The doctrine of vessels

1. Definition and etymology. The doctrine is taken from both the Greek and the Hebrew. We have the Greek word skeuh which refers to any kind of household furnishing. But the second word we have is skeuoj which refers only to a vessel or a container. There is another Greek word which occurs occasionally, a)ggeion which is correctly translated “flask.” The first Hebrew word is keli which refers to any kind of household furnishing again. Another Hebrew word is maen which means vessel or container. There is another word used for a wine bottle, usually made out of skin, nebel.

2. Under the principle of election the believer is said to be a chosen vessel. Therefore as a chosen vessel he needs to be filled with doctrine — Acts 9:15. The word “vessel” is used because a vessel is no good while it is empty and is only usable while it is filled. The whole concept is that in the word “election” God has a plan for Paul’s life. The word “vessel” means that before Paul can be useful he must be filled with doctrine. So the in concept of election or the plan of God we are never usable, we are never utilised by God, we never fulfil the plan of God designed for us in eternity past, until we become filled vessels, until we contain Bible doctrine or maximum doctrine resident in the soul.

3. Vessels are used to demonstrate the essence of God, the essence of God in His treatment of believers and unbelievers. Illustration: Romans 9:19-23. It is impossible for God to make an unfair decision.

a) The character of God is perfect; God can do not wrong.

b) The sovereignty of God is a part of the character of God, therefore the sovereignty of God is perfect.

c) God can make no bad or unfair decisions. If His essence is perfect and sovereignty is a part of His essence the sovereignty is perfect. And if His sovereignty is perfect it is impossible for His sovereignty to ever make a bad decision.

d) With the believer propitiation makes it possible for God to provide grace blessing and to do so without compromising His character.

e) With the unbeliever (he has rejected the cross, therefore there is no propitiation factor) God must curse him because the righteousness and justice of God have not been propitiated, that person has said no to the cross. Righteousness and justice must curse the person who says no to the cross.

The unbeliever is a vessel of dishonour. The unbeliever superimposes his own volition over divine volition. In other words, the clay tells the potter how he is going to be made. The unbeliever is not willing to let God save him and mould him into a vessel of honour. The unbeliever chooses his own works for salvation. This is called “vessel of dishonour” in context. His own works make the unbeliever a vessel of dishonour in this context.

4. Vessels are used to provide an analogy between Bible doctrine resident in the soul and capacity of life for the supergrace believer — 2 Corinthians 4:7. The treasure in earthen vessels is Bible doctrine. Doctrine resident in the soul keeps us from tampering with the plan of God.

5. Therefore vessels are used to set up a contrast between the believer in supergrace status and the believer in reversionism — 2 Timothy 2:20,21; Proverbs 25:4 — “Take away the dross [evil and reversionism].”

6. Vessels are related to category #2 love and they always refer to the woman because there is a sense in which a woman without her right man is empty, like a vessel — 1 Thessalonians 4:4; 1 Peter 3:7.

7. Shattered vessels are also used to describe personal judgement from God — Psalm 31:12; Jeremiah 22:28; 25:34.

8. Shattered vessels are used to describe national judgements — the northern kingdom, Hosea 8:8,9; the southern kingdom, Jeremiah 51:34; Gentile nations in the Tribulation — Psalm 2:9.