Romans 7

Vs 1 "Know you not brethren, for I speak to them that know the law." Yes these Jews knew the old commandments, as Paul, who was raised at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), a doctor of the law. The law states ‘the wife is bound by the law of her husband until his death’. After the death of the husband the wife is then free to marry another. Likewise the law speak about adultery; that if she leaves the husband to marry another while the husband is yet living she is called an adulteress (Jr 3:8). Paul uses this to teach these Jews concerning their relationship to the law of their husband, Jehovah: for we are told in 2 Cor 5:19 that God, Jehovah ‘was in Christ reconciling the world to himself’. The man Jesus, as a man, though without sin, was not deity and therefore could not satisfy the eternal debt owed by the fallen race of Adam. God (Jehovah) incarnated in the (fit) man (Lv 16:21) Jesus, as the anointed one, being verily God, provided himself as the scapegoat (Lv 16:22), carrying the sins of all of his children into the land inhabited (Gen 22:8). We must be careful for deity is eternal and cannot cease to exist. Therefore the death under consideration here is the separation of the soul, which we are told in Ps 16:10 and Acts 2:27 that God ‘would not leave his soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One (the man Jesus) to see corruption.’ The forth day is defined as when one began to corrupt (Jh 11:39).

Vs 4 Therefore, my brethren (Jews), ye also are become dead to the law (of your husband, Jehovah) by the body of Christ (the anointed deity), that you should be married to another, even to him (Jesus the man) who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." To understand this separation, look at 1 Cor 15:27 'The Father hath put all things under the man Jesus’ feet. But when the Father saith, all things are put under Jesus the man, it is manifest that the Father is excepted, which did put all things under Jesus. And when all things shall be subdued unto Jesus, then shall the son of man (Jesus) also himself be subject unto the Father that put all things under the son, that God The Father may be all in all.' Therefore the lesson is that the testator (Heb 9:16) the Father, had died being the husband of Israel/Judah (Gen 49:10; Jer 31:32): Thus leaving Judah, now having been washed in the Passover blood of her suffering husband Jesus, free to marry another, even him who is risen from the dead. Why should we be married to Jesus? 'That we should bring forth fruit unto God the Father.’ (Gal 4:26; 1 Cor 7:14)

Vs 5 "For when we were in the flesh (Gal 4:23) the motions of sins, which were by the flesh (law, will worship), did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death." Paul verily knew the position these Jewish brethren were in, for he too thought himself to be righteous in keeping the law (Phil 3:6). The more he tried to keep the law the more he brought forth the fruits which separated him from his Lord. Acts 9:5 ‘Who art thou Lord.’ The more he attempted to do the thing contained in the law, which was after the flesh, (Gal 4:23) the more he was kicked against the pricks of his conscience.

Vs 6 "But now are we delivered from the law, that bringeth death wherein we were held (in bondage Heb 2:15); that we should serve in the newness of the spirit and not in the letter." Those that are attempting to hold to the letter are dead to the things of the spirit, for the letter killeth, but the spirit maketh alive. If anyone is trying to perform any condition, whereby they can be in Christ, then they are still attempting to keep the letter of some law. It matters not what it is, if it is by the action of sinful man, then it will kill them to the freedom which comes with the knowledge that the sin debt was paid in full on the cross, without the action of man.

Vs 7 "Is the law sin?" God forbid. Paul would not have known what was sinful, except the law had defined it. He says, in reality the law was causing me to be full of concupiscence (self- righteousness). Now without the new commandment he realized he was dead (Rm 11:15), being held captive by the notions of sin (self-righteousness), which the law genders. Paul then in verse nine states that he verily thought he was alive before the new commandment came, when in reality he was dead to the things that pertained to holiness; but when the Holy Ghost circumcised his heart (Mt 19:28), opening it to see himself a depraved sinner, sin revived and he died to those things he once thought was to life (Jh 5:39). One cannot see himself, as he really is, a totally depraved sinner, without an understanding of a thrice holy God. This understanding came when the dealt faith revealed it to him. Why? Because he is depending on some condition, taking credit unto himself, thus taking away from the honor, glory, and praise that is due to God for what he has already done for us. In Mal 1:10 we find that God has no pleasure in the works of our hands, that is, trying to establish our righteousness before him by those things which we have done. If we say by our own volution, efforts, we have faith (Eph 2:8-10) in Christ, we then have something to boast about, having taken the glory away from God who has dealt to us the measure of faith (Rom 12:3). We being therefore ignorant of the righteousness, which established who God is, and going about to 'establish our own righteousness, not submitting unto the righteousness of God', which is found in the engrafted word (Jm 1:21), dealt faith (Rm 12:3)of the new covenant.

Vs 10 "The commandment (I thought) was ordained to life, I found to be unto death." Death to the fellowship of Jesus, to whom Paul was now betrothed unto, for the Holy Ghost having now administered the new covenant unto him (Ac 9:3). The sin of self righteousness, brought on by the old covenant, had deceived him into thinking if he could keep it, he would be declared righteous, but instead was designed only to show him his depravity (Hb 10:3). Have been brought to realize this (Ac 9:18) it slew him.

Vs 12 Paul acknowledges herein that it was not the law, which was at fault, but rather his own misconception of it. What was the problem then? If not the law, then it was his sin nature that caused him to be self-righteous. Paul then declares that the purpose of the law was to define sin (Hb 10:3), and not only so, but to express the magnitude of the sinfulness of fallen man, stating that it is exceeding sinful. Tit 3:3 'We ourselves were foolish, disobedient, serving the lust of the flesh, envious, hateful, until the love of God toward us appeared.' He then tells us the change did not come by some action on our part, but rather it was because of the love God had for us before the world began (Ep 1:4), and in time he bestowed his mercy upon us. God brought this about by the washing of regeneration (Mt 19:28, Tit 3:5), and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. That is, by the circumcision of the heart as the Holy Ghost administered the engrafted word (Jm 1:23) of the the new covenant faith (Ep 2:8, Rm 12:3, 1 Jh 5:4). Peter (1:5) puts it this way; 'He hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection from the dead.'

In verse fourteen we find that the new commandment is spiritual, but this flesh of ours is carnal, sold under sin. I must jump to verse 25 here 'I think God through Jesus Christ our Lord. With the spiritual mind I serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.' Between these two verses he gives us the duel nature that every child of grace must contend with. We have the desire, from the motivation of the inner man to do those things, which are pleasing to our husband, but the natural, outer man is always present with its own selfish desires. If we are to enjoy the fellowship of our husband, Jesus, we must crucify the deeds of the flesh which is best done by presenting our bodies a living sacrifice. Paul then tells us this is only a reasonable service. Knowing the magnitude of our own sin nature, and the extent to which God, through his Son has suffered for us, ought we not be more than willing to do those things which gives him all of the honor, glory, and praise, while we sojourn here in this time world? Amen. Paul closes out the chapter by the recognition that without the inner man, Christ, he is lost and without hope, but thanks be unto God, he understands he has been given, through the new covenant, the ability to properly serve his God. Allen Cook 9/21/07

New and Old Earth

This lesson as any subject-centered teaching of the scripture should begin with the scripture that is easiest to understand in its contextual setting. There are three times that the new earth is spoken of in the scriptures, therefore we will begin with Isaiah sixty-five wherein we read in verse eight, 'As new wine is found in a cluster, and one saith, destroy it not: for a blessing is in it'. This verse sets the stage for the lesson to follow wherein the elect will inherit the mountains of the Lord. The elect under consideration herein is those that will inherit the new earth found in verse seventeen. Notice it did not say mountain singular, but mountains plural, referring to many assemblies, or true gospel churches. If this teaching is about eternal glory wherein all of God's children will, when time is no more, live in the presence of the Lord, then it would have been recorded as a single mountain. He also speaks of creating Jerusalem as a place of rejoicing. We find in Galatians 4:25 where Paul contrast this place (new Jerusalem -Rv 3:12, 21:3) with the one in Israel, as being in bondage with her children (Hb 2:15). In other words Jerusalem, which is in the old earth, is still in bondage to the law of her Husband, Jehovah (Jr 31:32, Rm 7:4), while the one which came down from above, and without observation (Jh 4:21, Lk 17:20) is free. We read in (Mt 5:5) where the meek shall inherit the earth (New Jerusalem), or spiritual Canaan. The inheritance (earth, Canaan) was given unconditional to natural Israel, but to enjoy the blessing found therein they had to possess it (Du 1:8). Likewise we in the grace age must strive to enter in the strait gate (7:13), by seeking first the kingdom (Mt 6:33). Many times when I am feeling cast out and seemingly wandering in the wilderness I go to the thirty-seventh division of Psalm and find that I should be leaning upon my Husband's breast and trusting in his care. I fret over so many little things, that I become ashamed of myself. I am told herein that I should delight myself in his sweet embrace, and not lean to mine own understanding. The earth spoken herein is the one the bride of Christ hath inherited (New Jerusalem, or spiritual Canaan). Oh! That I could commit my ways unto him who has blessed me so much: then I could say as the Shunamite woman who is called 'great', It is well. Matthew (18:1) also tells us that unless we become 'submissive' humbled as a little child we can never enter into the blessing of this new heaven (upper room). This lesson here in Isiah sixty-five concludes with 'mine elect shall long enjoy the works of his hands.' In as much as works is a part of this lesson, it is excluded from being a lesson about heaven and immortal glory.

As I have mentioned Revelation chapter twenty-one above, I will set forth my understanding of the lesson taught therein, as I believe it agrees with Isaiah. We find in Hb 8:13 'Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away'. Here in Rv 21 the apostle John writes as though the first had already passed away. 'I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was not more sea.' Yes the old earth was in the process of being replaced with the new. At the time of the closing out of the second day of Hs 6:1, Jesus came to tear down the old because of the iniquity of the Jews (Ga 4:4). and just as God did not premit natural Israel to inherit the old earth (Canaan): until the einquities of the Amorites (Ge 15:16) were full, he would not premit the new earth to be inherited until the old earth was judged and closed out in seventy AD. As recorded in Isaiah he would take a seed (Jews) and plant them in a fruitful hill (Is 5:1). This seed, which is Christ and his bride (Ga 3:16), wherein the new wine (Jh 2:9), is given unto the little flock (Lk 12:32). This new earth must wait until the canons were completed, and the sign gifts ceased, the iniquities of the Jews would then be judged and the new earth being weaned (Ge 21:8), delivered out (Rv 12:6, Mt 24:31) of the destruction of the Judgment to come upon the old earth, which will pass away (Mt 24:35). The bride of Christ, now mature, was able to function without the apostles and sign gifts, having the two witnesses, at which time there would no longer be a physical land nor sea. The first witness being that of the law written upon the heart of those called as witnesses of the truth (Mt 22:3), and the second being the preached gospel in the power and demonistration of the spirit. We must realize that many who are called, added (Acts 2:47), betrothed (Ho 2:19) unto the Son will not come (Mt 22:6). This being true, he has chosen a few (Mt 22:14), remnant (Rm 9:29) that by the providence and chasting rod of their loving Husband will, (so to speak having hooks in their noses and a bridle in their lips [Is 37:29]), be kept in the way.

Rv 21:2 'I saw the Holy city (Ga 4:26) new Jeruslam coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.' Notice where this new earth is coming from. It is not going up but coming down out of heaven. He continues to tell us that it is now with man, and the bride will be dwelling, abiding (1 Jh 2:27) in him as their husband. The next few verses seem to express a condition that seemingly does not exist here in time. I will beg to differ with them for if one has ever experienced the kingdom, upper room, wherein they are premitted from time to time to sup, dine with their husband at the king's table (2 Sa 9:13) then they would know that the world and all that matters in this life becomes pale during this time. Just as Joshua and Caleb overcame in the wilderness, likewise the remnant by prayer, study, and medication, the sceptre perhaps will be held forth (Es 4:11) that having gathered in the assembly may be premitted to enter and dine with our husband in his kingdom. Again in verse seven we find the need to overcome (work) to enjoy the inheritance herein. This could not be speaking of eternal glory. He goes on in verse eight to show how those who turn away (Hb 6:4, 10:29), having experienced the blessings found in the new covenant, now are cast out having died to these blessed truths. In Rv 20:5 having died to the fellowship of God in Adam, then been blessed to be a part of the first resurrection, now are cast out into outer darkness (Mt 8:12, 22:13, 25:30), and themself to have now experienced the second death. This chapter closes out with a fearful warning to those who have been so blessed to have enjoyed the truth, and turn away unto another gospel, which is not good news, are now again in the bondage of the work systems of the world.

Second Peter chapter three teaches the same thing. For my position on it go to my writing on 2 Peter 3. To open this you must first open the Sept tab.

Regeneration

Regeneration ~ as I understand it to be taught in God’s Holy Word…

I find in my studies that in order for me to rightly understand any biblical lesson, I must take all the scriptural references on the lesson under consideration, then through prayer and guidance of the Holy Ghost, first come to an understanding of those scriptures that are easily understood. This I find is true with any lesson, whatsoever it may be.

Based upon this premise I will start with Matt 19:27, for our study on regeneration. Peter said, "we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" Jesus answers, "…Ye, which had followed me, in the regeneration …, Ye also shall set upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Now we know that Jesus is not telling them that they would be judging the twelve tribes of Israel under the old law service, but rather that they would be setting the standards, through their writing, in which those to whom would be given the new covenant, or spiritual Israel, would be judged.

With this thought in mind we can understand the scriptures found in the fifth chapter of 1 Corinthians as it pertains to the judgment in the body of believers. I do not know any Old Baptist that does not take this position. In other words, Jesus is telling his disciples in (Mt 19:27) that they are going to lay the foundation for the generation (Ps 22:30) of Christ or those included in the regeneration (Isa 53:1,8 & Acts 2:17, 8:33), as it pertains to the function of the new covenant church, this being in contrast to the old generation, which was under the covenant in stone, being after the flesh (Gal 4:23), which speaks of the untoward generation of (Acts 2:40). He is also herein describing the act of regeneration that occurred on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost applied the new covenant to the hearts of 3,000, betrothing, adding (Acts 2:47) them to the (bride of Christ) church. This day is also described in Isa 65:8 as new wine, wherein a nation (Spiritual Israel) was brought forth, regenerated in one day (Isa 66:8) from the old generation to the new. The Gentile nations were not involved at this time. They were to be brought in later (Act 10:41,47). Paul tells us (Acts 13:46 to let the Gentiles know) that the purpose of God was that his own (natural Israel) should first be shown this wonderful news of the redeemer, but they having seen it (Mt 21:32) rejected it, he them turned to the Gentiles, and they (Acts 13:48) were glad and glorified God. It then tells us that seeing that the middle wall that separated them had been broken down (Ep 2:19), so as many as had been ordained (chosen from the beginning 2 These 2:13) believed. This blessing comes (Acts 10:41) 'not upon all the people, but unto witness chosen before of God'. The believed (n) herein is recorded in the mind and does not imply that all who believed (n) took up their cross at that time. We read in (Acts 10:44) where these two witnesses were brought together, and when they saw that Cornelius believed (n), those of the circumcision that believed (n), were astonished. To believe, which is involuntary, it take two witnesses, (1) engrafted word (Jm 1:23), (2) the preached word. After the Gentiles believed, Peter said, (47) 'can any man forbid water, that these which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we'. There are many of God's children that believe (n), yet fail to take up their cross and follow him into the watery grave. The Holy Ghost regenerates those chosen before in administering to them the engrafted word of the new covenant.

The nation of Israel began with the twelve tribes, which numbered 66 souls (Gen 46:26), and grew to 603,550 males above twenty years of age not counting the 22,000 levites, by the time they came forth out of Egypt 215 years later. This number was 601,730 at the crossing of the Jordan River, and remained fairly constant throughout Israel's history. Liken to this, Jesus started with his twelve apostles, and three years later the number was 120 (Acts 1:15). Ten days later (Acts 2:47) there were added to the Church 3,000. We should at this time address the method in which, as stated here, one is added to the church. If the Lord is doing the adding, then it cannot be based upon the action of the individual, but rather upon the action of the Lord. We read in (1 Cor 3:6) where Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. The minister simply sow the seed, and it will find logging in the ground that God hath prepared (Mt 13:3, 18-23). We find (Rv 7:3) that the number sealed (Ep 1:13, 4:13) was 144,000. It is my understand that having been sealed to the truth, they cannot be deceived (Mt 24:24). This is not to say they cannot become a castaway (1 Cor 9:27). If they do turn from these wonderful truths, it will be because of pride, knowing they are departing from the truth (Hb 6:4, 10:29). Having said this, there are 7,000 which God, so-to-speak, has put hooks in their noses, his bridle in their lips (Is 37:29), to keep them in the strait and narrow way (Rm 9:29).

The nation of spiritual Israel has continued in the same pattern to grow and increase as the Lord sees fit. This scripture teaches us another important lesson. God’s ministers are to go teach wheresoever the spirit leads, and when the word preached lands upon the heart of one who is in possession of the engrafted word of new covenant, it will, as on the day of Pentecost, find fertile ground in which to grow and bring forth fruit thereunto. How much fruit will be produced? It depends upon the type of ground in which the Lord has prepared in the hearts of those to whom the Holy Ghost has administered the engrafter word of new covenant, and how they add unto this faith (2 Pt 1:5, 1 Jh 5:4). We know from reading the parable of the sower that all ground is not the same.

In Hosea Chapter Six we see three generations. First one is from Adam to Abram. Second one is from Abram to Jesus. Third one is from Jesus until the end of time. The thought is derived from such scriptures as Isaiah 53:8, which stated that there is coming a generation that will declare his (Jesus) generation (Ps 22:30) in contrast to the generation under the old covenant. This scripture is quoted by Philip in Acts 8:33 as he teaches the eunuch concerning this present new generation, which had at that time been given to those chosen as a witness to the truth.

We find that Peter relates too this position when he tells us in 1 Peter 2:9 that the body of believers are ‘a chosen generation, a royal priesthood’. Paul also give us further insight to this thought in 2 Thess 2:13 "…’God has from the beginning chosen you… (Who? The new generation) which is through the sanctification of the Spirit (Holy Ghost, via the new covenant) to the belief of the truth’.

John tells us in the Second Chapter of his first epistle that there are some of God’s children that have the unction of the Holy (Ghost) One, and "ye know all things" of (Rm 8:28), while others (verse nineteen) did not and therefore went out from them. Why did they go out? Was it because they had not, ‘the sealing of the Holy Ghost’, as we find described in Eph 4:30? One may ask, could they have stayed? I believe the answer is yes, just as those who fell in the wilderness could have entered in. Others may ask, why did those who had the unction of the Holy one not go out? This one is more difficult to answer, for it is dealing with how God works in the lives of a small remnant of his people. We read in Psm 110:3 ~ 'Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.' In order not to become caught up in the false doctrine of perseverance, I must apply this verse only to the remnant and not the whole of God’s people. Just as it was with Caleb and Joshua in Num. 14:24 to whom it is said, ‘they had a different spirit in them.’ We find this to be true as we set aside the different offices of the church. God puts a driving force in some, and then moves upon them 'to do his will' (Ph 2:13), while others are not so. One may ask, "Can one resist this force?" The answer is yes (Rm 13:2), just as a horse may resist the desires of his trainer. The end result is, that God will have his way in the lives of the remnant (Is 37:29). We are told in (Mt 24:24) ‘they can not be deceived’ and in (Rm 11:4) ‘will not bow to the image of Baal’.

'God is long-suffering not willing that any perish' (2 Pt 3:9); we are able to understand this in his dealings with the children of Israel, but there comes a time when God says, ‘It is enough’ as he did with those who fell in the wilderness (Num 14:22). We find in Heb 10:28 that some who had been sealed counted it an unholy thing and had done despite unto it. We also find in Heb 6:4 that one can have this sealing (engrafted word of the new covenant), and then turn from it. I have a question ~ could this not be the lesson taught in 1 John 5:16 concerning the sin unto death? Also we find in Matt 12:32 this same lesson.

It is my understanding that the all things found in 1 John 2:20-27 can be related to the same ‘all things’ in Rom 8:28, which I understand to be the sum of the basic fundamentals of the completed work of Jesus Christ upon the cross. These we know, as John goes on to tell us, is an anointing (verse 27) to the truth, which we find in Mal 2:7 & 3:3, where the priests were anointed to the truth. In what manner were they anointed? They were purified (sanctified, anointed) to the knowledge of the truth. Those called out to bear witness to the truth, are likened to the tribe of Levi, as priest.

The Holy Ghost was sent down on the day of Pentecost, circumcising the heart (replacing that made in stone as after the flesh), giving the new covenant (the fundamentals truths) to those whom God had chosen before the foundation of the world, to received after those days (Jer 31:31; Heb 8:10). The Holy Ghost at the appointed time writes it upon the hearts (betrothal price, (Passover blood of the Lamb of God) of the bride of Christ.

With this thought in mind we then can see that the preaching of Peter on this grand and noble day simply confirmed the truth in those to whom the Holy Ghost had already given the new covenant too. In other words, when these two witnesses (The engrafted word and the preaching of this same truth by the power of the Holy Ghost) were received by those standing by, empowered them to say, what shall we do (Acts 2:38)? Those that were pricked in the heart, because they had been circumcised of the heart (engrafted word), stood in contrast to those who were pricked to the heart. The question might arise here, were those to whom had the engrafted word the only children of God? The answer is simple. No, for if not, you have only those that believe, as the false teachers tell us can be counted as children of God. I might ask the question, did God the Father have more children than those spoken of in Deut 7:6 where it is said, 'thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God; the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself', which as stated in verse seven to be the fewest of all people? We see the same expression in Luke 12:32 as it pertains to a special people, although he declares them to be but a little flock, God hath shown respect unto this little flock above all of his other children, just as he did Israel. If the new covenant is as the old covenant only to a small portion (Deut 32:9), then it stands to reason that it is not the eternal covenant which includes all of God’s children, which will, when time is no more, sing praises around His eternal throne. I trust that I have to some degree been able to show the contrast in the two covenants spoken of in Gal 3:24. The first being one that only pertained to the flesh, written in tables of stone, while the latter pertained to the spirit, written in the heart. Those under the first could not meet the demands of it in as much as it demanded perfection of the flesh. With this thought in mind we can better understand what Paul is teaching us in 1 Cor 2:14. That is, those who are still attempting to worship God after the first, in the flesh, cannot please God (Jh 4:24). Those under the second, or new, are now enabled because the engrafted word of the new covenant, which now having their conscience purged from the dead works (Hb 9:14), of the first, via the sprinkling of the blood of the perfect Passover sacrifice, are able to please him. They now know that the flesh profiteth nothing. At the time this statement was made in John 6:63, his disciples could not understand, not having received the power which was to be bestowed upon them by the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8), thus allowing them to now worship him in spirit and in truth (Jh 4:24), which is the only way that is pleasing to God.

The only other place where the word regeneration appears in the scriptures is in Titus 3:5. We must also notice that the word is not found in the Old Testament, and only these two places in the New. Keeping in mind the lesson taught in Matt 19:28, let us attempt to expand on it. Paul is admonishing Titus, that through the preaching of the word, in the power the Holy Ghost, (one of the two witnesses) he is able to confirm what they already know (1 John 2:20). How do they know? By and through the engrafted word of the new covenant (the first witness) written within those who have been called, sanctified (2 Thess 2:13 thereby called saints), putting them in mind of the responsibilities of a true disciple. He reminds them they should show meekness to all men, especially those in authority. He then tells Titus that we, (the Jews) in the past, had not performed as good citizens (as Israelites). In fact, Paul says, 'We ourselves, (Jews) before the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, were also sometimes foolish', disobedient as were the Gentiles who were without the law to guide them in the ways of God (Eph 2:12). Question ~ when did the kindness and love of God our Saviour appear? Paul tells us in 1 Tim 1:13 when "we ourselves" were acting foolish and disobedient, even though we had a zealousness of the law of God, (Gal 1:24) were ignorant and in unbelief even now as his kinsman in the flesh were doing (Rom 10:1-3). It was at this time we were given hope, because the love of God was shed abroad in our heart (implanting the engrafted word of the new covenant) by the Holy Ghost, the unction of the Holy One, and we now know all things (Rom 5:5, 1 John 2:20). This is, as stated above, the work of regeneration in the hearts of those chosen, sanctified to the truth.

Peter tell us in his first epistle 1:2, that we, who are of the elect, through the sanctification of the Spirit (implanting of the new covenant), which is accomplished by the sovereign act of God through the sprinkling of the Passover blood of Jesus Christ, unto and upon those chosen before, unto obedience (discipleship 2 Thess 2:13). In this sovereign act, He has begotten (quickened, regenerated) us again unto a lively hope. He goes on farther to tell us that this new covenant dealt faith will keep us in the faith even though we are in heaviness through manifold temptations. This faith that we now have is something the writers of the Old Testament did not have even though they searched diligently (1 Pt 1:10). They wrote, in order that we in the new covenant age, might be able to gird up the loins of our minds (of Christ 1 Cor 2:16) as obedient children, and not fashioning ourselves according to the former (as those under the first covenant) lust through ignorance. This thought fits with the teaching we saw in 1 Tim above. We also read in Acts 21:20 & 22:3 where Paul, as well as many of his kinsmen, was zealous of God, as they understood it through the works of the law or flesh. I say flesh, for this is the way Gal 4:24 describes the law. If we will read 1 Cor 2:1-14 we will also find that in the flesh, that is the natural man, or as law-worshipers we are unable to please God; the only way that we can rightfully serve God is in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24). Based upon this premise, only a very few of God’s children are ever in the spirit, but it seems we are in the flesh most of the time. The only way that we can be in the spirit is first to have the new covenant administered to us by the Holy Ghost, then prepare our minds (Mt 25:9), by crucifying the flesh, by trimming our lamps, that when the Bridegroom appears we may enter into his chamber. This is the only way that we can truly worship Him.

Having said all of this, we now will attempt to define the word under consideration. To accomplish this, let’s look at a few scriptures in the Old Testament and relate them to the word regenerate. I trust I have now established in your minds what is required to be a true disciple of Christ. Isa 53:8 tells us that some time after his writing this though, there will be a people who will declare his generation. The eunuch in Acts 8:32 was reading this same scripture, whereupon Phillip from this scripture preached unto him Jesus Christ. In Ps 22:30 we are told of a seed that shall serve him, and this seed shall be counted to the Lord for a generation. We then ask, what generation is considered to be the generation of Christ? 1 Peter 1:9 tells us that those who are able to shew forth praises are called a chosen generation. In other words, those that have the truth are counted as the seed or generation of Christ. I think it safe to say that it is the bride of Christ, which has the new covenant written in their hearts, who will be the generation that can shew forth the praises to their Husband. If the chosen generation, who Peter tells us are priests, (and we know from reading the Old Testament that only the tribe of Levi was qualified to make a offering), then it stands to reason that those in the New Testament should be called priests, who are able to offer up true praises. We read in Mal 2:4 that the covenant of life and peace was with Levi. We also read that the law of truth was in his mouth. Under the Old Covenant, only those Israelites called out as the seed of Jacob had access to the truth as it was written in tables of stone; likewise, those who have the New Covenant written in the fleshly tables of the heart have access to the truth. Now we know that many of God’s children today have the written word called the Bible and can read and understand it only as far as their natural intelligence will permit. They can read ‘thou shall not murder’ and understand what it means. They are not able to see any deeper; that is, to know that to hate their brother is also considered murder. Those of the generation of Christ, or we could say regenerated from the old covenant and now made partakers of the new covenant, are enabled to know by the testimony of the heart (conscience) that they have transgressed the law written in the heart.

Titus 3:4-7 "After that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Gal 3:23 'before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.' Gal 3:25 'But after that faith is come.' If we remember the lesson of Matt 19:28 and read this with the same thought in mind, we can see that the time frame ‘after’ denotes the giving of the new covenant, which is herein called 'regeneration', or faith. This is not to be equated with the faith as described in Heb 11:1, but rather the faith that is dealt (Rm 12:3) or 'gift' (Ep 2:10) in the hearts of those chosen (Acts 10:41) as the witness of the completed work of Christ (2 Cor 5:19). It is the work of the Father as he betroths the bride unto his Son, Jesus. It is a washing or cleansing from dead works to the service of our Husband, Jesus. After the washing is accomplished, then there is the need of the preached word to bring about a renewing of the Holy Ghost (1 Peter 1:3). With this thought in mind, we can better understand verse 8 'This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.' Yes, now that we are enabled to show the evidence of the law written in our hearts, we should be careful to maintain good works, for once enlightened and we turn back, there remaineth no more sacrifice, but a certain fearful looking for the judgment of a jealous Husband (Hb 10:29).

We at this point should have a better understanding of the lesson taught in John 3:3 & 3:5. John 3:3 'Except a man be born again (from above, regenerated by the Spirit) he cannot see the kingdom of God.' John 3:5 'Except a man be born of water (gospel ~ 1 Cor 4:15 'I have begotten you through the gospel) and of the Spirit (regeneration), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.' John give us the two witnesses necessary to be confirmed unto the truth.

Why is it that I place water as the gospel here? In the writing of the Apostle John, the word water is used to describe the gospel; see John 4:14 'Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.' Once one is confirmed by the two witnesses, they will never again fear (Heb 2:15, Rev 20:6) in the sense that the law worshipers fear, but can now abide in the eternal life as it is taught in 1 John 2:25.

John 7:38 'He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.' Again, when it has been confirmed to one of the chosen, by the two witnesses, having seen the beauty in the truth, it brings forth a desire to tell the world what they have experienced. The truth is now flowing freely out of the new covenant as it comes forth from the heart.

1 John 5:8 'There are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.' The spirit, which the new covenant given in regeneration, the water as it is preached in the power and demonstration of the spirit, and the blood of the Passover lamb as it was placed upon the cross of Calvary in sight for the true believer.

May the God of all grace and mercy continue to guide us in the way of truth.

Allen Cook. 02/15/2005

Titus 3

Titus 3:1 "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men." This is a continuation of the thought presented in the last of chapter two. Wherein we see a member engaged in any of the activities recorded here, we should with kindness and love instruct such a one more perfectly in the ways a true disciple. We as member of the body of Christ should also shew all meekness unto those who are not members, that the name of Christ be not blasphemed.

Vs 3 "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another." We as member of the body of Christ must realize that we also were sometimes just as foolish as those who are yet walking as disobedient children, for as Paul put it in 1 Cor 15:10 ‘by the grace of God I am what I am’. Yes it is through the marvelous grace of God that any of us are able to abide in the way of truth.

Vs 4 "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Yes it is as stated above, for through his mercy we have been delivered form the false teaching of the work systems of the world, into this marvelous grace of his truth. The term regeneration is used only one other time in the word of God: Here and in Matt 19:28 ‘ye which have followed me, in the regeneration.’ This being true, we have a farther insight of what is taught concerning regeneration, found recorded in Luke 22:28 ‘Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.’ In Matthew and Luke the lesson expands on the teaching here in Titus. In order for those washed by the regeneration, they must be begotten again unto a lively hope (1 Pt 1:3): renewed by the Holy Ghost. They are then able to follow, continue by being actively engaged after this regeneration, having experienced the temptations of disciple ship, and thereby qualified to set in judgment of the activities of the bride of Jesus, the church. We must always remember, that had the grace and mercy of our loving husband not saved us (to the truth), we would still be as those described in verse three. I am not implying that those of verse three are not children of God, but left without retrain would do just as Paul did before his conversion, an also later as those during the dark ages

Through the fall of Adam we deserved to be banished (2 Sam 14:14) from the fellowship of God as David had done unto his son Absalom (vs 21), and as were the Gentiles (Eph 2:12) until the coming of the new covenant faith. The washing herein (lutron) is found only in one other place (Eph 5:26). ‘He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word (rhema), that he might present it to himself a glorious church.’ Even though God hath in the past (Acts 14:16) ‘suffered all (gentile) nations to walk in their own ways, nevertheless he left not himself without witness.’ We need only to look at the eleventh chapter of Hebrew to see this cloud of witnesses, even before Abraham. At the giving of the law in stone, He called out witnesses as recorded in (Isa 43:10): ‘ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he.’ Having read this we can see where Elijah felt to be the only witness (1 Kg 19:18, Isa 1:9). To understand the time frame of this lesson we need to look at the first words of verse four, ‘After that’. We find several places where the disciples were to tarry (Lk 34:29, Jh 21:23, Hb 10:37), until certain thing be fulfilled. At the time of the promise to occupy Canaan (Gen 15:16) it was the iniquity of the Amorites. In Luke is was to wait until they were endued with power, in reference to the coming of the Holy Ghost one the day of Pentecost. In John and Hebrews it was tarry until God came to judge his people (Jews). At this time Jesus would come, as John stated (Rv 12:6), to take his bride away from the destruction of Jerusalem into a place of refuge until the dark ages had passed over, and bring to maturity the New Heaven and Earth. If we will back up in Hebrews 10:15: we will find that the Holy Ghost hath said (vs 16 of Hb) after those days wherein the bride would they have (vs 20) a new and living way: Jesus, having established himself as the High Priest over the house of God (vs 21).

I realize that the eternal principle can be taught from these verses, but the context demands a timely setting, wherein the church should be encouraged in they discipleship, while they sojourn here in these troubled times. There are many verses that we as Old Baptist have used in the past to teach the security of our eternal sonship. Now in the presence of the on slaughter of the selfrighteous do-gooder’s involved in the false doctrine of perseverance, and have drawn away disciples after them self, we need to hear the blessing contained in our walk of faith which was one delivered unto the saints. The church does not need to be told they are sinners, for their conscience convicts them of this on a daily basis. They need to understand the blessing of abiding in Him (1 Jh 2:27), though vexed, they can yet declare ‘it is well’ (2 Kg 4:26).

Vs 8 "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." This verifies what has be state above, unto the believer, that he might be careful to maintain good works. Why, because these things are good and profitable unto the membership of the church?

Vs 9 "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." Simply put, do not become a legalist, and fail to express the love that is so need to maintain a health congregation.

Vs 10 "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." Herein we find the meat of the lesson, it is the ability of the church to hear the uncertain sound, and to have enough love to cover a multitude of sins. Yet we fight and fuss over a brother who has committed a moral sin as King David, and allow the false teacher as King Saul to devour the lamb.

Vs 12 "When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them." Paul herein give his personal request to the young minister Titus. He stand in need of those thing herein in requested, so as not to be in want.

Vs 14 "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful." I am at a loss as too who the ‘ours’ are in this text. Some one help me out here.

Vs "15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen." Paul’s here in is expressing his love for this young minister and those with him. Notice also that this letter is unto those that love us in the faith, and does not include those out side of the true believer.

Generations w/8th ch of Rm

GENERATIONS
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Substance ~ Faith is the very thing that is hope for, which is a life after death or eternal life. Evidence ~ faith is an eyewitness that cannot be seen. Faith is the presence of the Spirit of God in the lives of God’s children, which cannot be seen, testifying that there is a God with a power greater than self. This being so, we must understand that God has designed in each of the generations [days as described in Hosea 6:2 "After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up." ~ First generation was from Adam to Abraham ~ Second generation, Abraham unto Christ ~ Third generation, Christ unto the end of this time world] a method in which he will communicate with all of his children by giving them the fruit of the spirit, the inner witness which testifies there is a god. The only way the first generation (Gen 4:26), except for a few special people such as Enoch, and Noah, was given only the one witness. ‘The fruit of the spirit’ (Acts 17:23; Job 9:2). In the second generation he would give only a portion of his people additional witnesses, and call them a special people to him, in as much as they would be able to bear witness of the true I AM. (Deut 7:6; 32:9; Ex 3:14, Isa 43:10). He tells us in Jer 31:32 that he would make a marriage covenant (in stone) with them. In the third generation he would again give (Lk 12:32) only a portion or remnant of his children another witness: (written upon their hearts) betrothing them to His Son as his bride: sanctifying them to the truth. (2 Thess 2:13; 1 Peter 2:9) along with the second witness, that is the preaching of the gospel in the power and demonstration of the spirit.

The faith found as the seventh element of the fruit of the Spirit, which is in all of the children of God, did not define the truth as concerning the redemptive process, for this to wait until the dealt faith of the new covenant came (Gal 3:23). Only a few chosen such as Enoch, Noah, Shem, etc, had the privileged of knowing God in a personal sense in the first generation. We are told in Matt 18:16 "By two witnesses the truth is established." This is evident by the statement in Job 9:2 "I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?" Yes, this was before Abram, when Job knew God would redeem his people, but could not understand how it could be accomplished. This knowledge, of the atonement, comes only through the dealt faith (new covenant), and the preaching of the gospel, which was shut up (Gal 3:23) until the third generation.

In the first generation, before the law was given on Mount Sinai, God would deal with the children of men according to Rom 5:13: "For until the law, sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude (an established law as Adam was able to transgress), who is the figure of (Jesus) him that was to come." Where there is no law there can be no transgression, yet having the sin nature of Adam they died, just as those who die, while yet in the womb, without personal sins. In Adam all mankind died to the fellowship of God, and because of this (Adamic) sin nature all mankind suffers the death of these bodies. Adam died to the fellowship of God the very day (possibility the tenth day, in as much as ten is the biblical number for the fulfillment of iniquity. Nu 14:22). Adam violated the law of God and his soul was separated from his creator (died) that day. His body died also in the first day of the LORD (1000 years) at the age of 930 years. (2 Pet 3:8)

It is my understanding, that all of the children of God, (from the time of Abel until now) are in possession of the fruits of the spirit. (Hosea 6:1) This being so they are able to exercise all of the nine elements thereof: love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, long-suffering, faith, (This faith can only establish in the minds of the children of God, that there is a higher power outside of their selves. It cannot give the recipient thereof the knowledge of the completed work of Christ: pertaining to the atoning work of Christ. The proof of this can be found in Job 9:2. The only way one can obtain this knowledge is first: by the dealt faith [Rom 12:3; 1 Jh 2:20] of the new covenant, plus the second witness, which is the preaching of the gospel [Acts 8:31; Rom 10:14]) Meekness, temperance.

Having said this, the recipients of this faith: will find they are confronted with the conflict of the works of the flesh, when they are exercised thereby. The works of the flesh are manifest as, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings. (Gal 5:19; 1 Cor 5:9)

In the second generation, under the first covenant, there were two additional witnesses: (1) the laws written in stone, and (2) the very presence of God in their lives, by such things as the opening of the sea, manna, etc. (Num 14:22). This special chosen few (Deut 7:6, Ron 9:4) out of the total family of God, would not have the witness (new covenant, dealt faith) which gives us the knowledge of the completed work of Christ: that is as it pertains to his atoning work. Isa 45:4 describes those under the first covenant as the elect, and Ex 4:22 as the first born of God: none of the other (Gentile) children of God are include, for they were yet estranged from God (Eph 2:12), having only the one witness (fruit of the spirit) as did Job.

In the time of Jesus’ Ministry this dealt faith was still shut up, for the Holy Ghost, the administrator of new covenant, had not yet came. (Jh 14:16,26; 16:7) The two pieces of evidences during the time of Jesus’ ministry were: (1.) his words, (2.) his works, (John 14:10) "The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." We find in Lk 24:43 that Jesus had to open the apostles understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. With out this special opening no one can understand the scripture, no matter what generation it is. (Acts 16:14)

The first two generation having been before the day of Pentecost, and although having the faith as defines in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, which is found as the seventh element of the fruit of the spirit, died in faith not having received the promise (11:13,39). You may ask what promise: that of the dealt faith, which testifies to the completed work of the atonement?

The day of Pentecost is the beginning of the third generation. The two pieces of evidence are: (1) the inner eyewitness, (dealt faith, which is in itself, is the very substance of eternal life, the seed of Christ in you) as it is administered by the Holy Ghost, opens their understanding, by circumcising their hearts, and establishing the truth of the atonement, in the mind of those so chosen. (2 Thess 2:13; 1 Peter 2:9) After this belief is established in the mind of those chosen and sanctified to the truth by the first witness, they are then commanded upon hearing the second witness (acting upon this belief) in believing. This second (2) witness come through the hearing the preached gospel, in the power of the Holy Ghost. (Rom 10:14; Rev 11:3; 1 Tim 5:19; Heb 6:18) When one acts upon these two witnesses, pieces of evidence, applying them to their life, by believing, it brings about the sealing of the Holy Ghost. Having been sealed, it is then impossible for those sealed to be deceived. (Matt 24:22). Eph 1:13 "After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." This promise was given to Abraham, as the representative of the faithful. Gal 3:29 "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Eph 4:30 after having been sealed, we are told, "grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." If one turns from this truth after being sealed he is in danger of being cut off from the truth. He will continue to abide in this eternal life, (Rom 2:7; 1 John 2:25) only as long as he strives to follow the truth, but if he fails, after much longsuffering by the Holy Ghost, the administrator of the new covenant, he will die in his sin, and depart this life in unbelief. In other words, one may act in such a way as to be in danger of losing this knowledge, brought about by the abiding of eternal life in him. God will give him a space of repentance (John 12:39; 2 Peter 3:9) and if they repent not from their doctrinal error, then God will blind his eyes to the truth, and he will die in his sin of unbelief. See also (John 8:24; Heb 10:29; 1 John 5:17; Heb 6:4; Mark 3:29; Matt 12:32). If one does not have this new covenant, the dealt faith, having only the one witness, (fruit of the spirit) the gods of this world can take away that which he has been sown (received by the preached word) in his heart. He will not retain this knowledge of the truth. (Matt 13:13)

Conclusion: I trust this has established in your mind the three errs of time in which God has dealt with his people. There are three bases time periods or generation: a fourth being that of Jesus’ ministry. During the first err (generation) the children of God knew, inasmuch as they had the fruit of the spirit, that there was a god which worked in their lives (Acts 17:23,30), but could not know (save the few witnesses as was Enoch, Noah, and Job) how life after death would come about. Even here we find Job could not understand how man could be just with God.

In the second err, (generation) God called a man, whose family lived in the Ur of Chaldees, and later moved up the Euphrates to the land now know as Syria. From here, after his father, Terah dies he is called by Jehovah to go unto the land of the Canaan. In Gen 22:14 we find that The LORD for the first time is known as Jehovah, ‘it shall be seen’. Jehovah calls Abraham and gave him the covenant of circumcision, establishing a special faith in him, by visible and audible appearances, that he may become the father of the faithful. Under the law written in stone his descendants were married to Jehovah. (Jer 31:32)

In the third err (generation) we find they are the called out witnesses to the truth. They are betrothed (Acts 2:47) by the father, to his Son, (Gal 5:23) and are enabled through the dealt faith, (Rom 12:3) unction of the Holy One (1 John 2:20) to understand the completed work: that God in the person of Christ reconciled the world unto himself (2 Cor 5:19). They are the firstborn or first fruits as they abide in their husband: being called the first fruit of them that slept (1:18).

Having established in our mind the three generations, let us look at Romans chapter eight. The contextual setting, although it can and has been used by most all of the minister to teach the eternal security of the children of God, is presented with many conditional admonitions unto those unconditionally chosen to be a witness of the truth. For one to enjoy this liberty found in the truth, as they are commanded to walk therein.

Romans Chapter eight
Rom 8:1,2 "There is now no condemnation to them, which are in Christ Jesus, (Gal 3:29) who walk not after the flesh, (Gal 4:24, letter of the law) but after the Spirit. (Dealt faith) For the (new covenant) law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law (in stone) of sin and death" (2 Cor 3:6 "the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.") ~ No condemnation – in Christ ~ who are the ones in Christ? (Gal 3:29) 'If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to promise.' How do ye be Christ’s? 2 Thess 2:13 'God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification (being made saints) of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto (having chosen and positioned you), he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.' Notice ye were chosen to this position, not based upon condition, but simply because it pleased him. (Lk 12:32) How did he do this? By sanctification of the spirit: setting ye aside unto a holy work. What holy work? 'Ye are my witnesses of the truth, (1 Jh 5:10) to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord (Husband) Jesus Christ': wherein God is worshipped in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24) God made a promise to Abraham that he should be the father of the faithful, and he gave them the promise land. Ps 105:42 "For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant. And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness." Gen 12:7 "And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, unto thy seed will I give this land." Yes the promise was the land of Canaan, and unto his seed (Jesus and his church bride) Isaac, for the promise was looking forward to Christ and his seed (Ps 22:30), which is spiritual Israel, the church of the LORD Jesus Christ.

Before we proceed farther we need to examine the word 'chosen' in some detail. In Duet 7:7 those under the first covenant, written in stone, were a special people, yet the fewest of people. These same people are described in Isa 43:10 as "Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, whom I have chosen: to know and believe me, and understand that ‘I am’ he". Why were they chosen? Ye are my witnesses unto the truth in the earth. Why witness unto the truth? That God may be praised. Luke 18:43 "when they saw it, gave praise unto God." We also find in 1 Peter 2:9 (the new covenant written upon the fleshly table of the heart). 'But ye (a small remnant of both Gentiles and Jews) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you.' How? By the understanding given in the dealt faith of the new covenant. They are translated out of darkness (of the first covenant) into his marvellous (gospel, new covenant) light. They are to let their light shine as a witness of the truth. Why? 'That God maybe glorified: for in time past (ye Gentiles who were not included in the first covenant in stone) was not (the chosen witness) a people, but are now the (chosen witnesses) people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.' It appears that the chosen are those who have the law written upon their heart, that needeth not man to teach them, but simply have the truth confirmed unto them by the preaching of the gospel: that is the completed work of God the Father, who was in Christ reconciling the world of his people unto himself, in the atonement. (2 Cor 5:19)

Those under the old covenant, although they could know the truth as did Job (9:2 "I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?"). Although Job was a child of God: in possession of the fruit of the spirit could not understand how man was just before God, not having the new covenant faith of Rom 12:3, which testifies to the completed word of Christ, for it was shut up to him. (Gal 3:23) The chosen generation is the seed as defined in Ps 22:30 'A seed shall serve (which can be performed only in the spirit and in the truth) him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.' This generation is spoken of in Matt 19:29 as regeneration. These are the Betrothed Bride of Jesus: whom God has opened their hearts: calling them to the wedding of His Son: robbing them in the righteousness of His Son, and enabling them to have an intimate knowledge and relationship with the bridegroom. These have no visible outward signs, but inward at the appointed time the betrothed brides’ heart is circumcised, which opens her heart, given her the dealt faith of the new covenant, as was Lydia’s. Acts 16:14 'heard us: whose heart the Lord opened.' Acts 14:27 'God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of (through the dealt) faith, (by circumcising the heart) unto the Gentiles.'

The conclusion is that those who be in Christ are the promised seed, and are therefore the seed of Abraham. They are blessed with the double portion of Isa 40:1. They, through the new covenant faith (Rom 12:3) have been blessed with not only knowing there is a Creator, but also knowing the completed atoning work of God who being in Christ, their husband, accomplished in the three hours of darkness. They are the ones spoken of in Phil 2:13 which have the will and the to do of his good pleasure, which worketh (Gal 5:6) by this new covenant dealt faith. The motivation generated by this new covenant faith enables them to walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. Do all such respond to this motivation? The answer is an obvious no; but thus walking they are not condemned. Why? 'For the law of the Spirit of life (new covenant, promised) in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Sinatic law of sin and death.' Free from the condemnation, which the old covenant continued to bring to their remembrance. (Heb 10:3) This is not to say that if you are not included in the old or new covenants you are not his child, but it was the fathers’ good pleasure to express his love to Judah in a covenant marriage relationship, (Gen 49:10) and a civil marriage relationship with Israel (Jer 31:32; Deut 7:6) by the covenant in stone. In as much as the marriage to Israel was a civil marriage unto Jehovah, God the Father, could legally give her a divorce (Jer 3:8); but not so with Judah as she was his covenant wife (Gen 49:10). The new covenant marriage of his Son is unto the little flock (Luke 12:32). Both covenants were given unconditionally, but require adherence to them; not be condemned, but blessings in keep them. Let us then fear lest we trod under foot this marriage covenant of grace to Jesus (Hb 10:29), and do despite to it, as did the Fathers’ (covenant) wife (Judah/Jews). Lk 12:48 'Of him shall be much required,' which much has been given. Judah, the Jews do not know that their husband is dead to them, and are still attempting to worship him under the old covenant of works. (Rom 7:4) See also Heb 2:15 'And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.'

Before we leave vs 1 and 2 and go on to vs 3 let us examine a few other scriptures as they teach of the promise: Lk 24:47 'And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.' ~ The all nations under consideration here, included only those nations wherein dwelt the natural Israelites. (Acts 13: 46 'It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of the new covenant, everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.') Ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: (Jewish remnant) but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.' The promise herein is the power of the Holy Ghost, in His administration of the new covenant, dealt faith. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rm 1:16): the preaching of the gospel will resonate with those in whom the belief of the truth has been established: by the first witness (nc). John tells us in 2:20 of his first epistle, that he was only confirmed what they already knew in their heart. We are told also that those to whom the new covenant is administer too, already know without some man teaching them (Heb 8:12). Yet to confirm this knowledge one must hear the second witness: the preached gospel. Acts 1:4 'Wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.' The promise, ‘Ye have heard of me’. That, which was promised, was the Holy Ghost as the administrator of the new covenant, dealt faith testifying to the completed work of Christ.

Acts 2:33 'Having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost.' Acts 2:39 'For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.' Who is the promise (Holy Ghost) to? The called. One might say; does not God call all of his children from a death in sin? The answer is a resounding Yes, yet we must understand this calling is to those of the promise: that is the seed of Abraham. Abraham is not typed as the complete family of God, but rather the father of the faithful. Gal 3:9 'So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.' Notice the ‘be of’ before faith ~ it does not say by faith, which indicates to me the faith here is the dealt faith which come with the new covenant (1 Jh 5:4). In other words, those under consideration are positioned as it were in the bosom or loins of Abraham as was Lazarus, and Isaac

Acts 13:23 'Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: (vs 32) And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob): that is (Rom 4:13) the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through (their keeping) the law, but through the righteousness of (found in the dealt) faith.' This righteousness is that of Jesus, not the believer, for we are told in Matt 7:32 that John came in the way of righteousness and they rejected the council against them selves. Again we see the little word 'of' use to describe position not condition. 'For if they which are of the law be heirs, (then the new covenant dealt) faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: (Rom 4:16) therefore it is of (dealt) faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; (both a remnant of Jew and Gentile) not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed'

Rom 9:8 "That is, they which are the children of the flesh, (Sinai law Gal 4:24) these are not the children of God: (in the sense of the new covenant election Rom 11:1) but the children of the promise (New Jerusalem Gal 3:29, 4:24) are counted for the seed [Rom 11:28 'As concerning the gospel, (natural Israel) they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, (What election? That found in Isa 45:4, which is natural Israel), they are beloved for the fathers' (Abraham) sakes.' Why? Even though they have now rejected him, yet the gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Rm 11:29).] For this is the word of promise, at this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election (What election? New covenant ~ Rom 11:6) might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth)". We have both natural Israel, elect ~ and spiritual Israel, elect included in this lesson. Natural Israel having the birthright of the first born, it was taken form him and given to spiritual Israel. Neither of these elections was based upon (Isa 65:8) what, but who was the new wine found in the cluster.

It is said of Natural Israel that she was the wife of Jehovah in Jer 31:32. We do not have the same straightforward verse concerning spiritual Israel, although the though is implied as we read about those included in the second covenant. We read in Heb 8:13 'A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.' Rom 7:4 'Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law (of you husband, Jehovah) by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.' God (Jehovah) the husband of natural Israel was in Christ (2 Cor 5:19) wherein the old having been satisfied: Judah being now release from the law of her husbands (Jehovah) and the new covenant being established in the marriage of the Son. Jehovah was the husband of natural Judah (Gen 49:10) and Jesus is the bridegroom (Gal 5:25) of spiritual Israel, the called out new covenant church Gal 3:14 in that, 'the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through (the dealt) faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; even though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the (new) covenant, that was confirmed before (2083 AM) of God in Christ, the law, (old covenant) which was four hundred and thirty years (2513 AM) after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise (new covenant) of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law (works), it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.' Gal 3:29 'And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and (new covenant) heirs (Acts 2:47) according to the promise.'

Eph 1:13 "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession." Those that have the law (dealt faith, evidence) written in their hearts must hear (additional evidence, by the second witness) the preached word, having heard they must then manifest this belief, (established by the two pieces of evidence) by acting upon this belief: in believing. The truth is then sealed in their minds (Ep 1:13). The sealing of this knowledge of the truth is the earnest, escrow of that inheritance to come, until these bodies shall come out of the graves. Do all of God’s children have this assurance? No: but not having it in time will not prevent them from the full inheritance after death. It even could be that once, one has been seal, confirmed by the two witnesses; one could sell his birthright, just as the Jews did under the old covenant, and become a castaway.

Eph 2:12 "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." What time? Prior to and during the time the old covenant was in effect. It could be said of the Gentiles at that time, that they were in the same stated as described in (Rom 5:13). Even though they were sinners by nature, being with out the law in stone, sin was not imputed or charged to them, having not the law in stone to condemn them. Where they children of God? First we must understand it is not man’s responsibility to establish son ship, some or all might very will be, for this judgment is in the hands of the all wise God, and not mans‘. Some might say, do not we read in Rom 2:14 that the Gentiles had the law written in their hearts? Yes, but this is after the day of Pentecost, and in my opinion is talking about the new covenant, which was administered to a remnant of Jews and Gentiles after the day of Pentecost. What about the moral law? I have heard this position all my life, but if you do not use Rom 2:14, then where is your scripture to define such a law? We know that each society is governed by it own set of law, which can be about anything man can think up. In one society a man may have as many wives as he wants, or even eat other humans, yet the so called ten commandment which they suppose defines the moral law is said to condemns this, although we find through out the old testament where gentiles had more than one wife and even sacrifices their children to their gods. These ten also make the seventh day holy. Moral law, how? It is true that if a society would establish these ten rules of law in their society, it would be a better society, but I find no scripture that tell me that, the race of Adam is governed by an inner moral code of laws, unless it is the fruit of the spirit, and this is only in the child of God. We do find in 1 Cor 11:14 'Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?' and in Rom 1:26 'Their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature.' On might also tells us that Rom 1:18 'who hold the truth in unrighteousness,' is talking about the ability for one to see even in nature enough to declare there is a god; but these people under consideration here are the one who are able to hold the truth in unrighteousness. To hold the truth in unrighteousness, it appears to me that they must first know the truth and then do despite to it: to hold it in unrighteousness. Heb 10:29

Eph 3:6 "Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise." The body is Jesus’ body or the called out assembly. The promise is the Holy Ghost as the administrator of the new covenant, dealt faith. The, ‘of' (positional Acts 2:47, added daily) the same body’ speaks of the body of Christ as the relationship of husband and wife, which shall be no more twain but in and of him as believer in him (unconditional given)". Under the old covenant the Gentiles were not of the body of Jehovah as were the Israelites, and therefore were not fellow heirs of Canaan and partakers of the promise land.

Heb 9:15 "He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise (nc dealt faith) of eternal inheritance." Christ is the mediator or husband of the new covenant, for Jehovah (the husband of the first) having been a partaker of the death (2 Cor 2:19) in Christ as the husband/over the first marriage covenant, released his wife Judah, that she should be married to another. Therefore they that are called (upon the death of the testator) might received the promise of eternal inheritance. This inheritance is now, here in time, to the bride. God the Father, know as Jehovah, tells us in Gen 49:10 that he would continue as the husband, or lawgiver of Judah until Shiloh, (in type, the church) came. At which time He would release his wife Judah by death (of the testator` Heb 9:17) in order that she should be married to His Son, the man Jesus.

2 Pet 2:19 'while they promise them liberty, (in the law) they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (Gal 3:1 by not obeying the truth) For if after they have escaped the pollution of the (law worship) world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known (the truth as it is found in the new covenant, dealt faith) the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy (new covenant) commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.' 2 Pet 3:4 'And saying, Where is the promise of his coming (Matt 16:27,8)? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.'

2 Pet 3:9 'The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any (of us) should perish, but that all (those who have turned back to the law or doctrines of the perseverance) should come to repentance.' When one having been delivered from the worship of the law: self-righteousness to the knowledge of the truth via the two witnesses, (new covenant, dealt faith and the preaching of the truth) turns back unto the worship of the law, (Titus 3:10) Having suffer long with such a one, after the second admonition reject, for he is declared a heretick Why? Because 'he has trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the (new) covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace', committing the sin unto death. Having so done, he shall pass from this life in his sin of unbelief: no longer able to believe the truth; having his eyes blinded and his conscience seared over with a hot iron (John 12:40; 1 Tim 4:2).

2 Pet 3:13 'Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering (1 Thess 1:7) of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, (betrothed bride) seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be (2 Thess 1:4-11) glory both now and forever.' The promise of the Holy Ghost: including in the finished revelation of the New Testament (70 AD). The church at that time (new heavens and new earth) having come to it maturity is delivered into the hiding place, away from the precautions, there to rest in peace. Rev 12:14 'And to the woman (church) were given two (witnesses) wings of a great eagle, (the administrator of the new covenant: Holy Ghost) that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.' Here she is hid from the serpent, to rest waiting for the reformation.

1 Jn 2:25 'and this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life'. John 17:3 'And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ.' Eternal life is not something we are waiting for, but it is the unction of the Holy One, motivating those who have the new covenant to follow after the truth.

Conclusion: If ye be in Christ you are Abraham’s seed to whom the promise was made. The promise is eternal life, which is Christ working in you according to the direction of the new covenant in the way of truth. After the new covenant faith of Rom 12:3 is dealt to one chosen and sanctified to be a witness, it works in him the will and the to do, motivating him to walk not after the flesh, (letter of the law) but after the spirit of truth. Even though one may have the First witness, (dealt faith, evidence), which betroths one to His Son Jesus Christ, he still must have the Second witness, piece of evidence: the preached gospel as it is delivered in the power of the Holy Ghost. Having received these two witnesses, pieces of evidence, the truth, belief is established in his mind. This belief of the truth having then been established in his mind, he then should (Ep 2:10) make this belief manifested by acting upon this established belief in believing, whereupon doing this, the Holy Ghost seals him (Ep 1:13). Once this belief is sealed, he can no longer be deceived. This is not to say that he cannot fall away, for once enlighten by these two witness, and turn from the way, God will give him a space from repentance (2 Pt 3:9), and then cut him off, sear over his conscience, blind his eyes (Jh 12:40), and harden his heart that he can not longer experience the blessing which has be afforded him in the new covenant. Why? Because he has counted the blood of the new covenant wherein he was sanctified to the truth and unholy thing and done despite to the spirit of grace (Hb 10:29). The latter end of this man is worst then had he not known the way of truth (Lk 11:26). He will die in his sins. He has committed the sin unto death or presumptuous sin (Nu 15:30; Nu 27:3; Jh 8:24; 1 Jh 5:17; Lk 11:24).

I realize that I have taken up a lot of time in these first two verses, but I believe it necessary to establish the contextual setting which begins in the preceding chapter, 'So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh (Gal 4:23) the law of sin.'

Vs 3,4 "For what the law (of the flesh) could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, (Gal 4:23) God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness (Mt 21:32) of the law, might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, (old law) but after the (new law) Spirit."

Just what is under consideration in the statement, ‘weak through the flesh’? The sin of Adam corrupted this flesh in as much as it can no longer live in the perfection of the old law. Jesus therefore came to establish the old law as righteous by fulfilling it in every jot and tittle: thereby destroyed the condemnation of the law in stone, which was after the flesh (Gal 4:23). Had there been a law that sinful flesh could have kept then Christ died in vain (Gal 3:21). We are now, even in this sinful flesh, declared righteous, through the dealt faith, therefore those that be in Christ, are commanded to crucify the flesh and walk after the spirit. In doing so the righteousness of the law is manifested in us (Gal 3:19). 'Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed (Christ) should come to whom the promise was made; is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law'. (Heb 10:3) The first covenant was designed to establish sin, and to bring those exercised thereby to a remembrance again of sins every year. (Rom 5:13) Before the law was given on Mt Sinai 'sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed or charged to those not under a law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the (an established law) similitude of Adam's transgression.'

Vs 5 "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; (to the fellowship with Jesus their husband) but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (With their Husband) Because the carnal mind is enmity (seeking to justify itself by the law) against God: for it (the natural mind) is not subject to the (new covenant) law of God, neither indeed can be, (Why, because they are not under it) so then they that are in the flesh (attempting to keep the old covenant) cannot please God." Who are they that be after the flesh? (Gal 4:23). Those who are still in bondage to the works systems: having not the new covenant, and are yet attempting to keep the old Sinatic law of works. They do mind the carnal things; which is their own works. Those who have the dealt faith, of the new covenant, are able to rest in the assurance of the completed work of Christ, which brings peace to the soul. No one is able with the carnal natural mind too serve God, for he must be worshipped in spirit and truth. The so-called Christian world in ignorance is offering up carnal work in an attempt to serve God. Inasmuch as the carnal natural mind is not under the new covenant, called the law of God, it cannot please God. The carnal mind must die and the body brought under submission by adoption to the new covenant, spiritual mind, 'When the commandment came, sin revived and I die' (Rom 7:9). This operation of the Holy Ghost must be accomplished before God can be praised in truth.

Vs 9 "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God (new covenant, dealt faith) dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Timely new covenant relation, or bride) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of (truth) righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that rose up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." These verses further define the working of the dealt faith of the new covenant in those chosen to bear witness of the truth. ‘If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you’, indicates more than just being a child of God. The next phrase, which has the clause, ‘he is none of his’ is not speaking of one just as a child of God: but a marriage relationship. See Mt 7:23. In other words if one does not have the dealt faith, then they are not included in this lesson, not having been betrothed to the Son, Jesus Christ. The implication by the use of ‘so be’ is positional in as much as the dealt faith has been imputed to you, and as such, having continued in the abiding of this relationship, just as sure as Christ rose from the dead, this abiding of the Holy One will quicken, these mortal sinful bodies to service. In other words the abiding, indwelling of the Spirit, assist in mortifying, crucifying these mortal sinful bodies and motivate them to his service. Will the one so moved always respond? The answer is no, for it is still up to those so motivated to exercise himself in studying and seeking to serve his LORD, Jesus Christ. Remember this is teaching disciples not how to become children of God.

Vs 12 "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, (work systems) to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the (law of works) flesh, ye shall die: (to the fellowship of Jesus, our husband) but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the (adopted) sons of God." We find here the continuation of the admonition, to not live after the law of the flesh, (works systems): having the facilities, dealt faith, new covenant imputed to us, that we may abide in the truth as the adopted sons of God, for if we fail in mortifying the works of the flesh (Gal 5:19) we shall die to the truth, which has set us free from law of works, flesh.

Vs 15 "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage (works systems) again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of (new covenant) adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit (new covenant, adoption, which is the mind of Christ in us, 1 Cor 2:16) itself bearish witness with our (mind) spirit, that we are the (adopted) children of God: And if (adopted) children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; (being no more twain, but one in Christ our husband)) if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified (present perfect) together." What is the spirit of bondage? It is the works systems. We have two Spirit / spirit in this lesson. The Spirit (spiritual intellect, first witness), which is of, or based upon the adoption, established by the Holy Ghost: bearing witness with our (natural intellect) spirit, and testifies that we are joint heirs (Gal 3:29) with Jesus our Husband. In order to experience the glory, we are called to dine with our Husband, if we have suffered with him. Suffer, how? By mortifying the desire of this flesh (self-righteousness). In doing so, when we meet in the assembly, our Husband Jesus Christ may extend his scepter and bid us come up unto his chamber, and be glorified there with him.

Vs 18 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory, which shall be revealed in us. (When we are glorified with our husband as we dine with him) For the earnest expectation of the creature waited for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty (truth) of the children of God." This glory is to be revealed in us, when the earnest expectation is manifested in us, as we are call unto his chamber and therein glorified with our bless husband. In this position we are able to experience the reality as the sons of God. O’ what glory, for a few fleeting moments we are able to sup at his table. To experience the liberty as did the three apostles on the mount of transfiguration. Praise his holy name. ! ! !

Vs 22 "For we know that the whole creation groaned and travailed in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the (or this) adoption, to wit, (make known) the redemption of our body." Even though this cursed world groans under the burden of sin, the lesson taught herein is not about all of Gods’ children, but specifically those who are included in the adoption, under the new covenant: the first fruits of the Spirit, as they struggle with sin. These first fruits are the called out body (Acts 2:47) of our LORD and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Even though they have this beautiful truth of the completed work of Christ in his atoning work, they still yearn to be called home as they wait in these adopted bodies, longing to experience, to wit the resurrection of these bodies and be carried to the glory land above the stars. We are told in Rom 9:4 those under the first covenant were also adopted. This is another subject of it own and I will look at it after completing this chapter.

Vs 24 "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seethe, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Saved by hope, in what way? This hope is the very substance or thing that gives us the assurance, as stated in the definition of faith: it is the very things that allow us to face the trials of this life, with an understanding that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory, which shall be revealed in us, as we patiently wait for our husband to extend the sceptre, bidding us to enter his chamber and sup with him. The very fact that this hope is not see, but by the two witness, but has established in our mind the knowledge of our husband and the blessing afforded in knowing him as our provider in all things: helping us in our infirmities, trials of life, while we know not what it is we need, he understand those need and comforts us as we rest upon his breast, as did the apostle John.

Vs 27 "And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints (those sanctified to the truth) according to the will of God." Just how are we comforted? It is because as our husband knows our heart, and makes intercession for us according to the will of God, our Father.

Vs 28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called them he also justified: and whom he justified them he also glorified." The all things working together for our good are the basic truth as defines herein, and contained in the new covenant. God foreknew in a covenant relation, the bride of his Son, and predetermined (before time begin) to betroth them to his Son: adding them to the church (Acts 2:47) as promised to Abraham. Those betrothed would be called to the marriage feast (Mt 22:14) of the Son by the ministers of the new covenant, and robed in the righteousness of his Son, having thier hearts circumcised, declared to be justified in his Son, that they may live in his kingdom here in time: being raised up from time to time: to be glorified with his Son, that they should be to the praise of his glory. (Eph 1:12)

Vs 31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" What things? Those things which give us access into this glory: these fundamental truths, as it is in or Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Vs 33 "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justified. Who is he that condemned? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh "intercession for us." The eternal principle can be taught from this verse, but the verse is set in a timely context, and should first be applied to that context. I do not find where all of Gods’ children are called elect. This as adoption is a subject within itself, so I will apply it according to the context here. None can lay charge to those chosen, and betrothed to the Jesus. It is God the Father that has justified. Yes it was the Father (2 Cor 2:19) incarnated in flesh to pay (as the scapegoat) the sin debt, of eternal separation. It was the man Jesus, the anointed, as he offered up his own body as the Passover offering, to cover the sins of the firstborn. Having satisfied the father he rose again for our justification, and is now making intercession for us, the firstborn.

Vs 35 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the daylong; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." This does not say who shall separate us from the love of God, but it speaks of the love of Christ as the husband of the firstborn. Yes it is the firstborn that are counted, as sheep for the slaughter, for it is they who suffer for the cause of Jesus, their husband. Paul tells us in 2 Thess 1:4 that 'it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you: and to you who are troubled rest with us.' Even though they may be poor in the things of this world, they can rest with assurance that their husband, Jesus will not forsake them.

Vs 38 "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This love is Christ Jesus our Lord, our husband. Let us continue in his love and run the race set before us: giving honor to him who belongeth honor. 1 Cor 9:24 'So run, that ye may obtain.' Gal 5:6 'but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?' Phil 2:16 'rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.' Heb 12:1 'Ye that have these witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin (that of failing to make manifest the belief established in your mind ~ 1 Jh 5:17) which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.' O’ give praise unto his Holy name, for the grace which he hath bestowed upon such as I, the chiefest of sinners.

Allen Cook 8-29-2005