Doctrine of Peace

July 23, 2010

Doctrine of Peace

Outline:

I.                   Peace for Mankind is Based on the Saving Work of The Lord Jesus Christ.

II.                Word Definition.

III.             The Usage of Peace in Salutation.

IV.            Peace is Achieved Only Through Faith in the Work of Jesus Christ.

V.               Peace Related to Prosperity.

VI.            Peace in Relation to Our Inner Happiness.

VII.         Peace Can Only be Accomplished with the Application of Love.

VIII.      Having Peace is Related to the Application of the Ten Problem Solving Devices.

IX.            Peace Offerings Were a Part of Worshipping God in the Old Testament Times.

X.               Scripture Reference for Peace.

I.   Peace for Mankind is Based on the Saving Work of The Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross:

Col  1:20  ”And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”

At the Last Supper Jesus identified how peace is accomplished. It is accomplished through the life insurance contract of His sacrifice signified by His blood shed (Spiritual Death).

Mat 26:28  “For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” (Also in Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25)

Rom 11:27  “This is My covenant (peace treaty) with them, When I take away their sins.”

Eph 2:14-18

14For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups (Jew and Gentile) into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall (Sin and the Sin Nature), 15by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances (telling us what sin is), so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man (The body of Christ), thus establishing peace, 16and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17And He came and preached peace to you who were far away (Gentiles), and peace to those who were near (Jews); 18for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

Rom 5:1  “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”   See verses 15-17.

Phil 4:7  “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (His Word).”

II. Word Definition:

eirene – eireôneô

Thayer Definition:

1) Of the Messiah’s peace, the way that leads to peace (salvation).

2) Of Christianity,

a) the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ,

b) so fearing nothing from God,

c) content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is

The Greek eirene – eireôneô, is equivalent to the Hebrew íBìLÜ – shalom:

Which means peace and prosperity.  That is the safety of divine protection and the restfulness of human friendship.

EIRENE, which means “peace and prosperity”, also speaks to the conveyance of your escrow blessings.  God cannot convey these fantastic blessings to you until you have the capacity to receive them, which comes from apply virtue-love.

In Hebrew shaôloòm, means “peace, health”; In the Greek eireôneô, means peace “unity, concord”

Peace is a term used in different senses in the Scriptures.

1) Frequently with reference to outward conditions of tranquility and thus of individuals, of communities, of churches, and of nations (e.g., Numbers 6:26; 1 Samuel 7:14; 1 Kings 4:24; Acts 9:31).

2) Christian unity (e.g., Ephesians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:13 – AGAPE love).

3) In its deepest application, spiritual peace through restored relations of harmony with God (e.g., Isaiah 9:6-7, (Jesus as the Prince of Peace); Isaiah 26:3; Luke 2:14; John 14:27; Acts 10:36; Romans 1:7; 5:1; Galatians 5:22; etc.).

Isa 9:6-7            “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

The Hebrew term used shaôloòm has no special reference to “peace,” but to general well-being, and strictly answers to our “welfare.”

But in later times the term shaôloòm was introduced also in the form, “Go in peace,” or rather, “Farewell” (1 Samuel 1:17; 20:42; 2 Samuel 15:9).

III. The Usage of Peace in Salutation:

In Paul’s opening greeting “Grace and Peace” always occur in that order, witnessing to the truth that peace cannot be experienced apart from the prior experience of God’s grace.

The apostle fused the Greek word for the typical Hebrew blessing, “Peace” (einrene), with the noun form of the Greek blessing, “Grace” (charis), to yield the distinctly Christian salutation: “Grace and Peace” (charis kai eirene).

By such a subtle change in the form of Greek letter writing, Paul was able to invoke the range of apostolic blessings found in Jesus: mercy from God (“grace”) and eternal well-being from God’s presence (“peace”).

The greetings of Hellenistic letters typically contained a prayer for the health of the recipients and that is what was adapted by Paul and the other Christian leader of the early church.

3 John 2 provides the best New Testament example: “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.”

The salutation at parting consisted originally of a simple blessing (Genesis 24:60; 28:1; 47:10; Joshua 22:6).

The concluding salutation consisted occasionally of a translation of the Lat. valete (Acts 15:29; 23:30) but more generally of the term aspazomai, “I salute,” or the cognate substantive, accompanied by a prayer for peace or grace.

IV. Peace is Achieved Only Through Faith in the Work of Jesus Christ:

Col 1:20  “And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”

2 Cor 5:16-21

16Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

V. Peace Related to Prosperity:

Prosperity can be wealth but if given by God it is only when you have capacity form Doctrine in your soul, you can appreciate it.

Prosperity can be inner stability, which is always the result of Grace and this comes from appropriation and utilization of Grace. God’s plan (Phase Two) is to gather and use Doctrine.

Prosperity can be tranquility after a long hard day at work, or home with the children, or whatever, or during adversity.

Prosperity can be a shower for those not able to bath regularly; food, after starving for days. The list goes on and on, it is not only money nor is it money at all.

VI. Peace in Relation to Our Inner Happiness:

Gal 5:22 tells us the source of this great inner happiness:  Spiritual living.  “The fruit of the Spirit is virtue-love.”  This could also be translated the “advantage [gain, profit] of the Spirit is virtue-love.”  The advantage of the filling of the Spirit is love, joy, and peace.  “Joy” is the next word.  It is the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit inside your very own palace, the operational-type divine dynasphere, that produces this joy.  It is the omnipotence of God the Holy Spirit in epistemological rehabilitation, via the Holy Spirit as the teacher of doctrine.

Next is EIRENE, which means “peace and prosperity.”  That is the conveyance of your escrow blessings.  God cannot convey these fantastic blessings to you until you have the capacity, which comes from virtue-love.

In the Beatitudes, Mat 5:9 tells us, “Happinesses to the peacemakers [evangelists], because they themselves shall receive the designation of mature sons of God.”  From the transfer of epignosis comes maturity and the ability to accurately present the Gospel in witnessing.

“The peacemakers” exert a relaxed mental attitude in the storms of life and provide others with the same opportunity for peace the way they received it, through the Gospel message.

Prov 12:20  “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy (inner happiness).”

Comforted – in Mat 5:4 also speaks of a peace. The peace and contentment we experience while on earth as a result of naming our sins to God with the results of cleansing via the filling of the Holy Spirit. This also has the promise of ultimate joy in the eternal state.  Rev 21:4

When reconciliation actually takes place in an unbeliever, and you have ……

Phil 4:7  “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

… the peace-receivers become transformed into peace diffusers / peace givers.  Isa 6:5-10

Then God is seen, reflected in you. And, by the family likeness, you, the peacemakers, are recognized as the children of God.

The peacemaker cannot easily be endured by the contentious quarrelsome world.

This is how righteousness comes to be persecuted.

Mark 9:50 “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

When, as a believer in Jesus Christ, you have been faithful in the reception, retention, and recall of Bible doctrine and have advanced to spiritual maturity; you are not only a strong person, but you have great inner happiness.

You then take the peace of God with you wherever you go.  It isn’t dependent on environment, associations, or circumstances of prosperity or adversity; it depends on none of these things.  It is a part of God’s grace policy to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“The standard of thinking from doctrine” is the inner happiness of your soul, i.e., perfect happiness.  If you have epignosis doctrine in your right lobe, and you are living the life beyond gnosis, then obviously you will be able to use that mental attitude to have capacity for happiness in all circumstances.  True happiness is a system of thought in the soul, not association with stimulation or pleasure.

Perfect capacity for life comes from great inner happiness, absolute happiness.

Perfect happiness is the result of spiritual living, never the result of psychological living.

Jn 3:29-30, John the Baptist is the context.

a.  From the psychological, human viewpoint of life, he had a tragic life.

b.  He had the type of ministry not associated with fun and games and happiness.

c.  He had tremendous opposition even though he was always right.

(It is very frustrating to always be right but never be recognized as being right even once.)  That was the “tragedy” of his life.

d.  But John says at the end of verse 29, “and so this joy [inner happiness] of mine.”  John was one of those rare individuals in his generation who had reached spiritual maturity.

e.  John was a man who lived from salvation to his death under spiritual living.  He said, “this joy of mine has been made full,” using the same words we have in Eph 1:23.

f.  He was recognizing Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the God-man, the only source of salvation.  Then he added, “He must increase; I must decrease.”  That is the antithesis of psychological living.

In Jn 15:11 our Lord, during the course of the great power experiment of the Hypostatic Union, taught some doctrines to the disciples in preparation for the Church Age.

He said, “These things I have communicated to you that My joy may be in you.”

Inner happiness is exactly that:  Something on the inside.

If you are alone, you are perfectly happy.  The problem of loneliness is the easiest problem to solve for the mature believer.

If you are in a crowd, you are happy.  Whether in pleasant or adverse circumstances, you are happy.

If you are alive and healthy or dying, you have perfect happiness.

The fullness of your happiness is the capacity to enjoy your escrow blessings for time.  The fulfillment of the escrow conditions for receiving blessings in time is related to advance to spiritual maturity, where you have this great inner happiness.

Jn 15:11, “These things I have communicated to you that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full [fulfilled].”

The capacity for the prosperity which comes from spiritual living is an inner happiness that nothing can deter.

Christ’s perfect happiness existed during the three most intense suffering hours on the cross.

1 Pet 1:8, “And though you have not seen Him you love Him, and though you do not see Him now but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible, and full of glory.”

This is the inner perfect happiness of the mature believer.

The phrase “and full of glory” is the perfect passive participle of DOXZAZO, meaning to be glorified or honored, translated “having been honored [glorified].”  Once you have this inner happiness, you have been honored!  The greatest honor conveyed to you in time is this inner perfect happiness, this phenomenal spiritual capacity for spiritual living.

There can be a hindrance to this inner peace, and that is your mental attitude. Until you make peace with who you are, you’ll never be happy and content with what you have.

Another mental attitude hindrance to inner peace is thinking you can loose you salvation. You can’t go through life having the happiness of God thinking that at the end of the tunnel, there’s a God waiting to condemn you.

Phil 4:6  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

How could anyone who really believes and accepts this principle be concerned about anything that happens to him?

Rom 5:1  “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Even nature has a hope of peace.

Isa 35:1  “The wilderness and the desert will be glad, And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; like the crocus.”

Isa 55:12  “For you will go out with joy, And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”

At the Second Advent of Christ, He will introduce the Millennial reign when there will be perfect environment on the earth for 1,000 years and nature will be at peace.

VII. Peace Can Only be Accomplished with the Application of Love:

As we have seen earlier, Peace is entered into when we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.  Believing on the Lord means you love Him and the work that He has accomplished for you.

Salvation brings peace between God and man. That’s phase one of peace.

Phase two of peace is realized when you develop a Relaxed Mental Attitude (RMA). In order to experience peace in time, we need to develop a RMA. RMA is achieved through Faith Resting in the promises of God and applying impersonal / unconditional love towards all of mankind.

Impersonal love is a relaxed mental attitude toward all of mankind.

Personal love is a possessive and subjective attitude toward a few.

Impersonal love is an objective and relaxed mental attitude toward the entire human race.

VIII. Having Peace is Related to the Application of the Ten Problem Solving Devices (PSD):

It begins in regards to the armor of God to help us withstand the attacks of Satan and the Cosmic System.

Eph 6:15  “And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

The Ten PSD’s are God’s system for your recovery from and victory over the cosmic system. When you apply the 10 PSD’s you will be trusting in your standing with God, the promises of God and in your relationship with God. When you utilize the 10 PSD’s, you will no longer be at war with your sin nature in your soul which leads you to a relaxed mental attitude and peace within your soul. When you do not apply the 10 PSD’s, your sin nature has won a victory over your soul and will torment you mental attitude. The 10 PSD’s include:

1. Naming your sins to God the Father (Rebound)

Ps 32:5b, “I said, `I will acknowledge my transgression to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin;”

1 Jn 1:9, “If we acknowledge our sins, He is faithful and righteous, with the result that He forgives our sins, and He purifies us from all wrong doing.”

2. Filling of God the Holy Spirit

John 14:26; 16:12-14; Eph 5:18; Gal 5:16 (walk in)

3. Faith Rest Drill

Ps 37:4-5; Rom 4:20; Heb 4:1-3;

Rom 4:20  “yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.”

Heb 4:2b  This was Font/Pitch 2,12 – On.”But the doctrine they heard did not profit them, because they did not mix it with faith.”

2 Cor 9:8  ”And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;”

4. Grace Orientation

Grace toward Unbelievers (Eph 2:8-9), Grace toward believers (Eph 3:20).

2 Cor 12:9  “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

5. Doctrinal Orientation

Heb 11:1  “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

1 Thes 4:13 describes his attitude as follows.  This was Font/Pitch 2,12 – On.”We do not grieve as others who have no hope.”This was Font/Pitch 2,12 – Off.Note:  The change to pitch (12) and font (1) must be converted manually.

6. Personal Sense of Destiny

Since you already have a destiny as a believer, you might as well have the experience of knowing that you have a destiny.

Fulfillment of that destiny depends on your perception of the mystery doctrine of the Church Age, including your portfolio of invisible assets and your politeuma (heavenly) privileges, classified as the “riches of His glory,” Eph 3:16; Phil 4:19; Rom 9:23.

7. Personal Love for God the Father

Because the Father first loved us, we are able and should love Him. 1 Jn 4:19, This was Font/Pitch 2,12 – On.”We love because He first loved us.”

Rom 5:5  “Hope does not disappoint us, because the love for God has been poured out in our right lobe by means of the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Rom 8:28  “We know, therefore, that to those who love God, He works all things together for good to those who are elected according to a predetermined plan.

1 Cor 2:9  “But just as it stands written, `Things which the eye has not seen, and it has not entered into the right lobe of mankind all that God has prepared for those who love Him.’”This was Font/Pitch 2,12 – Off.Note:  The change to pitch (12) and font (1) must be converted manually. This was Font/Pitch 2,12 – Off.Note:  The change to pitch (12) and font (1) must be converted manually.

8. Impersonal, Unconditional Love for Mankind

This is love for all of mankind based on your occupation with Christ. It is characterized by the Greek word Agape which is a mental attitude love. Your love for others is based on Christ in you, verse love based on the object of your love.  “Love thy neighbor as you love yourself,”This was Font/Pitch 2,12 – Off.Note:  The change to pitch (12) and font (1) must be converted manually. Lev 19:18; Mt 19:19, 22:39; Mk 12:31; Jn 15:17; Rom 13:9; Gal 5:14. This was Font/Pitch 2,12 – Off.Note:  The change to pitch (12) and font (1) must be converted manually.

9. Sharing the Happiness of God (+H)

Jn 15:11  “I have taught you these things that My happiness might be in you, and that your happiness might be fulfilled.”

Prov 3:13  “Happiness belongs to the person who finds wisdom, even to the person who gains understanding.

1 Jn 1:4  “And these things we write so that our state of happiness might be completed.”This was Font/Pitch 2,12 – Off.Note:  The change to pitch (12) and font (1) must be converted manually.

10. Occupation with the Lord Jesus Christ

Occupation with Christ is personal love for our Lord Jesus Christ through maximum metabolized doctrine circulating in the stream of consciousness of the heart (pre-frontal right lobe of the soul) by means of the filling of the Holy Spirit.

1 Pet 1:8  “And even though you have not seen Him, you love Him [occupation with Christ]; and though you do not see Him now but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with inexpressible happiness [+H] and full of glory.”

These problem solving devices are “infinitely more than all we could ever ask or think,” with the result that God is glorified as per Eph 3:20-21.

IX. Peace Offerings Were a Part of Worshipping God in the Old Testament Times:

(Heb. shelamim), detailed regulations regarding the peace offering are given in Leviticus 3; Leviticus 7:11-21, 29-34. They were of three kinds,

1) Eucharistic or thanksgiving offerings, expressive of gratitude for blessings received;

2) In fulfillment of a vow, but expressive also of thanks for benefits received; and

3) Free-will offerings, something spontaneously devoted to God.

Peace offering (zebach shelamin; well-being in NRSV; “shared” in REB; “fellowship” in NIV). This consisted of the sacrifice of a bull, cow, lamb, or goat that had no defect. As with the burnt offering, the individual laid a hand on the animal and killed it. The priests, in turn, sprinkled the blood around the altar. Only certain parts of the internal organs were burned. The priest received the breast and the right thigh (Lev. 7:28-36), but the offerer was given much of the meat to have a meal of celebration (Lev. 7:11-21). As part of the meal, various kinds of bread were offered (and ultimately kept by the priest). The idea of thanksgiving was associated with the peace offering. It often accompanied other sacrifices in celebration of events such as the dedication of the Temple (1 Kings 8:63) or spiritual renewal (2 Chron. 29:31-36).

X. Scripture References for Peace:

Psa 4:8  “In peace (shalom) I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.”

Psa 29:11 “The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.”

Psa 55:18 “He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, for they are many who strive with me.”

Psa 119:165  “Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.”

Prov 3:13 “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.”

Heb 12:14  “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”

Heb 13:20  “Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Col 3:14  “ Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

1 Cor 14:33  “for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”

Rom 14:17  “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”

Rom 16:20  “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

Rom 8:6  “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”