Paul was taught the "mystery of the faith."  He was taught by a man in Christ, while in Arabia for three years.  This was right after his salvation.  Paul was commissioned to teach the local church the "mystery of the faith."

1. In (1 Timothy 3:1-13 his is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7  Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 ¶ Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10  And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11  Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12  Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13  For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.) there is a list of qualifications for a pastor and deacon.  
  How many are doctrinal qualifications?  
2. The qualifications given in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 for a pastor and deacon could be
     classified by one of the following statements.  
     A. Doctrinal qualifications.
     B. Business qualifications.
     C. Character qualifications.
3. There is only one doctrinal qualification mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:1-13.  It is
    found in verse 9 "Holding the  of the  in a
    pure ."
(1 Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.)
4. For people to be obedient to the faith, they are to understand the mystery.
    True or False?    
(Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:)
5. The gospel of Jesus Christ is to be preached according to the revelation
    of the .  
(Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,)
6. The Mystery of the Faith has been kept secret since the world .
    (Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,)
7. The Mystery of the Faith was revealed when?  Choose one of the following.
    A. During the Old Testament time.
    B. From the time of Paul till the Rapture.
8. The Mystery of the Faith is to be revealed by the  of
    the prophets, according to the  of the everlasting God.
   (Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:)
9. How was the Mystery of the Faith revealed to Paul?  
   (Ephesians 3:1-4 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2  If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
10. Was Paul taught this revelation of the Mystery of the Faith by man?
       
(Galatians 1:11-12 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.)
11. Where was this revelation taught to Paul?  
(Galatians 1:16-17 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

17  Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.)
12. Approximately how long did it take Paul to receive this revelation?
      years    
(Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.)
13. Who revealed this mystery to Paul?  A  in Christ.  
(2 Corinthians 12:1-6 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5  Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6        For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.)
14. Who was taken up to the third heaven?   Choose one of the following.

(2 Corinthians 12:2-4 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.)
     A. Paul
     B. A man in Christ.
15. Could Paul tell if this person was in the body or out of the body?
      (2 Corinthians 12:2-3 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
16. Paul questioned the fact of whether this man was in the body or not
      because?  Choose one of the following. 
(2 Corinthians 12:2-4 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.)
     A. He looked different.
     B. He was able to go back and forth to paradise.
17. Which will Paul give glory to?  Choose one of the following. (2 Corinthians 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6  For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.)
     A. Himself
     B. The man in Christ
18. Where was paradise?  Choose one of the following.
(2 Corinthians 12:2-4 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.)
     A. Where God is.
      B. In the third heaven.
      C. All of the above.
      D. None of the above.
19. Did this man in Christ reveal the Mystery of the Faith to Paul?  
     (2 Corinthians 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  Galatians 1:11-12 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,)

Now give a summary of what you have learned.

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Copyright (c) 1999 by Jerry L. Wells