Stewardship and Dispensations:

The Significance of Οικονομός and Οικονομία

The sixty-six books of the Bible span thousands of years of human history and beyond. They begin before God created man and end with the creation of new heavens and a new earth where righteousness settles down and feels at ease^[1]. Within the pages of the Bible, we see changes in God’s relationship and standard for mankind and the failure of mankind to live up to God’s expectation, which ultimately brings judgment. In the Garden of Eden, Adam was not allowed to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil^[2]. Upon eating the fruit from this tree, his spirit was separated from God^[3], he became subject to physical death, and he was expelled from the garden^[4]. Having been expelled from the garden, God’s expectation for humans was for them to properly govern the manner of their lives by the knowledge of good and evil, now that they possessed it. However, again, men failed, and God judged the earth by bringing a flood^[5]. After the flood, God instructed Noah that men are to govern themselves and that capital punishment is to be implemented^[6]. Again, men fail to follow God’s instruction, reject God, and seek their own way. Therefore, God brought judgment and forced man to separate and spread across the earth^[7]. This judgment brought about multiple languages and the division of the continents, which caused man to spread out across the earth^[8].  Having scattered man across the face of the earth, God then approaches Abram and ultimately offers him four covenants^[9]. These covenants included a promise of land that Abraham and his descendants […]

Salvation

Salvation comes by faith through grace. Today a person is saved by believing that Christ died for their sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4¹. God is offering salvation by grace, not works2. Grace is God’s attitude whereby He gives a benefit without the consideration of merit. In other words, you cannot earn salvation because God is not offering salvation based upon works, who you are, or even who you will become – no merit is considered3. What God requires for salvation is that you take Him at His Word. Faith is the undergirding4 of that which is hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds5 not seen and is always based upon a promise6. Direct faith at Christ through the facts of the good news by which we are saved (believing that He died for your […]

The Definition of Sin Revealed

Spirit Beings (The Other Created Intelligent Beings in the Universe)

The Different Types of Spirit Beings

Cherubim

The highest order of the spirit beings. There are ones with four faces, two faces, and one face. Ezekiel 10:1 -22.

Seraphim

These spirit beings are seen around the throne of God and described as having six wings. Isaiah 6:2, 6; Revelation 4:8

Angels

This rank of spirit beings are the messengers. They are involved in the day to day activities of both heaven and earth. 1 Kings 19-23: Daniel 10:13; Hebrews 1:14

Satan

Satan is a Cherub whose name was Lucifer¹ Satan is at this time the god of this age.² He is the originator and keeper of the world system.³ He is an adversary of Christians.⁴ He still has access to the third heaven were he goes before God and accuses the brethren.⁵

Creation of Spirit Beings

All Spirit beings were created in one act and were created fully mature.⁶

Present Duties of the Unfallen Angels

The angels that did not fall presently minister to the heirs of salvation.⁷ They are the messengers of God.⁸ They carry out the judgments of God.⁹ They protect God’s People.¹⁰

The Fallen Angels

One third of the angels fell with Satan.¹¹ They are presently known as demons.¹² They have […]

The Origin and Nature of Humans

The Origin of Humans

Adam was both formed from the dust of the earth and created out of nothing by God¹. Adam’s body was created out of the dust of the earth and his soul and spirit were created out of nothing². Adam was created; all other humans were procreated from Adam and Eve³. When Adam was created, he was created in the likeness and the image of God⁴. Adam was created complete and in the likeness of God immediately without process.

The Body, the Soul, and the Spirit

Humans are tri-partite⁵. They have a body, which is the physical flesh. They have a soul, which is the center of his emotions⁶. They also have  a spirit, which is the part of them that is able to rationalize⁷. The place where these three parts come together is referred to as the heart, which is where the determinate will of a human is formed⁸.

The Present Condition of Unsaved Humans

All humans possess a sin nature and are totally depraved⁹. All unsaved are spiritually separated from God, because of Adam’s trespass and sin. They all physically die because of Adam’s sin¹⁰. They are not able to receive the things from the Spirit of God because their minds have been darkened¹¹. The Gospel for salvation is foolishness to them and their minds have been darkened to this Gospel¹².

The Present Condition of Saved Humans

Saved humans still possess a fallen nature. However, they also possess a new nature, which is a quality of the Divine Nature