Mysteries in the New Testament 

 There are about 19 particular mysteries spoken of in the New Testament, by  Jesus, Paul and John the Beloved Apostle.

 a. By Jesus  The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven in parabolic form (Matthew 13:11;  Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10).

 b. By Paul  1. The Mystery of God's will in the fulness of times (Ephesians 1:9-11).

 2. The Mystery of the Father and of Christ (Colossians 2:2, 3).

 3. The Mystery of Christ (Colossians 4:3).  

4. The Mystery of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:19).

 5. The Mystery of Godliness (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:1-18; 14:6).

 6. The Mystery of Iniquity (II Thessalonians 2:1-12).

 7. The Mystery of the Faith (I Timothy 3:9).

 8. The Mystery of the Wisdom of God (I Corinthians 2:7-10).

 9. The Mystery of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 3:1-11; Romans 16:24,25).

 10.The Mystery of Christ in you (Colossians 1:26-28; Galatians 2:20).

 11.The Mystery of Israel's blindness (Romans 11:25).

 12.The Mystery spoken in unknown tongues (I Corinthians 14:2).

 13.The Great Mystery of the marriage of Christ and His Church (Ephesians  5:23- 33).

 14.The Mystery of the resurrected and immortalized saints (I Corinthians  15:51-55; I Thessalonians 4:15-18).

 c. By John

 1. The Mystery of the Seven Stars and Lamp stands (Revelation 1:20).

 2. The Mystery of God (Revelation 10:7).

 3. The Mystery of Great Babylon (Revelation 17:5-7). The Mother of Harlots.

 However, Paul gives us an admonition in I Corinthians 13:2. Though I  understand all mysteries and have not love, I am nothing.  All of these mysteries basically fall into two Mysteries; the Mystery of  Godliness and the Mystery of Iniquity. Or, Satan and his hosts against God  and His hosts. Both streams of mysteries run parallel from the beginning of  human history to the end of this age.

 THE CHURCH is indeed "the great mystery", once secret, and hidden in the  mind of God but now revealed to be His eternal purpose and will.  D. The Church is The New Ethnic — The Holy Nation  According to I Corinthians 10:32 there are basically three ethnic divisions in the  human race. These are the Jews (Israel), the Gentiles and the Church of God.  God is at work in the nations, forming the third ethnic division — The Church.

Conner, Kevin J.. The Church in the New Testament (p. 28). Kindle Edition.

Paul’s Revelation: An Introduction

Our teachings begin with a focus on the profound insights revealed to Paul in the New Testament. These revelations help us understand the transformative work of God through Jesus Christ and set the stage for deeper study throughout your time at the Institute.

1. What God Through Christ Did for Us in His Great Substitution

At the heart of our curriculum is the doctrine of substitution—what God accomplished for us through Jesus Christ. We explore how Christ took our place, bearing our sins and defeating the power of death on our behalf. This foundational truth is supported by the following scriptures:

• Jesus Christ Our High Priest: Jesus serves as our High Priest, mediating on our behalf and granting us access to God’s presence.
• (Hebrews 9:11-12): Highlights Jesus as the High Priest of good things to come, entering the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood.
• (Hebrews 2:14-17): Explains how Jesus shared in our humanity to destroy the power of death and become a merciful and faithful High Priest.
• (Hebrews 9:24-26): Emphasizes Christ appearing in the presence of God for us, offering Himself once to put away sin.

Through these teachings, we lay the groundwork for understanding the significance of Christ’s substitutionary work and the ongoing impact it has on our lives as believers.

2. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Us: New Birth and the Infilling

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the believer’s life, beginning with the new birth and continuing through the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Anyone who experiences the new birth is prepared to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of a transformed life.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

God has promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to all who believe, ensuring believers are empowered and equipped for their spiritual journey.

The Baptism and Infilling of the Holy Spirit

The baptism of the Holy Spirit brings a deeper level of spiritual experience and empowerment. The infilling of the Holy Spirit is demonstrated in the accounts found in Acts 8:14-15 and Acts 19, where believers received the Holy Spirit after coming to faith. This infilling marks the believer’s readiness to walk in the fullness of God’s power and purpose.

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Believer’s Life

The Holy Spirit serves the believer in many ways, including being our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby. Through these roles, the Holy Spirit supports, guides, and empowers us daily.

The Holy Spirit as Guide and Teacher

The Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth, as stated in John 16:13 and Romans 8:14. Additionally, the Holy Spirit serves as our Teacher, bringing understanding and remembrance of God’s Word, as referenced in John 14:26.

The Present-Day Ministry of Jesus at the Right Hand of God

The school courses provide teachings on the present-day ministry of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His ongoing work as He sits at the right hand of God. This ministry encompasses several important roles that Jesus fulfills for believers.

Jesus Our High Priest

Jesus serves as our High Priest, representing us before God and mediating on our behalf. In this role, He continually intercedes for us, ensuring that we have access to God’s grace and mercy.

Jesus Our Advocate

As our Advocate, Jesus defends and supports us, speaking on our behalf. He stands for us, offering His righteousness and ensuring that we are accepted before God.

Jesus Our Intercessor

Jesus acts as our Intercessor, praying for us and presenting our needs to God. Through His intercession, believers are strengthened and encouraged in their spiritual journey.

Jesus Our Shepherd

In His role as Shepherd, Jesus guides, protects, and cares for us. He leads believers, providing comfort, direction, and provision as we follow Him.

What His Word and His Love Do Through Us in Ministering

At United Training Ministries Institute of Biblical Studies, we hold a clear perspective on the purpose of the church in ministering. The ministry is guided by both the Word of God and His love, and it serves several important functions:

• Ministry unto the Lord First: Our foremost priority is to minister to the Lord. This involves worship, praise, and devotion, placing God at the center of all activities and acknowledging His sovereignty.
• Ministry unto the Sinner / Unbeliever: We are called to reach out to those who do not yet believe, sharing the message of salvation and extending the love and grace of Jesus Christ to bring them into the faith.
• Ministry unto the Saints: Ministering to fellow believers is essential for building up the church. This includes encouraging, teaching, supporting, and equipping the saints for spiritual growth and maturity.
• Ministry of Conquering Satan's Kingdom: The church is also tasked with standing against the works of darkness. Through prayer, faith, and the authority given by Jesus, we actively oppose and overcome the influence of Satan's kingdom.

The Present-Day Ministry of Jesus Christ

The present-day ministry of Jesus Christ encompasses several vital roles through which He continues to serve and support believers.

Jesus Our High Priest

According to Hebrews 9:11-12, Jesus serves as our High Priest. In this role, He mediates on behalf of humanity, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice and ensuring our reconciliation with God.

Jesus Our Advocate

As written in 1 John 1:9-10 and 2:1-2, Jesus acts as our Advocate. He stands before the Father, pleading on our behalf and offering forgiveness when we confess our sins. His advocacy assures us of continued grace and restoration.

Jesus Our Shepherd

Psalm 23:1 and John 10:14 describe Jesus as our Shepherd. He guides, protects, and cares for His followers, leading them with compassion and unwavering commitment.

Jesus Our Intercessor

In Hebrews 4:14-16, Jesus is depicted as our Intercessor. He continually prays and presents our needs before God, strengthening believers and encouraging them in their spiritual journey. 

Paul’s Revelation: Three Major Truths

1. God’s Work for Us in Christ: The Plan of Redemption

Paul’s revelation centers on what God accomplished for humanity through Jesus Christ within His great plan of redemption. This plan, also known as substitution, highlights how Christ took our place and bore the consequences of sin, allowing us to be reconciled to God. Through this act, believers are offered salvation and restoration.

2. The Holy Spirit’s Work in Us: New Birth and Filling

Another key aspect of Paul’s revelation addresses the transformative work the Holy Spirit performs in believers’ lives. Through the Word, the Holy Spirit enables the New Birth—making us new creations in Christ—and empowers us by filling us with His presence. These experiences are foundational to spiritual growth and living out the Christian faith.

3. Jesus’ Present Ministry: At the Right Hand of the Father

The third major truth focuses on what Jesus is currently doing for us as He sits at the right hand of the Father. Although this lesson will only briefly touch upon this aspect, it remains a vital part of Paul’s revelation, emphasizing Christ’s ongoing role in interceding and advocating for believers.

In this lesson, we will focus primarily on the first two truths: God’s redeeming work in Christ and the Holy Spirit’s transformative power within us.

The Life and Ministry of Apostle Paul

Birth and Early Life

The Apostle Paul was born around the same time as the birth of Christ. His early years set the stage for his later transformation and ministry.

Conversion

Paul experienced a dramatic conversion to Christianity in AD 33. This pivotal event marked the beginning of his new life and calling as a messenger of the Gospel.

First Missionary Journey (AD 47-48)

Paul embarked on his first missionary journey during AD 47-48, spreading the message of Christ and establishing early Christian communities. Following this journey, he wrote the letter to the Galatians in AD 48 to address the spiritual needs and challenges of these new congregations.

Apostolic Council (AD 49)

In AD 49, Paul participated in the Apostolic Council, which was a significant event in the early church, addressing key doctrinal issues and promoting unity among believers.

Second Missionary Journey (AD 49-52)

Paul began his second missionary journey from AD 49 to 52, continuing his work of evangelism and church planting. During this period, he wrote 1 and 2 Thessalonians, offering guidance and encouragement to the Thessalonian believers.

Third Missionary Journey

Paul’s third missionary journey included further travels and outreach. It was during this time that he wrote 1 and 2 Corinthians, addressing various issues within the Corinthian church. The letter to the Romans was also composed during this journey, presenting foundational Christian teachings.

Arrest and Journey to Rome

After his third journey, Paul was arrested in Jerusalem. He was subsequently taken on a journey to Rome to face trial.

Imprisonment in Rome

In Rome, Paul awaited trial while under guard, continuing his ministry despite his circumstances.