Please read, 1 Corinthians 12:13 ; Ephesians 2:13-20 ; Ephesians 3:6

In 1 Corinthians 12:13 , we read one of the most comprehensive messages in the entire Bible. Here we have truth as to who is included in salvation, in this present Age and reign of Grace and who is excluded, “For by ONE Spirit were we ALL baptized into ONE Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been ALL made to drink into ONE Spirit.”

We know that in this Age and Dispensation of Grace, the Jews have NO priority rights or special spiritual privileges. The Gospel of the Kingdom is to be preached WHEN the Jews are in favor with God. This means the “rise” of Israel. However, the Gospel of the Grace of God is NOW being preached because Israel is in disfavor with God. This means the “fall” of Israel. (Romans 11:11 ; Romans 11:25 ; Romans 11:30 ). However, the majority of the first members of the Body of Christ were Jews. Later on the Gentile con­verts out-numbered the Jews. But all believers, Jews and Gentiles, were baptized into the Church, called in Ephesians 3:6 , “the Joint­-Body.” This is still God’s way for the Jew or the Gentile to become a “Church-member”.

We read concerning Israel, (The Jews), in Romans 11:20-23 , “because of unbelief they were broken off. God is able to graft them in again. For God hath concluded them all (Gentiles and Jews) in unbelief that He might have mercy upon all.” (Romans 11:32 ).

There is NO difference between the Jew and the Gentile in this Age of Grace. (Romans 10:12 ). HOWEVER, there was a very GREAT difference be­tween the Jews and Gentiles while Christ was in the midst of Israel ON earth. (Mark 7:27 ; Matthew 15:24-28 ; Acts 2:22 ).

Christ on the cross took that difference out of the way (Ephesians 2:13-19 ). And how plain is God’s Word, that whether the Gen­tile or the Jew is saved and made a mem­ber of God’s Church, (which is, during this Age of Grace, The Body of Christ), which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28 ), it is all by the operation of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. No Gentile and no Jew can join himself to God’s Church. Believ­ing Gentiles and believing Jews are baptized by ONE Spirit into ONE Body. God gives the in­crease. Salvation is of the LORD. He that is joined to the LORD is ONE Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:17 ). The ONE Body is called, “the Joint-Body” in Ephesians 3:6 .

Note what Christ’s perfect redemptive work on the cross has accomplished for be­lieving Gentiles and believing Jews. That He (Christ) might reconcile BOTH (Gentiles and Jews) in ONE Body by the cross, “and came and preached peace to you which were afar off (Gentiles) and to them that were nigh (Jews).” (Ephesians 2:16-17 ).

By this Divine operation all the believing Jews and believing Gentiles make up the Joint-Body of Ephesians 3:6 . (Ephesians 2:19 ). This is to be the filling-up of Christ, the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 1:23 , and Ephesians 4:13 ).

Surely after reading this simple, but pro­found, truth no person will believe that he can be saved by joining some local assembly, or church organization. “They two shall be one flesh. I speak concerning Christ and the Church.” (Ephesians 5:31-32 ).

God exhorts that every Christian should have his own company. But no person should think he is going to heaven because he attends irregularly or regularly “church” services. Outside of the invisible Organism, which is quite different from some sectarian visible or­ganization, there is NO salvation during this Age and Dispensation of Grace. Read carefully 1 Timothy 3:15-16 and obey the instruc­tions, “behave thyself in the House of God’, the Church of the living God.” This means to behave yourself in the BODY OF CHRIST, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20 )