R. Henderson 5/25/08 Lesson # Translated into the Kingdom of the Son of His Love – Col 1: On the Rock, Christ Jesus – 1 Cor 3: A Gift from God the Father to Christ – Jn 17: Circumcised in Christ – Eph 2:11, Col 2: Partakers of the Holy and Royal Priesthood – 1Pet 2:5 & A Chosen Generation, A Holy Nation, A Peculiar People – 1Pet 2:9 20. Heavenly Citizens – Phil 3: Of the Family and Household of God – Eph 2: In the Fellowship of the Saints – Jn 17:11 & Who We are in Christ

R. Henderson 5/25/08 Lesson # 21 2 Key Words: citizen – a native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection citizenship – the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen commonwealth – the people of a state or nation Heavenly Citizens

R. Henderson 5/25/08 Lesson # 21 3 Phil. 1:27a Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, conduct – politeuomai (verb) – conduct characteristic of heavenly citizenship therefore “conduct your citizenship” (present tense) see Acts 23:1 more on Phil 1:27a Only see to it that you recognize your responsibility as citizens [of heaven] (Weust) Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves (Amp) manner worthy - suitably, properly

R. Henderson 5/25/08 Lesson # 21 4 Phil. 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; citizenship - politeuma (noun) - signifies "the condition, or life of a citizen, citizenship;" In the NT, the state itself, community, commonwealth, used metaphorically of Christians in reference to their spiritual community (Zodhiates) For the commonwealth of which we are citizens (Wuest) But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) (Amp)

R. Henderson 5/25/08 Lesson # 21 5 Phil. 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; normal Greek word for is – eimi – verb of status quo, state in which something continually exists examples see 1John 1:5 and 1 John 4:15 but the Greek for is in this verse – hyparcho – “to be in existence”, involving an "existence" or condition both previous to the circumstances mentioned and continuing after it (Vine) see Phil 2:6

R. Henderson 5/25/08 Lesson # 21 6 Phil. 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; heaven in scripture: First heaven – the atmosphere which surrounds the earth see Hos. 2:18, Dan 7:13 Second heaven – the stellar space see Gen. 1:14-18 Third heaven – the abode of God but unrevealed location see 2 Cor Which heaven is spoken of in this verse ? What is the significance of this citizenship ?

R. Henderson 5/25/08 Lesson # 21 7 Phil. 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior Positional or Conditional truth ? eagerly wait – apekdechomai – “to await or expect eagerly” see Rom 8:23, 1 Cor. 1:7, Heb. 9:28