Fellow Heirs with Christ

Before we get started in this study we need to at least know that as a new creature in Christ Jesus we are not party to the spirit of the world or of this present darkness. That we have chosen to take the path way less traveled by those that call themselves by that Holy name of Christian that walk in gross darkness building up to themselves the wrath of their own making. That we by our life style reveal the character and nature of our redeemer in His great love that is at work within us to equip us to take our rightful place as a son of God and not a child under a tutor. To be able to handle the word of truth in Godly wisdom and not the intellectualism of this world, that we have acquired the pearl of great price in the knowledge of the Lord and His Great Love in all wisdom. That we carry in our body the union and fellowship of Christ’s Spirit a marriage of the bride and the spirit in the wisdom of Christ in our soul through the fellowship with Him in His sufferings. For we are His and He is ours to the perfection of wisdom and knowledge that God from before creation held in reserve for us the completion of the mystical Body of Christ Jesus in whom and of whom we were first created.
Before starting we need to find out what the “for the reason” is about, so I copied it into this study below our study passage scripture.

Romans 16:25-27 To Him who has it in His power to make you strong, as declared in the Good News which I am spreading, and the proclamation concerning Jesus Christ, in harmony with the unveiling of the Truth which in the periods of past Ages remained unuttered, but has now been brought fully to light, and by the command of the God of the Ages has been made known by the writings of the Prophets among all the Gentiles to win them to obedience to the faith-- to God, the only wise, through Jesus Christ, even to Him be the glory through all the Ages! Amen.

Ephesians 3:1-19
For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of His power to me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
This was according to the eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

* Some Bibles have dispensation here in place of stewardship; the Greek is administration which agrees with stewardship, another word is economy.
** The Body of Christ, in order to understand these things you have to be a member of the Body, In the Body, a spiritual being or born from above. As one who finds the narrow path and the gate that leads to newness of life which is eternal life. Of his own free will chooses to forsake all else to follow the Lord in crucifixion of his old man of self-will, self-love of his carnal nature found in his flesh. This action is being identified in (union with) Christ on the tree and subject to His death, burial, resurrection and our salvation His ascension which our hope yet to come.

Fellow Heirs with Christ
Ephesians 3.1-19

The mystery of Christ
Ephesians 2:10, 11-12, 13-22 Now we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands-- remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Paul in Ephesians 2:10, 19 tells us that we are His, God’s workmanship and that we are created in Christ Jesus, (you are no more strangers and foreigners, but are united to Christ) well when did this actually take place? To find that answer we need to look at the place of beginnings in Genesis chapter one through three, but to save some time, I’ll reference a study of it that is covered in another paper entitled “Genesis the Untold Story”. In a nut shell man was created by Yehovah-Elohim in His nature and character a mirror image of Him who we know as Christ Jesus, a spirit being made of the dust of the earth. Able to commune with God, an immortal, divine being, created a little lower that the God, living in the glory and heaven of God. Man was created form the dust of the ground capable of reproducing creatures of like divine nature or sons of God, this was the good works that God desired man to do. When man willfully separated himself from God, this is what is known a sin, man died to all the things spiritual and took on the bestial nature of the creature or animal world and became a slave to the enemy of God, Satan the cunning beast, the dragon the old serpent. Man also lost his right to govern the earth and creation or nature and they fell into the cruse as man fell into the earthy, darkness, thickness, death, sickness and wrath under a curse until the seed should come that would bring redemption of all things, mankind first then creation (the earth and animal kingdom) which now groans awaiting it’s redemption. This redemption of the earth and nature comes about during the tribulation period, it is centralized around Israel and over flows the nations or rather the world, more on that else where.

In 2:11-12 we are told that the Gentiles were outside of the promise and covenants and the Law’s given to Israel and that we were at that time separated from Christ. Israel was also separated from Christ because of its unbelief though it does not say so here.

Then in 2:13-22 we see a change has taken place for the who believe the word and are doers of that word, they have been bought by the Blood of Christ Jesus and the body of humiliation our own flesh. The same flesh that covers us all made of the same materials and element that made up Adam in the beginning. We are also told that the wall of partition that separated us from God has been dealt with and that there is no longer any hostility it has been put to death, even between us and Israel, we have the same entry way open to us, that we have all been reconciled to God in Christ in His one body.
We now have peace with God and the rest of God because we are now one new man or Body of Christ as at the beginning that He is the foundation and the head of the body. The body of sin in our old man is dead and the life we now live is hid in Christ in God. Colossians 3:3 We are a new spiritual man connected to our creator again as at the first; this is a marriage union and the pearl of wisdom and knowledge of God hid in Him before creation.

Through this Gospel, what is this Gospel? It can be found in 1 Corinthians 15: 1-8

1Corinthians 15:1-8 Moreover, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; by which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached to you, unless you have believed in vain. (Mental assent, not with the heart.) For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Galatians 1:10-12 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 2:13-22 Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Galatians 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for you all are one man in Christ Jesus. If you are Christ's, then are you also Abraham's seed, heirs according to the promise.

Ephesians 4:15-16 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love.

Ephesians 5:29-30 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Romans 12:3-5 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

1Corinthians 12:11-14, 27 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. ….. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Galatians 3:12-14 But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--- for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"--- so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

1John 2:24-25 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. This is the promise that he made to us--eternal life.

The fullness of God:
Matthew 5:6 Jesus said: “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

John 1:16 For of his fullness we all received, and grace for grace.

Revelation 22:3-5 There shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him; and they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

We know that we're to learn by inspiration of revelation, so here's a question: is there any clues to Jesus Christ's name or identity buried in the Old Testament? To find out we need to look to Moses himself as he is credited to have written the first five books, so what if anything does Moses tell us? To find out we'll need to go to where his record begins, the book of Exodus and chapter 2 at verse 10 where Pharaoh's daughter names him.
How does Grace as we seen it used come to play with the person of Jesus Christ?

Exodus 2:10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

Now what can we learn from Moses' name?
We'll look to Strong's for help. H4872
משׁה môsheh mo-sheh'
From H4871; drawing out (of the water), that is, rescued; Mosheh, the Israelitish lawgiver: - Moses.
H4871
mâshâh maw-shaw'
A primitive root; to pull out (literally or figuratively): - draw (out).
Here now we have Mo or Mu meaning water in Egyptian, and Osheh meaning he who is saved by water or pulled out, drawn from.

What was the next big event in Moses' life, we'll find that in the next chapter in for me verse 14 but first let me explain that up to this time God was recorded by the title or name: El, El Shaddai, Elohim, ADONAI LORD or Lord. Here we'll find another title or name.
God's name or titles:
LORD GOD - ADONAI ELOHIM, prior to Moses
God is LORD or ADONAI when written in this fashion mean:
1. there is none greater.
2. there is no greater Sovereign.
3. He alone has power over the supplicant.
4. the person is confessing full and total obedience and honor to Him.
God has three name words to describe Himself: God, Elohim, Adonai; until Moses has spent some time (40 years as a sheep herder in the desert). Why 40 years? To get the world out of him, his Egyptian-ness, a type of fast unto the LORD. It was required as a means of cleansing.

This takes place at the burning bush that is not consummed by the fire.
Exodus 3:14-15 God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shall you say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you. God said moreover to Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Now many have tried hard as can be to figure out just what "I AM THAT I AM" means but as we've found out through our studies to the unredeemed there is only darkness, no sight. For the spiritually discerning there is Light. Elohim is here revealing another name or title to be known by but the Jews during or just after their first captivity corrupted their language with pagan signs and symbols and thereby loosing light. But with the findings of the dead sea scrolls and other artifacts the code or original Hebrew is available. "I AM THAT I AM" means "EHYEH asher EHYEH", the exact meaning is still unclear, however.

Now is there any other high impact sayings of Moses that can help us? Yes, just before the end of his days and after a victory over one of Israel's enemies and it's found in chapter 18, we'll look at verses 15 and 18-19. In verse 13 he tells Israel to be perfect before the Lord because the nations around them are anything but.
Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him you shall hearken.......18-19 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken to my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

Many do not hear what was just revealed, Moses changed the son of Nun's name from Oshea to Jehoshua, why? Because Jehoshua at the end of Israel's time would come to save His people, the work of Messiah. Now watch this, what Moses did was to take "Jeh or Yeh" and add it to Oshea giving us the name of the one God would raise up to whom the people would gather. (Jehoshua, Yeshua, Jesus) What we have is God confirming His word name with His sacred name Yeh and Moses' name Iouses or Uses added with Yeh-sus, Jesus.
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now why did Jesus go the John in the wilderness to be water baptized? To complete what was started with Moses but held in secret by Him.
Matthew 3:13-16a (WNT) Just at that time Jesus, coming from Galilee to the Jordan, presents Himself to John to be baptized by him.
John protested. "It is I," he said, "who have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" "Let it be so on this occasion," Jesus replied; "for so we ought to fulfill every religious duty." Then he consented; and Jesus was baptized, and immediately went up from the water.

Now from this we can look at Acts 3: 22-23. Peter is here talking to the people, we'll start with verse 19.
Acts 3:19-26 Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached to you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say to you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19)
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, and in your seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. To you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Lets find one more verse as a backing up of what we've seen thus far. We'll turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 6 and verse 11b:
1Co 6:11b ........but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (Isaiah 1: 16; John 13: 16; Acts 22: 16; Ephesians 5: 26; Hebrews 10: 22)

Does this help any one understand what happens when we willingly surrender our self will into the hands of God the LORD Jesus Christ. How it is that we become a receptive ones and He sanctifies us, makes us righteous and a Holy people unto Himself. All in the Name that is above every name JESUS, YESHUA we carry His sacred name as His heirs. We are His Holy People set a part from the world and it's corruption.

The Initial Grace of God
I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more . . . For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Jeremiah 31:34 and Ephesians 2:8-9)

Again, we have the opportunity to compare justifying grace and sanctifying grace, initial grace and ongoing grace. This is always an edifying and valuable exercise, since we tend to forget that we are sanctified through the same means that we are justified.

The initial grace that impacted our lives forever was the justifying, forgiving grace of God. The prophets of old proclaimed this hope. The apostles of the church age applied it to us today. "I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more" (Jeremiah 31:34; also in Hebrews 8:12). When we repented of our sins and called upon the name of the Lord, we were forgiven and justified, declared not guilty and righteous in His sight.

This saving work of God on our behalf was all accomplished by the grace of God. "For by grace you have been saved." The saving grace of God is applied to lives as they trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. "By grace you have been saved through faith."

None of this process originates in man. All of it comes from God. "And that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." No aspect of salvation derives from the efforts of man, so no one will ever be able to brag about their contribution in being saved. "Not of works, lest anyone should boast." All glory, now and forever, will go to the Lord Himself. "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord" (1Corinthians 1:31).

Yes, even faith does not source in man. Jesus is "the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). When we believed upon the Lord Jesus, it was in response to an authoring, revealing work that He was doing on our behalf. Jesus manifested Himself to us through the gospel as One who was able to save us sinners. The Holy Spirit was convicting us of our need. We trusted in His saving work for us. Thereby, He authored faith in us. "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing" (Revelation 5:12).

As we have seen previously, and will have opportunity to examine again and again, the grace of God of which we partook for new birth and justification is the same grace that must continually be at work in us for growth and sanctification.

Form here we'll move into the calling out of the body of Christ.
In the last part of this paper we've revealed what we called the Initial Grace of God from here we'll move into more of God's grace as it or He is all grace and truth, the LORD Jesus Christ. This will be done under it's own heading as grace is manifold in nature, which simply means it has more facets than what man can grasp in one sitting.

All scripture is from the KJV, Weymouth New Testament, American Standard and English Standard Versions of the Bible and writing from Pastor Bob Hoekstra, F.B. Meyer, George H. Morrison and others found on the open public domain.