The Gospels and the Mystery

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Musicmaster

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2021
1,076
196
63
Man is spiritually dead in sin and as dead, unable to truly repent. As the scripture says, true repentance must be given by God.
Is that copied and pasted from R. C. Sproul? It sure sounds like him.

MM
 

rogerg

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2021
3,626
560
113
It's illogical to believe Jesus would expect people to do something they are incapable of doing; "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye (YOU) repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3, 5)
The publicizing a requirement is not illogical; not publishing it would be.

[2Co 2:15-16 KJV]
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one [we are] the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who [is] sufficient for these things?


The idea that spiritual gifts ceased with the death of the apostles is an odd idea. Especially since all born again believers have the Holy Ghost dwelling within. And, spiritual gifts flow from the indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost to assist in ministering Jesus to the lost.
I said, "certain powers". You are taking liberties with what I posted.

And with that, I'm done.
 

rogerg

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2021
3,626
560
113
Is that copied and pasted from R. C. Sproul? It sure sounds like him.

MM

No, I only read the Bible but thanks for the compliment. You weren't aware those verses are in the Bible?

[Eph 2:1 KJV] 1 And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[Col 2:13 KJV] 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,718
29,073
113
The Jewish history is long and rich. Maybe I should have phrased it differently. Genesis revealed that a Savior would be involved at some point in history. Even Jesus said that those looking through the OT looking for salvation, missed the mark, for the Scriptures revealed Him.

The Jews were so wrapped up in their man-made laws and with each other that they had even lost sight of the real laws of God that were given through Moses, who wrote the first five books of the Old Testament: “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:46-47)

Luke 24:27 + 31
:)
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
18,791
6,455
113
62
I was showing you that the word “redeemer” is often used as a physical deliverer.
Sure it can, but physical redemption is always meant to picture spiritual redemption. And that's what I was attempting to show you. Read the entire passage. The language suggests Job understood more than simply physical redemption.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,703
13,516
113
Not hades but paradise, Abraham’s bosom. But you say that before the cross, people could get saved by faith and go to heaven without knowledge of the cross.

The gospel unto salvation is specifically how Christ died on the cross for sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. Not one look forward to the cross. A popular view, but biblically not true.
the scripture says they knew salvation was coming, that the Son would come and suffer, but not when:

1 Peter 1:10-12​
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace [that would come] to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
how do you long to look into something that you don't even know exists?

Adam is saved by faith, covered by the blood of the Lamb.
you will just have to apologize to him, in glory.

please listen to the lecture series i posted for you. no reason to remain obstinately ignorant when food is on your plate in front of you. i will check back in a few weeks to see how you liked it.
 

phil36

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2009
8,345
2,157
113
So you believe there were different messages to believe in order to be saved?
I was redering to your hypothetical conditionals.

But to answer your question, I'll quite Paul:-

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, t our forefather
according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” romans 4:2-3


And I am sure you have read Hebrews chapter 11?


I'll finish with the first couple of verses in Hebrews 12 :-

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloudof witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and w sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, a who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising b the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
 

Musicmaster

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2021
1,076
196
63
No, I only read the Bible but thanks for the compliment. You weren't aware those verses are in the Bible?

[Eph 2:1 KJV] 1 And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[Col 2:13 KJV] 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Let's just say that I am indeed aware of those verses, but I do not subscribe to the interpretation Sproul applied to them, along with all those who are with him on that bandwagon.

MM
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
22,643
8,192
113
When we look at the Gospel as preached by the twelve, and the Gospel given to Paul to be preached to Gentiles and Jews alike, it becomes quite clear, apart from over-spiritualizing everything one reads, that the two messages are not one and the same:

The Kingdom Gospel preached by Christ and the twelve:

Proclaimed repentance and water baptism for salvation (Acts 2:38)
Proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom ([URL='Matthew 4:17, Acts 3.19)
Saved and commissioned within Israel’s borders (Matthew 16:13, 16-17)
Taught in Christ’s earthly ministry
Ministered to Jews only (Matthew 10:5, Galatians 2:7-9)

The Gospel of Grace received and taught by Paul:

Proclaimed “believe” alone for salvation (Romans 4:5-6, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
Proclaimed the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24)
Saved and commissioned outside Israel’s borders (Acts 9:3)
Was taught in Christ’s heavenly ministry (Galatians 1:1, 11-12)
Ministered primarily to Gentiles because of Jewish rejection (Romans 11:13, Galatians 2:7-9)

Paul was not taught by the twelve:

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

So, Paul was instructed by Christ Jesus, not other men in the mystery, which is the body of Christ, that was hidden in God, not the scriptures or the prophets:

1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Ephesians 3:2-7
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)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Not given to the twelve, but only to Paul, who then preached it to all others from that point onward. Paul already knew that the eleven were preaching, but THAT is the reason he persecuted them, and killed them. If Paul was only preaching what the others had already been preaching, then all the scriptures stating otherwise make no sense.

1 Corinthians 2:7-9
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

See that? Not even Satan and his demons knew of the Gospel of Grace that would be extended to the Gentiles until after it was revealed to, and preached by Paul. They would not have pushed for the crucifixion of Christ had they known that the kingdom of the Gentiles would be greatly diminished from their clutches through Paul's Gospel. They knew of the Kingdom Gospel, but they did NOT know of the Gospel of Grace and its impact until after it was too late.

Thoughts?

MM
It wasn't until the Council of Jerusalem that the salvation of the Gentiles became such a hot topic that it had to be dealt with decisively. Something like 15 years down the road from Pentecost.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,703
13,516
113
Since this is an entirely different discussion, I will leave it for another thread. I will say, however, that the idea that Abraham understood the full spectrum of accomplishment of the Lord standing before him under that tree, that's speculation at best, and is therefore moot as an important doctrine for us today.

MM
Abraham and Jesus are friends.

Your assertion that he does not know Him is baseless.

we don't need a while new thread in some far distant future to establish that, and it is 100% germaine to the question of whether the gospel of Christ existed before 33 AD.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
22,643
8,192
113
Let's just say that I am indeed aware of those verses, but I do not subscribe to the interpretation Sproul applied to them, along with all those who are with him on that bandwagon.

MM
Frankly Sproul was a disaster. Hardcore Reformed with all of the baggage.
Massive baggage.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
22,643
8,192
113
No, I only read the Bible but thanks for the compliment. You weren't aware those verses are in the Bible?

[Eph 2:1 KJV] 1 And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[Col 2:13 KJV] 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Death as God describes death = separation.

The Calvinist interpretation of those passages are a disaster. Epic epic disaster.
Among many others.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,703
13,516
113
Is that copied and pasted from R. C. Sproul? It sure sounds like him.

MM
the doctrine of human depravity in existant recorded post apostolic Christian theology dates back to at least Augustine and comes from scripture not imagination. Genesis 3, Romans 5.

we have freedom but we are also constrained by sinfulness. only the degree to which that corruption constrains us is up for debate.

if we were capable of goodness Christ died for nothing.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,718
29,073
113
Sure it can, but physical redemption is always meant to picture spiritual redemption. And that's what I was attempting to show you. Read the entire passage. The language suggests Job understood more than simply physical redemption.

Job 19:25-27a
:)
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
22,643
8,192
113
the doctrine of human depravity in existant recorded post apostolic Christian theology dates back to at least Augustine and comes from scripture not imagination. Genesis 3, Romans 5.

we have freedom but we are also constrained by sinfulness. only the degree to which that corruption constrains us is up for debate.

if we were capable of goodness Christ died for nothing.
I'm just wondering how much depravity unfallen Eve and unfallen angels had........before they were deceived and "fell to their deaths".
 

rogerg

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2021
3,626
560
113
Death as God describes death = separation.

The Calvinist interpretation of those passages are a disaster. Epic epic disaster.
Among many others.
No, it doesn't mean separation, it means death. Nekros is the word used in the verses I provided.
Separation as death is a different word, although they both either explicitly mean, or imply dead or death.
You don't like to accept that death actually means death? That is why your interpretations are usually so wrong

Henceforth don't bother me with your interpretations because I am not going to respond to them again.

[Eph 2:1 KJV] 1 And[G2532] you[G5209] [hath he quickened], who were[G5607] dead[G3498] in trespasses[G3900] and[G2532] sins;[G266]
[Col 2:13 KJV] 13 And[G2532] you,[G5209] being[G5607] dead[G3498] in[G1722] your sins[G3900] and[G2532] the uncircumcision[G203] of your[G5216] flesh,[G4561] hath he quickened together[G4806] with[G4862] him,[G846] having forgiven[G5483] you[G5213] all[G3956] trespasses;[G3900]

Dead:

nekros (Key) G3498
  1. properly
    1. one that has breathed his last, lifeless
    2. deceased, departed, one whose soul is in heaven or hell
    3. destitute of life, without life, inanimate
  2. metaph.
    1. spiritually dead
      1. destitute of a life that recognises and is devoted to God, because given up to trespasses and sins
      2. inactive as respects doing right
    2. destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative
[Jas 1:15 KJV] 15 Then[G1534] when lust[G1939] hath conceived,[G4815] it bringeth forth[G5088] sin:[G266] and[G1161] sin,[G266] when it is finished,[G658] bringeth forth[G616] death.[G2288]

thanatos (Key) G2288

  1. the death of the body
    1. that separation (whether natural or violent) of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended
    2. with the implied idea of future misery in hell
      1. the power of death
    3. since the nether world, the abode of the dead, was conceived as being very dark, it is equivalent to the region of thickest darkness i.e. figuratively, a region enveloped in the darkness of ignorance and sin
  2. metaph., the loss of that life which alone is worthy of the name,
    1. the misery of the soul arising from sin, which begins on earth but lasts and increases after the death of the body in hell
  3. the miserable state of the wicked dead in hell
  4. in the widest sense, death comprising all the miseries arising from sin, as well physical death as the loss of a life consecrated to God and blessed in him on earth, to be followed by wretchedness in hell
 

phil36

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2009
8,345
2,157
113
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Galatians 1:6-9, 11-12
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. ...
11 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.

Paul was well aware of the preaching of Jesus and of His disciples. It is that Gospel that motivated him to persecute and kill those who were followers of that preaching. We see here, then, that Paul obviously received something different than what was being preached by the eleven because he clearly states that what he preached he had received from no man, but only from Christ Himself. Those who followed the preaching of the eleven were also zealous of the Law of Moses:

Acts 21:20 And when they heard [it], they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

So, yes, the elements of works in the Kingdom Gospel, versus the singular element of faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross and in His resurrection, the differences become clear, which validate the words that Paul spoke to the Galatians as recorded above. Reiterating: Paul preached NOT what men had revealed to him, for he already knew what they believed. He preached the mystery that had not been revealed until then because of it being hidden in God. The exclusivity in what was revealed to Paul that was known to no man until then, the idea of it being the same as the Kingdom Gospel, THAT is what is moot as an argument in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

MM
Paul persecuted the church that is very true, he despised christ and his message, that is also true.

But,

On the road to damascus Paul encounteres the risen Lord and believed that one and same gospel he once despised. The one and only gospel.

None of the apostles preached what was handed down to them from men, only that which came from Christ. As with Paul the ither apostle received the gospel by revelation, by the word himself, as they walked with him.

I find it interestingnthat you miss out the ret of acts 21?

21and they have been told about you [Paul] that you [Paul] teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or w walk according to our customs.

Not only that, but, Luke tells us :-

When we [Luke, Paul etc] had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly Acts 21:17)

Even better they glorified God for Pauls ministry and we kniw they all taught the one and same gospel from the jerusalem counsel Acts 15.

Anyhiw lets go back to acts 21 for this really just ends your argument, and shows it untenable.

Acts 21:23—24 read caredully!

Do therefore what we (James and the Jewish christians in Jerusalem) tell you(Paul) . We have four men y who are under a vow;

24take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads.

Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you(Paul) yourself also live in observance of the law.

James is saying to Paul to do the nazarite vow, and all will know that Paul himself lives in observance of the law.
 

phil36

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2009
8,345
2,157
113
If we were not capable of choice Christ likewise died for nothing.

Theres your problem right there.... Your choice makes Christs work efficacious.

Your saying its your choice that makes Christs person and work (atonement etc) effective.

You would not be able to substatiate such a claim from scripture, from mans mind yes, from scripture, no!