At this point, I recalled hearing (or reading) a commentary on Paul's use of the singular form of the word "body" here. This is very significant (if you're a preterist) because Paul is referring to a singular noun in the first-person plural sense, i.e., "our lowly body"-- not bodies!
Hmmm. "Our... body" sounds as though to say we Christians are all part of the same body (of Christ). I'll buy that.
In Ephesians 3:4-6, Paul says:
Would Paul be implying that, collectively, the Body of Christ (the church) would be like His glorious body? Would he be referring to a spiritual body instead of a physical one, in that case?
In Ephesians 3:4-6, Paul says:
"When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."
Would Paul be implying that, collectively, the Body of Christ (the church) would be like His glorious body? Would he be referring to a spiritual body instead of a physical one, in that case?
Just a thought.
3 comments:
Hey, Pete. From what I understand, our resurrected, glorified bodies will in fact be LIKE His "glorious body." I don't believe his Second Coming occurred in 70 AD (that would make all the historic creeds WRONG). I'm still examining the millennial views, preterism, etc., though I remain staunchly postmil (til Jesus comes)... :)
I think you got it, and I'm glad you see it. Paul's Hope, and what he was put in chains for, was the "resurrection of the body". Which is also like saying the "hope of Israel". Those two phrases are synonymous. One "new body" of believers in Christ, Jew and Gentile, with no separation. That is what the "creature" was waiting for. Glidt.
In response to paulramirez, I myself have slowly eroded my infallibility status for the creeds on this point because of this article on Eschatology.org
(http://www.eschatology.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=705:what-about-the-creeds-and-church-history&catid=116:topical-studies&Itemid=61).
I don't want this to become a war, but I want you to know where I'm coming from, i.e., a fear of God's judgment if I'm wrong. I embrace your view (post-mil) as a blessing, though I am still working out the futurist implications. Thanks for responding. You rock (no, me rock... ;)!
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