Mystery of Godliness I - Introduction. Q&A.

In the last weeks God put a strong focus on studying the mystery of godliness- which eventually showed more of the gospel's fullness, showed more about structuring ecclesia and kicking out works focus and lawlessness at the same time.

So in the coming times I try to spread bits of it. This issue still is new for me which makes me learning the most here :) The following text can be seen as an introduction, framing and a short definition in the form of a Q&A.

What is the gospel?

According to Paul's letters the gospel is a great mystery that was hidden since foundation of the world and has been revealed in this present era by the holy apostles and prophets. It is the mystery of godliness as mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:16.

What is the gospel NOT?

A quick fix out of a cooking book like: Repent, get baptized and receive the Holy Spirit (Still biblical of course).

What is the purpose of the gospel?

It is dedicated to be the revelation of God's wisdom in this era. And of God's goodness in this and the coming era. It is the way to unite everything under heaven and on earth in the one man - Christ - under God's authority. Which shall result in the ultimate praise of His glory. Because when Jesus' glory is being revealed, ours will be too.

What is the shortest description of the gospel?

Ephesians 5:31:
"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh."

What does that mean?

That the gospel is a romantic relationship between Jesus and His church which is lovingly nurtured by Him. The Son of God left the Father, became flesh, manifested as the Word of God to show the way back to the Father. On the cross He put on our punishment and left His nationality as well as his earthly calling to exclusively serve natural Israel (leaving His mother). On the cross He abolished the enmity and separation between Israel and heathen, God and human by his flesh and blood on the tree. After death and resurrection in power he was able to win His bride, which is now His own bone and flesh and the heir of Jesus' righteousness. He already has done everything and God creates his new-born sons upon appointed good works because we are one flesh with Him.

What does that mean for us?

If we want to come back to the Father, we also need to leave our family and origin. His house, His rules. No sinful nature and no earthly behavior, attitude or mindset will enter the kingdom of God (including rebellion against godly gender roles). Since God appoints the people and the time of salvation, there is NO way of converting on your own, pressing out repentance and discipleship on your own and pleasing God with that. There is NO possibility of shoving a recipe of baking salvation by 3-4 steps under the nose of everyone.

After saying that, there is God's way of drawing people. There is Jesus' work of sanctification by the baptism in the Word. He works out the way of our resurrection with Christ by His Spirit. We only can enter in the full grace, entering without fear.

What is this mystery now more precisely?

• The Father chose to glorify Himself in this world by electing a holy people for Himself out of a wicked generation (1 Pet 1:1-2:10)
• God became flesh (1 Tim 3,16, Jn 1)
• He died for our rebellion and resurrected so that we can follow him into this process (Col 1).
• It is NOT by works. Not one single person shall boast (Eph 2).
• By this he opened a door for all the nations. To accomplish that, Israel has been blinded until the fullness of heathens is redeemed (Rom 11).
• Church is His flesh and bone, the fullness of Christ (Col 1; Eph 3+5).
• Church in this era is God's manifestation in the flesh in all fullness. HE builds His body according to the measure that is willed by God (Col 2; Eph 1+4).
• When he comes back, His body will be transformed into His image (1 Cor 15:51).
• And everything is united in him again (Eph 1).

But this sounds too intellectual and impractical?!!!

Woe to everyone who offers LEGO(R) solutions and does not wait upon the Father to draw and bring people. Christ's church is a body. There is a special DNA that will manifest. Woe to everyone who preaches 3/3 processes instead of proclaiming the godly mystery and waiting for God's Spirit who shows the way of each single gathering by every member of the body. This mystery is secretly interwoven into the whole New Testament. But it's only hidden for the technocrats. The builders who rejected the cornerstone but establish franchise systems and easy solutions instead of building relationships as family. Who deny that God came into flesh. Not only into His one begotten son (firstborn and head of the body) but also into His brothers (members of the body).

Woe also to those who preach rebellion and distrust towards authority and independence from apostolically appointed workers and proven, regional elders. This body's foundation is intended to be apostolic and prophetic. Not pastoral or evangelistic, nor anti-authoritarian, a one-man-show, democratic or anarchistic. With Christ as cornerstone and guiding head, every member distributes growth to the body under the model and observation of the leaderS (plural).

List of all posts concerning the series "Mystery of Godliness":

Mystery of Godliness I - Introduction. Q&A.
Mystery of Godliness II - How to read and the purpose of it