10/29/85 Eph 141; 6/22/86 Eph 311

DOCTRINE OF INHERITANCE

A. Jesus Christ is the heir of all things, Heb 1:1-2. “In the past, God [Father] spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways. But in these last days [New Testament times], He has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He has appointed the heir of all things, because of Whom [Jesus Christ], He has also designed the ages [dispensations].” This inheritance begins at the point of the Millennium.

B. Heirship is based on personal faith in Christ.

1. Tit 3:7, “That being justified by His grace, we might become heirs on the basis of the confidence of eternal life.”

2. Rev 21:7, “He who overcomes [victory of salvation for eternal life, 1 Jn 5:4,5] shall inherit these things. Furthermore, I will be His God; and he will be My son.”

C. Heirship is based on sonship.

1. The son becomes the heir. Sonship occurs at the moment of faith in Christ.

2. Jn 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe on His name.”

3. Gal 3:26, “You are the sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”

4. This fulfills the concept of heirship found in Rom 8:16-17, “The Spirit bears witness with our [human] spirit that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.”

D. Heirship is based on positional sanctification and resultant adoption.

1. The Church Age believer is royal family of God. So not only are we sons by birth, but because of positional sanctification (union with Christ), God has adopted each one of us Roman style, i.e., aristocracy naming his heir.

2. Positional sanctification is the means of forming the royal family of God in the Church Age through the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation. It provides equal privilege under the computer asset of predestination.

3. The Roman custom of adoption emphasizes the fact that we are not only sons by regeneration, but we are sons by adoption, which makes us heirs of God. Eph 1:11, “in whom also we have received an inheritance, having been predestined with reference to a predetermined plan [protocol plan of God] from Him who works all things in conformity with the purpose of His will.”

E. The Holy Spirit at salvation provides the signature guarantee of our inheritance, Eph 1:13, 14, “Who is the guarantee of our inheritance, for the release of your assets for the praise of His glory.”

F. The believer’s inheritance is secure forever, 1 Pet 1:4-5. “We have an inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you who are guarded by the power of God through faith [doctrine] resulting in a deliverance, ready to be revealed in the last time.”

G. Our attitude toward our inheritance should be thanksgiving, Col 1:12. “Constantly being thankful to the Father who qualified us for a share of the inheritance of the saints.”

H. The invisible assets of our inheritance. These are found in our very own portfolio provided by God the Father, prepared in eternity past, and given to us at the point of salvation, Eph 1:14, “Who is the guarantee of our inheritance for the release of your assets for the praise of His glory.”

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