JesusWalk Bible Study Forum: Q2. Citizens and Saints (2:19a) - JesusWalk Bible Study Forum

Q2. (Ephesians 2:19a) If we are fellow-citizens with the Jewish believers, what are we citizens of? In what sense are we "holy" or "saints"? Exposition

We become God's people and as such are given certain responsibilities. We should live in such a way that the world recognizes us as being peculiar and different from nonbelievers. We are to live as Jesus lived and show his essence in our lives so all will know we are Christians. In this way we can become holy as God has called those who follow him.

We are citizens of the kingdom of God. As with all kingdoms you need to be of that type to belong in that kingdom. Example, to belong to the plant kingdom you must be a plant.
Some of the requirement of being in Gods kingdom is to be spirit (because God is spirit)
to be holy , and divine. For a human to become any of these things he needs the divine life of God. To be in the divine kingdom you need the divine life. To have the divine life we mush be transformed from the human race of Adam to the divine race of Jesus Christ.
This transformation has two parts.
One, when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior we then are qualified to be a member of the kingdom of God. John 1, 12 -13 …to them [the believers] He gave the authority to become children of God who were begotten...of God.
Two, as we mature in Christ and become more Christ like we then start to have the qualities of a member of the kingdom of God. 2 Peter 1:4 says that we are partakers of the divine nature

By the grace of God
Ron

Pastor Ralph, on May 5 2003, 05:17 PM, said:

Q2. (Ephesians 2:19a) If we are fellow-citizens with the Jewish believers, what are we citizens of?

We are citizens of the body of Christ...We are all one family..


In what sense are we "holy" or "saints"?

We are holy through knowing Christ as our savior and following after him...We must give our whole lives to his plan and purpose for our lives...As we live for him and walk in his ways we become holy..

In Christ,
Michelle

We are no longer non-citizens, we are a royal priesthood.
We are God's children, a holy people. It makes a child feel good when that child has a sense of belonging. We belong to God; dedicated or consecrated to the service of God. With this in mind there is the priviledge of sharing in the promises of God. We are to live the life daily so other will see the light.

We are now joint heirs with the jews we are part of the citizenship of God we have been adopted into His family the church, we can now enjoy the same privledge as the jews did before they crucified our Lord, yet at the same time we have the responsibility to share that message with those we come into contact with and to grant those the same love that Jesus did to us.

(Ephesians 2:19a) If we are fellow-citizens with the Jewish believers, what are we citizens of?

We are fellow citizens with the Jews in the household of God .. the Kingdom of God, in other words.

In what sense are we "holy" or "saints"?

We are holy in the sense that we can 'reside' with God. No sin can reside or abide with God .. therefore we are made holy and 'saints' (through Jesus) in that we can abide or reside with God our Father.

As fellow-citizens, with the Jewish believers we are citizens of God's kingdom. "And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them; Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the Living God" Romans9:26. Through the spiritual blindness of the Jew, salvation came to the gentiles, thus provoking them to jealousy. Romans 11:11. We share with them, the kingdom now, and the kingdom to come. "Joint heirs"! We are made holy, by the work done by Jesus on the cross..."Holy", consecrated (set aside) for His good will. We are commanded to be Holy, for He is Holy "Be ye Holy, as I am Holy" 1Peter1:16. To me Holiness is a work of the cross, a work done in the heart of those who believe. We must be willing to die to self, so we may live unto Him. "More of you Lord, and less of me"! Trying to obtain Holiness within our own self is futile, it can only be obtained through the death of self-will, and self desires. I read a poem some time ago titled "Me and Me". Going into a wilderness, and facing ourselves, seeing ourselves as we really are....willing to face up to our own so called rightousness; and finding out it is as filthy rags!...its a hard place to visit. Am not looking forward to my next trip through!

Because we believe that God is the ruler of our hearts and lives, it follows that we are citizens of the Kingdom of God. As citizens of His kingdom, we become holy in the sense that we share in the glory and the riches of God's kingdom. Not only are we citizens and servants of our Lord, we are also ambassadors in the sense that we spread the reaches of God's kingdom by witnessing to non-believers and offering them the salvation that we have received when we accepted Jesus into our hearts.

We are fellow citizens with God's people, the Jews, and members of God's household.
To be a saint or to be holy is to be dedicated or consecrated to the service of God. Previously, only the Jews had the status of being holy people of God. Now this same status has been granted to gentile believers as well.

We have a heavenly citizenship, a place which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God! We are pilgrims and strangers here. We look forward to our heavenly dwelling place. The mansion Jesus has prepared for us!

We are God's people and members of His (HOLY) household. Praise the Lord!

Pastor Ralph, on May 5 2003, 03:17 PM, said:

We are now citizens of Gods Kingdom.We are a family,Gods household.We are not a building but a group of people that is joined together.He lives in us .People can see that God is Love and Jesus Christ is Lord.Because He lives in us so we are His Temple and the Temple is Holy

If we are fellow citizens with the Jewish believers, what are we citizens of?
We are citizens of God's kingdom. Previously, the Jewish race was called God's chosen people, now citizenship is opened up to all. It no longer depends on race but on faith in Jesus Christ.

In what sense are we 'holy' or 'saints'?
We are consecrated to God's service.

We are citizens of God's Family, we are heirs. We are Saints or Holy for we are separated and faithful to Our Heavenly Father.

Pastor Ralph, on May 5 2003, 05:17 PM, said:

We are fellow-citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. We are holy and sanctified (saints) because we are washed in the blood of the Lamb.

It is through what Jesus accomplished on the cross that allows us access as citizens with the saints. All those who acknowledge the Lord as Lord of their lives is brought together by one Spirit the Spirit of God. We are God's people conscrated and setapart for Himself causing us to belong to the household of God. We need to have the revelation of the accomplishment of the cross totally, as we live as citizens in the kingdom of God.

The holy ones and saints are those who have and are continuing to consecrate their lives for the will and purpose of God... they hear the heart of the Father and are obedient to His call.

we are all citizens of the body of Chirst - of His household - one church of Jesus Christ So we are no longer foreigners to each other. The Holy Spirit brings us together - helps us understand each other - makes us one - all being the children of God whom God wants for His family. The Holy Spirit ios in this world working through us. We need to acknowlege His presence and use Him!

We are all Holy under Christ's redemption and grace. Jesusmade us one with the Jews, one family. The Jews had been God's Holy people. Jesus died that all who believe might be saved into His household - Jew and Gentile alike. Only HIs grace can make us one. We may share in God's promises if we only believe. We are all Holy in His sight.

fellow-citizens with the Jewish believers, what are we citizens of?
In what sense are we "holy" or "saints"?

Any lineage along with the lineage of the Jewish people, who are Believers in Christ make up the Kingdom...we are Citizens of the Kingdom of God.

I will try to brief in the second part of this question... Holiness or to be Holy would be as "Unto His Likeness"... having His Characteristics in balance as He is. For God is Holy... most Holy and for us to be as He is we must be of Him... His character. While reading of His Character we find the list is long, but balanced. The most important part of His Character is Love... and then the second most important is He is Pure... Holy... without Sin. The only way we acheive this is through repentance with a Contrite Heart.

I am but clothed in rags with wrinkles and spots, but knowing I may be washed by the Blood of Him who paid the cost. For this reason I must take up daily the cross. Love in Him, Sunshine

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We are fellow citizens with God's people.
In what sense are we "holy" or "saints"?
Due to the fact that we are now God's people.

We are fellow citizens with God's people. Being dedicated to the service of the Lord, pertained as the saints. Holy and sacred "the holy ones"These were the Jews before as they were considered. It is very important that we don't become independant of the Jews, but share in the priveleges the already had as Gods people.