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Typical Teaching - Part I
"Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them
that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the
figure of Him that was to come" - Romans 5:14. In this section, we want to
point out some types or figures of the truth which we have been presenting.
Some teachers would exclude all typical teaching of the Scriptures; but we see
by the text verse that the Apostle Paul believed in them. We know that Adam was
a figure of Christ in several ways. Adam was the head of the first creation,
whereas Christ is the Head of the new creation. Adam was held responsible for
bringing sin into the world. Christ was responsible for atoning for that sin
and bringing in righteousness. Adam was given dominion over the earth at his
creation; likewise, Christ will have dominion over all things concerning the
earth. Adam was only a type, but one which God used. In this respect, we shall
see that Eve was also a type.
"And the Lord God said, It is not good that the
man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him. And the Lord God
caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his
ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the rib, which the Lord God
had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam
said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called
Woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore shall a man leave his father
and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one
flesh" - Genesis 2:18,21-24.
These verses are used to show that God instituted
marriage; but they also show a deeply spiritual truth, that of Christ and His
Bride. This fact is not denied by fundamental Bible students; but they vehemently
refuse to believe that the whole Church is not the Bride of Christ. We hope to
be able to show clearly that the Scriptures teach that not all of Christ's Body
will be His spiritual Bride.
As you will have noted - "God caused a deep sleep
to fall upon Adam" and, while he was in this condition, God performed an
operation. The "body" of Adam was unaware of what God was doing.
Also, God used only one rib in building a wife for Adam. Removing this rib from
Adam's side, did not destroy his body. He was as much a man as before. Adam
still had his body but, he also had a wife, which came from his body.
This is the basis for our belief that the Bride of
Christ will be a "Rib" portion of the whole Body of Christ. Adam was
not able to complain to God about what He did then, nor could he argue with Him
about His method of operation. We have no right, either, to argue with Him
because of what He is doing today in the spiritual Body of Christ. One may say,
"Where are your Scriptures that support your belief?" As is always
the case, when we want to find the truth concerning the mysteries of the Bride
or other truths concerning the Church, we must go to Paul's writings. God chose
him to be the Apostle to the Church, and He gave him the message for this
dispensation. Read Galatians 1:6-12.
In turning to Ephesians 5:17-33, we find that Paul
explains the statement made by Adam when God brought Eve to him. In verse
thirty-two we read, "This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning
Christ and the Church" As you read all of these verses carefully, you will
note the truth that is taught. First of all, the Lord desires that we
understand the will of God. He wants us to be filled with the Spirit, always
victorious in our spirits; and able to give thanks for all things in our lives,
even adversities. We see that the Church is to be subject to Christ in
everything. This is a high calling, and it is the will of God that the whole
Church come into this experience.
Any honest Christian will have to admit that not all
believers fit into this pattern. All believers do not know the will of God for
themselves even, so how can they know what God's purposes are for the Church?
All believers are not filled with the Spirit. This "filling" has the
thought of being full at all times. It would signify then, that we are to be
controlled by ths Spirit at all times, letting Him lead us into the will of God
and give us victory over everything. All believers are not Spirit-filled nor
Spirit-led. Many are carnal, and live worldly lives. Many go in their own ways,
ignoring the Word and the Will of God.
We also know that the Church as a whole is not subject
to Christ. If this were true, then there would be no earthly heads over God's
people. When God raised His Son from the dead, He "gave Him to be the Head
over all things to the Church, which is His Body, the fulness of Him that
filleth all in all " - Ephesians 1:22,23. Christ should be the Director of
the Church, and His program is revealed and regulated by the Holy Spirit. Every
earthly pastor should take his direction from the Lord Jesus Christ. There is
no basis whatever in the Bible, to substantiate man-made organization over
God's people. If you have an earthly headquarters with governing bodies and
departmental heads, you have an organization. These men are usurping Christ's
place as Head over His heritage. Religious organization is spiritual
fornication, which is abominable in God's sight.
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also
loved the Church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse
it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a
glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it
should be holy and without blemish" - Ephesians 5:25-27. Here is the purpose
of God for the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. We would like to inject a
thought here. Notice that there is only ONE CHURCH.
God recognizes only one Church, made up of believers during this Church Age. He
does not recognize different denominations, who would exclude all other
believers unless they call themselves by their own particular title.
Just as God presented to Adam a perfect bride, so He
wants to be able to present to Christ a perfect Bride - one who is spotless and
who has been cleansed by the Word of God. We are cleansed from our sins when we
accept Christ as our Savior; but there is a daily cleansing which comes through
a daily adherence and obedience to that Word. Adam had a particular pride in
his bride Eve, and exclaimed, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of
my flesh." He exulted in her, because she was a part of him. Christ will
also rejoice in His Bride, who is a part of His Body and who has been a
partaker of His holy Life. Does all the Church know this? Has all the Church
lived up to her privileges in Christ? Has all the Church remained a virgin,
spiritually? Does the Church, as a whole, hold Christ as her only Head? Let us
read what Paul says about this, in II Cor. 11:1-3.
"Would to God ye could bear with me a little in
my folly (as this is what the Corinthians termed this teaching): and indeed
bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have
espoused (engaged) you to one Husband, that I may present (you as) a chaste
virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve
through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity
that is in Christ." The apostle knew that there was a possibility that all
the Church would not be true to her espousal. He has given us the Truth
concerning this high calling that is for all who will heed and follow the
Spirit's leading. There are some who will not heed this engagement. Satan has
whispered doubts to them, even as he did to Eve in the beginning. Eve's great
fault was that she did not consult her husband before she ate of the forbidden
fruit. She did not yield to his headship.
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This is the introduction to our article section. We'll have a list of the best articles on different topics here...topics on spiritual maturity and things not generally covered in other Churches/studies.