STUDY : Ambassador or citizenship
Ambassador or Embassador: Webesters 1828
A minister of the highest rank employed by one prince or state, at the court of another, to manage the public concerns of his own prince or state, and representing the power and dignity of his sovereign. Embassadors are ordinary, when they reside permanently at a foreign court; or extraordinary, when they are sent on a special occasion. They are also called ministers. Envoys are ministers employed on special occasions, and are of less dignity.
LOOK UP AMBASSADOR IN THE 12 THEOLOGICAL BOOKS
CITIZEN:
Bullinger: a member of a city or state, citizen, freeman, belong to, connected with one’s city or country
Philippians 3:20 – WE ARE CITIZENS NOW
20 For our conversation (citizenship) is (exists even now) in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
citizenship: the being or result of being a member of a free city or state; citizenship, life as a citizen
Ephesians 2:19-22 – WE ARE FELLOWCITIZENS NOW
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.
Philippians 1:27-30
27 Only let your conversation (manner of life) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
JOINT HIER, HOUSEHOLD OF GOD
Heir – receiving a portion from an inheritance; an heir, one who has a lot, not one to whom a lot is allotted, because it is derived from the active but he hwho has the inheritance, the stress being laid on the possession.
INHERITANCE – PROPERTY, POSSESSION
TDNT: 3:768
WE ARE GOD’S PROPERTY HIS INHERITANCE
Numbers 18:20 – GOD WAS THIER INHERITANCE
20 And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.
Deuteronomy 32:9 – WE ARE GOD’S INHERITANCE
9 For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.
Psalms 33:12 – WE ARE HIS (GOD’S) CHOSEN INHERITANCE
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Deuteronomy 32:6-9 (ESV)- WE ARE GOD’S INHERITANCE, JUST AS HE GAVE INHERITANCE UNTO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL
6 Do you thus repay the Lord,
you foolish and senseless people?
Is not he your father, who created you,
who made you and established you?
7 Remember the days of old;
consider the years of many generations;
ask your father, and he will show you,
your elders, and they will tell you.
8 When the Most High gavAe to the nations their inheritance,
when he divided mankind,
he fixed the borders[a] of the peoples
according to the number of the sons of God.[b]
9 But the Lord’s portion is his people,
Jacob his allotted heritage.
Ephesians 1:11-14 – WE ARE ALLOTTED AS GOD’S OWN INHERITANCE (VERSE 13)
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance (to be a receiver of a portion ((Numbers 26:55)) of an inheritance, to obtain by lot), being predestinated (fore ordained) according to the purpose (of what one sets before his mind) of him who worketh (to be in work, active, energized) all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That (in order that) we should be to the praise (praise upon, applause, commendation, approbation) of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom (in whom ye were made an inheritance also; or allotted as God’s own inheritance) ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom (in whom ye were made an inheritance also; or allotted as God’s own inheritance) also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
OUR INHERITANCE/PROPERTY IS NOT BY LAW, IT’S BY PROMISE
Galatians 3:16-17 – IF INHERITANCE WAS GIVIN BY LAW THEN IT WOULD NO LONGER BE OF PROMISE
Galatians 3:16-17
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.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Genesis 17:1-7 – THE PROMISE MADE TO ABRAM AND GOD; GOD IS A GOD TO HIM, HIS SEED IN THIER GENERATIONS OR DURING THEIR TIME
Genesis 17:1-7
17 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
THE EARNEST (PLEDGE) OF OUR INHERITANCE OR PORTION IS THE HOLY SPIRIT OF THE PROMISE
Ephesians 1:11-14 –
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance (to be a receiver of a portion ((Numbers 26:55)) of an inheritance, to obtain by lot), being predestinated (fore ordained) according to the purpose (of what one sets before his mind) of him who worketh (to be in work, active, energized) all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That (in order that) we should be to the praise (praise upon, applause, commendation, approbation) of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom (in whom ye were made an inheritance also; or allotted as God’s own inheritance) ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom (in whom ye were made an inheritance also; or allotted as God’s own inheritance) also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
QUESTION: IF WE HAVE RECEIVED THE PORTION, THEN WHY DOES IT SPEAK ABOUT RECEIVING TH REWARD OF THE INHERITANCE??
COLOSSIANS 23-24
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
shall receive
2. to take again or back, to recover: Luke 6:34 [T Tr text WH λαβεῖν]; Luke 15:27; and to receive by way of retribution: Luke 18:30 (L text Tr marginal reading WH text λάβῃ); Luke 23:41; Romans 1:27; 2 John 1:8; Colossians 3:24.
conversation – Bullinger: to be a citizen (a member of a city or state, citizen, freeman, belong to, connected with one’s city or country) to have a certain form of government; hence, to govern of the state, to be governed.
(a) to be a free citizen, and live as such; to conduct one’s self according to tall laws and customs of a state, hence, to live, order one’s life and conduct.
Philippians 3:20 – WE ARE CITIZENS NOW
27 Only let your conversation (to be a citizen) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
conversation (being a member)
Bullinger: the being or the result of being a citizen (a member of a free city or state); citizenship, life as a citizen.
20 For our conversation (citizenship) is (exists even now) in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
citizenship: the being or result of being a member of a free city or state; citizenship, life as a citizen
QUESTION: CONVERSATION – what is it to be a member or a free citizen, what does God promise us, how are we to behave.
HEIR – receiving a portion from an inheritance an heir, one who has a lot, (not one to who a lot is allotted ((assigned, granted)) he who has the inheritance, stress being laid on the possession.
LOT – determination of a land
ALLOTED – assigned, granted
GOD’S PROMISED ABRAM THAT HE WOULD HAVE AN HEIR, AND THAT HIS SEEDS SHOULD BE NUMBERED AS THE STARS; ABRAM BELIEVED GOD AND IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Genesis 15:1-7
15 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
7 And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
GOD IS A GOD TO ABRAM AND TO HIS SEED IN THEIR GENERATION, AGE, TIME
Genisis 17:7
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
IF WE ARE CHRISTS, WE ARE ABRAHAMS SEED, AND IF ABRAHAMS SEED THEN HEIRS ACCORDING TO PROMISE
Galatians 3:22-29
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs (one who has a lot, from an inheritance) according to the promise.
WE ARE NO MORE SERVANTS BUT SONS, AND IF SONS THEN HEIRS
Galatians 4:4-7
4 But when the fulness (of which it is full) of the time was come (came), God sent forth his Son, made (to come into existence) of a woman, made (to come into existence) under the law,
5 To redeem (to buy out) them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons (sonships).
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit (new spiritual nature) of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more (no longer) a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir (receiving a lot from an inheritance) of (through) God through Christ.
HEIRS – TDNT – 3: 767, 422
FELLOWCITIZENS – EPHESIANS 2:19
EPHESIANS 1:11, OUR INHERITANCE… DOES CHAPTER 2 TALK ABOUT OUR INHERITANCE?? THAT WE ARE SAVED AND THAT WE SIT TOGETHER IN THE HEAVENLIES??
PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD
BLESSED US WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS – EPHESIANS 1
PREDESTINATED US INTO THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN – EPHESIANS 1
SEALED – EPHESIANS 1:13, EPHESIANS 4:30, MATTHEW. 27:66, JOHN 3:33, 2 CORINTHIANS 1:22, REVELATION 7:3
KINGDOM OF GOD, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, KINGDOM OF HIS DEAR SON….
JOIN
SEALED
Ephesians 1:3-14 – WE WERE SEALED (A SEAL AFFIXED, IMPLIES POSSESSION, OR SECURITY AS WELL AS BEING A DISTINCTIVE MARK) WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT WHICH IS THE PLEDGE OF OUR INHERITANCE.
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.