3:1-13 THE SECRET CHAMBER Parenthetical Explanation (3:1-13) 1. The Mystery, the Product of Revelation (3:1-6) 2. The Minister, Appointed to Proclamation (3:7-13) Welcome to the Secret Chamber explore it and let the Spirit of the house enlighten you. The Secret Chamber is a place where God reveals His secrets, mysteries, times, seasons and wisdom to His chosen ones, no one is allowed in here but by His invitation. 1. The Mystery, the Product of Revelation (3:1-6) V.1 Paul was in house arrest because of his ministry to the Gentiles. He walked all the way. V.2 a) Stewardship - I. (Gr. Oikonomia) means dispensation or stewardship (management of someone else's business). God had given Paul the responsibility to steward the message of the Gospel to the Gentiles. II. Dispensation - Some see 7 of these dispensations of grace: 1. Dispensation of Innocence Creation to Adam’ s sin. (4004? B.C) 2. Dispensation of Conscience Adamic covenant to the flood of Noah. (4000? - 2350 B.C) 3. Dispensation of Human Government Noahic covenant to Abraham. (2350- 2000 B.C) 4. Dispensation of Promise Abrahamic covenant to Moses. (2000 - 1500 B.C) 5. Dispensation of Law Mosaic covenant to the new covenant of Jesus. (1500 B.C - 32 A.D) 6. Dispensation of Grace (Grace upon grace - All dispensations are grace) The new covenant of Jesus to His 2nd coming. (32-?) 7. Dispensation of Kingdom The 2nd coming of Jesus to the end of the Millennium. (1000 years) V.3 b) Secret - “ Mystery” This secret of the mystery of the grace of God that was hidden before is now made known, it reveals that the Gentiles are included in His promise and inheritance. There are many mysteries in the New Testament: The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Matt.13:11 1. The mysteries of the kingdom of God. Luke 8:10 2. The mystery of Israel’ s hardened heart. Rom.11:25 3. The mystery hidden in ages but now revealed. Rom.16:25-26 4. The entrusting of the servants of Christ with the mysteries of God. 1.Cor.4:1 5. The mystery of His will. Eph.1:9 6. The administration of the mystery of God's grace. Eph.3:2-3 7. The mystery of Christ. Eph.3:4; Col.4:3 8. The mystery kept hidden for ages. Eph.3:9 9. The mystery of Christ and the church. Eph.5:32 10. The mystery kept hidden for ages and generations. Col.1:26 11. The mystery of Christ in you. Col.1:27 12. The mystery of God, the Father and Christ. Col.2:2 13. The mystery of lawlessness already at work. 2.Thes.2:7 14. The mystery of the faith. 1.Tim.3:9 15. The mystery of godliness. 1.Tim.3:16 16. The mystery of the seven stars. Rev.1:20 17. The mystery of God that will be finished. Rev.10:7 Follows the 7 thunders that is a mystery for all Christians. 18. The mystery of Babylon the great. Rev.17:5 V.4 c) Scope - Paul wanted all who read to understand this mystery of Christ. V.5 d) Spirit - I. All revelations comes from the Holy Spirit. Eph.1:17-18; Is.11:2; Col.1:26 II. The Holy Spirit revealed this not only to Paul but also to other spiritual authorities: Apostles and N.T prophets. V.6 e) Sharing - This mystery (v.1-5) was that the Gentiles and Jews should be fellow heirs of the same body of Christ and the same promise in Christ. (v.12-16) 1.Cor.12:13; Gal.3:29; 4:7 f) Scripture - Through the Gospel we discover all the wonderful covenant promises of God, as we learn and believe we can enjoy these promises. 2.Cor.1:20; 2.Pet.1:2-4