THE PRIZE OF A FUTURIST!

By: Bishop Albert Gran

2 Timothy 4:8

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing

Romans 8:22- 25

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.

Matthew 24:20-30

King James Version (KJV)

²⁰ But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
²¹ For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
²² And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
²³ Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
²⁴ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
²⁵ Behold, I have told you before.
²⁶ Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
²⁷ For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
²⁸ For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
²⁹ Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
³⁰ And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
 

Just a thought made significant in view of the doctrine of "Preterism", a doctrine denying a certain period in the "future" eachatological events wherein having such an idea presumed futurist believers who they thought baselessly deny what has been fullfilled in the prophecy, challenged me to really review few passage of Scriptures through the light of Paul's epistles. The verses posted above were truths needed to be pondered. Now, let's be sensible in dealing whether Berean test would merit the philosophical twist compared to the wholesome truth of God's word available in our hands today.

Unification of doctrinal belief generally divides among the preterists considering that they were also disunitied in the stand between Partial Preterism and Full Preterism. Noticeable from the standpoint of majorities' understanding among the circle of preterists hold a firm premise where there won't be any realization of future hope.

How can we get rid through avoidance of future promises the Lord Jesus Christ himself promised to the church, the Body of Christ? How come many interpreted as though God's promises for us today were already fulfilled upon the twist of their illogical premises? How can this vile body would soon unable to function in glorification to his creator when one unrealistically see the future hope ensured to us through our God Almighty as far as the resurrection issue is concerned?

Jesus Christ once mentioned about the Lord's day where heavenly creatures brought cataclysm and disorder which would soon melt the planet earth to the point where people would encourage death to come upon them. No record of history even by speculation proving such accounts or events were true when one investigated the historical scene that happened last A.D. 70. Events recorded in the year A.D. 70 perfectly disqualifies the preterists allegation that God's prophecy and past recorded prophetic accounts prophecied by the prophets had been fulfilled last A.D. 70. Sensible student of God's word must be keen to compare if those things mentioned by Christ in reality through fact check had recorded such amazing account not once happened in the earth's history. The fact that Christ told his disciple that the events falls on that day are NOT ONCE happened in the history's past neither in the ending portion of the present dispensation of grace leading to the resumption of the prophetic program in the era of the man of sin, the god of this world Satan who was known as the anti Christ.

How could the believers in this dispensation of grace consider the thought of preterism if the most denied resurrection account for the members of the Body of Christ which is known as the caught up event was too far from the reality as a future hope for them? Why they thought there's nosuch thing as bodily resurrection as best promised of God to not pass the future event not once named in the  earth's history?

The prevailing truth of futurists made a very spectacle sound basis how soon we as members of the body of Christ shall fill-in the heavenly places promised by Christ through the gospel as we're all joint heirs of Christ, the soon to be rulers of angels who possessed significant ruling power to the praise of His glory.

Be a futurist and not a preterist.

Grace to you and peace!                       

WHY BISHOP NOT PASTOR?

By: Bishop Albert Gran

Ephesians 4:10-12

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
¹¹ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
¹² For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Titus 1:1-10

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 manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
⁴ To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
⁵ For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
⁶ If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
⁷ For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
⁸ But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
⁹ Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
¹⁰ For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

Get the relevance of sound presentation as many years had passed opened to the hearers during Paul's time with an applaud doctrinal thought in view of God's perspectives. Bishoprick is what was mostly an ignored office designated by Paul as majority thought such term correlates pagan exercise or practice not even worthy to be used in our era today.

Grace believers thought it unwise to apply this idea today as only Catholics and other Protestant groups applied this office when their leaders called to ordain elders and leaders to function church leadership.

Let's even know the fact if we truly believed what has been ordained as current instruction when Christ stopped giving men as gifts in the church after he ascended up on high. It's even spectacular to bow down the authority of God's word written in His word as we knew there were changes of dealings in matters of choosing gifts.

Christians thought that Christ still acted the same active involvement in giving men to the church today after the completion of His revealed will not knowing the fact that those gifts were really for the Body of Christ prior  to the completion of the mystery truth in this age of grace.

Having consistent to the extent of that old notion many believers even grace believers in out times resort their edification solely to those whom they thought the source and basis of their edification who were their spiritual mentors whom they called  "Pastors, evangelists, and teachers" as they thought the office of apostles and prophets were no longer in operation today. The idea of Christ sending these remaining gifts (Pastors, evangelists, and teachers) is what the majority thought even if the reality speaks that Paul called elders to choose qualified elders known as Bishops as per command of Christ as Christ no longer set those offices when the complete source of edification through the written revelation for the Gentile age of grace had been fulfilled.

Why not resorting to the true comfort and source of your edification when you read and obey the instruction of Christ current in our times in view of the mystery truth revealed to Paul? Why being saddened when your Pastor will no longer function to scratch itchy and fleshly religious observance? Why feeling discomfortable when one shall plainly declare the good news how you could be free from the bondage of slavery again to fear?

Ultimate change in the giving of gifts whom Christ himself performed leading to the idea when He called Paul to ordain men as leaders in the church and charge to commit the same to faithful men is the idea of transitional delineation of office from direct to indirect form similar from direct edification and indirect edification through the complete written word of God. That means that the idea of basing believers' edification from men (Pastors) as their inspiration correlates the traditional idea when Christ still choose to give gifts when the source of edification which is the word of God was not yet fulfilled. Thus, if you thought of ignoring the Scriptures and giving heed to the basis of your spiritual mentor who competes the source of true edification from the word of God in view of truth then the sound teaching of grace prohibits you to do that. Paul has instructed in 2 Tim. 2:15 to study and even call to apply in other passage to give attendance to reading and exhorting and not cling to the fables and stories from your traditional spiritual mentors. They were those who are the modern-day  Pharisees in our time who continually oppose the doctrine of grace, mixing the doctrine of grace ordained by Christ since the world began.

If you are afraid of applying bishoprick principle for having thought of inclining to the supposed pagan type of exercise then you are bias in your own judgement. Consider why Paul commanded Timothy and Titus as elders to ordain elders known as Bishops to supply the things wanting in every city or place around the world whenever propagating the gospel of the grace of God. They were not introducing paganism doctrine, instead,  telling the truth the right office called to be named and apply in your ministerial plans and purposes.

This grace alternative is for you to see the glimpse of truth form transition to purity of grace doctrines.

Grace to you and Peace!

         

WHY SHOULD YOU THINK OF HINDERING THE GOSPEL?

By: Bishop Albert Gran

1 Corinthians 9:11-15

King James Version (KJV)

 

¹¹ If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
¹² If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
¹³ Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
¹⁴ Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
¹⁵ But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

Straight from my heart, emphasis for these most misunderstood verses often quote by our folks in their assumption to apply law principle governing the things at the altar was something their clue in adherence to what has been thought an ordained giving principle of grace. However, those were all conjectures for those who would resort to use God's business for material gain rather than the most edifying gospel which is the grace of God. 

At the onset those who try to reject the principle used by Paul of not hindering the gospel in connection to the carnal or material giving basically had their defence and confirmation how their ministries simply embraced the doctrines under the law. The imposition of tenth (10%) as nowhere in the almanac of today's dispensation of grace  excluding the modified invented types of religious givings was all the most popular stress in the Christendom. Pulpit sermons are simply overloaded with the supposed  conditional blessings from God as though such were responsibilities how they could pay back the goodness of God. Others thought those types of givings were means for God to act upon his duty to bless his saint in the most supernatural way.

Carefully examine if such idea was really sound or indeed true for those who supposed following the Pauline way of ministering the gospel. The point is we're ministers of Christ ministering with the gospel and for the gospel without an exchange of carnal or material things for such would lead to hindering the gospel.

Spiritual eyesight rather lead to see the glimpse of thought how a minister could offer himself as a true servant of God even not considering himself and or his flesh to establish spiritual purpose of nourishing our inner man through the gospel. 

The mystery truth really made something very significant and special to His saint considering the fact how His manifold wisdom reflects to our eyes of understanding that what reigns today was His ultimate grace and the blessings of His grace depends on the establishment brought by the things from the Spirit which was basically revealed to us today.

There is much more beyond to carnal things laid on the temple or the tenth giving under the law and that is the "pureness of the gospel", the grace of God which surpasses all knowledge and understanding.

Haven't not known how these grace of God revealed to Paul made him say,  ¹² If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless WE HAVE NOT USED THE POWER; but SUFFER ALL THINGS, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.  Did we really suffer for Christ sake by not naming those things (as in the issues of carnal givings under the law) to hinder the gospel of Christ.

The thrust of a true servant of Christ was his selfless desire as someone bought with the costly price in order to not work for his own but for Him that called him WORKMAN!                 

KNOW YOUR REAL MISSION

By: Bro. Albert Gran

2 Corinthians 5:17-25

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹⁷Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 ¹⁸And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

 ¹⁹To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

 ²⁰Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

 ²¹For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

If you are swayed by the real essence of our ambassadorship role in Christ considering the fact that you’re too tied by some religious affairs which you thought your real mission, then start to go back to the right track and embrace the thought how God chose you to be part of His mission for the Body of Christ and not anymore to a man-made established institution where the sect’s name and an identity in whatever local affiliation were much hailed and being sacrificed for.

 Most of the believers’ objectives today were much focused to build up buildings (material façade) instead of building up quality believers who are nourished up in God’s word and those who are established in the faith.

 Indeed no one would deny that fact how Christ wills that ‘ALL WILL BE SAVED’ however, it’s not only that because each person who was saved must needs to ‘KNOW THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH’. There’s a need for every workman of God to attain to reading and exhortation in order to find out God’s exact purpose in His life and that in much time if possible, a workman of God should found establishment in word and in doctrine that has nothing to be ashamed of before him. His goal was merely not to be detracted by the man-made religious goals where its inspiration was motivated by selfish motives of material gain instead of gaining wisdom from God.

If we are indeed motivated by the real essence of our mission in accordance to Christ’s intent then understand that no religious affiliation or entity could cause you to spread out the truth how a sinner could be reconciled back to God in effect of the true gospel which is the message of the grace of God in light with the mystery program. It’s your understanding of His plan and through your response that Christ used every member of the Body of Christ to let the lost back to Him (being His ambassador) through the message of grace and not the church building, Christian music and selfish testimonies by the supposed miraculous physical intervention of God. These couldn’t be our main motivating factor to inspire a person to join local fellowships. Instead, the real cause for their restoration is to simply communicate the truth of salvation and simply aid them (as workmen) to be established in the faith (set of doctrines) through the gospel that the apostle Paul preached since he’s the apostle to the Gentiles. 

     

Consider how religion nowadays designed the traditional ways as they supposed God used them and their mechanics thought to be well pleasing before God. However, the manifestation of their hearts’ intents declared that their goals and plans were not really motivated by voluntary service for God but with behind tracks of covetousness, religious authorities and powers, e.g. by which it only sums up to have focused on earthly treasures instead of having affection to heavenly things.    

This kind of fleshly motivation, as I believed, obviously is out of God’s will. Substantial chaotic realities or real happenings in the society of the so called Christian religion itself emerged as the most ungodly principle of propagating Christ’s name. The name of God and His doctrines are blasphemed by the pagans because of the Christian religious man-made systems supposedly using the word of God and yet denying its power.

We all know that God established a true church (the called out ones) which is the BODY OF CHRIST whose head is Christ and yet religion tried to compete the established church as planned by God with another church with its independent names and entities where most Christians fought for and declared that their local church (its names and identities) are the true church.

Know therefore beloved what church are you building for? Are you building up the church as in accord to the plan of God before the foundation of the world? or Are you building and profound the man-made church based from religion?  

Let’s go back to the real mission which is to reconcile the lost back to Christ and be part of the church the Body of Christ not anymore to the man-made church. Let’s all function as an ambassadors of Christ not to be hindered by whatever man-made religious affairs.

EXPOSE ON THE ASSUMPTION OF PHYSICAL DIRECT INTERVENTION

By: Albert Gran

(An unveiling grace alternative study in view of traditional Physical-supernatural direct intervention in this age of grace) 

Philippians 2:25-30

King James Version (KJV)

 ²⁵Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but YOUR MESSENGER, and HE THAT MINISTERED TO MY WANTS.

 ²⁶For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

 ²⁷For indeed HE WAS SICK NIGH UNTO DEATH: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

 ²⁸I sent him therefore THE MORE CAREFULLY, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

 ²⁹Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

 ³⁰Because for the work of Christ HE WAS NIGH UNTO DEATH, NOT RAGRDING HIS LIFE, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Beholders of signs often quoted these verses to really prove that God was still directly and supernaturally intervening in the physical realm. This traditional view was determined already upon preponderance of its supposed general accepted fact and also their supposed right basis of doctrine pertinent to the supernatural miraculous presentation per se by which God acted in this age of grace.

Let me expose to you brethren this very scenario in the situation which for me a very common situation which have had happened in reality of our existence in this age of grace. A great deal of consideration of what was really the reality in the present life, something must have been also a truthful basis in the mystery truth which was revealed to the apostle Paul. First of all let me point your attention to some basic truths pertinent to the significant doctrine distinctly classified as unique in our present age, the dispensation of Grace which was also unknown in the previous dealing of God in TIME PAST. This is the information where Christ through Paul charged us to give importance as to what was the ever will of God in this current dispensation which He wanted us to inculcate in our minds. It’s also  a means to educate our recent generation relevant this issue prior the rapture period.

In this case of Epaphroditus, let make it clear what was transpired in this particular situation seeing if there was supernatural direct intervention as was commonly and majority believed. Mine was to show to you what’s the real truth behind it. Please bear with me in the foregoing presentation.

In verse 25,we can  clearly understand the background of Epaphroditus as a brother, companion of Paul in labour,  a fellowsoldier , a Corinthian messenger  for Paul’s wants. It suggests his perfect characteristic as a faithful man of God as always behind Paul’s affliction being a prisoner of Christ.

 

 This Paul-Epaphroditus ministerial companionship has gone along way of experiences to what was the real scenario of life as also related to our present service for Christ. As reality of physical deterioration and as being prone for sickness, Epaphroditus met a circumstance in verse 26 as no record of intention as whether it’s for a matter of divine testing or punishment as what some preachers allegedly accused those who are sick Christians especially those who are cold wax in serving the Lord in their respective spiritual service much more those believers who are in the backslidden state. There was no superstition whatsoever in this real scenario of Epaphroditus’s case. In light with the natural situation of our devastated world supported in Romans 8, Epaphroditus’s illness was a common natural physical agony or infirmity which could happen to any believer in this present time of grace. In  Rom. 8:23 it says,  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.

 

Paul on the other hand attested the veracity of this prone natural condition to all present believers in this age of grace concerning the fact of our outer man. In 2 Corinthians 4:16 it says: For which cause we faint not; but though our OUTWARD MAN PERISH, YET THE INWARD MAN IS RENEWED DAY BY DAY.

 

Clearly sickness was a matter of reality in confirmation of this doctrinal acknowledgement which I believed per instruction from our Lord Jesus Christ himself. It thrive not refute, however admit that in truth it’s our natural common situation even you are serving the Lord in this spiritual ministry. Folks our outward man perish and this is the prone condition not by means of probability but with due certainty. What gets my attention in this verse was the daily renewal Paul described which caused me not only to think but to believe THIS IS HOW GOD INTERVENED in the area of our lives. The renewal process was also a thinking process wherein spiritual inputs of doctrines directed for us would mean a cause to live victoriously in this arena of life’s reality. Romans 12:2 says, And be not conformed to this world: but BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOU MIND, that YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, and PERFECT WILL OF GOD.

 

Having this performing capacity as the instruction called for our obedience, Jesus Christ through facets of our spiritual blessedness (Eph. 1:3) have already put a designed confidence in believing and doing this direct command to renew our mind as this was the acme of God’s inner interventional dealing. This capacity of doing has the powerful basis from God’s interventional tool, His Holy Word known as the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This was far fetch different from a traditional idea that God can directly give you wisdom or guidance only by traditional cliché of doing much prayers, inner promptings, feeling spiritually fulfilled even not spending effort to read the source of wisdom which is the Word of God that effectually worked in us that believed (I Thes. 2:13).

 

THE BONE OF CONTENTION BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL INTERVENTION

What caught my fellow ministers to support their claim that God directly and spiritually caused physical intervention was found on verse 27 and I quote; For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: BUT GOD HAD MERCY ON HIM; and NOT ON HIM ONLY, BUT ON ME ALSO, lest I SHOULD HAVE SORROW UPON SORROW.

Their hermeneutical understanding with this verse was that there was a direct supernatural healing happened in response to the ailing condition of Epaphroditus when God had mercy on him. Let’s take some Pauline verses in the Bible how and in what manner God show His mercy to the believers in this age of grace.

 

 Ephesians 2:4
But God, who is RICH IN MERCY, FOR HIS GREAT LOVE wherewith he loved us,

 

1 Timothy 1:2
Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, MERCY, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

1 Timothy 1:16
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.

 

2 Timothy 1:16
The Lord give MERCY unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

 

Sincere student must deeply appreciate what’s that significant concept and common understanding as far as the demonstration of God’s mercy in this age of grace. Ask yourself what was the commonality of the sense or idea of God’s mercy? I found and believed this was as an extraordinary notion apart from what was traditionally believed especially in the case of Epaphroditus to mean Physical supernatural direct intervention. The mercy of God was placed on the account of the substitutionary work of Christ where God’s motivation of love and comfort was demonstrated to all and for all those who believe in order to produce joy and blessedness without ignoring the reality of sufferings. This is the inner comfort of God in us to remain consistent amidst the presence and power of sin that worked in the devastated creation and from among the evil corrupt nature of man. The mercy of God resulted to fruit of righteousness to respond in obedience after His plan and wise counsel.

 

Considerable facts stated below were believed to be nowhere Physical supernatural direct intervention occurred:

 

1.      Both Epaphroditus and Paul received the same mercy of God to mean Paul didn’t have any physical sickness required for healing.

 

2.      The verse didn’t show any proof that there was physical healing with Epaphroditus while Paul had his spiritual healing. 

 

3.      The commonality of God’s mercy even as also stated from the verses above were significant that it was for inner comfort in result of Christ’s substitutionary work through the Father’s love and kindness to us ward as per written in the Pauline epistle. I stressed Pauline epistle particularly on the account after the completion of the entire Scripture because God’s mercy in the past was by means of direct Physical intervention since they were called to hope for physical or material blessings.

 

STRONGEST PROOF WHY THERE’S NO PHYSICAL AND SUPERNATURAL INTERVENTION:

 

^{In verse 28 it says} I sent him therefore THE MORE CAREFULLY, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

 

Let’s all be made clear in this matter brethren to consider the phrase as highlighted above. There was a long process of recovery which I believed happened in the case of Epaphroditus for the fact that when he was ready to render service and have got to go back to the Corinthians, though determined to see them, yet PAUL WAS ALL THE MORE CAREFUL TO SEND HIM THERE. If there was direct supernatural healing happened at the instance when he received mercy from the Lord then Paul would not care to send him THE MORE CAREFULLY or BEING FULL OF CARES to send him.  Same as true today the gradual process of recovery took place after we stayed on bed for several times and when you’ll allow him to travel far place you would be worried much for his physical condition. Folksthere’s no superficiality and superstition in this present age of grace. Let’s all face the real scenario that God was still actively involved in our physical realms but not in view of direct supernatural physical intervention. God worked in our inner man where God’s mercy shall produce joy despite sufferings and hardships. 

 

CONCLUSIVE STATEMENTS

 

Having this most appealing thought in appreciating His will over the entire creation and by applying what was transpired as not though only by word of man but as it is in truth the Word of God which worked in you that believe, it would far lead you to obtain life and peace in the reality of our life’s existence. This book of Romans is one of the most fascinating epistles of Paul which points out God’s distinctive program from ages past classified to our current spiritual ministration with the resumption of future prophetic truth concerning earthly plan through the conditions of physical if-then principle which had been prophesied and spoken by the mouth of His holy prophets since the world began. Let’s read Romans 8: 18-28.

    ¹⁸For I reckon that the SUFFERINGS OF THIS PRESENT TIME are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
 ¹⁹For the EARNEST EXPECTATION OF THE CREATURE WAITETH for the manifestation of the sons of God.
 ²⁰For the CREATURE WAS MADE SUBJECT TO VANITY, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
 ²¹Because the creature itself also shall be delivered FROM THE BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
 ²²For we know that the WHOLE CREATION GROANETH AND TRAVAILETH IN PAIN together until NOW.
 ²³And not only they, BUT OURSELVES ALSO, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves GROAN WITHIN OURSELVES, WAITING FOR FOR THE ADOPTION, to wit, the REDEMTION OF OUR BODY.
 ²⁴For WE ARE SAVED BY HOPE: but HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE: for WHAT A MAN SEETH, WHY DOTH HE YET HOPE FOR?
 ²⁵But if WE HOPE THAT WE SEE NOT, then DO WE WITH PATIENCE WAIT FOR IT.


Let this truth a more justifiable basis in view of your honest review and consideration. I hope and pray that this information will shed more light what’s that God's desire to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery in this present Gentile grace of God.


Grace and Peace

THE PURE GRACE SOLID PROOF ABOUT ROMANS 13

By: Albert B. Gran

My  post in this issue of  ordaining bishopric position rains negative comments from the traditionalists in every Christian page I'm joining with. Content of this  post section is the truth behind barring traditional confusion with the gist in Romans 13.

  

I would like to amplify my discourse in this wonderful issue so that these people who didn’t see the light of this teaching opposing hermeneutical interpretation of “higher powers” to mean government worldly authorities will acknowledge their wrong view and vow to what’s the truth behind it. This presentation goes now to the details in light with the context of Romans 13.

Originally the Bible or Holy Scripture was not separated according to chapters and verses thus it requires simple re-examination to read the prior verses in order to get the right gist of the issue in view of contextual consideration.

 Romans 12:16-17

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹⁶Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

 ¹⁷Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

This is a very clear picture of which Paul charged the Roman BOC believers to be of the same mind one to another to the point that  such would condescend or fit to men of low estate and not to be wise in their own conceits.

Verse 17 gave us the most striking idea not to recompense or an idea to avenge evil for evil however provide honest things in the sight of all men. So if Paul charge not to avenge evil for evil how can a believer avenge evil? Do you think a believer can avenge evil? These questions are very logical one’s we come to the exposition of this very interesting topic.

The real issue here was doing evil where a natural man ( unbeliever) has been prone for due to the vanity of his mind. So Paul warned the believers not to fight evil against evil and if possible live peaceably unto all men.

   ¹⁸If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, LIVE PECEABLY WITH ALL MEN.

Every believer as a profounder of righteousness has the capacity not to avenge or revenge evil for evil but contrarily live peaceably with all men. How is it made possible? It does not mean that man of God (the authority of God’s ordained ministers or even elite saints) can no longer recompense or avenge evil. Still we could do it by avenging evil BY DOING GOOD.

²¹Be not overcome of evil, but OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

This passage was very clear in posing right instruction how can we avenge evil and against evil doers. Simply put: “OVERCOME EVIL BY DOING GOOD AND NOT OVERCOMING EVIL BY EVIL.” In this way people of God can live life’s fullest tranquility in the presence of this evil and corrupt world. To simply realize the practicality of it Paul gave a very clear cut situation to remind every believer how this thing being made possible in the name of PEACE.

 ²⁰Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing THOU SHALT HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD.

If this attitude of believers reign in his life there would be no reason why one can’t live a peaceable life unto all men. This capacity was made possible by believers of the Body of Christ most especially the immediate addressee of this Roman epistle, the Roman believers.

In this presentation, we can now come up and drove the clearest picture how the apostle Paul through context reminded or instructed the saints to live a peaceable life towards evil men and evildoers in this world. In this picture we can understand two groups of people generally involved as cited in the context. First are the addressee, the saints or Body of Christ members and the second are the evil doers or people who were unbelievers specifically those that are in the world.

This very sense coined with church role significance importantly widen our understanding that when God ordained rulers or ministers, He himself of course, and obviously wouldn't and didn't  take those worldly evil and unbelieving rulers. These godly appointed rulers were those Body of Christ authorities whom we're called for in subjection of their authority governing the early saints in the edification process. It's noticeable in the early missionary journey of St. Paul where God set men as gifts to edify the church the Body of Christ.

To expound further let me take this very important verse for us to have a complacent idea by eradicating negative thoughts against this issue disseminating truth that the rulers in Romans 13 contextually exclusive in the government for the early Body of Christ. Let’s be Bereans to consider whether this presentation instill perfect soundness along this issue. The verse states and I quote:

   ¹⁹Dearly beloved, AVENGE NOT YOURSELVES, but rather GIVE PLACE UNTO WRATH: for it is written, VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY, SAITH THE LORD.

Why Paul says avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath? When Paul says avenge not yourselves it correlates the idea which he priory stated NOT TO RECOMPENCE EVIL TO EVIL but to give place unto wrath which give us a sense to avenge or recompense evil by overcoming it with good for someday, even as it was written, the Lord will show his vengeance or final punishment against evil doers in the Great white throne judgment.(Revelation 7:9)

True saints can be the only group to qualify the accurate manifestation of godliness amidst evil society especially in this present evil world whose god Satan blinded the minds of the children of disobedience.

As begin this study of Romans 13, we can now have the clearest picture that there are two groups of people, one is the group of rulers categorically SAINTS and the second are group of EVIL MEN and or evil people the natural men in this world who through their mind’s vanity walked according to the course of this world. 

I wonder why some antagonist traditional religious denominational believers took their hermeneutical interpretation out of the context by simply putting trust in the realm of administrative jurisdiction which categorically out from the will and mind of God.

We’ll begin Romans 13 simply in conjunction to the verses previously stated. I pray this long message of mine can open the eyes of our understanding to simply acknowledge what’s the true validity of our claims insisting the higher powers ordained by God as NOT THE WORLDLY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES BUT THE REAL MINISTERS OF GOD WHO ARE TRUE AVENGERS OF EVILDOERS. Let’s consider the following:

   Romans 13

 ¹Let EVERY SOUL be subject unto the HIGHER POWERS. For there is no POWER BUT OF GOD: the POWERS THAT BE ARE ORDAINED OF GOD.

Brethren in the Lord, I already discussed to you that there are two groups of people in this context one is the “SAINTS” and the second is “THE EVILDOERS”. Now, carefully examine this verse and ask this question: To whom this instruction was addressed? To whom this “every soul” referred to? It’s apparent that contextually the “every soul” signifies the SAINTS who were called to OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD, NOT CALLED TO AVENGE EVIL BY EVIL BUT GIVE PLACE UNTO WRATH IN THE NAME OF PEACE AND TRANQUILITY.

The "every soul" in the context could impossibly mean all souls in the world including the natural men who are evildoers. Who will overcome evil without these people who could attest the true capacity of performing godly good works in order to live peaceably unto all men? In other words Paul addressed this Romans 13 to all believers to be subject unto the higher powers which are ORDAINED BY GOD.

Now that we know that the saints in Romans 13 were those who were addressed by Paul, then the next question was: What about the HIGHER POWERS THAT BE ORDAINED OF GOD? Let’s face the reality of what’s the context about whereby there were two groups of people involved in it which are generally between believers, the good doers and unbelievers who were evil doers. In my belief it’s illogical to give the meaning of HIGHER POWERS as GOVERNMENT WORLDLY AUTHORITIES AND SUCH SHALL BE CALLED ORDAINED POWERS OF GOD.

For saints, or the “every soul” who could truly be in subjection to true goodness against evildoers, must necessarily ascribe from the ordained higher powers of God, the rulers in the church who were His ministers. It’s impossible for these natural unbelieving men sitting in the ordained government authorities because they’re unbelievers and has no idea about the principle of true godliness in right spiritual perspective. If every saint is an avenger of evil by overcoming it by good these ordained ministers of God much more were avengers against evildoers. Please read it very carefully.

³For RULERS ARE NOT A TERROR TO GOOD WORKS, BUT TO THE EVIL. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

⁴For HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD TO THEE FOR GOOD. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD, A REVENGER TO EXECUTE WRATH UPON HIM THAT DOTH EVIL.

It’s very sensible brethren upon considering this expose that rulers or God’s ministers in this context purely are the ministers in the church who are ordained by God especially in the early stage of the Body of Christ. He is a minister of God for” thee” (saint), the every soul FOR GOOD. But if “thou” (evildoer) do that which is evil BE AFRAID.

Antagonists and traditionalists simply cannot accept the fact that believer can avenge or revenge evil by doing good. Their minds are blundered having this doubt and questions such as: Can a believer or Minister of God can truly be an avenger of evil by good?” or Can truly be a believer overcome evil by good? If you noticed in my above explanation Paul in the context stated the real fact that a believer can overcome evil by good and at any rate can live peaceably towards all men.

To shut up the traditional ideologies of these unbelieving religious friends of ours, I’ll quote this passage of Paul in order to assert their allegation that it’s impossible for this ministers of God to revenge against evil doers. Read this passage carefully:

 2 Corinthians 10:4-8

King James Version (KJV)

 ⁴(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

 ⁵Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 ⁶AND HAVING IN A READINESS TO REVENGE ALL DISOBEDIENCE, WHEN YOUR OBEDIENCE IS FULFILLED.

 ⁷Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

 ⁸For though I should boast somewhat more of OUR AUTHORITY, WHICH THE LORD HATH GIVEN US FOR EDIFICATION, AND NOT FOR YOUR DESTRUCTION, I SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED:

Dear readers of my simple article I would want you to be sensible considering this presentation of mine as really in truth in the name of standing the sound doctrine against the perverse thoughts of unbelieving antagonists who were traditionalists. Paul clearly emphasized that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through the God to the pulling of the strongholds. It means our battle is not between flesh and blood and thus if evil arise we will overcome it by the truth and goodness which is in us. This weapons are spiritual by putting our minds or imaginations in subjection to the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (In the complete Holy Scriptures), and let our every thought to the obedience of Christ. It has nothing to the obedience of the government authorities and rulers in this world the children of disobedience who were ungodly.

The striking thing was the answer to the queries of many antagonists whether or not the believers and God’s ministers CANNOT REVENGE EVILDOERS. Paul says and please in tune your negative thoughts carefully as I write it in bold print:

 ⁶AND HAVING IN A READINESS TO REVENGE ALL DISOBEDIENCE, WHEN YOUR OBEDIENCE IS FULFILLED.

The saints or believers were told to be ready to revenge all disobedience (evildoers), when your obedience is fulfilled. This is the relative truth with this verse: 

Romans 12:21 BE NOT OVERCOME EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

God’s ordained ministers in the early stage of the BOC has more capacity to do this in fact believers were also have sufficient and enough capacity to overcome evil by doing good. If these are the worldly human powers and authorities what capacity do they have to overcome evil by good? Do they have the knowledge of God to manifest true godliness? That’s an irrelevant and illogical notion if we will hold such hermeneutical interpretation.

Lastly, I would like to pose the antagonists silence in order to settle the issue as to who truly were these ORDAINED MINISTERS OF GOD IN THE HIGHER POWERS? Let’s give sense to read continuously this wonderful book of paul to the 2 Corinthians parallel to this Romans 13.

 ⁸For though I should boast somewhat more of OUR AUTHORITY, WHICH THE LORD HATH GIVEN US FOR EDIFICATION, AND NOT FOR YOUR DESTRUCTION, I SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED:

Paul clearly without doubt word for word attests the AUTHORITY, WHICH THE LORD HATH GIVEN US (The ministers of God, the rulers ordained by God in the higher powers), AND NOT FOR YOUR DESTRUCTION (for good as to “thee”, saints for good), I SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED.

Every sensible believer will acknowledge this honest presentation of truth pertinent in this teaching that the HIGHER POWERS ORDAINED BY GOD are not the government authorities but the early church ministers of God set to edify the church the Body of Christ to wit:

 1 Corinthians 12:28

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Ephesians 4:11-12

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹¹And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

 ¹²For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Brethren let’s come unto perfection and if you found wholesome presentation in this humble presentation of mine admit in godly means that truth will prevail. Paul once said:

 2 Corinthians 13:8

For we can do nothing against the TRUTH, but for the TRUTH.

I bow my knees in the name of truth. Believe it and live with it.

I pray you in Christ stead. Consider these things and the Lord will give you understanding.

Grace and Peace to All !