body” which shall be put on “incorruption”.

Romans 8: 16-25

¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
¹⁸ For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
²⁰ For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
²¹ Because the creature itself also SHALL BE DELIVERED FROM THE BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION into the GLORIOUS LIBERTY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
²³ And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
²⁴ For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
²⁵ But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Upon checking these relative truth

We couldn’t twist what was written in His word knowing it’s a resolute proof to have more confidence to God’s faithful promise relative to the eternal place and destination where we could eternally experience life which was void of sufferings. This will be a life where we could differentiate and compare what life we obtained on this present dispensation of grace.

A “no heaven theory” actually presupposes the  truthfulness of our  long-awaited H-O-P-E which the Lord promised to His saints and therefore in my analysis had much to negate more basic doctrines such as the doctrine of resurrection, glorification, conscious existence of soul and spirit in the heavenly state  opposite to those who were in hell (Gehenna, Tartarus),  and many others.  

HEAVENLY STATE POSITION:

Ephesians 3:9-11

King James Version (KJV)

⁹ 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:

ACTIVITY IN HEAVEN:

1 Corinthians 6:2-4

King James Version (KJV)

² Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

³ Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
⁴ If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

 Paul is talking about the world where we could judge the world and the things pertinent to it and its life. Which place do you think you shall JUDGE ANGELS?           

    GRACE AND PEACE

                                                                                                                   

 

 

 

 

 

ABRAHAM OUR FATHER THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH

By: Bishop Abert Gran

 Position 2: God’s purpose to the Gentiles in consonance to Paul’s message for the Romans and Galatians concerning Abrahamic promise was unveiled when he was yet in uncircumcision. It's  God’s prelude to declare His heavenly future plan when he spoke  to Abraham in"TimePast" and was revealed through Paul’s apostleship and ministry in the "But Now" period.  In this connection, the Gentiles were recipients of the Abrahamic faith on the basis of his righteousness prior his being circumcise when God designed him to become a great “nation”, as a channel of blessing to the uncircumcision (Gentiles), and thus making wise plan to make the Israelites supreme above other nations. The fact that it’s no longer held having the same provision and set purpose in the apostleship and commission of Paul for such was relative to the prophetic plan and that which was of Paul is a mystery. 
 

A MAN BEING A JEW:
 

Romans 2:28-29

King James Version (KJV)

²⁸ For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

²⁹ But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God

Speaking in wise relative to the purpose of this article is to deal issues about circumcision for the Jews and uncircumcision for the Gentiles. Apparently, the context of this verse is obvious that Paul himself described someone who is called a “Jew”. To become a Jew according to Paul, is not that which  is one outwardly (not on the basis of being born in the flesh and by blood) however, Paul is addressing to them who were called Jews and circumcised, whose were descendants of Abraham, Jacob, and David. 
   

It’s important to note however, that  the Gentiles in terms of this condition was exempted for they were not those called circumcision which have had the law . Alternatively, Gentiles, which haven’t been given the law and were by themselves called uncircumcision, including those Gentiles today, were not the group of people Paul was dealing with when he communicated the recipients of this Romans 2 account. In other words, there’s a relevant situation in the book of Romans through which Paul himself expound the blessedness to someone who is called a “Jew”. That is to say that he knew God’s relative purpose of a so called “Jew” when (or the time) he was under the law and became partaker of the promise of God according to the ‘seed of Abraham’.However, these Jews in Paul's time were recipients of God's blessing through the "my gospel" of Paul. 
 

A COINED DUTY TO OBEY THE LAW  ADDED TO THE PROMISE OF MAKING HIM A GREAT NATION IN CONSONANCE TO PROPHECY TRUTH     
 

2 Kings 21:8
Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them

Similar thought found in the above verse caught our attention, stating ample sense to prove that inorder to become a true Jew they pay attention to the law which God had entrusted to Moses and their forefathers doing all which were called them to do.

 Will there be similar instructions that the Lord Jesus Christ called to those who were the Israelites or Jews in the so-called four gospel accounts?   

CHRIST DIRECTED RULER TO STILL OBEY AND FOLLOW THE LAW AND BY GIVING POSSESSIONS TO POOR  PRIOR EARTHLY KINGDOM ESTABLISHMENT
 

Matthew 19:18-20

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁸ He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

¹⁹ Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
²⁰ The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Crystal clear as it appeared how Jesus directed the young ruler to observe those which were written in the book of Moses for Israel and or the Jews to observe if indeed they’re inwardly had their hearts circumcised. It’s my observation then that whenever Paul speaks and talks about circumcision in his epistles, particularly in the pre-prison epistles, he’s talking to them who were the Jews who have had understanding about God’s governing administration, as I coined “economy” of law. Considering this question, why is it that whenever he speaks about “circumcision”, it constantly relative to them who were God's elect(Israelites or Jews) in accordance to God's plan in prophecy account? It was so, because they were the covenanted people, the kingdom priesthood of God, and whom he chose to be God’s witnesses and His channels of blessings. No wonder that the 144,000 kingdom saints or witnesses who were taken, came exactly 12,000 remnants as representatives from each tribe of Israel, and they were exclusively from among their group.
 

Another point of consideration was the fact how Christ was under the law and he uttered no jot or title to be passed until all will be fulfilled (Mat. 5:18). Paul confirmed his ministry as purely relative for the circumcision in the course of the prophecy truth’s fulfillment with Israel as above other Gentiles and Gentiles receiving blessings and blessedness through them ( Gen. 12:1-3; Rom. 15:8).

Christ first visiting event had its purpose to warn the nation Israel with its political and spiritual religious leaders.They have to believe in the preching of repentance with their hearts being circumcised and become  Jews inwardly knowing that God would establish His kingdom on earth, with and upon recognition of their Messiah to be cut off at the cross and became king to be exalted when soon he reigns the kingdom after His second coming. Thus, as a ruler with the condition of faith on the above verse, Christ directed the young ruler to be a follower of the law and being advised to sell his possessions for the poor in cognizant to God’s prophetic purpose. It's His will to be cut off for their sins and the people in all nations through them, to be resurrected, to be exalted by the Father of fulfilling His will denoting His victory over death. After then, He will execute His wrath and judgment against evildoers with the Anti-Christ, causing troubles and life’s misery to God’s people and inflict them with the number code  666 which is the mark of the beast, and consequently reign a thousand years in his kingdom. While on His reigning, Satan was bound in the bottomless pit and when it expires, Satan shall be loosed and regain his allies to fight against Christ where the Battle of Gog and Magog emerged as nowhere in the world’s history. In prophecy, it’s speaks wise to say that God’s mystery plan with Paul for the Body of Christ with equal status and position, having no distinction in races, color, and gender  was not included in his plan as he promised to the forefathers including Abraham; however, there was a hint that the Gentiles' blessedness God gave to Abraham was directed on the basis before he was circumcised and that was the time when he was uncircumcised.
 

  Romans 4:9-11

King James Version (KJV)

⁹ Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
¹⁰ HOW WAS IT THEN RECKONED? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? NOT IN CIRCUMCISION, BUT IN UNCIRCUMCISION.
¹¹ And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which HE HAD YET BEING ( the time when he was) UNCIRCUMCISED: that he might be the FATHER OF ALL THEM THAT BELIEVE, THOUGH THEY BE NOT CIRCUMCISED; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

Let me catch your attention folks that it would not be wise for us Gentiles to be called as “Spiritual Jews” in the condition wherein Abraham was set as the father of “all nations” (including Gentiles). Paul indeed was very clever at the onset how he knew the entirety of God’s directed will from ages to ages. The Gentiles today ascribe Abraham’s blessedness with his faith to the word of God, take note, before his being circumcision. It means he already was justified by faith before God promised him to become a great nation- (speaking in wise relative to the hope of prophecy) and that God’s wisdom making Abraham as a pattern to be for the uncircumcision was relative on the basis when he believed God’s word and promised him that his seeds were like the stars in heaven and as sands beside the seas (that’s why mystery or heavenly design). 
 

It’s an established fact that Paul in the book of Romans pointed a wisdom of God relative to His blessedness not on the basis of the law or circumcision but on the basis of uncircumcision. It means that, even if the Roman believers were predominantly Jews, they knew exactly that in the revelation God gave to Paul, it’s not in view of circumcision as relative to the law but in view of the gospel of uncircumcision, the gospel of the grace of God to all people without distinctions.  Paul was a great dispenser who exactly knew the condition of the Jews (the direct recipient of his letter) that their faith was ascribed same as the father Abraham when he was yet in uncircumcision even though in the flesh they were called Israelites. They belonged to a newly found living union in the mystical living organism called “Body of Christ”.
 

Take a look at Paul’s conclusion:

Romans 4:16
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by GRACE; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that ONLY which is of the law, BUT  to that also which is OF the faith of Abraham; who is the FATHER OF US us all,

It’s all but in the dispensation of grace which by GRACE where Abraham became our father and not on the basis of LAW. Therefore, there is a sense of in depth analysis and distinction to rightly divide God’s plan in his promise to ABRAHAM to make him a GREAT NATION and when God promised him as a FATHER OF US ALL.

I hope our Acts 28er friends could see the relationship on the importance of dispensing the word of God knowing that this promise of God he gave to Abraham occurred prior the time when THE LAW was added to the promise of making ABRAHAM AS A GREAT NATION (the occurring promise for prophecy truth which was confirmed in the circumcision ministry of Christ) up to the time OF GRACE (Dispensation of Grace with the apostle Paul)where FATHER ABRAHAM was our father by faith when he was yet being UNCIRCUMCISED.

Two great dispensations and administration of God single out to God’s promise to Abraham when first. He was yet being in UNCIRCUMCISION and the time when he was in CIRCUMCISION.  

LISTEN TO THE APOSTLE PAUL’S INTRUCTION:

  Galatians 5:2-4

King James Version (KJV)

² Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

³ For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
⁴ Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

More appeal:

Galatians 3:20-22

King James Version (KJV)

²⁰ Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

²¹ Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
²² BUT the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Grace to you and peace....

WHY I CAN’T BE AN ACTS 28’ER (Part 2)

By: Bishop Albert B. Gran

There were roads of different paths where grace believers in our times are swayed by different religious positions and beliefs which had been taken in effect after narrow perception through which there’s having lacked of consideration to rightly dividing principle on the basis how God dispensed the truth of His will and wisdom from ages to ages. This part 2 studies denoting similar issue, greatly conforms to what was adhered from among many grace circles suffice as they supposed enough to find consolation and comfort by having that epitaph of branch form of knowledge in the grace movement.

Point of view 1: God’s purpose to Paul for the Body of Christ was not singled out to just one specific group of people, the Gentiles.

PURPOSE OF GOD FOR PAUL:

Acts 9: 11-15
 

¹¹ And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

¹² And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
¹³ Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
¹⁴ And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
¹⁵ But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name BEFORE the GENTILES, and KINGS, and the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.

Ever since from the start of God’s mercy and grace given to Paul (2 Tim.1:11-17) God had purposed for him to be His chosen vessel before the Gentiles and Israel. Now, if the purpose of God for Paul after his conversion is to bear the name of both Jews and Gentiles without distinction, then what can we say about the Jews and Gentiles who were saved and inclined to the preaching of Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy , etc. during his Acts journey? If we also say that Paul’s ministry in the early Acts missionary journey appertains to the hope of Israel (as they implied not with the Gentiles as well for the ONE NEW MAN), why there were many other GENTILES in his time besought the preaching of Paul and how they appreciated his teachings teaching the Jews and Gentiles to forsake Moses and declare to them how CIRCUMCISION is no longer necessary?        

BEFORE ACTS 28 ACCOUNT WITH PAUL’S MINISTRY TO BOTH JEWS AND GENTILES:

Acts 13:41-43

King James Version (KJV)

⁴¹ Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
⁴² And when the JEWS were gone out of the synagogue, the GENTILES besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
⁴³ Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, PERSUADED THEM TO CONTINUE IN THE GRACE OF GOD.

Let’s take simple observation and assessment in the account of Paul’s missionary journey prior Acts 28 account. I would briefly appeal to your understanding, and let’s make observation, if it’s true, that Paul solely appeal to the Jews and Gentiles with the hope of Israel. As they claimed, he was bound to preach the hope of Israel and strongly imply that the entirety of His ministry prior Acts 28 was purely based on the hope of Israel, and thus, not qualify to be for the ONE NEW MAN or Body of Christ.

“PERSUADED THEM TO CONTINUE IN THE GRACE OF GOD”. Let’s attest the veracity of truth if indeed this statement was purely only for the HOPE OF ISRAEL as they claimed. The audience participation in the context of this passage speaks in wise for two groups of people WITHOUT DISTINCTION. How come the two-body theory emerged in their mind –setting after concluding  their sole "hope of Israel", as they thought, the preaching condition prior the account of Acts 28?

The audience relevance  (as in the context both Jews and Gentiles)denotes something without an implication of dividing the church to make “churches” or “bodies”of people and also stressed what church, how,  where, and which church they ascribe their membership AFTER THEY HEARD THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GRACE OF GOD delivered by Paul to them. Is the sole HOPE OF ISRAEL theory strengthens the idea that the saints who were saved before Acts 28 were not members of the ONE NEW MAN called the BODY OF CHRIST? Have they not known that the message of Paul here which is the grace of God is the newest message in consonance to the truth of the gospel preaching for salvation in this dispensation of grace? ( Read Acts 20:24) Let’s ask our Acts 28er friends if they thought there’s no existence of body of Christ prior Acts 28 account. If they thought there’s already a church where Paul was the bearer of this gospel, then let’s ask them if it’s only inclusive to Israel or with the Gentiles too? If they agreed that these Gentiles who besought Paul’s message were recipient of God’s salvation, then, are they not the same Gentiles who were also recipients of God’s message after Acts 28 accounts and the latter part following hereafter? Why there’s no mentioned about the hope of Israel when Paul delivered this gospel to both Jews and Gentiles instead he established the truth about the GRACE OF GOD? Do you beieve that Paul's declaration of His testimony prior Acts 28 scene was in view as CHRIST CRUCIFIED? As a soldier of God we need to become wise observer and keen to observe by posing such of these lengthy questions for our Acts 28er friends questioning their views and theories as the supposed claims .

Try to consider these things and the Lord will add more understanding in light with the sword of the Spirit, the word of God.

 I believed with strong conviction that there’s already equal message of Paul prior in his Acts 28 ministry with that of the message declared in his post-prison epistles which I considered unique from that of Peter’s gospel presentation. It declares about the mercifulness of God with His compassionate love and mercy for ALL the people may it JEWS AND GENTILES. After Paul’s conversion, they’re ALL IN ONE BODY, though it was gradually dealt by God up to the point of formation and making of THE ONE NEW MAN. Ask yourself if that “ONE NEW MAN” after it was conceived, as it was so, could be logically A MAN without undergoing CHILDHOOD? Could we also develop a theory to separate that which was in the childhood stage to the adult stage (man) in the process of our body’s growth? There’s only one body that grow and the fact of its growth underwent A PROCESS. The gradual operation of God to convey His wisest plan and wisdom is a process and it was significant when Paul undergo his receiving activity of the revelation of the mystery when Christ himself communicated to him directly.   

Acts 21:20-22

King James Version (KJV)

²⁰ And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

²¹ And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
²² What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

Ask yourselves: If Paul was preaching relevant to the hope of Israel in view of seeming status and standards for those who called themselves circumcision or Jews, and having received with an equal message of salvation, hope and destiny with those of the 12 disciples, (as the Acts 28er claimed) then why in this prior Acts 28 account Paul was charge of being against and violating the circumcision gospel as something that which was also accord in the law of Moses? Without presumption, we can find the truth that there’s really a strange, unique, and distinct gospel Paul had in his mouth when he communicated the truth of God’s word to his real and actual audience who were both Jews and Gentiles. This is really evident in this context. Take note, it happened before Acts 28. Could you clearly distinguish the fact to solidify your faith and make judgment that his Acts ministry is purely being emboldened to the hope of Israel without Moses’ circumcision?

So, what's your point?

(Next episode will be my next position pertaining to Acts 28 view)

Grace and peace to all!

 

 

 

 

WHY I CAN’T BE CALLED AN ACTS 28ER?

 By: Bishop Albert B. Gran
 

This is an ever resounding issue which solicited different views and perspective in the world of Christendom and in many sects and segments of religion through which how they can be identified as who they are in matters of establishing beliefs and doctrines.

It’s origin and thoughts sprung up as a mere theological standpoint simply classifying and distinctively find measures with the Acts missionary accounts of the apostle Paul starting from the road of Damascus as he was about to “kick against the pricks”.

Through some measures, it’s an obvious dominant teaching where “dual body-theory” between the early members in the pre-prison of Paul and the members of the post epistles of Paul significantly predominates as the sole foundation of their teaching. They divided the truth of God’s current administration of grace with one dispenser and minister equally differentiating between Jews and Gentiles in truthful view of so much great distinctions not only by means of race but to conditions of blessings respectively, as children of Abraham for the Jews and as Gentiles purely set as a living organism having the mark of true identity as real BOC members.

 

To add more, it’s their further stress that Paul’s pure ministry towards the Gentiles was akin to the standing where the Gentiles in our times today could have had more benefits only in the post epistles of Paul and having no relevance of application to his pre-prison epistles as such was relative to that of the Jewish doctrines in consonance to their earthly hope in view of the marching orders of the 12 apostles in connection to the New Covenant. Therefore it's surprising to hear as they say Paul was just one of the 12 with Peter.

While this segment of Bible-believers developed an astounding claim with their supposed popular teaching, any approved workman of God could simply evaluate through Berean adaptation principle if such claim soundly conforms to the essence of God’s delineation of truth and therefore consider if it’s truly sound as biblically presented in view of right division and comparison.

 

Having similar view that God chose Paul as someone born out of due time and the least of all apostles who was set as a pattern whereby God’s purpose for the ONE NEW MAN, the new creature of God, which is called the Body of Christ, they designed this teaching to denote a general sense being measured through that same classification classifying Paul’s distinctive ministry between Jews and Gentiles, and God’s setting forth of information distinguishing those that which were for the Jews (in the pre-prison) and those that which were for the Gentiles (post-epistles of Paul) turning out as though there’s an implied two churches in our current church Age  after Paul’s conversion.    

Let me present some points greatly adhered by the Mid-Acts Bible believers why such scheme of dividing Paul’s epistles generally occurred as their profound basis to claim that the 28 Acter’s logic was no longer a logic but a means to distort the holistic message of God’s purpose to convey this wisdom in a form of mystery.

Foremost consideration to agree both Mid-acts and Acts 28er Bible believers were positions leading to each agreed ideas as in the following:

 

1. Both claimed that Paul’s BOC ministry for the one New Man is a mystery not made known by the sons of God in time Past. However, they differ in the standpoint that Paul’s early epistle ministry was not relative for the one new man but it was in connection to God’s prophecy to Abraham as the father of faith and they (Jews) were children of Abraham. The example for this is the Galatian believers.

2. Both party agreed that in the epistles of Paul (both pre-prison and post-prison epistle of Paul, there were many ordinances which ceased in its operation and mostly those were relative to the practices of the Jews under the law. Common examples for this are the healing, speaking in tongues, Lord supper which were observances popular among the Jews of which signs were their primary requisites.

In this position allow me to stress the significant reason why I can’t take the Acts 28 position.

And, in the apostleship office of Paul the Bible plainly declares that there is only ONE BODY OF CHRIST.

Pre-prison epistles:

    I.  PROOF 1

Romans 7:4
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the BODY OF CHRIST; that ye should be MARRIED TO ANOTHER, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

       Note in this verse:

a. Married to another does not imply Christ is the groom and we (BOC members directly the Romans as the first audience relevance in application) were His bride. Paul simply put an idea of LIVING  UNION or bondness in connection to our identity and position through the effect of His body laid for our justification and salvation.  

b. Dead to the law in view and in significance to the fact that this is the period of grace where the economy of law under past administration of God had ceased in its operation because he already establish a new dispensation called the dispensation of grace. Rom 2: 16 qualifies Paul statement as dead to the law when he mentioned that we’re  NOT under the law but under grace.

II. PROOF 2

Romans 12:4-6

King James Version (KJV)

⁴ For as we have many members in ONE BODY,    and all members have not the same office:

⁵ So we, BEING MANY, are ONE BODY IN CHRIST, and every one members one of another.

⁶ Having then gifts differing ACCORDING TO THE GRACE, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

 Note in this verse:

a. A simple sense to prove this fact that even in Paul’s pre-prison epistle he only mentioned about ONE BODY and there’s no bit of implication putting word on his mouth the “ two bodies” as the general sense the Acts 28er would want to point out.

b. So, ‘WE, BEING MANY’. I understand this phrase as a collective organism
   with perfect equal standing in the ONE BODY OF CHRIST in the
   dispensation of grace irregardless of race, status, gender, etc. In fact Paul
   discussed in this book of Romans the equal standing of both Jews and

   Gentiles as fall short of God’s glory, sinners and need to become save 
   and be part of the Body of Christ. This passage clearly viewed both Jews   
   and Gentiles as equally leveled based on God’s standards and   
   perspectives. Paul also mentioned the term Gentiles which they
   themselves NEED GOD as with the Jews.     

 

 Rom. 3:21-27

 ²¹ But now the righteousness of God without the law is

     manifested, being witnessed by the law and the

     prophets;

²² Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of

   Jesus Christ unto all and upon all

    them that believe: for there is no difference:

²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of

   God;

²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the  

    redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation   

    through faith in his blood, to declare his  

    righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,

    through the forbearance of God;

²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that

    he might be just, and the justifier of him which

    believeth in Jesus.

²⁷ Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what   

    law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

²⁸ Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith

    without the deeds of the law.

²⁹ Is he the God of the JEWS ONLY? is he not also of the

   GENTILES? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

³⁰ Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the   

   CIRCUMCISION by faith, and UNCIRCUMCISION  
    through faith.

  ³¹ Do we then make void the law through faith? God

     forbid: yea, we establish the law.

(This is the demonstration of Christ's faith when He showed it by His love for us in the cross) 

III. PROOF NUMBER 3

 1 Corinthians 12:12
For as the body is ONE, and hath many members, and all the members of that ONE BODY, being many, are ONE BODY: so ALSO is Christ.

    1 Corinthians 12:27

    Now YE (Corinthians)ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, and members in particular

Clear examination was proven doubt if we would say that PRE-PRISON epistles of Paul establish a different view and position as they belong to the earthly body of Christ. I mean earthly because other Acts 28er supposed to view however that these  members (the pre-prison believers) will inherit  the earthly kingdom of God in the time when he shall establish his kingdom and reign on David’s throne while those in the ONE NEW MAN the post-epistle believers will inherit the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.   

 

 TAKING INTO DEEP THOUGHT IN THIS ACTS 28 POSITION
 

A.  It made us confused whether a person would truly believe what it says in the word of God when God revealed it to Paul as there’s should only and ONE BODY OF CHRIST. In other words, this is just a theory with an attempt to prove that ONE is not really one ensuing the sense of singleness and unity in the Body of Christ as GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSON  in this age of grace both Jews and Gentiles.

B.  If it thus that the book of Galatians never mentioned about the Body of Christ then why as though we will generalize to say all pre-prison epistles of Paul were written only to the Jews who were recipients of the kingdom on earth as having also a differing hope with the other saints ,(Gentiles) saved  in today's dispensation of grace, and became members of the BOC with sole destination in heaven which only mentioned about ONE BODY?         

More emphasis and continuation of this study in the next episode

     GRACE AND PEACE TO YOU ALL!