When Christ was born as King of the Jews, He was rejected by both Jew and Gentile (Matt. 2:1616Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. (Matthew 2:16)). He was also later rejected as the eternal Son, the Sent One from the Father (John 1:10,1110He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:10‑11); Mark 14:61-6361But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 63Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? (Mark 14:61‑63)). The nation of Israel refused to own Him, being led astray by their leaders, even after signs, wonders, and pleadings by the Holy Spirit were given them through Stephen, whom they stoned to death (Acts 7:51,5951Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. (Acts 7:51)
59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (Acts 7:59)).
Christ was slain by wicked hands because He claimed to be the Son of God, which He is, the great I AM.
Heb. 2 gives four reasons why Christ Jesus came down to earth to die: 1. To fulfill the counsels of God 2. To accomplish atonement, to satisfy God's claims against us, in order that we might be saved from our sins 3. To annul the power of him who held the power of death and deliver those under it 4. To be made a great High Priest in things pertaining to God (Heb. 2:8-188Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. (Hebrews 2:8‑18)).
What greater love could God show to us than the cross of Christ! Through this work on the cross the vilest sinner may have eternal life, the Father's house, and the eternal inheritance with Christ, and he will be a part of the bride of Christ, by believing God's Word ( Luke 23:42,4342And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:42‑43)).
How wonderful the love of Christ for us! By simply owning, as the prodigal son, our shame and guilt before the Father, He will have His arms outstretched and ready to receive us into the everlasting habitations. Won't you come to Him today? (Luke 15:2020And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)).
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John. 5:24).
Judgment means to be banished forever and condemned in the lake of fire.
The Body of Christ
While the Lord was still here in this world He promised His presence in the midst of the two or three who are gathered by the Spirit unto His name (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)).
Each man, woman, or child who is cleansed by the blood of Christ, owning Jesus as his Lord and Savior in his heart, is in that "one body."
Ever since the day of Pentecost, God has been adding believers to the Church which is not yet complete, else believers would have already gone to heaven.
Before the millennial day, the Church, the body of. Christ, will be in heaven, complete with all of its members including those who have died in Jesus. All shall have been raised and joined together forever to the Head, Christ, as one new Man Christ the Head and the Church, His body (1 Cor. 15).
About the year 1830 the Spirit of God revived the truth of the practice of "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit," for the testimony of the one body had been broken outwardly into many fragments. Many such fragments are in the form of denominations formed by man's will.
When the Spirit of God gathers two or three unto the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Christ promises His own presence in the midst. Such a company meeting together with those of like mind on the principle of the one body does not pretend to be the Church but gathering on the true ground of the Church. The Church is in fragments today.
In Israel in former days there was only one center, Jerusalem. Today, since Pentecost, there is only one Center, Christ. If I should knowingly set up another, it would be acting contrary to the Scriptural truth of the "one body."
What confusion exists in the religious world today because of disobedience! Such confusion will eventually bring in apostasy, the result of man's doing his own will.
"No man also having drunk old wine (Judaism) straight way desireth new; for he saith, The old is better" (Luke 5:39).
There is still opportunity to bow to God's Word. How we should, as believers, desire to please the Lord Who died for us and be mindful of the judgment seat of Christ when rewards will be given.
Separation from evil is God's principle of unity if the purpose is to gather on divine ground according to the Word of God.