312 - Les Feldick Bible Study Lesson 3 - Part 4 - Book 26 - 1 Corinthians 3:10-4:2 - Part 2

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 3 * PART 4 * BOOK 26 I CORINTHIANS 3:10 - 4:2 We'll be looking at the mysteries that are recorded in Paul's epistles - Romans through Hebrews. We'll see just how often Paul makes reference to the mysteries. Now the mysteries are a unique term, we have the word used in Matthew 13, when Jesus spoke of the mysteries of the Kingdom, but that was a different setting. But throughout Paul's epistles he is constantly coming back to this term, "The mystery." Remember what Paul has been talking about throughout these first three chapters. I Corinthians 4:1 "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God." Now underline that word `stewards' and `the mysteries.' Faithful. I Corinthians 4:2 The amazing thing is that Paul has given to every true believer an understanding of the mysteries. Romans 11:25 The Old Testament understood that God would one day save Gentiles, but they had no idea that it would be without Israel. A mystery, a secret, kept in the mind of God, but now revealed. Now our next mystery is found in Romans 16:25 right at the doxology of the chapter. And whenever you see this word `mystery' it's the same identical Greek word meaning secret (Musterion). Romans 16:25 "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my (Paul) gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation (or revealing) of the mystery, (secret) which was kept secret since the world began (or the ages)." So ever since the creation this had never been revealed that God would take salvation to the Gentiles by faith and faith alone. All the Old Testament was by way of Israel. I Corinthians 2:7 "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, (secret) even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our (my) glory:" Israel could have known if they would have just simply studied their Old Testament, but Israel did not know. It was a secret that had been kept in the mind of God until He revealed it to the Apostle Paul. I Corinthians 13:2 Men had the gift of speaking forth the Word of God even though it was not yet in print.) Now I think Paul is taking it beyond the mysteries given to him, because of pagan religion, and I'm afraid too many people don't understand this. The mysteries, the secret things that the common initiate (I call them), never are aware of. Not God's power, of course, but it's that whole idea of the mysteries of those religions. I Corinthians 14:2 tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries (or secrets that not everybody can understand. Those things that have been kept secret in the mind of God.)." Jesus never referred to it. I Corinthians 15:51 "Behold, I shew you a mystery; (what's this secret? Then Paul goes on to explain it further in the following verses. I Corinthians 15:52 Now the next mystery is in Ephesians Chapter 1. Never lose sight of that when you study Paul. Ephesians 1:9,10 The next mystery will be Ephesians 3:3, but in this mystery we almost have to start with verse 1. Ephesians 3:1-6 "For this cause (in other words, everything that he wrote in the first two chapters) I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation (he didn't get it from other men) he (The ascended Lord) made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [Well what's this particular mystery?] "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ;) I Corinthians 15:1-4):" Now remember, Israel never had a promise like that. Israel never had a promise that they would be joint-heirs with Christ. Everything that belongs to Christ now belongs to us believers also, as we are joint-heirs as Gentiles in this "Body of Christ." Ephesians 3:8,9 Now what's Paul saying? Remember, he was talking earlier in this chapter that the Gentiles are going to be joint-heirs with Christ. Ephesians 6:19 (As given to Paul in I Corinthians 15:1-4.) Colossians 1:25-27 "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, (Gentiles) to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; (and what is the secret?) which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Christ in a Gentile is something a Jew could never comprehend, but that's what the Book says. "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 (secret) of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;" How few people will understand it. Now Chapter 4, verses 2 and 3: #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible