HE IS OUR PEACE

Dealing with religious prejudice.

Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

How do we get the Jewish church to become one with the Gentiles?

Being aware of the context in which our title is included makes us understand that the word, “our” refers to both Jewish and Gentile believers! And we also read in this verse that “he hath made both one!” That is, there is but one church, one body of Christ, for his cross has made it so!

Peter’s Struggle

The Apostle Peter was first sent by the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles. He was sent to Cornelius, a Roman centurion (Acts 10:1), to preach the gospel. Before he went, the Lord gave him a physical hunger, then let down a sheet from heaven containing “all manner” of beasts, creeping things, and fowls of the air. Some of these were things heretofore ceremonially unclean to the Jews under the law. But upon the command of God to, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat,” neither the physical hunger, nor his religious prejudice would allow him to partake. Then the Lord makes a glorious statement concerning us Gentiles! He tells Peter, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou unclean!”

It seems that Peter has learned his lesson as evidenced in his preaching to Cornelius’ household. Also, in the Jerusalem council, as recorded in Acts chapter 15, he is still abiding in the truth of his Joppa vision. He not only tells those assembled that they should not put the yoke of the ceremonial law upon believers, which neither their fathers, nor themselves were able to bear; but he gives a great statement in verse 11. There he says, “But through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we (Jews) believe in order to be saved according to which manner they (the Gentiles) also believed.” (Interlinear). He is saying that as I saw the way Gentiles are saved, that’s the way we Jews are also to be saved!

And even though Peter slips into Jewish prejudice again, as recorded in Galatians 2:11-18, and is admonished by the Apostle Paul, yet this profound statement of his, as recorded in  Acts 15:11, proves to be the key to seeing the relation of believing Jews to believing Gentiles! They are Mutually Lost and require a Mutual Grace!

There Is No Difference!

The issue of Jews versus Gentiles has puzzled many, even to this day! Good, sound men of the church, though correct in many other doctrines, have stumbled at this. And many have, and still do, mislead the church regarding this matter. Let us go to the Scriptures, the final authority!

Romans 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. The depravity of the unbelieving Jew is exactly the same as the depravity of the unbelieving Gentile! They have a Mutual Depravity!

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

HE Is Our Peace

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. The Lord Jesus Christ alone is Savior to all sinners, whether male or female, Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, slave or freeman! All sinners must come to God by Him! Now reread verse 15 listed in our text listed above. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Not only did the Savior’s sacrifice of his own body abolish our enmity with God and His law, but his sacrifice also made of the two groups (Jews and Gentiles), “ONE new man!” THAT is how he made peace with God and peace between Jew and Gentile. They both have a Mutual Sacrifice!

This is what was meant when the apostles referred to Christ as being the Saviour of all mankind! They were not saying that Jesus died for all the sins of all men without exception! If this were so, all men without exception would be in heaven! But they were saying that Jesus alone, is the only Saviour of all kinds of men! 1John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

God alone tore the temple vail! He made the way into the Holy of Holies for all! At the time of the tearing of the temple vail, in order to end the old covenant, he tore His Temple’s vail, (John 2:21; Matt 27:51), the flesh of the Son of God, to provide entrance into the new covenant! Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

The Like Gift

Not only are Jews and Gentiles Mutually Depraved, and require a Mutual Sacrifice, but they are both inhabited by a Mutual Spirit! Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are 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. Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. There are no second class citizens in Christ’s kingdom! All are covered in his rich blood! All are inhabited by the Third Person of the Trinity! 1 Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Builded Together

Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

God started out to have a people to dwell with, and dwell in! (John 14:17). He chose a Gentile named Abraham from the Ur of the Chaldees. He made him the Father of the faithful (Romans 4:16). And from him came the Jewish culture, within which came “the seed,” which is Christ! Gal. 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And that seed, planted into death at Calvary brought forth the entire church – Jew and Gentile, slave or free, male or female! (John 14:24).

Pastor Gene Breed

ABRAHAM’S CITY

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

How sad it is to hear all of the religious quibble concerning ‘holy’ real estate which really should be directed towards God’s true city, the organism of the church! We’re not speaking of the ‘organization’ of the religious church, but, the spiritual, heaven sent, Spirit born, organism of the spirits of just men made perfect who have been brought to the general assembly and church of the firstborn! (Heb. 12:23). We speak of those seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus! (Eph. 2:6). This is what Abraham’s faith presented to him.

He certainly wasn’t looking for real estate, for he was content to dwelt in “the land of promise, as in a strange land!” Acts 7:5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: Abraham had to rent a place to pitch his tent in a plain which belonged to Mamre the Amorite! (Gen. 14:13). And he didn’t look to King David, nor Solomon to build a Jewish city! For Abraham was an uncircumcised Gentile!

Romans 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. The Holy Spirit, who gave Abraham the faith and the vision, clearly states that he was looking “for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God!”

And our passage, listed above, actually informs us (verse 15) that he was not even “mindful” of earthly plots of land! For this reason the true God of heaven and earth was not ashamed of him! – Surprising just how many today, who have not the faith and vision of Abraham, but that of Scofield, think that God is pleased with them! It’s no wonder that there is no more worship than there is in our churches!

For it is for those who desire a better country – that is – an Heavenly – of whom the Lord God is not ashamed and hath prepared for them A CITY! Abraham’s City is a God prepared city! It is city that can only be builded and made by God!

The problem with seeing Abraham’s City as he saw it is a matter of being born from above! 1 Corin. 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

For those who are not born from above by the Holy Spirit can neither see, nor enter, the spiritual city and kingdom of God! (John 3:3,5). Those with only the natural eye, read the facts of the Scriptures and must only draw mental conclusions. But those with both ears to hear and eyes to see, receive from the Lord of the Scriptures, spiritual revelation! Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The City’s Foundations

The True Church is a city with foundations! (Heb. 11:10). It has a double foundation like Solomon’s temple, which first had Mount Moriah, where Abraham offered up Isaac, and then it had the great and costly stones (1 Kings 5:17) that Solomon had cut and brought in.  For we read of the double foundation of the True Church, first in 1 Corinthians 3:11, For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. And then secondly, in  Ephesians 2:20, And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Mount Moriah is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, our True Foundation. It was not only the place of Isaac’s offering, but also of David’s altar built on the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite, to stop the angel of the Lord’s slaughter of his people! (1 Chron. 21:15,18).

2 Chron. 3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. In the threshing floor we can readily see Christ as our Bread, but also, as this is the place of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac, and David’s sacrifice,  we also clearly see Christ as the Lamb of God to take away sin!

From the Person of the Foundation Himself we read in Revelation 21:5, And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And from the second foundation of the apostles and prophets we have the witness of that which is made new!

The Prophet Isaiah saw these, like Abraham, by faith. He writes in Isaiah 65:17, For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. And again, in Isaiah 66:22, For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

Then we have the other part of this same foundation, for we have not only the “prophets,” making up this second portion of the foundation, but also the apostle’s writings. For the Apostle Peter, while looking for and hasting unto the second coming of the Lord,  states, Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 2:12,13). He was certainly looking for future glory in the realm of the presence of the Lord after His coming. But he was now looking for the realm of righteousness, which Abraham obtained by faith! Galatians 3:6  Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

For it was never possible for the blood of bulls and goats to put away one single sin! Sin was only put away by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ! but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Heb. 9:26).

And then in the Apostle John’s revelation, we read in Revelation 21:1, And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Then in Revelation 21:9, And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 Having the glory of God: How much clearer can it be? Heaven told John, “I am going to show you the Lamb’s wife; his bride!”  And what does he have revealed to him, but THAT GREAT CITY, THE HOLY JERUSALEM!

Galatians 4:25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. The earthly city is not the church. It is the spiritual, the heavenly Jerusalem, that speaks of the Lord dwelling with his people!

As we are instructed to look to Abraham, the father of the faithful, so we are now instructed to look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of faith! Is. Isaiah 51:1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. 2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. 3 For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Where we are Not come!

Hebrews 12:18  For ye are NOT come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

Where we Are come!

Hebrews 12:22 But ye ARE come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Pastor Gene Breed