(RASV-1901)

ROMANS CHAPTERS 12 - 16

ROMANS 12 - 16

  aaron-For grace to be fully effective, all must receive it in exactly the same way--as a free and unmerited gift from God! Israel was elected in this sense--to the specific task130-1 of being a visible example of the covenant relationship that the invisible Creator God desired to establish with His visible creation, as well as a small remnant being ELECTED into the invisible Covenant of Promise. It is just that simple. Amen.

130-1 Buswell’s Systematic Theology vol.ii, pp.148, 149
Election to Specific Functions.

  (aaron-God now shows us that He always intended to include others within His covenant, in addition to this tiny nation called Israel:)

  Exodus 12:48 "And when a stranger shall sojourn with you, and will keep the Passover to Jehovah. Let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof."

  (aaron-This passage not only broadens God’s horizons in the sense of exactly who would qualify to be a part of His peoples, at the same time it reiterates the covenant relationship that God establishes with the family. Whenever any person came into full covenant with God, God commanded that his whole family was to be included as well.

  We must remember that everything that has happened to visible Israel in the Old Testament (Ref.1Cor.10:1-11), happened to them as an example for its counterpart who would come to know God through the institution of the New Testament Christian Church.

  This passage also gives us additional insight into the proper use of the sacraments: It is a dual participation. Not only were they commanded to circumcise their male infants as their visible initiatory rite into God’s Covenant of Grace, they were also commanded to participate in the Lord’s Passover meal. We must surely see that there is a clear New Testament correlation for this passage. That is, in our covenantal understanding of baptism as God’s visible covenant sign established with believers and their children (Acts.2:38, 39; 1Cor.7:14), and then our full participation in the elements of the Lord’s supper (1Cor.5:7, 8; 1Cor.11:23-26).
  This is not an attempt to determine who gets saved and who does not, because that determination is completely in the hands of God. We are only recognizing God’s absolute sovereignty in all of these Covenant matters.)

  Romans 15:8-12 "For I say that Christ has been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given unto the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, Therefore will I give praise unto you among the Nations, And sing unto your name. And again he says, Rejoice, you Nations, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all you Nations; And let all the peoples praise him. And again, Isaiah says, There shall be the root of Jesse, And he that arises to rule over the Nations; On him shall the Nations hope."

  (aaron-Again, here in chapter fifteen, we are given a summary view of the universal character of God’s reconciliation. We are first told that "Jesus Christ has been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God". Then in the very next line, we are told the reason behind this ministerial position: It was "to confirm the promises given unto the fathers". This fulfillment is best seen in Christ’s propitiatory work that was explained for us in Rom.3:24-26: His sacrifice was "to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God". The planned result of this fulfillment is then given: "that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy". Make no mistake, this universal character of God’s reconciliation was in God’s plan from the very beginning. This is proved from the numerous Old Testament passages that are being fulfilled here:
  Psalm 18:49 "Therefore I will give thanks unto you, O Jehovah, among the nations, And will sing praises unto your name." Ref. 2Sam.22:50;

  Then notice the prophetic character of this passage from Deuteronomy:
Deut. 32:43 "Rejoice, O you nations, with his people: For he will avenge the blood of his servants, And will render vengeance to his adversaries, And will make expiation for his land, and for his people." Ref.Rev.11:15-18; Isaiah 11:10
  It is only through our complete understanding of Covenant theology that all of these wonderful truths can find their complete fruition.)

  Romans 15:21 "but, as it is written, They shall see, to whom no tidings of him came, And they who have not heard shall understand."
Ref. Isaiah 52:15 "so shall he sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths at him: For that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they understand." (Ref.Mat.13:16)

  Romans 16:25-27 "Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept in silence through times eternal, but now is manifested. And by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen."

  (aaron-This final statement that we receive here from the book of Romans, gives us essentially the last word in this universal character of God’s reconciliation. It is God alone who has the ultimate control over all of these covenant matters. The revealed mystery in the New Testament Church in general and in the book of Romans in particular, is the full manifestation of God’s grace; Jesus Christ, our propitiation. Even though these truths were in a sense hidden throughout the Old Testament era, the numerous Old Testament references that are given to us throughout the book of Romans reveals that the promise of God’s boundless grace was being revealed there as well. Consequently, our full understanding in these complex covenant matters can be achieved only through a comprehensive understanding of Covenant Theology. Any shortsightedness in understanding these critical covenant matters places that understanding on very tenuous ground.
  We must now be able to recognize the continuance of God’s Covenant of Grace through both the Old and New Testaments--just as God has explained it. That is, beginning with father Abraham, God’s Covenant of Grace has been accessible only by God’s matchless grace. Then, any access into this Covenant of Grace is only through His established institutions (visible Israel and the visible Christian Church) and His established visible initiatory rites (visible Circumcision and visible Baptism). Which must be viewed as the broad concept of the Covenant of Grace134-1: Where the efficacy of these visible initiatory rites would be understood as the determinant factor for any access into God’s Covenant of Grace. Ref.Gen.17:14 Finally the invisible initiatory rites for the Messianic Covenant line, must be seen as simply an extension or an appendage of God’s visible initiatory rites that He first established for His blessed Covenant with father Abraham. Amen

134-1 Louis Berkhof’s Manual of Christian Doctrine pp.159, 160

  It is because of how God is faithfully dealing with His visible peoples Israel, even now through His Everlasting Covenant of Grace, that mandates the approach that the Christian Church must take in their relationship with God. That is, every aspect of Israel’s relationship that God had recorded for our admonition represents the expected conditions and circumstances for the peoples of God who are associated with His Covenant Church. One of the most important aspects to be considered from the book of Romans, which is also one of the centerpieces of God’s reconciliation, is the aspect of God’s reassurance of His promised deliverance for all of His first peoples--Israel: This is the same sure eschatological hope of deliverance that awaits all of God’s corporate peoples as well. Then it is only because of their covenant connection to father Abraham that this deliverance would apply to the membership of the visible Christian Church as well. That is, it is because of the universal character of God’s reconciliation and the all-inclusiveness of His Covenant of Grace that He made with father Abraham, that the visible Christian Church is also counted as a part of these very same corporate peoples. This entire study in the book of Romans has been an attempt to gain additional insight into God’s Covenant of Grace through a better understanding God’s first peoples--Israel. Then seeing the eschatological fulfillment of His promises to His first peoples—Israel as our eschatological hope as well.

(See the Aaron Papers-RAPPROCHEMENT ESCHATOLOGY chart and study.

www.the-aaron-papers.net )

REVIEW


A RECAPITULATION: As we review these important covenant matters, our concentration must be even more sharply focused if we are ever to receive these transitional understandings. Again, we must thoroughly understand that God, within His Abrahamic Covenant of Grace, has established two distinctly different dispositions. One would be God’s visible dispositions (Gen.17:7 /Acts.2:39) which we would apply to the rest of National Israel /the called Christian Church, and the second would be God’s invisible dispositions (Gen.17:15-19 /Gal.3:16) that we would apply only to the remnant of National Israel /the chosen Christian Church. Then we must also understand that the second may be characterized as an extension or an appendage of the first (Gen.17:15-19; Gen.21:4; Lu.2:25-32).

GOD’S VISIBLE DISPOSITIONS:
First, we must recognize that God’s visible dispositions would generally apply to the corporate peoples of God: A relationship that is established with peoples and their families--their offspring. This elect group must be seen as being within the broad concept of God’s Covenant of Grace. Where their presence within the Covenant of Grace is based solely on the Visible Circumcision of the Flesh Covenant (Water Baptism for the New Testament era) that God first established with father Abraham and his offspring (their Gen.17:1-14, 18, 20, 22-27; Acts.2:38, 39 experience).
The basis for this Covenant relationship is only God’s efficacious grace that is given for their obedient participation in His commanded initiatory rites. To be included in this broad concept of God’s Covenant of Grace, one is only required to be a family participant in God’s visible institutions and a recipient of God’s commanded visible initiatory rites. Scripturally speaking, there is nothing else required for their inclusion within the corporate family of God.
Then under the Old Testament economy, those who were a part of these Visible Circumcision Covenant families were identified as visible Jews, the visible Circumcision, and visible Israel.
Though all of these established identifications serve as visible examples of both the visible and the invisible peoples of God, they are especially seen today as visible examples of God’s invisible dispositions. These visible examples are the beginning point for any real insight into, and the world’s populations coming to understand, this invisible God. If God had not established this tiny nation of Israel as a visible example, we would have little or no tangible understanding of God at all. This Visible Circumcision Covenant (N.T. visible water Baptism); the Flesh Covenant; because its primary application is applied outwardly to the flesh, might also be defined as the covenant of bondage (Gal.4:23-25). We then see that the eternal hope for all those who are made a part of the visible corporate peoples of God, is based solely on the efficacy of God’s promises through Christ’s finished propitiatory work.
(1) At the time of their death, they would go to the place of the dead; A place of rest; To Abraham’s bosom (their Lu.16:22 experience).
(2) Following the final resurrection and judgment (their Jn.5:28, 29; Acts.24:15; Mat.25:31-46; Rev.20:11-15 experience), they are to be established in their own land upon the new earth (their Isa.65--66; Gen.17:8; 48:4; Ezek.34:1-31; 36:1-38; 37:15-28 experience.)

GOD’S INVISIBLE DISPOSITIONS:
Second, we must recognize God’s invisible dispositions as having primary application to His invisible priestly line; The Messianic Covenant line: The invisible Covenant of Promise that was to come only through the progeny of Isaac.
This invisible priestly line is seen within the narrow concept of God’s Covenant of Grace. Their presence in the Covenant of Grace might first be facilitated by their participation in God’s visible institutions and God’s mandatory visible initiatory rites: Rites that He specifically gave to His peoples and their families. But secondly, their presence in this narrow concept of the Covenant of Grace is based solely on God’s invisible dispositions. That is, the only basis for any participation in this narrow concept of the Covenant of Grace, is the efficacy of God’s grace through His own elective sovereignty. To be numbered among God’s high priestly line, God Himself must regenerate each individual; one must be born again; one must be born of the Holy Spirit. This is the only process where God’s invisible dispositions are applied to each and every one of His individual priests. Every one who is elected into God’s mystical line:
(1) Must become a Jew; a Jew on the inside.
(2) Must become a part of the Circumcision; The Circumcision not made with hands; Which is the Circumcision of the heart (Rom.2:28, 29).
(3) And must also become a part of Israel; the Israel of God (Gal.6:16; Rom.9:6-8). The narrow concept of the Covenant of Grace is the invisible Covenant of Promise: Through which, the Messiah and the Messianic Covenant line would be fulfilled (Gal.3:16).
These elect priests also have some very special promises that God has given just for them.
(1) God has promised them that, throughout this entire dispensation of grace, whether they are alive (their Jn.5:25 experience) or dead (their 2Cor.5:8; Phil.1:23; Rev.20:4 experience), all of these elect priests have been promised a continuous life existence with their Lord. After death, these elect ones would go immediately into Heaven to appear before the judgment-bar of Christ (Their Rev.4:2-4; 20:4 experience).
(2) That this elected priestly line constitutes the developing Kingdom here on earth (their 1Pe.2:5, 9; Rev.5:9, 10 experience). Then at the end of this year of Jehovah’s favor--this year of the Lord--this dispensation of grace (Rev.11:15), Christ will appear to gather His invisible elect priests to Himself (their Mat.24:31; Mk.13:27; 1Thes.4:13-17 experience). Then all of these translated living and dead elect priests who are collectively gathered up into the clouds, will constitute the completed Kingdom (their 1Cor.15:23, 24 experience). Their destination is clearly stated to be Heaven itself: Where they are to be delivered up to their God and Father.
(3) This completed Kingdom is the full manifestation of the first resurrection (Rev.20:); the body of Christ. These elect priests are collectively in Heaven for their marriage to the Lamb (their Rev.19:7 experience).
Then these priests, adorned with their white robes, become the armies of Heaven who will accompany their Lord into the battle of Armageddon (their Rev.19:11-16; 16:13-16 experience). All of this is to be followed by the final resurrection and judgment (Rev.20:11-15; Mat.25:31-46).
(4) Following these last events, when God fashions the new heavens and a new earth (Rev.21:1-8), the collective body of Christ; the completed Kingdom; the bride, the wife of the Lamb; the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descends out of Heaven from God (Rev.21:9-22:5). -JEHOVAH SHAMMAH- Amen.