The Real New Testament Church
  • Home
  • Contents
  • Preface
  • Plan
    • Kingdom >
      • Chapter 1 - Beginning
      • Chapter 2 - Errant Reasoning
      • Chapter 3 - Consequence
      • Chapter 4 - Adaptation
      • Chapter 5 - Original Earth
      • Chapter 6 - Renovated Earth
      • Chapter 7 - Degenerated Earth
      • Chapter 8 - Time, Space and Representation
      • Chapter 9 - Early Ages
      • Chapter 10 - Israelite Age
      • Chapter 11 - Gentile Age
      • Chapter 12 - Tribulation
      • Chapter 13 - Regenerated Earth
      • Chapter 14 - New Earth
    • Covenant >
      • Chapter 15 - Covenant
      • Chapter 16 - Major Covenants
      • Chapter 17 - Eternal Covenant
      • Chapter 18 - Renovation Covenant
      • Chapter 19 - Old Covenant for Israel
      • Chapter 20 - New Covenant for Israel
  • Church
    • Preparation >
      • Chapter 21 - Parables
      • Chapter 22 - Kingdom of Heaven Parables
    • Foundation >
      • Chapter 23 - New Testament Church
      • Chapter 24 - Church Covenant
      • Chapter 25 - Eternal or Temporal
      • Chapter 26 - Calling
      • Chapter 27 - Description
    • Legality >
      • Chapter 28 - Law
      • Chapter 29 - Transgression
      • Chapter 30 - Justification
    • Life (zoe) >
      • Chapter 31 - Life (zoe)
      • Chapter 32 - Progression of Life (zoe)
      • Chapter 33 - Birth
      • Chapter 34 - Perfect Example
      • Chapter 35 - Church Life
      • Chapter 36 - Sanctification
      • Chapter 37 - Rule of Life (zoe)
      • Chapter 38 - Life According to the Spirit
      • Chapter 39 - Return to Law
      • Chapter 40 - Faith
    • Composition >
      • Chapter 41 - Covenantal Headship
      • Chapter 42 - New Covenantal Headship
      • Chapter 43 - Practical Headship
      • Chapter 44 - Body
      • Chapter 45 - Women
    • Incarnation >
      • Chapter 46 - Function and Form
      • Chapter 47 - Purpose and Mission
      • Chapter 48 - Manifestation
    • Doctrine and Practice >
      • Chapter 49 - Apostolic Teaching
      • Chapter 50 - Apostolic Tradition
    • Apostolic Teaching >
      • Chapter 51 - Values
      • Chapter 52 - Prayer
      • Chapter 53 - Works
      • Chapter 54 - Giving
    • Apostolic Tradition >
      • Chapter 55 - Governance
      • Chapter 56 - Simplicity
      • Chapter 57 - Biblical Gatherings
      • Chapter 58 - Practical Gatherings
      • Chapter 59 - Supper: Celebration and Sign
      • Chapter 60 - Supper: Apostolic Tradition
      • Chapter 61 - Assembling Together
    • Growth >
      • Chapter 62 - Biblical Church Growth
      • Chapter 63 - Practical Church Growth
      • Chapter 64 - Exponential Growth
    • Simulation >
      • Chapter 65 - Temporal Simulation
      • Chapter 66 - Simulated Church History
      • Chapter 67 - Confirmation of Scripture
      • Chapter 68 - Sovereignty of God
    • Warfare >
      • Chapter 69 - Warfare
      • Chapter 70 - Utter Defeat
      • Chapter 71 - Freedom
      • Chapter 72 - Position
      • Chapter 73 - Descriptive Armor
      • Chapter 74 - Cooperative Armor
      • Chapter 75 - Armor Abridged
      • Chapter 76 - Armor Paraphrased
      • Chapter 77 - Armor Appropriated
      • Chapter 78 - Full Armor
      • Chapter 79 - Power of Position
  • Reformation
    • Chapter 80 - Formation, Deformation and Reformation
    • Chapter 81 - Law and Life
    • Chapter 82 - Practice of Law
    • Chapter 83 - Practice of Life
    • Chapter 84 - From Law to Life
    • Chapter 85 - Doctrine, Desire and Dependence
    • Chapter 86 - Design, Decentralization, Demonstration and Divestment
  • Conclusion
    • Chapter 87 - The Real New Testament Church
  • Endnotes
  • About
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Chapter 75 - Armor Abridged
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The full armor of God can be summarized as follows:
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Descriptive:
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Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14):
The "belt" or armor of truth is the truth of God in Christ. (John 1:14-17; 8:32; 14:6; Ephesians 1:13; 4:21; Colossians 1:5) It is an attribute of the divine nature and therefore, descriptive of the presence of Christ actively indwelling the New Testament church.  By the incomparable, truthful power of His indwelling life (zoe​), God has chosen to defend His ecclesia against falsehood promoted by the devil.  The power of His life (zoe), characterized by the attribute of truth, is incomparable.  Indwelling the New Testament church it is more than able to "destroy" every lie of the devil.  
Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14):
The “breastplate” or armor of righteousness is the righteousness of God in Christ. (Jeremiah 23:6; Romans 1:16-17; 3:21; 5:17; 1 John 2:29) It is an attribute of the divine nature and therefore, descriptive of the presence of Christ actively indwelling the New Testament church. By the incomparable, righteous power of His indwelling life (zoe), God has chosen to defend His ecclesia against every possible accusation of unrighteousness by the devil. Self-righteousness is susceptible to devilish accusations. Only the righteousness of Christ is beyond accusation. It alone allows the New Testament church to “stand firm” in spiritual battle.
Shoes of Peace (Ephesians 6:15):
The “shoes” or armor of peace is peace with God in Christ. (John 1:14-17; 8:32; 14:6; Ephesians 1:13; 4:21; Colossians 1:5) It is an attribute of the divine nature and, therefore, descriptive of the presence of Christ actively indwelling the New Testament church.  God is never the source of conflict in the life of the believer.  He is never angry with His children, never the source of their difficulty and suffering, and never to blame for their trials and tribulations. The New Testament church is unconditionally justified from all sin and intimately joined with Christ in an inseparable union of shared life. Therefore, it is forever at peace with God.    
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Cooperative:    
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Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16):
​The “shield of faith” is faith in the immediate presence of the incomparable power of indwelling life (zoe) (evidenced by the attributes of truth, righteousness, and peace). It is an instrument of cooperation graciously allotted by God. (Romans 12:3; Ephesians 2:8-9) Active, dependent faith in the incomparable power of indwelling life (zoe) provides a “shield” of protection for the New Testament church during spiritual battle. It allows the ecclesia to cooperate with God against schemes of the devil characterized by burning, fearful lies, accusation, and blame. The indwelling Christ is ever-present with His children in spiritual battle. Rather than fighting or working for victory, the New Testament church must actively, dependently trust in the immediate, victorious presence of Jesus Christ, the efficacy of His redemptive blood, and the incomparable power of His indwelling life (zoe).  
Helmet of Salvation
(Ephesians 6:17):
The “helmet of salvation” is the hope of deliverance from the schemes of the devil in the “evil day.” The helmet of the “hope of salvation” is graciously gifted by God. (Ephesians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 1 Peter 1:3) It is a divinely provided instrument that allows the New Testament church to cooperate with the incomparable power of indwelling life (zoe) (evidenced by the attributes of truth, righteousness, and peace). The helmet of the “hope of salvation” recognizes that deliverance by the incomparable power of indwelling life (zoe) is an eventual certainty in the “evil day.” Therefore, it allows the New Testament church to “stand firm” and “resist” the schemes of the devil without losing hopefulness, regardless of how long they are allowed to persist. 
Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17):
The “sword of the Spirit” is the word of God. By context of usage, it is a specific word from Scripture illuminated by the Spirit that is relevant to a particular scheme of the devil.  Along with faith and hope, the sword of the Spirit allows the New Testament church to cooperate with the incomparable power of indwelling life (zoe) (evidenced by the attributes of truth, righteousness, and peace). It provides specific direction for the exercise of faith and hope in Christ against the particular schemes of the devil in the “evil day.”  Effectively wielding the “sword of the Spirit” in spiritual battle requires the New Testament church to know the word of God and apply it in battle as illuminated by the Spirit of God.  “Accurately handling the word of truth” further demands that the New Testament church must respond to the indwelling Spirit by dependent faith, fervent prayer, and a willingness to receive confirmation from brothers and sisters in the Lord. (2 Timothy 2"15; Proverbs 11:14)     
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© 2023 James Hiatt
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