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NASB | Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 1:4 just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love |
Bible Question:
This is a question that was ask to me. In reading the book of acts, do we join the church or does God add us to the church"? |
Bible Answer: Dear vkilcrest, The branch of theology that deals with the study of the church is called ecclesiology. It is the doctrines of the origin, identity, discipline, polity, leadership, purpose, mission, and destiny of the church. The discussion of the distinction between the visible and the invisible church is a concept that deals with the question of the identity of the church. The idea of this dichotomy was first articulated by arguably the greatest theologian of Christendom, Augustine of Hippo in the early fifth century. John Calvin fleshed out the idea even further in the middle of the sixteenth century. Here's the basics: The visible church are the people that gather in Christ's name. These are the physical gatherings and accouterments of the corporate bodies. The invisible church, however, is made up of the elect -- past, present, and future. It is the perfect, holy, body of Christ. (God alone, who searches human hearts, knows who makes up the invisible church.) This distinction becomes clear in the various passages of Scripture that speak of the church. Now, here is how one of the confessions from my own tradition state it: "The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ, the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all. (Hebrews 12:23; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:10, 22, 23; Ephesians 5:23, 27, 32) The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner... In the execution of this power wherewith He is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calleth out of the world unto Himself, through the ministry of His word, by his Spirit, those that are given unto Him by his Father, that they may walk before Him in all the ways of obedience, which He prescribeth to them in his word. Those thus called, he commandeth to walk together in particular societies, or churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of that public worship, which He requireth of them in the world. (Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11, 12; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-9; John 10:16; John 12:32; Matthew 28:20; Matthew 18:15-20)" (1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, Chapter 26) So, the answer to your question becomes quite clear: Only God can add people to the invisible church. Men can, of their own accord, and by the rules that men make, may join the visible church (i.e., a local congregation). In Him, Doc |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Eph 1:4 | Author | ||
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rs8795 | ||
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Bereaniam | ||
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God's-elect | ||
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Vkilcrest | ||
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ebrain | ||
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DocTrinsograce | ||
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ddethdan | ||
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VICTOROVIE | ||
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puppytoes | ||
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prophet wynn |