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REQUIRED FOR A STEWARD TO BE FAITHFUL I Corinthians 4:1-2 (March 1, 8, 2026 - Sundays) Paul said, stewards are expected to be faithful to their masters. Paul applies this principle to the mysteries of God. During the first century in the ancient times, there were slaves who were promoted in a high position over other servants and were trusted to be in charge and responsible of their master’s own property and household because they were reliable, trusted, smart servant. So, this principle has been practiced as every servant does not have to worry what other servants think of him, but have to be worry what his master thinks. The servants did not have to please the other servants, because every servant is going to stand to his own master as Paul illustrates that principle in Romans 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” this emphasizes personal accountability for actions, words, and thoughts. Rather than judging others over disputable matters (like diet or special days), believers are urged to focus on their own standing before God. This reminds us of individual responsibility that each person is accountable to God for their own choices, not the choices of others. Romans 14:10-12 notes that all will stand before Judgment seat of Christ.
Who will be our exact human example for this principle of faithful stewardship? Illustration of faithful stewardship: Joseph of the Old Testament The master Potiphar observed Joseph as a Noble, honest, hard worker, diligent and reliable servant. Potiphar thinks that Joseph is someone who was a trustworthy of taking care of everything that he had. So, Potiphar promoted Joseph to be steward of everything he owned. That is why, Potiphar put all of his property and trusted Joseph to be the manager including all of his multitude of money. Faithfulness was a quality of character that Joseph had that Potiphar did not notice to other servants. Jesus speaks about the faithful wise stewards who was promoted to be a trusted care taker of his master. Parable of Stewardship:
What is the importance of watching and waiting being ready for the return of Jesus Christ? Luke 12:42 “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?” The lesson emphasis here is that Jesus is teaching that church leaders and believers in general must responsibly care for the church or God’s people (the “household”) while waiting for the return of Christ, emphasizing service over complacency. The context of verse 42 follows Jesus’ teaching on being ready for His return. The parable highlights that true readiness is not passive waiting, but active service. We have the lesson here about the contrasts of the faithful steward with an unfaithful one, warning that much is required from those to whom much is given, and judgment will be based on how they managed their responsibilities. In short, it is a call to diligent, active ministry and faithful service while awaiting the second coming of Christ.
What is the blessing of faithfully doing the duty when Jesus comes back? Luke 12:43 “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” In verse 43, Jesus is speaking about the blessed steward, who while his master is away, is very reliable, honest and trusted that when his master returns, the servant knows that he will be found faithful taking good care of his master’s goods. The master or the lord in the parable represents Jesus Christ, and the servant represents believers or followers of Christ entrusted with responsibilities in God's kingdom. This verse emphasizes the blessing of being found faithfully performing one’s duty when Jesus returns. It highlights stewardship, readiness, and the joy of approval from Christ, promising rewards for diligence and service during his absence. The words “so doing” refers to active, diligent service—specifically, caring for the "household" (community of believers) by feeding and caring for others, rather than just passively waiting. The verse stresses that the return of Jesus Christ is unexpected, making consistent, everyday faithfulness essential. The essence of this verse is that it encourages Christians to live with an eternal perspective, ensuring their actions reflect their devotion when Christ returns.
How Christian accountability is proportionate to privilege and knowledge? Luke 12:48 “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” The Lord Jesus concludes on this parable about stewardship regarding the principle that whosoever has been committed much to their care to watch, much will be required of that steward. It means, that valuable things or household of their master were entrusted to the stewards, that stewards are accountable for what they do with those valuable things and household owned by their master. Jesus teaches that those blessed with more resources, talents, or understanding of God’s will are expected to produce greater results, stating, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” The context is following a parable about faithful stewards; Jesus explains that church leaders and those with deeper knowledge of the Gospel are held to a higher standard of accountability. There is here the principle of responsibility, the words "Much is given" refers to blessings like time, wealth, talents, or spiritual knowledge. "Much is required" means God expects these gifts to be used for His kingdom. We also learned here knowledge vs. ignorance as we see the contrasts of the punishment of a disobedient servant who knew his master’s will with one who did not. While both are punished, the one with less knowledge receives "few stripes". Application: It serves as a reminder to be faithful stewards of our gifts, warning against complacency or wasting the opportunities God has given us. Essentially, this verse is a call to action: with great blessing comes great responsibility.
What Jesus says about being unfaithful stewards? Luke 16:1-2 “And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.” The context, Jesus tells this to his disciples regarding stewardship. This verse introduces the Parable of the shrewd manager, where a rich man discovers his manager is mismanaging or wasting his possessions. It sets up a lesson on stewardship, that Christians are encouraged to be as shrewd or wise with their earthly resources as worldly people are with theirs, focusing wisely for eternal, kingdom purposes rather than acting dishonestly. This parable emphasizes using "worldly wealth" to secure a heavenly future. This steward was not faithful because instead of taking good care of his master’s property, he was wasting those things owned by his master. So, the rich man or master called the steward and told him why he is dishonest in handling the resources of his master. And because of that he instructed the steward to give account of his stewardship for he may no longer be steward. Jesus uses this to teach us a lesson that earthly resources are not ours, but God’s, and we will be held accountable for our stewardship of them. Essentially, it teaches that all possessions belong to God, and believers are temporary managers of those resources. What lessons we have to learn about stewardship? Lessons we learned about stewardship: An average servant who was diligent, honest, hard worker, dependable and faithful might be promoted to a position entrusted to take care of his master’s goods.
What is the most required for a steward? That was the kind of servant, a steward that Paul is talking about in I Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” A Steward must be faithful. This verse emphasizes that those managing God's message (stewards) must be reliable, trustworthy, and loyal to the Lord above all else. It defines success not by worldly fruitfulness, but by unwavering dedication to God's truth. What is the role of the steward? A steward is a manager or servant (Greek “oikonomos”) entrusted with the Master’s goods or message. What is the requirement? Faithfulness is the primary, non-negotiable requirement, meaning reliability and trustworthiness. What is the context of this passage? Paul explains that he and other teachers are not to be judged by human standards but by their faithfulness to God’s gospel. What is the application? Generally, it calls followers to manage their time, talents, and treasures according to God’s, not men's, standards. Some character traits of a Faithful steward:
What is the important quality of Steward? It’s good to be talented and gifted servant, but the most important ability is reliability or dependability. The important quality of faithfulness. It is hard to find good, loyal and faithful workers. Faithfulness is an important quality for someone to be in charge of something very valuable and important. Faithfulness is a very common principle that nobody would dispute and one might argue that faithfulness perhaps is the most important quality. Even in today’s business world, good, loyal, dedicated and faithful workers is hard to find. We see the principle that it is required for a steward to be faithful in our passage I Corinthians 4. The believers in Corinth were glorying in the various leaders in the assembly by putting up Paul, Apollos or Peter on pedestals. Paul spent three chapters dealing with this problem. What is the problem to be avoided by Corinthians in stewardship? Avoid glory in man. I Corinthians 3:21 “Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;” Don’t glory in man because only God deserves all the glory and the church leaders deserves the glory. This teaches that believers should not divide themselves by obsessively following specific human teachers (like Paul, Apollos, or Cephas). Instead, because believers belong to Christ, they possess all spiritual resources, making boasting in men foolish.
where members were claiming allegiance to different leaders. Paul argues that magnifying human teachers is petty and worldly.
in the world because they belong to Christ. This includes, as verse 22 mentions, Paul, Apollos, the world, life, death, the present, and the future. We are all equal servants
to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. We are all belongs to God in Christ
gifts of specific leaders, who are merely servants. Nothing to glory in men, we are all same servants of Christ. In short, 1 Corinthians 3:21 calls for unity by reminding Christians that they are not limited to one leader; rather, they inherit all things through their union with Christ. We are one in Christ.
What the church ought to think of church leaders? What church ought to think of church leaders. First, Paul knocks down church leaders off the pedestals that Corinthians congregation had placed them on. I Corinthians 4:1 “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” What we ought to think of church leaders:
What were the Mystery truths (all have to do with the body of Christ, the church) What were the mystery truths?
The mystery hidden from Old Testament saints but revealed in the New Testament is the formation of the Church as the Body of Christ, where Gentiles are fellow heirs with Jews in one united body through the gospel. This "Christ in you" (Colossians 1:26-27) represents a spiritual union, not merely prophecy fulfillment, and was kept secret until revealed to apostles like Paul.
The mystery in Ephesians 3 is the formerly hidden, now revealed truth that through the gospel, Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus alongside Jews. This unites previously divided groups into one new humanity, giving them equal standing and access to God.
The "mystery" of the current dispensation of grace is that resurrected Christ indwells believers ("Christ in you, the hope of glory") through the Holy Spirit forming a direct, spiritual union. This previously hidden truth makes believers members of His Body, the Church.
The "mystery" is that Christian marriage is a profound, earthly parable of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Husbands are called to sacrificial, covenant love (like Christ, who gave His life), while wives represent the church, responding with respect and submission.
The rapture, defined as Christ taking the Church to heaven, is considered a "mystery" (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) not revealed in the Old Testament, but disclosed in the New Testament to Paul. It involves the living and dead believers being caught up (1 Thessalonians 4:17) to meet the Lord, distinct from the Second Coming to Earth.
The "mystery" in Colossians 1:26-27 refers to a previously hidden truth now revealed: Christ dwells within believers (both Jews and Gentiles) as the "hope of glory". This indwelling signifies that Jesus resides inside believers via the Holy Spirit, offering spiritual power and a guarantee of future glory.
Notice that all of this mystery truths mentioned have to do with the body of Christ, the church.
These mysteries were the deep things of God not because they were complicated or hard to understand but because they were hidden away for ages and centuries in the mind and heart of the Lord. But now these mysteries were revealed in the New Testament, the body of Christ, and these mysteries was separate and distinct from anything God had never done in the past.
What we should not think of the mysteries?
Mystery truths are these wonderful, marvelous, new revelations that God gave to Paul and other New Testament prophets recorded for us in the New Testament that have to do with our relationship with the risen glorified Savior.
Who was God’s instrument for the revelation of this mystery truths? God chose to reveal these marvelous truths while Paul was out in the Arabian desert. Galatians 1:15-17 “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.” In this passage, Paul explains that after his conversion, he did not immediately consult with human leaders but went to the Arabian desert. There, he received direct, divine revelation from Jesus Christ regarding the gospel message, allowing him to prepare for his ministry to the Gentiles. Paul emphasizes that the gospel he preached was not learned from men, but a divine revelation revealed to him by Jesus Christ. There is a separation and preparation for Paul because shortly after his calling, Paul retreated from Jerusalem to Arabia (desert / wilderness area) to receive this divine instruction, a period often associated with personal, spiritual preparation. By not immediately going to the apostles in Jerusalem, Paul demonstrated that his authority and message came directly from God, not from human tradition. Paul’s ministry was focus on the gospel of grace: During this time, Paul likely solidified the message of salvation by grace through faith rather than through the Mosaic law. This period of solitude allowed Paul to transition from a persecutor to an Apostle, as he was taught by Christ Himself rather than by men.
Other apostles knew Jesus when He offered Himself as the King and Jewish Messiah of Israel’s Kingdom, but Paul knew not Christ that way, because Paul first met the Lord on the road to Damascus when he was confronted with the risen, glorified God-man, the head of the church.
How does the mystery of truths come to us? The Lord Jesus apprehended Paul and taken him into the Arabian desert. God gave Paul the marvelous, wonderful truths revelations that Paul recorded in his 13 epistles for our learning and for our admonition. And these truths which has to do with the body of Christ, the church is what the New Testament refers to as the mysteries.
To whom these mysteries hidden? They were mysteries hidden from Old Testament saints but should not be mysteries to us. The "mystery" hidden from Old Testament (OT) saints refers to the revelation of salvation through Christ and the inclusion of Gentiles as fellow heirs in one body, previously concealed but now disclosed. I Corinthians 4:1 “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” Paul and other New Testament servants referring to context namely Apollos and Peter were stewards or guardians of the mysteries, which is these wonderful, marvelous new truths. It is now made manifest to God's holy people (saints), like you and me.
Does God revealed and entrusted only these marvelous truths to those who are willing to preach the gospel? I Corinthians 9:17 “For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.” Paul is saying that it doesn’t matter whether he feel like doing it, whether Paul is willing or he is not willing to preach it, no matter how severe the persecution, God called him to be His steward and was entrusted these marvelous truths that is why Paul is committed to preaching these marvelous truths that was committed unto His watch care. Paul is not necessarily saying he is unwilling, but that even if he were, the obligation to preach remains. Paul explains that while voluntary preaching brings a reward, he preaches out of obligation as a steward entrusted with the gospel. Paul views his ministry as a divine obligation or trust given by God, rather than a voluntary task. Notice the words “dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.” It means God gave this stewardship to Paul. God made known or revealed to Paul the mystery truths about the body of Christ. So, Paul was entrusted with these marvelous truths.
What God put us in trust? I Thessalonians 2:4 “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”e God had put Paul in trust with the gospel of Christ who died for the sins of the whole world. The context is that Paul defends his ministry against charges of manipulation, asserting that his ministry aims for divine approval. It emphasizes that Paul’s ministry was focused on faithfulness to God's message rather than seeking human approval or personal gain. The Gospel is a sacred trust ("entrusted") given by God, requiring responsible, truthful proclamation. Motivation of Paul is that his goal is to please God, who examines the motives ("tests our hearts") rather than focusing on popularity or pleasing people.
What was that stewardship that was committed to Paul and to us? Colossians 1:25 “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;” The stewardship to preach the mysteries was committed to Paul and also committed to all the other preachers of the gospel. These truths have been committed to us, entrusted to us. We are stewards to take care of the truths, to preach the truths and to proclaim these truths. This verse highlights Paul’s role as a minister (servant) of the church, the body of Christ, appointed by God to fully proclaim the complete word of God—specifically the mystery of "Christ in you, the hope of glory". He emphasizes his divine stewardship to bring this message to the Gentiles.
Was Paul the only steward? I Corinthians 4:1 “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” Notice the words “us” and “stewards” were plural. It means Paul was not the only steward. Paul was not the only one responsible to take care and proclaim these truths. Any Teacher, bible teacher, Pastor is responsible to be a steward of the mysteries of God.
What is the most required of the Lord? I Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Faithfulness is the most required of the Lord. The mystery of truths has been entrusted to us by God, so God expects the one to whom He has entrusted these very valuables of our master’s household which is the body of Christ, the church to be faithful in preaching these truths. Paul wrote to the Corinthians believers who were forming little groups around their favorite bible teachers, some like Paul, some like Apollos and some like Cephas or Peter. Among these favorite stewards who they thought was the most popular, who was the most talented, who was the most gifted, who was the most eloquent. But that is not the issue. The only issue is that we are all stewards of these marvelous truths and the real issue is who is faithful to convey theses deep things of God, these marvelous truths about who Jesus is, about Christ death, burial, and resurrection, about Christ position in heaven as our Lord and Savior? Who among them is faithful in communicating these truths to others?
How leaders ought to be evaluated? I Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” If these Corinthians were to judge their favorite church leaders, it should not be who is more eloquent, who is smarter, who is more talented or gifted. Paul is telling us in all of his epistles that these truths should be faithfully taught by others. I Corinthians 4:1 “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” Christians have to view church leaders not as celebrities or rivals, but as humble "servants of Christ" (hypēretēs—under-rowers or attendants) and trustworthy "stewards of God's mysteries" (oikonomos—managers of a household). Paul emphasizes that leaders are accountable only to God for faithfulness, not to human judgment.
Who are God’s stewards that has the responsibility to proclaim these wonderful truths in local church today?
Titus 1:7 “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God;” Every church leader is a steward of the mystery. Paul writes to Titus and gives him some qualifications for elders. It says that a bishop, who is in the office of an overseer or an elder, or pastor, must be blameless as stewards of God. Today leaders of the church, not only the apostles of the first century, but also elders and pastors in local churches today are also stewards of God. God committed these marvelous truths that is why it was their responsibility to cling to these wonderful truths and they must be faithful stewards to proclaim unto them, to protect them. Being overseer over the flock of God, these elders, or pastors as stewards of God are to feed the flock of God, they are to feed those wonderful truths that are most pertinent in the age of grace. The bishop or the overseer as "God's steward" does not own the church or the people of the church. But the bishop or elders is in charge of their spiritual nourishment, growth and behavior. God's steward must see that the household of God (church) is cared for and looked after and that their energies and lives are directed to the will of the Master. The steward must do the will of the Master, carrying out His Word without any deviation whatsoever. The steward was appointed by “the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers,” Acts 20:28; “ for the work whereunto I have called them.” Acts 13:2, and accountable to the Owner being God, Titus 1:7; and the “house” being His “sheep”, the body of Christ, the believers. Other uses of "steward" (or "stewardship") give us a good picture of what God expects from the overseer. Thus, a steward must not reckless or foolish manner what has been entrusted to him (Luke 16:1-2), which in Titus 1:7 would refer to the care of God’s sheep. In context of our passage in I Corinthians 4:1-2, Paul described himself, Apollos, and Cephas as “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” adding that “Moreover it is required of stewards that one be found faithful (“pistos” means dependable, reliable, faithful – I Corinthians 4:1-2).
I Timothy 3:9 “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.” The context is about a qualification (I Timothy 3:8-13) for deacons (servants) in the church, but the principle applies to all believers—faith must be accompanied by a clear, blameless lifestyle. Part of the qualifications for deacons, states "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience". It requires church leaders to deeply understand and adhere to the core doctrines of the Gospel (the "mystery") while maintaining high moral integrity and a clear, sincere conscience. The deacons were expected to hold to these mystery truths about the body of Christ and to do so with a pure conscience.
How can a deacon hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience? The mystery of the faith refers to Christian truth. "The faith" is that whole body of truth that we believe (Jude 3). The "mystery of the faith" is more specific and involves those aspects of the faith that relate to church truth (compare 1 Timothy 3:14-16). A deacon must have the right concept of the local church. He must see the local assembly as God sees it--a living organism under the sovereign Headship and Lordship of Christ. This phrase "Holding the Mystery of the Faith" refers to understanding and firmly adhering to the truths of Christianity, particularly the gospel of Jesus Christ, which was previously hidden but is now revealed. It signifies holding onto sound doctrine. Notice the phrase "In a Pure Conscience" emphasizes that a leader's inward life and moral actions must match their public confession of faith. But it also speaks of giving the whole truths to the church.
How Paul preaches the mystery of faith?
Acts 20:27 “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” The Apostle Paul declares to the Ephesian elders that he did not shrink from proclaiming the "whole counsel of God". This refers to the full, uncompromised plan of God for salvation, including the gospel of grace, the person and work of Jesus Christ, and all necessary doctrines for believers.
Colossians 1:25-27 “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” The Apostle Paul describes his ministry as being appointed by God to fulfill the Word of God by preaching the "mystery" that was hidden for ages but is now revealed: "Christ in you, the hope of glory". This mystery involves making the gospel known among the Gentiles. In other words, without preaching, we are not fully teaching God’s Word. It has to include the whole counsel of God. If the truths are not being taught in this church age, we are not fully preaching God’s Word.
To whom these truths Paul committed? II Timothy 1:14 “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” Paul wants to be sure that these truths are to be passed on from generation to generation. So, Paul wrote to Timothy who was his student. Paul was the mentor of Timothy.
What was it that committed to Timothy? When God, the Lord Jesus the risen Savior, spoke to Paul in the Arabian desert, there God committed to Paul these marvelous New Testament truths (good thing). So, Paul is now passing that good thing (truths) to the care of his student Timothy. Paul is doing the discipleship by telling Timothy that he has been teaching and sharing with Timothy these marvelous truths that was committed to Paul’s trust (stewardship) by God in Arabian Desert. Paul is saying to Timothy that he has given that truths to Timothy, that is why Timothy had to keep, guard, protect and proclaim that marvelous truths (good thing).
If these truths are committed to Timothy trust, who is he now? I Timothy 6:20 “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:” Earlier, Paul is saying to Timothy, “Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, because you are a steward of these things. Timothy, God has entrusted these precious, valuable truths into your care, and God holds you accountable as a steward.”
What did Timothy hear from Paul? II Timothy 2:2 “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” Timothy heard from Paul the very same things that Paul heard from the Lord Jesus. About this new distinct relationship that we have to Jesus the risen Savior because we are members of the body of Christ, saved by grace through faith in Christ. All of these marvelous truths, including the mystery of the gospel, as Paul describes in Ephesians 6, is no longer what would be expected in the old dispensation of law but under new grace dispensation. The things that Timothy heard from Paul is the same things what Paul heard directly from Jesus Christ. What is that? That Jesus died for the sins of everybody is to be proclaimed to every creature around the world. Now, Paul in his final letter to Timothy, he said “O Timothy, all the wonderful truths that you heard of me, these same things that committed to your trust, without alteration, no addition, no subtraction, the same commit thou to faithful men.”
To whom Timothy should commit these truths? II Timothy 2:2 “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” Paul wants Timothy wants to find others who will be faithful as good stewards of these truths. The bible says in I Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” It is required in stewards that a man be found not talented, or not gifted men, but faithful men. In other words, we have to commit those marvelous truths to someone who is faithful to proclaim the truths to everybody.
What are these faithful men able to do? II Timothy 2:2 “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” Paul said to Timothy to find faithful men who shall be able to teach others also. So, stewardship began by the Lord Jesus appearing unto Paul revealing and entrusted to Paul these marvelous truths to this church age. And Paul as God’s stewards took Timothy and began teaching these truths to Timothy. And at the end of Paul’s life, he instructed Timothy to do the same thing and share those things with other faithful men who would be faithful, not faithful with truth in general, but faithful with these truths in particular, particularly with the same thing the Paul heard from the Lord Jesus. Paul wanted Timothy to be a faithful steward of those marvelous truths then find other faithful men whom he can pass those truths to teach others also.
What are the results of being an unfaithful steward in proclaiming these marvelous truths? In Church history, we have the replacement theology that has an effect because of the unfaithfulness of stewardship on these mystery truths.
What is replacement theology?
Therefore,
What is the wrong interpretation of replacement theology? (began early in church history) To arrive at replacement theology, you have to change your method of bible interpretation, from literal and grammatical understanding, it becomes an allegorical or spiritual understanding. Replacement theology began to emerge from a very different method of bible interpretation that we are accustomed when we read the Bible. God said what He meant and God meant what He said. In other words, we take God in a literal, historical, grammatical way, understanding language just as it was written. But replacement theology changes the method of bible interpretation.
What are some results of replacement theology?
To arrive at that interpretation, you have to change your methodology of Bible interpretation from literal to spiritual or allegorical.
He said that when God said that Esau the older brother shall serve the younger, he said Esau represents the Jews and Jacob represent the Christians, so he interpreted that the Jews will be subservient to Christians therefore Christians will take over.
Lived almost a century later. Origen was the head of a very influential school in Northern Africa, in Alexandria, Egypt. Origen spearheaded the movement to allegorize the understanding of the Bible. That is why those who were influenced by Origen, whenever they read the word Israel, they mean the church. So, once we depart from a grammatical, historical, literal method of Bible interpretation, lots of errors are going to arise.
They said Israel had a priesthood therefore Roman Catholic church should have a priesthood They said Israel had a high priest therefore Roman Catholic church have a pope They said Israel had high priestly garments therefore priests should wear glorious apparel They said Israel had a golden temple, therefore Roman Catholic church should be glided with gold and gorgeous inside They said Israel had a holy place reserved only for the priests, therefore the front of Roman Catholic church should be a holy tabernacle area reserved only for the priests. They said Israel had a sacrifice; therefore, Roman Catholic church should have a perpetual sacrifice of the mass. They said Israel had its holy days; therefore, Roman Catholic church has to have its holy days. So, Roman Catholic church was imitating Israel and bringing Jewishness into the church. They saw the church as New Testament Israel. They followed Origen in allegorizing in interpreting the Bible, not in literal understanding but in spiritual understanding. As a result of their allegorizing their church as Israel, many other errors followed. That is the result of replacement theology.
What is the reason why many theologians and churches have followed the replacement theology? Early centuries theologians think that the church is Israel and Israel is the church:
If the early church leaders of first century become faithful stewards of these mysteries truths and recognize the distinctive nature of the body of Christ, the church and take care, protect these truths with no alteration whatsoever they would not arrive in this replacement theology.
What is incorrect teaching of Judaizers? Remember the first church council, when the Judaizers came in and were beginning to teach in the early first church in Jerusalem. Acts 15:1 “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” This Judaizers teachers claimed that Gentiles must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses if they want to be saved. This was a first century dispute where some Jewish believers from the Pharisee sect argued and insisted that Gentile converts had to be circumcised and adopt the full Mosaic to be saved. Acts 15:5 “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”.
Did Paul and the Jerusalem council countered Judaism? Paul's Correction: In Galatians 5:2-4 “Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace”. Paul was outraged when he heard that. And Paul came right down to Jerusalem and dealt with that problem. Because the church is not Israel. In Galatians, Paul strongly opposes the idea that circumcision and keeping the Law of Moses are required for salvation. Paul argues that demanding circumcision makes Christ of no value, puts one under a "yoke of bondage," and that salvation is by faith in Christ alone, not by works of the law. Paul asserts that if you accept circumcision to be saved, "Christ will profit you nothing" and you have "fallen from grace". This Judaism was countered by Paul and the Jerusalem council, which determined salvation is by grace through faith, not by observing the law. The early church leadership decided that Gentile Christians did not need to be circumcised or keep the entirety of the Mosaic Law, instead emphasizing freedom in Christ. Acts 15:24-29 “ Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.”. So, history teaches us how important it is to be faithful stewards of these marvelous truths, and if stewards are unfaithful, and using allegorical method the church becomes blurred together with Old Testament Israel. That is why, the church is considered by many to be the New Testament Israel and Israel is the Old Testament church.
Confusion that future promise for messianic kingdom is to be fulfilled spiritually in the church not for Israel. The church is considered by many to be the New Testament Israel and Israel is the Old Testament church. They confused the church with the future kingdom age. So, the early church fathers began teaching not only that the church replaced Israel but also that future promise messianic kingdom is going to be fulfilled spiritually in the church instead, but it should be for Israel kingdom promised in the Old Testament. (However, the apostles taught that when the Lord Jesus returns again at His second phase of His second coming in power and great glory, Christ is going to establish a literal earthly messianic kingdom, the same kingdom the Old Testament promised to Israel). It's one day going to happen. But the church doesn’t live in that age. Believers of Christ, the church live in between Old Testament Israel and the future millennial kingdom. Basically premillennialism. That's what we believe, that when Christ returns, he's going to establish a kingdom. Christ is going to fulfill literally all the promises that he made in the Old Testament to Israel. But it awaits a future day. A literal future reign of Christ on earth with Israel, Israel's covenant promises all being fulfilled literally.
Augustine rejected that physical earthly kingdom reign of Christ on earth in Israel. (Augustine was influenced by Greek philosophy because Greek philosophy looked at earthly, literal, material things as evil and spiritual things as good). Jerome had that same view (and other church leaders). Once that literal fulfillment of God’s Old Testament future kingdom promises to Israel at the second coming of Christ on which Chrit will reign thousand years was rejected, a new view began to develop, which became the foundation of the Roman Catholic Church, amillennialism. They proclaim that there is no kingdom. Augustine claim of amillennialism, there is no kingdom was included in the book he wrote called “The City of God.” Augustine taught that the organized Catholic of universal church is the messianic kingdom. So, they completely adopted this view of Augustine, and therefore they saw the Roman Church as being a kingdom, and they merge Roman Church with the political Roman Empire, then they called it the Holy Roman Empire.
Who are they Reformers? {Positive side)
(Negative side)
What are the dangerous mixtures happened throughout church history?
This result is that the distinctive nature of Christ was being confused and the reason is that stewards are not faithful in guarding, proclaiming, protecting and passing on these wonderful marvelous mystery truths about the body of Christ in this present age. It is required for a steward to be faithful in this mystery truths. It is so sad, that we are getting closer and closer to reform theology and Calvinistic thinking, and increasing to abandon this old-fashioned dispensationalism. God expected us to be faithful, by God’s grace that is our goal, not to be big, not to be popular, but to be faithful stewards of God.
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