Theology Of Paul
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THEOLOGY OF PAUL<br />
M.M.NINAN<br />
___________________________________________________________<br />
There is an on going struggle between the outer man (the unregenerated man of this world) and the inner man<br />
(the regenerated part of the world). <strong>Paul</strong> characterizes this struggle as a war between the Principalities and<br />
Powers of this world and the Spiritual man within.<br />
2Co 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed<br />
every day.<br />
Heb 9:8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary is not yet opened as long as the outer<br />
tent is still standing<br />
Eph 6:11-18 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we<br />
are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world<br />
rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the<br />
whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand<br />
therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod<br />
your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you<br />
can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,<br />
which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert<br />
with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,<br />
Thus, <strong>Paul</strong> depicts the process of theosis as a progressive and life-long struggle between the outer world and its<br />
selfish destructive philosophies and the Spirit of Christ by which the believer dies more and more to self and sin<br />
and transforms himself more and more into the likeness of Christ.<br />
Rom 5:1-2<br />
Therefore,<br />
since we are justified by faith,<br />
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.<br />
Through him<br />
we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand,<br />
and<br />
we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.<br />
This is a group dynamics whereby believers are called to acquire "the full measure of perfection of Christ," This is<br />
the work of the Holy Spirit. It is not an individual growth it has to be through the body of Christ as an organism<br />
Through the process of sanctification,<br />
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