THE TWELVE MYSTERIES OF GOD

12 VOLUME SIX

HOMILECTICS

VOLUME FIVE

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1. THE MYSTERY OF THE GODHEAD

GOD’S PREVIOUS MANIFESTATIONS

THE DEATH OF THE TESTATOR

THE THREEFOLD REDEMPTION PROCESS

HE WHO IS CREATOR BECOME CREATURE

THE FATHER IS GOD

IS JESUS CHRIST GOD?

CHAPTER 2. THE MYSTERY OF GOD, AND OF THE FATHER, AND OF CHRIST (Col. 2:2)

CHAPTER 3. THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST IN THE CHURCH (Col. l: 27)

THE CHURCH IS IN CHRIST

GOD IN THE CHURCH

THE HOLY GHOST IN US

THERE IS BUT ONE SPIRIT

CHAPTER 4. THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL (Eph. l: 9)

CHAPTER 5. THE MYSTERIES OF THE CHURCH

INTRODUCTION

THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH

ONE FLESH

COURTSHIP, MARRIAGE, AND DIVORCE

THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE

HOMOSEXUALITY AND LESBIANISM

MONOGAMY VERSES POLYGAMY

RACIAL AND INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES

DIVORCE

GOD HATTETH PUTTING AWAY

FIRST CORINTHIANS CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE VEIL OF COVERING

THE CHURCH IS THE BODY

CHAPTER 6. THE MYSTERY OF JEW AND GENTILE (Eph. 3:1-6)

The Wild and Tame Olive Tree Romans Eleventh Chapter

CIRCUMCISION ABOLISHED

TRADITION VERSES THE BIBLE

THE SABBATH

The Sabbath

EXAMPLES OF TRADITION

THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING ON JEWELRY

CHRISTIAN TOLERANCE

No Male or Female

THE WOMAN’S PLACE

CHAPTER 7. THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES (Rev. 1:20)

THE SEVEN MESSAGES OF CHRIST TO THE CHURCHES

MESSAGE TO EPHESUS

CHAPTER 8. THE MYSTERY OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE SAINTS (1Cor. 15:51)

WE THAT ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN

FROM MORTAL TO IMMORTALITY

CONFUSION ABOUT THE RAPTURE

(St. Matthew 24:24)

The First Question When shall these things be?

The Second Question What shall be the sign of thy coming?

The Third Question And Have The End Of The World.

REVELATION CHAPTER TWELVE

TYPES OF THE RAPTURE

CHAPTER 9. THE MYSTERIES OF SINS

INTRODUCTION

The Mystery of Iniquity

The Mystery of Babylon

The Mystery of The Kingdom Of Heaven

The Mystery of the Blindness of Israel

CHAPTER 10. THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY (II THESS. 2:7)

THE SPIRIT OF ANTI-CHRIST

FORM OF GODLINESS

CHAPTER 11. THE MYSTERY OF BABYLON (Rev. 17:5)

THE CONFUSION OF RELIGIONS

THE WOMAN WITH THE CUP

DIVERS DOCTRINE

THE MYSTERY UNFOLDED

THE FOUR BEASTS OF REVELATION

THE BEAST WITH THE BODY OF A LEOPARD

THE BEAST OUT OF THE EARTH

THE SCARLET COLOUR BEAST

THE SEVEN HEADS

THE MARK OF THE BEAST

SEVEN TYPES OF ANTI-CHRIST

(5) L’ EMPEREUS NAPOLEON

THE SEVEN TITLES OF ANTI-CHRIST

CHAPTER 12. THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (Matt. 13:11)

THE SEVENTY WEEKS OF DANIEL

HERE IS THE LAYOUT

THE SEVENTIETH WEEK

CHAPTER 13. THE MYSTERY OF THE BLINDNESS OF ISRAEL (Rom. 11:25)

THE VEIL OF THE LAW

THE SUFFERING MESSIAH

Zechariah is very bold in saying:

THE UNKNOWN GOD

ISRAEL’S TIME AND PLACE

THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL

THE RESTORATION TO THE LAND

THE RESTORATION OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP

THE RESTORATION OF THE KINGDOM

THE UTTER-MOST-PLAN OF GOD

Shalom! Eth Shalom!

BISHOP WILLIE J. DUNCAN D.D.Re.D.,Ph.D.

PREFACE

For quite some time I have had in my mind and in my heart to write a study course on the Twelve Mysteries of God. I want to present unto you a systematic approach to the study of the Twelve Mysteries of God.

Each of these Twelve Mysteries shed a light on some different things that God has done, and is doing and shall do, with His Creation and creatures.

God wants us to study these Mysteries of His, and to know them. (St. Matt. 13:11) Some say that we should not seek out the Mysteries of God, but the scripture hath said: God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1Cor. 2:10)

Another scripture said; Surely the Lord God will do nothing but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7). Daniel said; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days... Moses said in Deuteronomy; The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: But those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever that we may do all the words of this law." (Deut. 29:29)

The secret things concerning the creation of the worlds were made known unto Moses and the children of Israel. The scripture said: "He made known His ways unto Moses and His acts unto the children of Israel. There is a great need for the study of the Mysteries of God.

The Author

INTRODUCTION

The Twelve Mysteries of God

I have classified these mysteries under three headings. Having no other books or writings to go by, I have classified them as follows:

1. MYSTERY OF THE [GODHEAD]

2. MYSTERY OF THE [CHURCH]

3. MYSTERY OF THE [SINS]

Under the Mystery of (The Godhead) we have:

A. The Mystery of Godliness.

B. The Mystery of the Father, God, And of Christ.

C. The Mystery of Christ in You.

D. The Mystery of His Will.

Under the Mystery of (The Church) we have:

A. The Mystery of Christ and the Church.

B. The Mystery of Jew and Gentile in same body.

C. The Mystery of Translation of the Saints.

D. The Mystery of the Seven Stars.

Under the Mystery of (Sins) we have:

A. The Mystery of Iniquity.

B. The Mystery of Babylon.

C. The Mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven.

D. The Mystery of Israel’s Blindness.

I believe this is a logical approach to the study of the Mysteries of God. There are many things; that are hidden in God. The only way we can get it is through a systematic approach in study. Some truths of God we cannot learn, until we put first things first. Things are learned upon the foundation of other truths.

The scripture said: Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breast for precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, and there a little. (Isa. 28:9, 10)

Many people want to get into the supernatural without due process. Jesus said, "And so is the Kingdom of God as if a man should cast seed into the ground: And should sleep, and rise night and day, the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself: FIRST the blade, then (Second), the ear, after that (Thirdly), the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth (Fourthly), immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come." (St. Mark 4:26-29)KJV

From this we see the process of natural developments. So also, it is in the Spiritual. The seed is the Word of God, sown into our hearts.

So after the seed is sown it must grow.

1. First the Blade,

2. Then the Ear,

3. After that the Full Corn in the Ear,

4. Then the Harvest

God is a systematic God. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. (Psm.19:7)

We must first have the simple before the mystery. Peter said, Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile, and hypocrisies, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby.

(I Pet. 2:1-2)

A simple-minded person is the one who is on the milk and is not ready for the Mysteries of God. A certain foundation of biblical knowledge must be laid in order to enter into the Mysteries of God.

There are some things taught by the Holy Ghost that takes us into the deep things of God. We must study; and be taught, until the word of God becomes a part of our conscious spiritual vocabulary. One should have at his disposal words to think with so one can compare spiritual things with spiritual.

We must be as the Psalmist said: But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law does he meditate day and night. (Psm. 1:2)

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God. That we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (ICor. 2:12, 13)

The word of God must become a part of us so that the knowledge of the Mysteries may be opened up to us. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Col. 3:l6)

The entire Bible is available for our spiritual word vocabulary: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for:

1. Doctrine,

2. Reproof,

3. Correction,

4. Instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (IITim. 3:16, 17)

Let us note the word is given for Doctrine:

DOCTRINE-Taken from the Greek word DIDACHE: This means teaching, instruction or that which is taught. (W.E. Vine)

This means that it is the source or basis of teaching. It is where we obtain our doctrinal teachings. God’s word is infallible. It is the truth; that repels every lie. Nothing more or less than God’s word is to be used for forming doctrinal opinions. It is the only thing to use.

The scriptures are given for Correction:

Taken from the Greek word, Epanorthosis: Meaning a restoring to an upright or right state or an improvement of life and character. (Vine) The word then is a moral guide.

The scripture is given for Instruction:

From the Greek word, KATECHED: To teach oral or by word of mouth. (Vine) This is teaching students in a classroom instruction setting, a standing over, and causing one to hear. Faith cometh by Hearing the word of God. (Rm. 10:17)

That the man of God may be perfect:

Taken from the Greek word KATARTISMOS - a fitting or preparing, fully. The man of God must use all the scriptures.

The Scripture is given for Reproof:

Comes from the Greek word ELENCHO: to convict or condemn.

If the Bible does not condemn a person for doing this that or the other, there is no other rule or action that can be used to condemn. To condemn a person must be done by the method of two or three witnesses. At least two witnesses are to be used to try or condemn a person. And the scripture must be interpreted in the light of two or more scriptures. (II Pet.1:20)

When Paul was before the council to be tried, the scripture said: And Paul, earnestly beholding the council said, Men and brethren I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. And the high Priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, "God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: For sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law. (Acts 23:1-3) Our method to condemn another must be by the scripture.

There are four Mysteries given for the study of the Godhead. These Mysteries deal with God’s redemptive process to bring salvation to all mankind. They deal with the positions of various manifestations of God into the human sphere. Through these Mysteries, we understand God’s relationship with man.

For an example: He chooses to show himself as Elohim in Genesis 1:1, as Creator of the world, and of man, and all creatures. In Genesis 17:1 He appears as El-Shaddai, the one who nourishes back to strength, as He did for Abraham and Sarah. He appeared in the burning bush to Moses and a pillar of cloud and fire to Israel in the wilderness. He appeared unto Abraham as a Theophany in Genesis the eighteenth chapter as one of the three men. Another famed appearance of Jehovah is as the Angel of the Lord. (Judges 2)

To show that He appeared in different ways: God said in Exodus 6:3, I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them.

This is the same God in each one of these appearances. He changes His relationship in each one of these appearances. He is still the same God He is, as Elohim; or as El-Shaddai.

There are many scriptures in the Old Testament to show the need of the various appearances that was made. When God needed a redeemer for man, there was no man found worthy to do so. (Jer. 5:1; Ezek. 22:30) It was necessary for God to redeem man himself.

Isaiah 59:16 brings this point out. And he saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness it sustained him. God had to become redeemer. He saith in Hosea 13:14; I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

If and when God takes on Himself to be a redeemer, He will have to take on flesh and blood through birth into the human family. He would have to manifest himself as a man. This is where and when the Sonship comes in.

Isaiah 7:14 said: Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Matthew interprets this scripture as being God with us. (Matt. 1:23)

Isaiah 9:6 states; For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

This is the very God in the position of Sonship.

In the New Testament Jesus is shown to be the last manifestation of deity in a visible way. As it is said in Hebrews 1:1,2. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things. By whom also he made the worlds. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power. When he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

This is the manifestation of redemption. As is said in I Timothy 3:16; And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

The next divine manifestation of deity is through the Spirit of God coming into the hearts of the believer. Jesus said: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. (St. Jhn. 14:16-18)

CHAPTER I

THE MYSTERY OF THE GODHEAD

There are four Mysteries that we have selected for this subject.

I. The Mystery of Godliness 3:16

2. The Mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ. Col. 2:2

3. The Mystery of Christ in the Church Col. 1:27

4. The Mystery of His will. Eph. 1:9

THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS

I Tim. 3:16

This Mystery deals with God in His various manifestations. It deals with questions of: (1) how can God be in heaven and on earth at the same time. (2) How can He be in flesh and in Spirit? (3) God and man. (4) Both Creator and creature. (5) Both Mary’s Father and Mary’s Son.

He who is everlasting, and He who dies, He whose body is in the grave, and He raises His own body. He, who is less than the Father, but thought it not robbery to be equal with God, He who is Son on one hand: and He who is the same as the Father. He who knows not when he shall come: Yet He is the one that knoweth all things. He who never slumber, nor sleepeth, but yet, he sleepeth in the hinder part of the ship. He who prays to God: He who answers from heaven.

The scripture said: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (I Tim. 3:16)

Let us consider these biblical paradoxes and contrasts that we have presented. The reason I said that this Mystery deals with the manifestation of God, is because the key verse deals with: God was manifest in the flesh. This gives the prelude to other points of that verse and other events.

The other points of this verse would be more emphatic this way:

A. God was manifest in the flesh. (Matt.1:23)

B. God was justified in the Spirit. (Rm. 8:9-11)

C. God was seen of angels. (Lke.2:11)

D God was preached unto the Gentiles. (Acts 10:36)

E. Believed on in the world. (St.Jhn..1:10, 11)

F. Received up into heaven. (ICor.2:8; Psm. 24)

GOD’S PREVIOUS MANIFESTATIONS

Can God be in heaven and on earth at the same time? Let us look at an Old Testament incident to verify this point.

"Then the LORD (Jehovah) rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD (same Jehovah) out of heaven. The Jehovahistic title shows where Jehovah is at that time of judging Sodom and Gomorrah. Jehovah rained fire from Jehovah out of heaven. The one that is on earth is the same one in heaven. The one on earth is the manifestation of the invisible one in heaven. There are not two Jehovahs. (Deut. 6:4; Gen. 19:24)

The scripture said: Hear 0 Israel: The Lord (Jehovah) Our God (Elohim) is One Lord.(Deu. 6:4; Zech. 10:9)

God can be in heaven and on earth at the same time. He is not a God; who is confined to one place. "Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and upon the earth beneath; there is none else. (Deu. 4:39; Gen. 19:24) This scripture shows God’s presence and influence is in heaven and on earth. He is Omnipresence.

Jacob saw Him manifested as the Angel of the Lord, and said: I have seen God face to face. (Gen. 32:30)

Moses saw Him in the burning bush. (Exd. 3:2-6) The expression in the Old Testament, The Angel of the Lord; is the manifestation of Jehovah. Hence: In Judges 2:1, the scripture said: And an Angel of the Lord (Jehovah) came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go out of Egypt and have brought you unto the land which I swear unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.

This language I brought you up out of Egypt. I swear to your fathers is the one who did that. This brings to the understanding how that Jesus was and still is the personal manifestation of Jehovah.

Note this scripture: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son... Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express Image of His person. (Heb. 1:3)

Another very precise and conclusive scripture is found in (IJhn. 5:20,21)And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true, we are in him that is true, even in this Son Jesus Christ, this is the True God, and Eternal life. My little children keep yourselves from Idols.

THE DEATH OF THE TESTATOR

Under the subject of The Mystery of Godliness, another fleshly manifestation of God is the necessity of God coming as the testator. It was necessary for the Testator who made the will or promise to Abraham, to shed blood to release the inheritance to Abraham’s seed.

The scripture said: And for this cause He is the Mediator of the New Testament, which by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (Heb. 9:15-17) Jesus is God, the testator who made the promise to Abraham and his seed. God came in a body to fulfill the role of the testator.

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1Jhn. 3:16; Acts 20:28). To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Cor. 5:19; Matt. 1:23; Isa. 35:4; Matt. 11:1)

Christ became our brother and left the inheritance to us when he died. (Psm. 22:22; Heb. 2:12, Gal. 3:16)

THE THREEFOLD REDEMPTION PROCESS

Under this subject; Threefold Redemption Process: We will deal with the terms, Father, Son, And Holy Ghost.

There was a search made for a man to become a redeemer for his brother (man). A search was made in Jeremiah 5:1, but there was no man found. Another search was made in Ezekiel 22:30, and Psalms 49:6, but none was found.

And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor, therefore his arm brought salvation unto him: and his righteousness, it sustained him. (Isa 59:16)

God as Father ordained salvation. According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. (Eph. 1:4)

As Son or in the Sonship He purchased salvation. (Gal. 4:4-6)

He took upon Himself flesh and became a man. (St. Jhn. 1:1, 14, 10. Phil. 2:5-9)

As Holy Ghost, He applies salvation to the heart of the believer. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever: Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. (St. Jhn. 14:16-18; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 4:4-6)

HE WHO IS CREATOR BECOME CREATURE

Another light into this Mystery is; He who is Creator become creature. The Lord is high above all nations and His glory above the heavens Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high. Who humble himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth. (Psm. 113:4-6)

He who was Creator became creature. In the beginning was the word and the word were with God, and the word was God... And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...He was in the world and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. St. Jhn. 1:1, 14, 10. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities or powers; all things were created by Him, and for Him; And he is before all things and by him all things consist." (Col. 1:15-17; Rev. 4:11; St. Jhn.. 1:1-10; 8:56-58) Jesus is both God and man.

THE FATHER IS GOD

There is no debate on this fact: Only to them who are infidels would the thought arise. The scripture saith; One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all, and in you all. (Eph. 4:6)

IS JESUS CHRIST GOD?

The big question is this: Is Jesus Christ God? This question has been asked even throughout the whole Bible. Let us consider a few questions on this subject.

1. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended?

Jesus. (Eph. 4:8, 9; St.Jhn.3:13)

2. Who hath gathered the wind in his fists?

(Prob. 30:4; Mk. 4:39)

3. Who hath bound the waters in a garment? (Gen. 1:9; Rev. 4:11)

4. Who hath established all the ends of the earth?

(Isa.44:24; Col.1:16, 17; Heb.1:10-19; 13:8)

5. What is His name and His Son’s name? If thou canst tell?

(Prob. 30:4; Eph. 3:12, 15; St. Jhn. 5:43)

6. 6. Who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of

The Lord been revealed? (Isa. 53:1; Matt.11:1; St. Jhn. 12:37)

Who is this that cometh from Edom with dyed garments from

Bozrah? (Isa. 63:1; Matt. 11:1: Heb. 10:5)

7. 7. And Manoah said unto the Angel of the Lord, what is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may give you Honour? And the Angel of the Lord said unto him, why askest thou thus after my name seeing it is secret? (Judges 13:17; Matt. 1:21-23; St. St.Jhn. 5:43; Acts 4:12)

8. What think ye of Christ? Who son is He? If David then calls Him Lord, how is he David’s son? (St. Matt. 22:42-45)

9. Then said they unto Him, Who art thou?

(St. Jhn. 8:25; 10:30)

10. Thou art not yet fifty years old, have thou seen Abraham?

(St. Jhn. 8:57, 58; Exd. 3:13, 10; 6:3; Gen. 14:18)

11. What manner of man is this?

(Mk. 4:21; 1 Cor. 15:47)

12. Who do men say that I the Son of man am?

(St. Matt. 16:18; 11:25)

13. Art thou he that should come? Or do we look for another?

(Matt. 11:2; Isa. 35:4; Heb. 10:4)

CHAPTER II

THE MYSTERY OF GOD, AND OF THE FATHER, AND OF CHRIST

(Col. 2:2)

We will now consider the next Mystery found in Colossians 2:2, 3.

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the Mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ: In whom is hidden all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge.

The Mystery in this verse and quotation is, the repeating of the terms; God, Father, and Christ. We know that God is Creator (Gen. 1: l) and He who creates is the Father, (Mal. 2:10), this being so why would Paul repeat He who is the same in different ways. For when he said, God, he has called he who is the Father, and then he called Christ. He said about Christ, In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (Col. 2:9) In as much as God is the same in each point, there must be different operations that God performs. The whole operation deals with God bringing salvation through these operations.

Paul puts it in a very intelligent way. He speaks: Ye know that ye were Gentiles carried away unto these dumb Idols, even as you were led. Wherefore, I give you to understand, no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed, and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (ICor.12:2, 3)

The following verses are the clincher to the whole point I am emphasizing. Paul explains: And there are diversities of operations, it is the same God. God the Father is in all creation, above all, through all, and in you all. (ICor. 12:1-6; Eph. 4:6)

God’s various positions allowed him to be able to make salvation complete. This is the Mystery of God and of the Father, and of Christ.

CHAPTER III

THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST IN THE CHURCH

(Col. l: 27)

To whom God would make known what the riches of the glory of this Mystery among the Gentiles is; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. This Mystery deals with the third functioning of the redemptive purpose of God. God, who as Father ordained salvation for us: (Gal. 3:8) God who also as Son; purchased salvation for us. (Acts 20:28) He as the Holy Ghost now applies salvation to the heart of the believer. (Col. 1:27)

Another way we can say this is; the same Spirit that is in your heart, is He who was for us and in us, is that Christ that is in us. The scripture said: And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your heats crying Abba, Father. (Gal. 4:6)

The whole purpose of God is to have a Son. He did not make an angel a son. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee? (Heb. 1:5)

But when God wanted to make man he said; Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (Gen. 1:26)

In that created act, man became God’s son. The scripture shed light on this by saying: Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the Son of God. (St. Lke. 3:38)

Man fell from that position of sonship. In Hebrews, the scripture gave the sad account:

But one in a certain place testified saying, what is man, that thou art mindful of him or the son of man, that thou visitest Him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels: thou crownedst him with glory and Honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. (Heb. 2:6)

At this Juncture, man has lost the image of God. He is not at this point God’s son. Man must be brought back into the image of him that created him. (Col. 3:9; Tit. 3:5)

Adam, that is man, needed someone to bring him back to sonship. A man must redeem a man, and restore him.

The next part of Hebrews 2:9, presents that man as follows: "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels. (The same position as the first man had: See verse Seven;), Thou madest him a little lower than the angel. Crow nest him with glory and honour, that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." (Heb. 2:9)

Now Christ became that Son that God wanted man to be. When Jesus was baptized, the heavenly voice said, Thou art my beloved Son. In thee I am well pleased. (Lke. 3:22) A holy son has taken the position of man. (Lke. 1:35) He can now offer a holy sacrifice unto God for man. (Heb. 9:12-14)

The suffering of Christ was for the penalty of sin committed by Adam, so that God would be able to bring man back into being the son of God. Paul said: But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (IICor. 3:18)

When Christ Spirit is given to us, we become the sons of God. Paul said again; For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we Cry Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. (Rom. 8:14-16)

Christ’s Spirit being placed in us, makes us sons of God. The Christ in us gives us the true attributes of the Son of God. (Col. 2:3; 3:9) These are the attributes of the sonship of Christ: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots; and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord: and shall make him of a quick understanding in the fear of the Lord. (Isa.11:1-3). These are the attributes of sonship.

Paul said unto the Church; Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. (Col. 3:9, 10; Gen. 1:26; St. Matt. 19:3)

In II Cor. 6:16: And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God and they shall be my people...and will be a Father to you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (IICor. 6:16-18; Rev. 21:7)

The Mystery of Christ in us is the Spirit of God in us, making us to become sons of God, distributing His attributes. (1Jhn. 3:1-3)

CHRIST IN THE CHURCH

St. Jhn. 14:16-20

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you for ever: Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him, for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more, but ye see me: Because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me and I in you.

Jesus Christ is that Spirit that we have received. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Gal. 4:6)

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (IICor. 13:5)

THE CHURCH IS IN CHRIST

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:...I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in One. St. Jhn. (17:20-23)

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. (1Jhn. 5:20)

From this we see that Christ is in the church and the church is in Christ. Now this is not two or three different Spirits, but rather this is the different operations of God. Jesus said, My Father worketh hitherto and I work (St. Jhn. 5:17; 14:7-11)

We are in Christ, and Christ is in us. This Christ that is in us is the Holy Ghost, who is God in us. It’s like a person in the ocean and some of the water gets in him. Yes, we have been baptized in the Holy Ghost at the same time we have been filled with the Holy Ghost.

There is one body and one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and in you all. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (Eph. 4:4; 1Cor. 12:13)

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: And that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (I Cor. 12:3-6)

GOD IN THE CHURCH

And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezek. 36:27, 28; IICor. 6:16-18)

And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? Would to God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them. (Num. 11:29; Joel 2:28; Isa. 28:11)

The Spirit that we have received is the Spirit of God, who is God in us. One God and Father of all, who is above all and through you all and in you all. (Eph. 4:6)

Now let us look at the scripture that on one hand call the Spirit, which is in us, the Spirit of Christ, and calls it the Spirit of God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man, have not the Spirit of Christ. He is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Rom. 8:9-16)

THE HOLY GHOST IN US

But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: For the Holy Ghost was not yet given: because that Jesus was not yet glorified. (St.Jhn.7:39; 10:26; 15:26)

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)

And God, which knoweth the hearts bare them witness giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us. (Acts 15:8) Therefore, the Spirit that we have received is the Holy Ghost.

THERE IS BUT ONE SPIRIT

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one