Leaves Of Gold

A Call To Return To The Teaching Of The Bible

MASTER OUTLINE NUMBER THIRTY-SEVEN

"The Christian Life Bible", Thomas Nelson Publishers, notes by Porter L. Barrington

Thus, after the 450 years of intertestamental silence the New Testament period had at last begun. Approximately one hundred years elapsed between Christ's birth and John the apostle's writing of the book of Revelation. During this period the Savior came and died on the cross for man's sins. The church was formed and began to spread .the gospel message throughout the world. The momentous events of the New Testament period are worthy of the most careful study for their historic, exemplary, and spiritual lessons. They include:

37-A. The World into Which Christ Came (Matthew 2:1-12)- The coming of the promised Messiah into the world, to die for man's sin, was truly God's great gift to mankind. The circumstances of the waiting world at that time were ideal for the long-awaited arrival of the Christ. Scripture says, "When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son" (Gal. 4:4).

(1) His birth in Bethlehem prophesied. Herod asked the religious leaders of Israel where Christ was to be born (vv. 3-6). They quoted Micah's prophecy (Mic. 5:2), given seven hundred years before, naming Bethlehem as the place from which the "Ruler in Israel" was to come. The virgin birth of the Savior was also prophesied (Is. 7:14). It should not seem strange to us that the conception of the unique Son of God should occur in a miraculous way.

(2) Childhood of Christ. In His infinite wisdom, God permitted the childhood of Jesus to pass us by quietly. These are "silent years." We are given only the account in Luke's Gospel concerning Jesus, the twelve-year-old boy, who already was

(a) amazing the rabbis with His questions and answers;

(b) completely conscious of His unique relationship to God the Father;

(c) fully aware of His unique mission (Luke 2:41-52).

All non-biblical stories of the boy Jesus are fabricated and of late origin. Jesus did no miracles as a boy; John's Gospel makes that unmistakably clear (John 2:11).

(3) Greek language and culture. The Roman chief captain asked Paul, "Can you speak Greek?" (Acts 21:37). The language of the Western world in New Testament times was Greek (though some early church fathers claimed that Matthew originally wrote his Gospel in Hebrew or Aramaic). The reason was that from 336 to 323 B.C. Alexander the Great conquered Persia, Egypt, and the Middle Eastern world, spreading the Greek language and culture to all conquered areas. In the providence of God, this provided an almost universal language that would carry the message of God's salvation in Christ throughout the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern world. That the New Testament was written in Greek, the international language of the day (in contrast to the Old Testament which was written in Hebrew, a language of only one people), fit God's purpose to form the church out of believers of all kind reds, nations, and peoples (Acts 2:4-12). At this same time, many Greek intellectuals had lost faith in the pagan gods and goddesses of Mt. Olympus, and at last were open and longing for a faith that would meet their real needs and answer their questions about life. Such a faith came with Christianity (Acts 17:15-34).

(4) The rule of Augustus Caesar. During the reign of Augustus Caesar (31 B.C.-A.D. 14), the world saw a brief era of peace, unparalleled in history, called the Pax Romana. In the providence of God it allowed the first missionaries to travel safely throughout the Roman world. At the time of Christ's ministry, Pontius Pilate was governing Judea (including Jerusalem) from his headquarters, the Roman-dominated coastal city of Caesarea.

(5) The rule of Herod. Herod the Great ruled by intrigue and murder from 37 to 4 B.C. He was an ldumean, descended from the Edomites, a people south of the Dead Sea who had often treated the Jews cruelly (Amos 1:11, 12). Herod was the great builder of Palestine. He constructed the architectural and engineering marvel of the mountain fortress of Masada (on a cliff thirteen hundred feet high), as well as the Herodium, and the city of Caesarea with its amazing man-made harbor. He also built the three great battle towers by the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem, the Praetorian Fortress (the "Antonia," named for Mark Antony), and the Jewish temple where Christ sometimes taught. He had the temple sanctuary dramatically refaced and then set about rebuilding all of the porticos, walls, courtyards, and outer buildings of the second temple.

But Herod is more commonly known for the series of murders he committed to protect his throne. He murdered Antipater, his eldest son and heir, his wife Mariam, and two more of their sons, and then hunted down the survivors of the previous royal family-the Hasmoneans (descendants of the Maccabees). Satan had a servant well prepared to kill the infants of Bethlehem as he sought to murder the newly born Christ child (Matt. 2:16 cf. Rev. 12:4).

(6) Judaism. The Jewish world of the day was divided into various parties and sects. Chief among these were:

(a) The Pharisees (meaning "separated ones")-scrupulously legalistic in their religion, and seeking righteousness through their works (Matt. 23:2, 3).

(b) The Sadducees-religious liberals of the day. They accepted the first five books of Moses, but' denied the other writings, the possibility of resurrection, and the existence of angels (Matt. 22:23, 29; Acts 23:8).

(c) The Herodians-members of the Jewish political party that backed the Herodian family reign. They favored home rule and compromised with Rome in order to keep the peace (Mark 3:6).

(d) The high priesthood-descended from the new Hasmonean family line which led the fight against the Syrians in 168-165 B.C. The high priest, as the religious ruler of Israel, was always from the tribe of Levi" and headed the Sanhedrin (the important council of seventy). He also had great legal and civil power. Annas and his son-in-law, Caiaphas, were high priests during Christ's ministry, Caiaphas serving at the time of the Crucifixion (John 18:13, 14, 19-23).

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37-B: The Earthly Ministry of Jesus, Mark 11:7-11. When Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem (vv. 7-11), He was aware that He was making a messianic entry, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 that the Messiah would someday come into Jerusalem on a donkey. He had sent for the donkey and approved of the messianic shouts of Hosanna ("Save now"-Ps. 118:25, 26). He had come to live and die as the Christ, to purchase human redemption (Mark 10:45). Claims that "He was just another Rabbi" or that "He never claimed to be the Messiah," appear wholly fallacious in light of His claims in the Gospels (cf., John 8:56-59; 11:23-26).

(1) The birth and childhood years. We have the scriptural account of Jesus' virgin birth (Luke 1 :26~38; 2:7), the visit of the wise men, the flight into Egypt (Matt. 2:1-23), and His return to dwell In Nazareth. At the age of twelve He astounded the doctors of the Law in the temple (Luke 2:41-47). The other years are not recounted until the beginning of His ministry at the age of thirty (John 2:11).

(3) The year of introductions. Jesus´ baptism, proving, and initial teaching ministries in Judea, Jerusalem, Samaria, and Galilee took place during that time.

(4) The year of popularity. This was the year of His great Galilean ministry, when He chose the twelve disciples, delivered the Sermon on the Mount, and worked many miracles around Capernaum. Huge crowds eagerly followed Jesus in those days.

(5) The year of antagonism. After feeding of the five thousand in Galilee, when He refused to become a political King in opposition to Rome, the huge crowds for the most part deserted Him, John 6:66. He then began to minister in the Caesarea Philippi region to build the faith of His disciples, Matthew 16:13-16. By this time the leaders at Jerusalem were set against Him, so He avoided overexposure in Jerusalem, John 7:1. He still taught, healed, and did many other good works.

(6) The final months. Toward the end of His earthly career, He ministered east of the Jordan River and periodically visited Judea. During this time He raised Lazarus (the brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany) from the dead, thus showing His glory, John 11:1-44.

(7)The last week. This week was filled with drama for heaven and earth: His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His rebuking of the Pharisees and scribes, Matthew 23:1-36. His Olivet Discourse on future events, Matthew 24:3-51: the Last Supper; His betrayal, arrest, and trials before the high priest, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod, and the mob; and His crucifixion for the sins of mankind on the hill of Calvary, Matthew 26:47-69.

(8) The risen ministry. After three days He arose from the dead and appeared frequently both in Jerusalem, and at the Sea of Galilee, to the twelve disciples and to others, "...to whom He also presented Himself alvie after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, Acts 1:3.

37-C. The Church: Its Beginning and Development (Acts 8:1-8)-After the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, His church was formed to take the gospel to the lost of all nations. The church went forward with the Good News, and the book of Acts records the two chief events: evangelizing the Jews (Acts 1-10) and the Gentiles (Acts 11-28).

(a) Commissioning. Soon after Christ arose, He commanded that everyone be evangelized in Jerusalem, Samaria, and among all nations (Acts 1:8).

(b) Empowerment. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the Upper Room congregation of about 120 persons and filled them (Acts 1 :15) with power to go with the gospel and evangelize (Acts 1:8). They shared their faith with the masses, resulting in approximately three thousand conversions (Acts 2:1-44).

(c) Witnessing. The apostles preached, performed miracles, suffered persecution, united in prayer for Holy Spirit power, shared their faith and their worldly goods, and rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name (Acts 3-5).

(d) Serving. The first deacons were chosen by the apostles by the laying on of hands and prayer, and were commissioned to serve tables (Acts 6).

(e) Martyred. Stephen was the first Christian martyred for preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 7).

(h) Opened doors. The Gentiles were brought into the church-beginning a great new era of soulwinning and discipling of the Gentiles (Acts 10 and 11).

(i) Deliverance. Simon Peter was imprisoned by Herod. That night the angel of the Lord led Peter out of prison and to his Christian friends who were assembled as a church in prayer for his deliverance (Acts 12).

(a) By evangelism. The church at Antioch was ministering to the Lord when the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:2). On their three missionary journeys, they were led by the Holy Spirit to evangelize in what is today Turkey and Greece (Acts 13-21).

(b) By deliverance from legalists. Paul and Silas journeyed to the Jerusalem council to settle the question once and for all that the Gentiles who had been converted to Christ should not be expected to be burdened with the Jewish ceremonial laws (Acts 15).

(c) By continuing evangelism. Paul and Silas took a second missionary journey in the Greek world (Acts 16-18).

(d) By strengthening. The third missionary journey, again into Turkey and Greece, edified and strengthened the churches (Acts 19-21).

(f) By Paul's perilous voyage. Paul was saved to evangelize on his hazardous voyage to Rome (Acts 27).

(g) By divinely opened doors. Paul's imprisonment in Rome gave him the opportunity to witness and win those who were serving in Rome's palace guard (Acts 28).

37-D. The Evangelistic Missionary Journeys of Paul (Acts 13:1-3)-Missions is spreading the Good News that God forgives sinners who trust in Christ. The church sent forth Paul and Barnabas from Antioch of Syria (Rom. 10:15). The first missionaries were sent out by their local church, and were undoubtedly supported by it, as they prayed together seeking God's will for these ministries (vv. 1-3). The apostle Paul and his associates endured extraordinary labors and poverty to give others the message (2 Cor. 11 :23-29). There may never have been another who labored so arduously, so long, and under such hardships, with such astonishing success as the brilliant apostle Paul.

(a) Cyprus-First they evangelized in Barnabas' native land. Saul became known by his Greek name, Paul. john Mark deserted them and returned to Jerusalem.

(b) Pisidia (Turkey)-Next they evangelized Paul's native land. They preached the gospel in Antioch, !conium, Lystra, and Derbe. They were persecuted everywhere, but some believed.

(a) Paul and Barnabas participated with the leaders of the church in seeking God's will regarding the relation of the ceremonial law to the Gentiles.

(b) The question of circumcision and ceremonial law was solved at the Jerusalem council, decreeing that it was God's will that Gentiles be fully and equally admitted into the church, without having the duty to obey the Jewish ceremonial laws (Acts 15:22-29).

(4) Second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-18:22).

(b) The churches started on the first journey were revisited (Acts 15:41). This is our example to nurture new converts. .

(c) In a vision, Paul was guided to enter Europe (Acts 16:9, 10, page 1110). Lydia was the first convert in Europe (Acts 16:14).

(b) Paul taught in Ephesus for three years and displayed flexibility in staying at a location when opportunity or need arose.

(6) Witnessed in Jerusalem (Acts 21:17-23:32). God gave Paul opportunity to witness to the high priest and the Sanhedrin.

(7) Caesarean imprisonment (Acts 23:31-26:32). God gave Paul the opportunity to witness to rulers of the land: the governors Felix and Festus, and King Agrippa II.

(9) Roman imprisonment (Acts 28:16-31. God gave Paul opportunity to witness to the Jewish community in Rome and to many great personages of the Roman Empire.

. (11) Second Roman imprisonment and martyrdom. The writings of the earliest church fathers are uniform in their testimony that Paul was martyred in Rome by Nero.

The New Testament Church... A Local Body,

by A. J. Kirkland, final part

Most Bible students agree that the New Testament Church is sometimes referred to as "The Bride of Christ." There is, however, much confusion relative to this subject. Many people who would never think of the church as being anything other than a local assembly use the term bride in such a way as to make the impression that/the bride is universal. The author believes that the church is the bride, but he believes that this is a figure of speech not to be taken literally, but denoting the sacred relationship of every true church to her Lord.

There can be a universal bride no more than there can be a universal church, if the church is the bride. For, if the church is a local assembly, the bride is a local assembly. As pointed out in a previous chapter there is no such thing as the New Testament Church, except as it applies in the institutional sense and to a local assembly in a given place. Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as "The New Testament Church." You may find a church, but not the church of the New Testament. Once our thinking is sound along this line much confusion will vanish.

One can find the church which was at Jerusalem, the church which was at Antioch, the church which was at Rome, the churches (plural) of Galatia, also, the churches of Asia. But in all these passages the Bible refers to different churches in different places. Many people are so vague and indefinite in their language when discussing the church and the bride that they leave the impression there is a sort of mystic universal bride composed of a

mystic universal church. But we are forced to the conclusion that if the church is local in nature, and, if the bride is the church, then the bride must be local in nature. It is impossible for it to be otherwise.

Because of misconception on the church and the bride idea, there' have been false doctrines set up with reference to what the bride really is, and with reference to Christ coming for His people, and with reference to what is called "the marriage of the Lamb." Some hold that Jesus is coming for His bride (church) alone and everybody else will be left on the earth to go through the Great Tribulation which is to follow. Others hold that only the faithful of the true church will be raptured and even unfaithful church members will be left behind. Some believe Jesus will marry this bride and she will reign with Him in the Millennium as queen. There are others wh9 believe that all the true churches (local assemblies) combined make up the one bride.

When we seek for Scripture to confirm the above mentioned doctrines we find ourselves with an impossible task. Most of the Scriptures referred to in order to prove these doctrines fall short and the arguments are inconclusive. We know that all the dead in Christ will be in the first resurrection (I Thess. 4:14). We also know that all who are in the first resurrection will reign with Christ.

Thus we see that the saved, universally, shall reign with Christ, not just the church.

rapture, but they will be left to go through the tribulation.

This confusion and these misconceptions are prevalent because men take a simple figure of speech and seek to make a literal thing out of it.

There are several things to which the church is compared in the New Testament and we never think of taking those things in a literal sense, but always recognize them· to be figures of speech denoting the nature of the church, or denoting its relationship to Christ. We also recognize that these figures of speech refer to every church (local assembly) exactly /in the same sense. The figure that applies to one assembly applies to every other assembly. If we would recognize that the term bride is simply a figure of speech denoting the relationship of every New Testament Church to Christ we would not have this maze of confusion.

Note the following passages which refer to the church as a bride or otherwise suggest it. In John 3:29, John the Baptist speaking, "He that hath the bride is the bridegroom." It is evident that Christ and the church are under consideration here.' In II Corinthians 11:2 Paul says, "I have espoused (engaged, betrothed) you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." Paul says to the church at Rome, .Romans7:4: "Ye also are become dead to the law 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." In Ephesians 5:23 we find the following, "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church."

(1) The Jerusalem church is called, or likened to, a bride.

(2) The church at Corinth is likened to a bride, engaged virgin.

(3) The church at Rome is likened to a bride that should be married to Christ, bringing forth fruit. This evidently means the fruit of marriage, to bear children. -

(4) The church at Ephesus is likened to a wife, subject to her husband.

The church is not a woman, but in the Scriptures, woman is used as the symbol of religious institutions. The nation of Israel is called the wife of God and the Scriptures say that God was married to Israel (Jeremiah 3:14). But no one would say that God came down, had a literal wedding and took Israel as a literal wife. In the same sense Israel was God's wife, the church is Christ's bride.

Jesus called Herod, "that old fox," but no one would think that He meant Herod was a literal fox. He meant that he was like a fox. Even so, it is evident that the church is not a literal woman whom Jesus is going to marry literally. But like a chaste virgin, and a bride, symbolizes purity of relationship, so the churches are to be pure in their relationship to Christ and His commandments.

In the 17th Chapter of Revelation we find described the great whore and her harlot daughters. Here is the great false religious system. It seems to be headed up in Rome, and her daughters are the false churches that came out of her. They are called whore and harlots, but this does not mean that they are literally such. It simply means that they have been untrue to Christ as an unfaithful bride or wife who turns from her husband, and the figure is used in contrast to the chaste virgin who is faithful to Christ. It has already been pointed out that women are used as symbols of religious institutions. True churches are likened to pure virgins who are faithful and false churches are likened to those who are unfaithful and play the harlot.

We have been discussing the church as it symbolizes the bride in this age, the relationship that now exists between Christ and everyone of His churches. There is, however, the thought of the future, the end of the age, and "the marriage of the Lamb" to be considered. It is with reference to this phase of the subject that people build up mystic ideas and interpretations. It, is true that Christ's coming for His people is likened to a bridegroom coming for a bride, and the taking of His people to Himself is likened to a marriage: but this too must be considered as a figure of speech, and does not necessarily apply to any particular church. It is evident from the Scriptures that this "marriage of the Lamb" to His bride tells of His being united with all the redeemed whom He , has received unto Himself. But even so, this will be an assembly of the redeemed in one host and will be in heaven, constituting a local congregation.

As we think of a marriage in the light of the Scriptures, we must think in terms of a marriage in Bible times, not according to our modern customs of marriage. In a Bible marriage, the bridegroom simply took unto himself his bride in public display and there was a feast or celebration._ Likewise when Jesus comes for His people, takes them to Himself in glory, thus bringing about the greatest celebration of all the ages (or for eternity itself, so far as we know), that will be the "marriage of the Lamb."

In passing from the present church age to the eternal glory age a word should be said concerning the church or b~ide as it shall exist in the millennial age. And it should be borne in mind that this is Christ's kingdom age. Therefore the kingdom aspect of Christ's, redemptive work is magnified above everything else. It shall be during this time that all the saved of the earth and of all past ages shall be merged into the kingdom. This fact is made clear by Jesus in Matthew 8:11 when He says, "Many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven." Also, He declares that in the Judgment of Nations, the saved shall be divided from the unsaved and all the saved shall be brought into the kingdom.

It is here that the separation shall take place by which the saved shall enter the kingdom and the unsaved shall ultimately be cast into the lake of fire (Matt. 25:46).

The above evidently points to the fulfillment of John 10:26 when all the "other sheep" shall be called into the fold and there "shall be one fold and one shepherd." For Jesus tells us in Matthew 8:11 that every plant which is not planted by His Father shall be rooted up. He made this reference to the institution of Pharisaism, but when He said, "Every plant," it is evident that He included every false religious institution. Therefore the statement embraces Rome, her harlot daughters, and all apostate religious organization. It is made clear, however, that Jesus will root up the institution as such, but He will not lose one sheep (John 10:16, 28). This fact is also made clear again when the great whore and her harlot daughters come to doom. It is there that God will call His people out of them.

Thus the true church of our Lord will be glorified into her greatest glory and shall occupy her place in her kingdom role throughout the earth's greatest age. and all who have denied her and persecuted her through the past ages must repudiate their false positions and vindicate her as the Lord's elect. In the reward of servants Jesus shall reward every man according to his works and faithfulness, and ,evidently, it is here that those who have been faithful to Him and to His church shall receive the highest honors in kingdom rule, Matthew 25:14-30.

With reference to this subject, Dr. Albert Garner, in his book, Bible Analysis, page 140, says,

Jesus uttered a prophecy and promise in John 10:16 which will have been fulfilled when the marriage of the Lamb comes. He said:

There can be no escape from the fact that in this chapter Jesus speaks with reference to saved people and the church. He tells us that He is the Good Shepherd giving His life for the sheep. He tells us in verses 25 and 26 that believers are sheep and unbelievers are not sheep. And He tells us in verse 28 that the sheep are those to whom He gives eternal life. Therefore, in the light of verse 16, all sheep, all who have eternal life, shall be brought into one fold, and ultimately, there shall be one fold and one Shepherd. There are those who may raise the objection that this prophecy refers to Gentiles. Let that be as it may, we cannot escape the promise that the glorious time is coming when, "There shall be one fold and one Shepherd." These are His eternal words.

Some may ask how Jesus will bring about this event of gathering all into one assembly or fold. It is not ours to know all the details of His plans. Jesus said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up" (Matthew 15:13). Thus every false institution shall be destroyed, but no individual sheep ever shall perish. Though they be in false churches, they shall hear His voice and they shall come to Him, and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd. This glorious truth is sufficient for us.

In Revelation 21:9-27 is John's vision of the bride, the Lamb's wife-. It is a vision of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, and those who dwell in it. Verse 24 tells us that the nations of them that are saved shall walk in the light of it, and verse 27 tells us that it shall contain, "They which are written in the Lamb's book of life."

We are also told in Revelation 19:7, 8 that the bride is made ready.

Note that the bride is arrayed in linen clean and white. Also note that every blood washed saint in heaven is arrayed in white. "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7:14).

The bride in glory, then, shall consist of all the sheep, (those to whom Christ gives eternal life). It shall consist of all who are bloodwashed, all who are robed in white. It shall consist of all whose names are in the Lamb's book of life. It shall consist of the nations (races) that are saved.

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