Christian Message Boards: A Question

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Posted by epouraniois (Member # 5187) on :

1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren

What was the calling which they were being called to during the Acts?

Note that these are brethren, not gentiles here, but even so, we know the gentiles for 18 years were made partakers of Israel's spiritual things by reason that Israel might bear her fruit, were standing outside the middle wall of partition awaiting thier portion of instruction, but what was this calling they could behold? as the Greek word is behold thier calling.

Posted by Pleasemaranatha (Member # 5150) on :

Wasn't it that only God's power and wisdom can bring salvation. That men were called to preach the gospel that was difficult for them to grasp without the wisdom of God. It was and is hard for people to see themselves as they really are when they are first introduced to the truth. Before they are humbled.

??????????

Just a guess. Is this correct?

Posted by epouraniois (Member # 5187) on :

The calling that they could see was their hope. At the start of the Acts the apostles asked, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?

That is pretty much my point in bringing this question. If we can somehow realize what their calling was, and see what their hope was, then maybe more people today will see that the one hope of His calling is for today, and not the same as the hope and calling of Israel during the Acts:

Their hope was the same O.T. hope given throughout Scripture. Nothing changed, the kingdom was 'at hand'. The hope is sure, it cannot fail. It would be realized in resurrection. They looked for the soon coming of the Lord to raise their bodies incorruptable:

2Th 1:10
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
2Th 1:11
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
2Th 1:12
That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

All through the Acts, there was only one hope. They were called into only one hope. It was Israel's prophetic kingdom calling which was taking place.

When writing about the resurrection found in 1 Thessalonians 4 Paul said in verse 15 " This we say unto you, BY THE WORD OP THE LORD .... Paul was quoting and using the word of the Lord to show them their hope. The hope found in 1 Thess. 4 with it's trumpet, angels, shout and voices was written down in the Word of the Lord .

Also, in 1 Corinthians 15 when writing about the same hope of resurrection ( which some call the "rapture" ) he says in verse 54-55 " So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, THEN SHALL BE BROUGHT TO PASS THE SAYING THAT IS WRITTEN, DEATH IS SWALLOWED IN VICT0RY . O' DEATH WHERE IS THY STING ? O' GRAVE, WHERE IS THY VICTORY ?" If Paul means what he says, and says what he means, the hope of 1 Corinthians 15 was prophesied in the word of the Lord.

Paul is quoting from two different books in the word of the Lord , Hosea 13:14 , Isa.25:8 to show the Corinthians their hope. This agrees with what Paul said in Acts 26:22 where summing up his Acts ministry said " Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should came". Paul's Acts ministry and what he wrote in his Acts epistles can be found in the old testament scriptures and that includes the hope he wrote about in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 .

Once we arrive at the prison epistles all of this is set aside and a new hope and calling is revealed.

This new hope is for the church. It cannot be found in the O.T.

That is the point of my having asked the very pointed question.

Rom. 11:29.
The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
1 Cor. 1:26.
Ye see your calling, brethren.
1 Cor. 7:20.
Abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
Eph. 1:18.
What is the hope of His calling.
Eph. 4:1.
Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.
Eph. 4:4.
Called in one hope of your calling.
Phil. 3:14.
The prize of the high calling of God.
2 Thess. 1:11.
Count you worthy of this calling.
2 Tim. 1:9.
Who hath ... called us with an holy calling.
Heb. 3:1.
Partakers of the heavenly calling.
2 Pet. 1:10.
Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.

We can subdivide these references under three headings:

1. The calling of Israel.
2. The calling of the Church before Acts 28, and
3. The calling of the Church of the Mystery.

These three callings differ radically from one another, both in sphere, constitution and origin. One has our name on it, while the other two belong to some of God's other children.

Posted by BORN AGAIN (Member # 5) on :

What????

Only A Question? [Big Grin]