In #Christ, God “creates in himself #one new man in place of the two.” Paul puts this new spiritual #reality and new spiritual #identity in the strongest of terms when he says, “for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). This does -not- mean that there are no more -cultural distinctions or practices- that distinguish members of -different ethnic- groups. What it does mean is that our -union- with Christ produces a -union- with “one another” that #transcends -Any- of our ‘other’ associations in this “fallen” world. As blood is thicker than water in our natural relations, the #Spirit is stronger than both in our Christ union. #Cosmic, #consummative #worldwide #peace is -entirely- dependent on Jesus’ death on the #cross. The -effects- of creaturely reconciliation are felt for all of eternity on account of His #saving #works. The *vertical reconciliation of fallen men to God is #foundational to the *horizontal reconciliation of man to man. The former necessarily accomplishes and secures the latter. Our union with Jesus in His death and resurrection reconciles us to God. And, since we are redeemed by the same Christ, united to the same Christ, and made the beneficiaries of the same benefits of union with the same Christ, we are thereby #united to one another in the #same #body. The disciples had grown up believing that when the Messiah came, He would conquer their enemies, subdue all other nations, and set up a kingdom that would make everything right in the world. But the disciples’ expectations were limited to an earthly understanding of what God’s kingdom really is. The other-worldly kingdom Jesus brought to the earth is a supernatural kingdom that does not receive its -marching orders- from any “worldly source” (Luke 17:21). It’s #powerfully at work in the world, through the lives, and in the hearts of all believers. The Prince of Peace rules and reigns in His kingdom and our peace on earth can be experienced with Him there. This #supernatural #peace is not a worldly brand of peace that ebbs and flows with circumstance. It’s a #perfect #peace powerful enough to serve against the agents and circumstances of ALL unrest. ☺️🌈🕊❤️
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Starting as a small group of Jewish people in Judea, -The “word”- spread quickly throughout the Roman Empire. Despite early persecution of Christians, it later became the state religion. In the Middle Ages it spread into Northern Europe and Russia. During the Age of Exploration, Christianity expanded throughout the world; it is currently the largest religion of the world. Most of the first Christians were ethnically Jewish or Jewish proselytes. An early difficulty came from Within judiasm. There was the question if they had to "become Jewish" before becoming Christian. The decision of St. Peter, was that they DID NOT, and the matter was further addressed with the “Council of Jerusalem.” The doctrines of the apostles brought the Early Church into conflict with some Jewish religious authorities, and this eventually led to the martyrdom of SS, Stephen and James the Great, and “expulsion from the synagogues.” Therefore, there has always been a remenant of native jewish believers throught history.
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