The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1920-01-03
BIBLE SCHOOL LESSON FOR IAN. II
II Corinthians, Chapters Three and Four
(By Apostle Willis F. Jordan)

10y Apostle Wills r. JOrdan)
/. APOSTOLIC MINISTRY IS SPIRIT
UAL, NOT LEGAL = Chapter Three
/, The apostolic ministry does not commend
itself nor seek letters of commentator from
men and apostate church officials Beware of
that minister who shows you dozen recon-
mendations when he appears.
Mere men never endorse, back up nor
establish the apostles of Jesus the Christ
They are not dependent upon men,
2 True Christians developed in the things
of God, the epistles recommending the
apostles and their work of teaching and train
ing. In Zion, this especially includes the Cen
eral Overseer Verse Two)
g. These epistolary Christians are not
written with ink, but by the Spirit of the Liv-
ing God" Verse Three).
4. All this is work toward God, through
Jesus Christ Verse Four).
). The "suflciency" of the apostolic minis
try is from God only They are thereby made
nant) = not in the mere "letter" and wording
but ministry producing "life" and Spirit
VERSES Five and Six. Compare Romans
VIA
6. The apostolic New Testament ministry
compared with the Mosaical Law and Old
Testament ministry or that of Grace COM
pared to that of Law VERSES Seven to
Eleven)
The Christian Catholic Apostolic Church in
Zion is not under Law, but Grace = John
l:l6 II; Acts 1927; 20:32; Romans OLA;
Titus PILLS
7. The vail over Moses face type of the
blindness in part" upon Israel ever since they
crucifed "The King of the Jews" "the Lord
of Glory" VERSES Twelve to Fifteen). Com
pare Exodus 34:27-35; Psalm 69:22-28; Isaiah
6:9-13; Romans 11:7-10 1852.
The symbolic aspect of this vail may be still
further seen in the vail of the Temple being
rent by the act of God alone and done away"
by the crucihxon of Christ Compare Exodus
26:3l-35; Leviticus 1872; Matthew 275O-5l;
Hebrews 9:1-l2; 10:19-25
8. A better translation of Verse Sixteen is:
when their Gsraels) heart turns to the Lord,
the vail is rent away"
g. "Now the Lord is that Spirit'-the Spirit
in Verses Six and Eight, the Spirit of the Lord,
gives life and freedom in distinction to sin
and death as brought to light in the Law Com
pare Verse Seventeen with Romans Sis
10. On Verse Eighteen note this meaning:
All the true Church with unveiled face beholds
through the Divinely given mirror = the New
Testament doctrine and content the glory of
Jesus Christ; and, initiating Him. we are be-
ing gradually transformed into His likeness,
and that by the Holy Spirit of God
This is one of the greatest verses in the
Bible. Compare Exodus 33:18-23
II. THE AP STOLIC MINISTRY
MUST BE SCHIPTURALLY EXERCISED
Chapter Four.
l.. it is from God "We have received this
ministry" with mercy" Verse y. Compare
II Corinthians 5:18. noting the word "com-
mitted" Also see Hebrews 5:4
2. 1t dare not become discouraged Verse
y 1--WE faint not" Compare I Corinthians
1883 = IF we faint not" also Luke 1871
"Pray and not faint"
3. 1t must renounce every phase and SEM
blance of deceit, corruption and dishonesty
Verse Two). By such ministry we will
appeal directly ito every mans conscience in
the sight of God"
a g Eco
tion is open before all. yet "our gospel" will
become hidden to those only who persist in
remaining '1ost" VERSES Three and Four)
Note the words ARE LOST : not will be
lost
Men are now lost = blinded by the god of
this Age" Compare John 3:18-21,,36
). The burden and result of apostolic
ministry may be clearly seen in Verses Five
and Six
Note we'll where "the knowledge of the glory
Jesus Christ" Compare Philippians 3:7-14.
Hence the great importance of Hebrews 12:2,
the first three words 'LOOKING UNTO
JESUS"
6. Verse Seven: The apostles were om'-r
men in "earthen vessels, that the excellency of
the power" to perform the apostolic ministry
might be seen to 'be of God and not of u.s."
7. Apostolic ministers suffer intensely,
many times unknown to men (Verses Eight
to Twelve), but they dare not despair or give
up tne1r ministry compare L corinthians
0:16, II.
"The dying of the Lord Jesus" which the
apostles bore about daily in their bodies, may
be understood by comparing Verses Ten and
Eleven with I Corinthians 1881; Galatians
6:l7, Romans $3.50; Colossians "a
8. That which enabled the apostles to per-
severe to the end with their ministry was
FAITH = "the spirit of the faith" : the faith
which overcomes the world, the flesh and the
Devil Verse Thirteen with I John 5:4 s.
g. What Our faith enables us to know"
Verse Fourteen) : the doctrine of the Rap
ture. What time of rejoicing that will be
for all who have suffered with the apostolic
(Verses Fourteen to Eighteen).
TO- If we have faith enough in the final
we can, now make real every
in Verses Fourteen to Eighteen.
MAY God give us that degree of faith nowt
And yet, faith cometh by reading or
hearing read, the Word of God (Romans
10:1D.
Reader, go devour the Word of God = the
Bible = now