Ques. Does the word "church" always mean the same people? N. I. F.
The other is "the church which is His body," the fullness of Him who filleth all in all. The first is put into man's responsibility, so failure and corruption have come into it. (1 Cor. 3:10-1710According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Corinthians 3:10‑17); Eph. 4:55One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (Ephesians 4:5); 1 Peter 4:1717For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17), and many other passages.)
The second depends on God, and is built by the Holy Spirit, so none but saved ones are in it. Such verses as Math. 16:18; 1 Cor. 12:12, 1312For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For 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. (1 Corinthians 12:12‑13); Rom. 12:4, 54For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12:4‑5); Eph. 4:4; 5:254There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)
25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25), apply to it. All who are saved shall be caught up to lie forever with the Lord. (1 Thess. 4:15-1615For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑16).) All who are only professors, without the new life, shall be left behind, forever lost.
Ques. What does "Elect" mean? Who are "the Elect" in Scripture? A. F. K.
In 1 Tim. 5:2121I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. (1 Timothy 5:21) we have the elect angels also. There we have the "elect" of the present time, those who compose the Church. (Eph. 1:44According 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: (Ephesians 1:4); Col. 3:1212Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (Colossians 3:12); 2 Thess. 2:1313But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (2 Thessalonians 2:13); Titus 1:11Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; (Titus 1:1); 1 Peter 1:22Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:2).) This is the Treasure and the Pearl of Math. 13:44, 45. Election is the choosing of the persons; predestination is to the place or position of relationship they are to fill.
Ans. They and we are both saved through the death and blood-shedding of our Lord Jesus. They are saved through believing the gospel of the Kingdom. (Psa. 2:1212Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Psalm 2:12).) We are saved through believing the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:2424But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24).). We are saved, and shall reign with Christ in heavenly glory. They are saved, and will be some of God's people on earth; they are saved Gentiles. The Church, though composed of Jews and Gentiles; are now neither Jew nor Gentile, but Church of God. (1 Cor. 10:3232Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: (1 Corinthians 10:32).) These faithful Gentiles have won a place as servants of God in His temple on earth, and their blessings are on earth.
The Church, and all the saints who pass through death from first to last, will reign with Christ, the Lord, in heavenly glory.
Ans. Read the context, and you will see that Math. 12:30 and Luke 11:2323He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. (Luke 11:23) both refer to those who were saying of Him, It is by Beelzebub, the prince of devils, that Jesus cast out devils. The Lord traces this to the deep malice of their wicked hearts.
In Mark 9:4040For he that is not against us is on our part. (Mark 9:40) John said, "We saw one casting out devils in Thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbade him. because he followeth not us." The disciples were jealous of their own importance, but Jesus said, "Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in My name, that can lightly speak evil of Me. For he that is not against us is on our part." There is he opposition in true service for Christ, and each one who serves Him will be rewarded. (Verse 41.)