Are all those saved in
the Acts Period then resurrected into Israel's earthly Kingdom? Are
they considered to be the little flock? Or are they
transitioned into the church which is his body and resurrected into the heavenly places?
Brian Kelson answers:
These words were spoken by the Lord, a minister of the circumcision, in a specific and I believe, limited context. I'm not sure these words can be expanded to include all those saved up until Acts 28. If this is the case, then why didn't Paul use the term? The little flock in Lk.12:32 is determined by that context and after the parable about the rich
man gathering into his barns, the Lord spoke directly to the disciples
and called them a term of endearment; the little flock. It appears to me
that the little flock was His disciples and no further use of that term
can be found in Scripture. Yes, Paul did speak of the flock in Acts 20:28-29 as did Peter in 1Pet.5:2-3 where he referred to the Lord as the chief shepherd, see Ex.34, Zech.13:7 and. Jn.10:11.
In the end, does it matter if they were the little flock or not? The hope, the inheritance of the OT promises and prophesy
were the basis of their future, up to Acts 28, whether we read the
Gospels, Paul or Peter or any other Acts period writer for that matter. Once we start separating into different groups simply because different terms are used to describe them, we create problems all over the shop.
If
there were different terms used, I fail to see how this meant there
were multiple groups in view during Acts. Let us turn to Paul and
consider his terms.
There
are numerous terms of Paul used to describe the believers; the
justified Jews and Gentiles of the Acts period. He refers to them as
children of Abraham, sons of God, Abraham's seed and heirs according to
the promise, joint heirs with Christ and the Israel of God. Does this mean all these related to little sub groups? The
family relationship terms used by Paul are important. Abraham was their
father, The Jerusalem from above was their mother, and they
were typified in Isaac as children of promise. I know you can find
these references. Again, does this mean there were fragmented groups
everywhere with different inheritances and hopes? No.
Romans
was written late in the Acts period and Paul is emphatic regarding both
the Jews and Gentiles of faith. Abraham is their father, Roms.4.
They were no longer in Adam but In Christ and thus married to another,
Roms.7. In 2Cor.11, Paul refers to them as chaste virgins. See how many
terms exist to describe the relationships between the believers of the
Acts and the Father? Yet they were all the same group of believers.
In Roms.9 Paul refers to the called believers as the remnant of prophesy; vessels of mercy.
Rom 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
The even us, includes Paul and he continues with this remnant term in chapter 11
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
How can the apostle then turn around in chapter 12 and use the word body in any way shape or form to mean the church which is His Body? He doesn't. Roms.12:6
says "one body in Christ" in relationship to the supernatural gifts,
which is the same in 1Cor.12. The Acts period believers were the elect
remnant of prophesy.
Paul
includes himself in the elect remnant of grace during Acts, and that
election included the believing Jews and Gentiles and that would include
Peter. The remnant was a preserving one btw, the example of Elijah
significant. A nation rejecting the Lord but a remnant being faithful to
Him.
There was not transition during Acts, it was never a progressive revelation or transition
period. It was the earthly program postponed at Acts 28. Now, what
happened to them all when the dispensational boundary happened? The Lord
knows them that are His, but in Paul we find a forgetting of things
behind and an embracing of the things
before him and the prize of the high calling. We also find that
incredible prayer in Eph.1:15-2:8. Paul wanted those to whom he had
preached the earthly kingdom program to know the HOPE, which had
changed. To know the inheritance, which had changed. And to know the power, which now raised them to the heavenly places.
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