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The Church: The
Body and Bride ofChrist and her
RewardChafer, chapter 40
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A. The 7 figures of Christ and his church
1. Christ the shepherd and
believers the sheep - seen
especially in Ps 23, and also Jn 10
a. Christ came by the door - i.e. the
line of David
b. Christ is the true shepherd,
followed by the sheep
c. Christ is also the door for the
sheep - entrance into salvation and
security for the sheep -Jn
10:28-29
d. Life and food for he sheep areprovided by the shepherd - Ps 23:1
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e. In contrast other shepherds
are hired hands who would not
give themselves for the sheepf. There is fellowship of sheep
and shepherd - the Son knows
the Father, so the sheep know
the shepherdg. In the present age there is
one fold with Jew and Gentileboth in it together having
salvation -Jn 10:16h. Christ, the shepherd,
intercedes for the sheep -
Heb 7:25,
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2. Christ is the true vine andbelievers are the branches -Jn 15
Indicating union and communion
with Christ.
We are told to abide in unbrokenfellowship,Jn 15:10 - leading to
pruning and cleansing,Jn 15:2 -
effectual prayerJn 15:7 - celestial
joyJn 15:11 - and eternal truthJn 15:16
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3. Christ is the cornerstone and
the church the stones of the
buildingThe church is a temple - Eph
2:21
God is building his church - Matt
16:18Each living stone partakes of the
divine nature - 1 Pet 2:5
Christ is the chief cornerstone and
foundation - 1 Cor 3:11The building is a dwelling for God
- Eph 2:20
There is great dependence on
Christ and one another
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3. Christ is the cornerstone and
the church the stones of the
buildingThe church is a temple - Eph
2:21
God is building his church - Matt
16:18Each living stone partakes of the
divine nature - 1 Pet 2:5
Christ is the chief cornerstone and
foundation - 1 Cor 3:11The building is a dwelling for God
- Eph 2:20
There is great dependence on
Christ and one another
Consequently, you are no longer
foreigners and strangers, but fellowcitizens with Gods people and also
members of his household, built on
the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, with Christ Jesus himself asthe chief cornerstone. In him the
whole building is joined together and
rises to become a holy temple in the
Lord. And in him you too are beingbuilt together to become a dwelling in
which God lives by his Spirit.
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3. Christ is the cornerstone and
the church the stones of the
buildingThe church is a temple - Eph
2:21
God is building his church - Matt
16:18Each living stone partakes of the
divine nature - 1 Pet 2:5
Christ is the chief cornerstone and
foundation - 1 Cor 3:11The building is a dwelling for God
- Eph 2:20
There is great dependence on
Christ and one another
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3. Christ is the cornerstone and
the church the stones of the
buildingThe church is a temple - Eph
2:21
God is building his church - Matt
16:18Each living stone partakes of the
divine nature - 1 Pet 2:5
Christ is the chief cornerstone and
foundation - 1 Cor 3:11The building is a dwelling for God
- Eph 2:20
There is great dependence on
Christ and one another
In ancient times the cornerstone
was the stone at the corner of two
walls that united them. It was the
visible corner of the foundation ofthe building and the starting point
of all future building above the
foundation. It was the most costly
stone because of its beauty andstrength. It was also the largest,
most solid and carefully
constructed stone. To cast aside the
cornerstone would be to resist anyfuture building on that foundation.
The Cornerstone was the place
where the building was joined and
also the place where it rested.http://bibleseo.com/church/jesus-christ-cornerstone-church/
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http://bibleseo.com/church/jesus-christ-cornerstone-church/http://bibleseo.com/church/jesus-christ-cornerstone-church/http://bibleseo.com/church/jesus-christ-cornerstone-church/http://bibleseo.com/church/jesus-christ-cornerstone-church/8/4/2019 Chafer, Bible doctrines: Church-Body Bride of Christ
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4. Christ is the High priest with
us as believer- priests - 4 fold
service
A. Rom 12:1-2 - offers sacrifice of
service
B. Offers worship in praise and
thanksgiving, intercession and prayer -
Christ enters through his own blood -
Rom 8:26-27, Col 4:12, 1 Tim
2:1, Heb 10:19-22C. We offer a sacrifice of good works
D. We sacrifice our substance as well as
our bodies - Heb 13:16
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5. Christ is the head and the
church the body revealingthe present purpose of God
See later sections
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6. Christ is the last Adam,
the church the new
creation - the old Adam is
replaced by Christ who is
the head of a new creatures
in Christ
In his resurrection Christestablished a new order - believers
are now in Christ not in Adam,
sharing in all that christ has done
and achieved. There is a newcommemorative day, the first day
of the week in contrast to
previously being the Sabbath,
which is the old order.Friday 9 September 2011
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7. Christ is the
bridegroom, the churchthe bride, which
prophetically shows
present and future
relationships of christand the church.
Israel was in the OT an
unfaithful wife - the church is
a pure virgin bride, this is the
most important image of the
church.
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The church is joined togetherand formed into the body of
Christ by the baptism of the
Holy Spirit - 1 Cor 12:13 -For we were all baptized by one
Spirit so as to form one body
whether Jews or Gentiles, slave
or freeand we were all given
the one Spirit to drink.
This reveals 3 things:
B. The church as the body of Christ
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1. The church is a self
developing body-
comprised of individuals who
have gifts, Eph 4:11-16
Believers are called and
exhorted, but also equipped to
serve God in various capacities.
Eph 4:13 - until we all reach
unity in the faith and in the
knowledge of the Son of God andbecome mature, attaining to the
whole measure of the fullness of
Christ.
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2. Members are appointed to a specific service
in keeping with their gift - We need to examine
ourselves soberly and determine our gift so that we servemost effectively - Rom 12:6-8, 1 Cor 12:28
Chafer suggests we should not confuse natural
giftedness with spiritual giftedness. He goes on, Spiritual
gifts are not sought but given by the HSp - 1 Cor 12:11.
In the apostolic age some gifts were sign gifts which did
not continue in our present age. Every gift is regulated by
the WOG. Believers may be required to do work outsideof their obvious gifting, always remembering their main
gift. We need to continually present our bodies to God for
his direction - Rom 12:1-2Friday 9 September 2011
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3. The body is a livingorganism united eternally
in Christ
Consisting of Jews, Gentiles,cultures and races - Eph 1;23,
2:15-16, 4:12-16, 5:30
Previous divisions are ignored and
all are equal in the grace of God.Eph 3:6 - This mystery is that
through the gospel the Gentiles areheirs together with Israel, members
together of one body, and sharerstogether in the promise in Christ
esus.
The unity ofEph 4:4-7 is an
eternal unity.
The average HumanImmunodeficiency Virus (HIV),responsible for AIDS, is about
0.000031 inches (120
Angstroms) long.Friday 9 September 2011
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This has prophetic significance as thevirgin church is eagerly awaiting the
coming of her bridegroom - 1 Cor
11:2
JTB mentions Christ as the bridegroom-Jn 3:29
Eph 5:22-23 is the main reference
source: The work of Christ
1. In his death - v25
2. Present work - v26
3. Present it without spot, wrinkle etc.
v27
C. Christ as the bridegroom and thechurch as the bride
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On the cross Christ fulfilled the
symbolism of paying a dowry.
In this age he is preparing and
cleansing his bride for future
relationship - before taking her
to heaven, where the church will
appear perfect.
A wedding feast of all saints will
follow - Rev 19:7-8 - at the
time Christ is coming to earthto start his kingdom.
In Christ we see 5
characteristics of diving love:
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1. Gods eternal love stems from
the fact that God is love -1Jn4:8
Love is part of his being - if his
love was removed his character
would change -Jn 13:1 on thelove of Christ - Having loved his
own who were in the world, he
loved them to the end- literally
this is without end
There is no fluctuation or
ceasing with the love of God.
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2. The love of God is the
motivation for his
ceaseless activity-This was shown once for all in
the sacrifice of Christ - but, in
fact this reveals an eternal
attitude of God towards men -shown in God creating the
universe he made provision for
Christ to be slain - and, his
compassion for the lost beingthe same today as it always has
been
Gods eternal love is unchanging.
Turkmenistan
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3. The love of God has
transparent purity- no
selfishness, no benefit for himself is
ever sought, God needs nothing we
can bring - but he needs us to satisfy
his infinite love.
God calls us beloved - we are made
to be loved
4. The love of God has
limitless intensity- the most
costly thing in the universe is theblood of Gods son - yet God gave it
while they were still sinners - and
now nothing can separate us form his
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5. The love of God has inexhaustible
benevolence (well meaning, kind) - the world has no
hope without the love of God! And this love is not passive
but active, God acts on behalf of the sinner, taking theircondemnation, Jn 15:13, without corrupting his own holiness
- God keeps acting on behalf of the sinner placing them in
his highest glory.
Saving grace is more than love: it is Gods love set absolutely free
and made to triumph over his righteous judgments against the
sinner.
God has a perfect hatred for sin - a counterpart to his love -which makes him discipline his children - Rev 3:19, Heb
12:6
In being united with Christ the believer is loved by the
fatherJn 17:23Friday 9 September 2011
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Indirect manifestations of the love of God include:
The NT speaks little of human love and makes much of
Gods love, and much is made of Gods love not lovingGod:
Poured into out hearts - Rom 5:5
Fruit of HSp - Gal 5:22
Truth born of God will result in loving God - 1 Jn, 1 Cor13
Gods love - loves the lost worldJn 3:16 - hates evil 1 Jn
2:15-17 - loves the redeemedJn 13:34-35 - loves
IsraelJer 31:3 - loves those who have wandered from
him Lk 15:4, 20 - is sacrificialJn 3:16
Showing and practicing the love of God was commanded
by Christ -Jn 13:34-35, Gal 5:13
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D. The bride adorned and rewarded
At the judgment seat of Christ the
church will be judged and rewarded
For sin born again people will
not come under judgment, the
penalty for this has been borne byChrist -Jn 3:18, 5:24, Rom 5:1,
8:1, Col 2:13, Heb 10:14 etc.
For daily life and service an
account must be given beforeGod when Christ comes for
his own - Rom 14:10, 2 Cor
5:10, 1 Cor 4:5, 2 Tim 4:8
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Salvation will not be judged at this
time - it is simply the reward or loss
for each believer depending upon
service. 3 ideas in scripture show this
reward:
1. Stewardship - Rom 14:10-12
You, then, why do you judge your brother
or sister? Or why do you treat them with
contempt? For we will all stand before
Gods judgment seat. It is written:
As surely as I live, says the Lord,every knee will bow before me; every
tongue will acknowledge God.
So then, each of us will give an account
of ourselves to God.Friday 9 September 2011
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We do not evaluate the value of a
believers works or life, though we
can comment on sin.
We all have to give account to God -
all that we are and have is a gift from
God, intellect, physical being, finance
etc. - so we are to steward those
things and will be asked to give an
account of how we used them.
1 Cor 6:19-20 - Do you not know
that your bodies are temples of theHoly Spirit, who is in you, whom you
have received from God? You are not
your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your bodies.Friday 9 September 2011
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2. Your life is a building built upon
Christs foundation - 1 Cor 3:9-15Note: - this is about believers
- as a believer you are building upon the
foundation of salvation in Christ, which is
not about character in this passage but
about your works
- your work is of wood hay etc which will
be destroyed by fire or of silver, gold etc.which are refined by it
- the loss is of reward not of salvation
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2. Your life is a building built upon
Christs foundation - 1 Cor 3:9-15Note: - this is about believers
- as a believer you are building upon the
foundation of salvation in Christ, which is
not about character in this passage but
about your works
- your work is of wood hay etc which will
be destroyed by fire or of silver, gold etc.which are refined by it
- the loss is of reward not of salvation
For we are co-workers in Gods service; you are
Gods field, Gods building.10 By the grace God has given me, I laid afoundation as a wise builder, and someone else is
building on it. But each one should build with care.
11 For no one can lay any foundation other than
the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If
anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver,costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will
be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring
it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire
will test the quality of each persons work. 14 Ifwhat has been built survives, the builder will
receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder
will suffer loss but yet will be savedeven though
only as one escaping through the flames.Friday 9 September 2011
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2. Your life is a building built upon
Christs foundation - 1 Cor 3:9-15Note: - this is about believers
- as a believer you are building upon the
foundation of salvation in Christ, which is
not about character in this passage but
about your works
- your work is of wood hay etc which will
be destroyed by fire or of silver, gold etc.which are refined by it
- the loss is of reward not of salvation
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3. We run the race to receive the
prize revealing the quality of our
service - 1 Cor 9:16-17 (especiallyv24-27)
Initially Paul speaks of his own service
and his faithfulness as a basis for reward -
then speaks of running with great effortto receive the reward.
We should exert all our strength tosurpass all others - we should be
restrained, subjecting our body to
discipline so we do not lose out or give
half hearted service.
Our reward is called - a prize 1 Cor9:24 - a crown Phil 4:1, Jas 1:12 etc.
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3. We run the race to receive the
prize revealing the quality of our
service - 1 Cor 9:16-17 (especiallyv24-27)
Initially Paul speaks of his own service
and his faithfulness as a basis for reward -
then speaks of running with great effortto receive the reward.
We should exert all our strength tosurpass all others - we should be
restrained, subjecting our body to
discipline so we do not lose out or give
half hearted service.
Our reward is called - a prize 1 Cor9:24 - a crown Phil 4:1, Jas 1:12 etc.
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We owe God nothing in return for
salvation, it is a gift - but a life of
devotion should be given to him, and willbe rewarded - hence the doctrine of
rewards here is the counterpart to the
doctrine of grace.
Rev 4:10the twenty-four elders fall downbefore him who sits on the throne and
worship him who lives for ever and ever.
They lay their crowns before the throne... -
Chafer says this is about us, we cast our
crowns before him, so then we have to
further ask what is our reward in
heaven?
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Rev 22:3 -No longer will there be any
curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will
be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
Chafer further backs this up referring toMatt 25:14-30 - which might not refer
to the church directly but is a principle for
them.
2 Cor 5:10-11-For we must all appearbefore the judgment seat of Christ, so that
each of us may receive what is due us for thethings done while in the body, whether good
or bad.This is not about sin (we are already
justified) or sanctification (we are already
in the presence of God) - it is about our
works, good or worthless?Friday 9 September 2011
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Rev 22:3 -No longer will there be any
curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will
be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
Chafer further backs this up referring toMatt 25:14-30 - which might not refer
to the church directly but is a principle for
them.
2 Cor 5:10-11-For we must all appearbefore the judgment seat of Christ, so that
each of us may receive what is due us for thethings done while in the body, whether good
or bad.This is not about sin (we are already
justified) or sanctification (we are already
in the presence of God) - it is about our
works, good or worthless?