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The Church Built By Jesus Christ In The New testament - Lesson 1

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Lesson 1: The Church Planned by God Before the Creation of the Universe

Key Passage: Ephesians 3:9–11

“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”

Introduction

The concept of the church is often misunderstood—even among believers. To many, it appears to be an afterthought, a temporary institution until Christ returns, or merely a human denomination among many. But the Scriptures teach otherwise. The church was not an accident. It was not a substitute for a failed plan. It was not an invention of man. It was part of God's eternal purpose, rooted in divine wisdom before the world began. This lesson reveals how the church was foreordained by God, fully integrated into His redemptive plan through Christ, and meant to manifest His manifold wisdom.

Historical Context

The apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians while imprisoned in Rome (circa A.D. 60–62), revealing the mystery that had been hidden from ages and generations (Col. 1:26). In a Roman world filled with idol temples and imperial worship, Paul lifts the veil on the true plan of God: a spiritual body called the church, made up of both Jew and Gentile, and planned from eternity past. This truth would shock religious minds then—and now.

Paul’s emphasis in Ephesians 3 is that this church was not an improvisation. It was not a reaction to Israel’s failure. It was always in the mind of God, and is the crowning display of His wisdom and purpose through Christ.

Biblical Context

The surrounding context of Ephesians 3 confirms the grand scope of God’s purpose:

  • Ephesians 1:4–5 – “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world... having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself...”
  • Ephesians 2:13–16 – Christ reconciled both Jews and Gentiles in “one body” by the cross.
  • Ephesians 3:6 – “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body...”
  • Ephesians 5:23–25 – Christ is “the saviour of the body,” which He “loved” and “gave himself for.”

Thus, the context presents the church as central to God's plan—not peripheral.

Greek Exegesis: "Eternal Purpose" (Eph. 3:11)

Greek: πρόθεσιν τῶν αἰώνων (prothesin tōn aiōnōn)

  • πρόθεσιν (prothesin) – purpose, plan, intention.
  • τῶν αἰώνων (tōn aiōnōn) – of the ages, literally “of eternity” or “from eternal ages.”

Commentary:

The phrase “eternal purpose” means God’s plan concerning the church precedes time itself. It is not “reactionary theology” but “revelation theology.” This forever silences the idea that the church was a backup plan due to Israel's rejection of Jesus.

Full Scripture Cross-Referencing

  1. 2 Timothy 1:9 – “Who hath saved us... according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”
  2. Romans 8:28–30 – “...called according to his purpose... whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate...”
  3. Titus 1:2 – “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.”

Doctrinal Note:

The plan of salvation and the church were never separate. The church is not an optional association—it is the body of the saved.

Doctrinal Significance & Application

  • The church is not one of many institutions; it is God's one true body through which salvation is made known and unity is achieved.
  • To belittle, ignore, or replace the church with denominational systems is to oppose God's eternal purpose.
  • We must love, value, and remain faithful to the church—not only because of what it is, but because of when and why it was purposed.

Modern Application:

In a world of “choose your own church” theology, Christians must look for to what God planned—not what man invented. We are not free to redefine what God purposed.

⚠ Refutation of False Doctrines

✘False View #1: The church was a substitute for Israel’s failure.
📖Refuted by: Ephesians 3:11; 2 Timothy 1:9
✔Truth: The church was part of God’s eternal purpose—not an interruption of prophecy but its fulfillment in Christ.

✘False View #2: The church began because of Pentecost, not prophecy.
📖Refuted by: Isaiah 2:2–3; Daniel 2:44; Joel 2:28–32 → Acts 2
✔Truth: The church did not originate at Pentecost—it was already in God's eternal plan. Pentecost was the day God publicly revealed and established it.

✘False View #3: One can be saved outside the church.
📖Refuted by: Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:23
✔Truth: Christ adds the saved into the church. One cannot be “in Christ” but “outside His body.”

Conclusion and Exhortation

From eternity past, God purposed a people—a church—through whom He would reveal His wisdom, unite the divided, redeem the lost, and glorify His Son. That church is not an organization of men, but a divine institution. It is not made of brick and mortar, but of redeemed souls. And you, dear reader, were always part of that plan—if you obey the Gospel and remain faithful.

Exhortation:

Let us esteem the church not lightly, but reverently. Let us not forsake her assemblies, compromise her doctrine, or imitate the world. Let us proclaim her glories and defend her truth. For in loving the church, we are honoring the eternal purpose of God.

“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
— Ephesians 3:21 (KJV)

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Aralin 1: Ang Iglesia ay Pinagplanuhan ng Dios Bago Lalangin ang Sanlibutan

Pangunahing Talata: Efeso 3:9–11

"At maipakita sa lahat ng mga tao kung ano ang pagiging katiwala sa hiwaga na sa lahat ng panahon ay inilihim ng Dios na lumalang ng lahat ng mga bagay; Upang ngayo'y sa pamamagitan ng iglesia, ay maipakikilala sa mga pamunuan at sa mga kapangyarihan sa sangkalangitan ang kapuspusan ng karunungan ng Dios, Ayon sa panukalang walang hanggan na ipinanukala kay Cristo Jesus na Panginoon natin:"

Panimula

Ang konsepto ng iglesia ay madalas na hindi lubos na nauunawaan—kahit ng ilan sa mga mananampalataya. Para sa karamihan, ito’y tila isang pansamantalang organisasyon, isang hakbang na pamalit sa kabiguan ng Israel na tanggapin si Jesus bilang Mesiyas, o isang denominasyong gawa ng tao. Ngunit iba ang itinuturo ng Banal na Kasulatan. Ang iglesia ay hindi isang aksidente. Hindi ito kapalit sa isang nabigong plano. Hindi ito imbensyon ng tao. Ito ay bahagi ng walang hanggang panukala ng Dios, na nakaugat sa Kanyang karunungan bago pa lalangin ang sanlibutan. Ipinapakita ng araling ito kung paanong ang iglesia ay pinagplanuhan ng Dios, ito’y ganap na bahagi ng Kanyang panukala ng katubusan sa pamamagitan ni Cristo, at itinatag upang ihayag ang kapuspusan ng karunungan ng Dios.

Konteksto ng Kasaysayan Ng Paksa

Sumulat si Apostol Pablo sa mga taga-Efeso habang nakabilanggo sa Roma (bandang A.D. 60–62), na inihayag ang hiwagang inilihim mula pa noong maraming henerasyon (Col. 1:26). Sa panahong ang mundo ng Romano ay punô ng pagsamba sa mga diyus-diyosan at sa emperador, ibinunyag ni Pablo ang tunay na plano ng Dios: isang espirituwal na katawan na tinawag na iglesia, binubuo ng mga Judio at mga Hentil, at pinagplanuhan mula pa sa walang hanggan. Ang katotohanang ito ay ikinagulat ng mga relihiyosong tao noon—at maging sa ngayon.

Ang diin ni Pablo sa Efeso 3 ay ito: ang iglesia ay hindi isang biglaang hakbang. Hindi ito tugon sa kabiguan ng Israel. Ito’y laging nasa isipan ng Dios, at dito itinakda ang sukdulang kapahayagan ng Kanyang karunungan at layunin sa pamamagitan ni Cristo.

Kontekstong Biblikal

Ang nakapaligid na mga talata sa Efeso 3 ay nagpapatibay sa lawak ng layunin ng Dios:

  • Efeso 1:4–5 – “Ayon sa pagkapili niya sa atin sa kaniya bago itinatag ang sanglibutan,… Na tayo'y itinalaga niya nang una pa sa pagkukupkop na tulad sa mga anak sa pamamagitan ni Jesucristo…”
  • Efeso 2:13–16 – Pinagkasundo ni Cristo ang mga Judio at Hentil sa “isang katawan” sa pamamagitan ng krus.
  • Efeso 3:6 – “Na ang mga Gentil ay mga tagapagmana, at mga kasangkap ng katawan,...”
  • Efeso 5:23–25 – Si Cristo ay “Tagapagligtas ng katawan,” na “inibig Niya” at “ibinigay ang Kanyang sarili dahil dito.”

Kaya’t ang konteksto ay maliwanag: ang iglesia ay sentro ng plano ng Dios—hindi “panakip-butas” o idinagdag na pansamantala lamang.

Pag-aaral sa Salitang Griyego na Ginamit: "Walang Hanggang Panukala" (Efeso 3:11)

Griyego: πρόθεσιν τῶν αἰώνων (prothesin tōn aiōnōn)

  • πρόθεσιν (prothesin) – panukala, layunin, balak.
  • τῶν αἰώνων (tōn aiōnōn) – ng mga kapanahunan, literal na “mula sa walang hanggan.”

✍Doktrinang dapat Tandaan:

Ang katagang “panukalang walang hanggan” ay nangangahulugan na ang plano ng Dios ukol sa iglesia ay nauna pa sa pag-iral ng panahon. Hindi ito “teolohiyang tugon” kundi “teolohiyang kapahayagan.” Sinasawata nito ang anumang ideya na ang iglesia ay panakip lamang sa pagkabigo ng Israel na kilalanin si Jesus bilang Mesiyas.

📖 Buong Pagpapatibay mula sa Kasulatan

  1. 2 Timoteo 1:9 – “Na siyang sa atin ay nagligtas… ayon sa kaniyang sariling akala at biyaya, na ibinigay sa atin kay Cristo Jesus buhat pa ng mga panahong walang hanggan.”
  2. Roma 8:28–30 – “...niyaong mga tinawag alinsunod sa kaniyang nasa. Sapagka't yaong mga nang una pa'y kaniyang nakilala, ay itinalaga naman niya...”
  3. Tito 1:2 – “Sa pagasa sa buhay na walang hanggan, na ipinangako ng Dios na di makapagsisinungaling buhat pa ng mga panahong walang hanggan;”

✍Doktrinang dapat Tandaan:

Ang plano ng kaligtasan at ang iglesia ay hindi kailanman magkahiwalay. Ang iglesia ay hindi opsyonal—ito ay ang katawan ng mga ligtas.

✍Mahalagang Aral at Aplikasyon

  • Ang iglesia ay hindi isa sa maraming institusyon ng tao; ito ay nag-iisang tunay na katawan ng Dios kung saan ipinahahayag ang kaligtasan at pagkakaisa.
  • Ang hamakin o maliitin, ipagwalang-bahala, o palitan ang iglesia ng mga denominasyong gawa ng tao ay tahasang pagsalungat sa panukala ng Dios.
  • Dapat nating ibigin, pahalagahan, at manatiling tapat sa iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo ayon sa panukala ng Dios—hindi lang dahil sa kung ano ito, kundi dahil sa kung kailan at bakit ito itinatag.

👉Pangkasalukuyang Aplikasyon:

Sa isang mundo na may "piliin ang gusto mong iglesia" na mentalidad, ang mga Kristiyano ay dapat tumungo lamang sa plano ng Dios, hindi sa mga imbensyon ng tao. Wala tayong karapatan o kapamahalaan na magtakda ng sarili nating pakahulugan sa iglesia.

⚠ Pagpapabulaan sa mga Maling Aral

✘Maling Aral #1: Ang iglesia ay kapalit lamang sa kabiguan ng Israel.
📖 Pinabulaanan ng: Efeso 3:11; 2 Timoteo 1:9
✔Katotohanan: Ang iglesia ay bahagi ng walang hanggang panukala ng Dios—hindi pagkakansela ng hula kundi katuparan nito kay Cristo.

✘Maling Aral #2: Ang iglesia ay nagsimula lamang sa Pentecostes, hindi bahagi ng hula.
📖 Pinabulaanan ng: Isaias 2:2–3; Daniel 2:44; Joel 2:28–32 → Gawa 2
✔ Katotohanan: Ang iglesia ay ipinakita o inihayag sa Pentecostes ngunit ito’y pinagplanuhan na ng Dios bago pa man ang panahon.

✘Maling Aral #3: Maaaring maligtas kahit wala sa iglesia.
📖 Pinabulaanan ng: Gawa 2:47; Efeso 5:23
✔Katotohanan: Si Cristo ang nagdadagdag ng mga ligtas sa iglesia. Walang sinuman ang maaaring "nasa kay Cristo" ngunit "wala sa Kanyang katawan."

✍Konklusyon at Panawagan

Mula sa walang hanggan, pinanukala ng Dios ang isang bayan—ang iglesia—na magiging tagapagdala ng Kanyang karunungan, pagkakaisa, pagtubos, at kaluwalhatian sa Kanyang Anak. Ang iglesia ay hindi samahang gawa ng tao, kundi institusyong banal. Hindi ito gusaling bato kundi binubuô ng mga tinubos. At ikaw, mahal na mambabasa, ay bahagi ng panukalang ito—kung tatalima ka sa Ebanghelyo at mananatiling tapat.

Panawagan:

Igalang natin ang iglesiang pinanukala ng Dios bilang banal. Huwag nating pabayaan ang pagtitipon, o baguhin ang doktrina, o tularan ang sanlibutan. Ihayag natin ang kanyang kaluwalhatian at ipagtanggol ang kanyang katotohanan. Sapagkat sa pag-ibig natin sa iglesia, gaya ng pag-ibig dito ni Cristo (Efeso 5:25), ating pinararangalan ang walang hanggang panukala ng Dios.

“Sa kaniya nawa ang kaluwalhatian sa iglesia at kay Cristo Jesus sa buong panahon magpakailan kailan man. Siya nawa.” — Efeso 3:21

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#Church #ChurchOfGod #ChurchInTheBible #EternalPurpose #GodsPlan #BibleDoctrine #ChurchOfChrist #NewTestamentChurch #IglesiaSaBibliya #WalangHanggangPanukala #PlanoNgDios #TunayNaIglesia #AralNgBibliya

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