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.

rogerg

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2021
3,655
568
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
One gospel for all. Get over it.

[2Pe 1:1, 3-4 KJV]
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: ...
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

[2Pe 3:14-17 KJV]
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
 

rogerg

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2021
3,655
568
113
it becomes quite clear, apart from over-spiritualizing everything one reads, that the two messages are not one and the same:
The gospel can't be "over spiritualized" as it is ALL spiritual. You are just unable to recognize it.

[1Co 2:10, 12-14 KJV]

10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. ...
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
16,461
457
83
The gospel can't be "over spiritualized" as it is ALL spiritual. You are just unable to recognize it.

[1Co 2:10, 12-14 KJV]

10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. ...
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.
not all see it as of yet. otherwise the age of grace would be over. I see the both of you are seeing this grace given and see others not seeing it as many are seeing it and using it wrong.

I hear Muxic Man seeing the misusing of grace, people under Law, acting as if got it and put others under Law also. I do not know anyone;s true intention, I think your intention is true too.
Yet, all in all, Father knows best thank you
 

phil36

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2009
8,345
2,157
113
It all centers around Christ as the One who fulfilled all that was written concerning Himself. The mystery operates ONLY because of what Christ accomplished on the cross for all mankind. What He has done, however, is mitigated the reality of Israel having been cut off for a time. He had to, because under the Kingdom Gospel, Gentiles were saved only by becoming Jews, but because they were cut off due to their unbelief that continues to this very day, there had to be some other means through which believing Jews and believing Gentiles could be saved, and that is by Grace through faith.

Esther 8:17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

Why was it hidden?

1 Corinthians 2:7-8
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.

It served the Lord's purposes to have in His plan the mitigation for what He knew was going to happen.

Amen

MM
So the mystery is revealed and fulfilled in Christ., the Christ who "is head of the body, the church ((assembly) Col 1:18a))" . Christ being the firstborn, the first born into the new creation as Paul continues in verse 18 :- "He is the begining, the first born from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent Col 1:18b".

Those who are Born again are in Christ, and as such enjoy the benefits of adoption (Rom 8:15-17; Eph 1:5) and every spiritual blessing 'in Christ' (Eph 1:3).

Christ himself being the first born from the dead, by faith raises us up from death to new life (john 3:16; 6:35; Rom 5). Therefore, Peter and all the other apostles and disciple are also part of Christs body (the church) for they are born again into Christ as Peter himself states - "He has caused us to be born again.... Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:3)".

The one true gospel, that gospel itself is Christ Jesus, the one who, not only shows us the way but is the way, not only tells us the truth but is truth itself and not only gives life but is very life itself.

Christ, is tye good news the mystery that has been revealed in the time of fulfiment. Christ looks forward ti his cross in the gopsel, Paul looks back upon it.

The is only one gospel and that is the proclammation of the kingdom of God/heaven, that broke into space and time (history) in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we proclaim him and ask that people repent and believe just like Jesus and Paul ( Acts 17:30;34).

And this brings comfort to all from the first disciples of Jesus in Galilee and Jerusalem to the first Samaritans and Gentiles... Jew and gentile alike are now the 'One new man in Christ', one body, one living temple. And all can say as Jesus did :-

"there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1)". .... Yes Jesus' teaching in Paul's own style of writing. Cf. John 5:24; 3:18.

One Christ, one gospel, one body/people, one kingdom (Gods) and all to the glory of God.


Hyper dispensationalism (paul onlyism) is an unhealthy, unscriptural and untenable theology.
 

rogerg

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2021
3,655
568
113
not all see it as of yet. otherwise the age of grace would be over. I see the both of you are seeing this grace given and see others not seeing it as many are seeing it and using it wrong.

I hear Muxic Man seeing the misusing of grace, people under Law, acting as if got it and put others under Law also. I do not know anyone;s true intention, I think your intention is true too.
Yet, all in all, Father knows best thank you
Sorry, I'm not sure that I fully understand your post - my fault - but I will say that anyone's attempt to achieve salvation by the keeping
of law in any sense, leads to God's wrath, not His grace - instead it is against His grace. Salvation is fully and completely a gift by His exceedingly great mercy and grace through Christ, given to those He has chosen for it, with no prerequisites or conditions whatsoever associated to or imposed upon it.
 

rogerg

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2021
3,655
568
113
Hyper dispensationalism (paul onlyism) is an unhealthy, unscriptural and untenable theology.
It isn't "paul onlyism"; it is gospel-ism and is the gospel itself. The reverse is unhealthy, unscriptural and untenable.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,109
3,686
113
If you had only the knowledge of these men, would that be enough for salvation today?

1. Abraham
2. Moses
3. David
4. Disciple pre-resurrection
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,028
6,534
113
62
If you had only the knowledge of these men, would that be enough for salvation today?

1. Abraham
2. Moses
3. David
4. Disciple pre-resurrection
No, but if you had a copy of the books of the Bible they appear in, or any individual book of the OT, that would be sufficient to salvation.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,788
13,546
113
If you had only the knowledge of these men, would that be enough for salvation today?

1. Abraham
2. Moses
3. David
4. Disciple pre-resurrection
Adam didn't even have that, and he is saved by the gospel
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,109
3,686
113
No, but if you had a copy of the books of the Bible they appear in, or any individual book of the OT, that would be sufficient to salvation.
Really? If all that I had was the book of Genesis, that would be enough for a man today to get saved? Leviticus? Job?
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,109
3,686
113
Adam didn't even have that, and he is saved by the gospel
Adam didn’t have what we have. He was not saved. The best outcome for Adam is to die and end up in the heart of the earth, safe from hell fire. That is not salvation as we know it today. Adam had no knowledge of the cross, the d,b,r of Jesus for sins.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,028
6,534
113
62
Really? If all that I had was the book of Genesis, that would be enough for a man today to get saved? Leviticus? Job?
Yep. Read John 5:39-40. The whole Bible is about Jesus, and faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,028
6,534
113
62
Adam didn’t have what we have. He was not saved. The best outcome for Adam is to die and end up in the heart of the earth, safe from hell fire. That is not salvation as we know it today. Adam had no knowledge of the cross, the d,b,r of Jesus for sins.
Adam had firsthand knowledge of blood being shed for him and being clothed by God in an acceptable covering.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,251
1,106
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
Paul was present and made no objection when Peter made the following statement. "... Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles BY MY MOUTH should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
AND PUT NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND THEM, purifying their hearts by faith." (Acts 15:7-9) Peter's comment is a reference to what he preached in both Acts 2:36-41 and 10:43-48. Believe, repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sin (water), and receive the Holy Ghost. The Apostle Paul was tasked with continuing to spread the gospel to Gentiles.

The same gospel was always presented to the Jew first, and then the Gentile. (Rom. 1:16-17) Paul preached the same message years after the gospel was first presented on the Day of Pentecost. Take note of the details revealed in Acts 18:4-8, 19:1-9:

"And he (Paul) reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized." Acts 18:4-8


"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
(NT water baptism)
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
And all the men were about twelve.

And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. (Acts 19:1-9)
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,251
1,106
113
Paul’s gospel given to him by Christ Jesus was/is the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ Jesus:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Please observe the glaring difference in the content of Paul’s gospel compared to the content of the Kingdom Gospel.

Where is repentance? Where is baptism?

They are not there.

According to the Kingdom Gospel, salvation was granted to the believer after he or she repented, was water baptized, believing Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16-17; John 11:25-27; Acts 2:38), and THEN receive the filling of Holy Spirit.

Under the Gospel of Grace (Acts 20:24), which was Paul’s gospel, all we have to do is believe Christ died for us, was buried and arose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Do you see that? It's so plain that in Paul’s gospel, only one thing is necessary, which is to have faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus for your sins. No "sinner's prayer" or some other ritual, but only to believe in your heart.

You don't have to immerse yourself into the works of sacraments, religious practices, crawl around a city on your bloody knees, flog yourself, work in Calcutta to bath and feed the poor (although doing good is always a natural outflow from genuine faith), or anything else that the accursed tell you that you must do for salvation.

MM
Prior to Jesus' ascension, noted in Luke 24, He told His disciples that repentance and remission of sin would be preached in His name beginning in Jerusalem and would spread to all nations. We see this truth unfold through the record of the Acts (actions) of the Apostles.

Peter preached repentance and remission of sin in association with water baptism at Jerusalem. Those who believed and obeyed the command to repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus for remission of sin were promised they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.(Acts 2:37-38)
The same gospel was presented to the Samaritans. (Acts 8:12-18)
Peter presented the same gospel to the Gentiles as well. (Acts 10:43-48)
Paul's message included belief and water baptism in (Acts 18:4-8)
Paul revealed receiving the Holy Ghost does not occur upon belief alone. (Acts 19:2)
The Acts 19 account expresses the same conditions as initially presented by Peter on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:36-38)
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,109
3,686
113
Yep. Read John 5:39-40. The whole Bible is about Jesus, and faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Faith in building an ark today is not saving anyone. Faith in the blood of animals is not saving anyone.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,109
3,686
113
Adam had firsthand knowledge of blood being shed for him and being clothed by God in an acceptable covering.
Yes, but zero knowledge of the d,b,r of Jesus for sins which is our gospel for today.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,028
6,534
113
62
Faith in building an ark today is not saving anyone. Faith in the blood of animals is not saving anyone.
Of course not. It's always faith in Christ that saves. But both the examples you shared are pictures of that.
Have you ever received revelation from God? I only ask because you don't seem to be able to be able to move beyond the apparent or surface meaning to understanding the underlying and spiritual meaning.
I earnestly don't mean this to be insulting. Rather, I'm suggesting that there is a treasure trove of understanding below the surface to be gained through both deeper study and direct revelation.

To be clear, I don't believe God is bringing new revelation, but merely uncovering to the individual that which is already there, in much the same way waves unearth shells beneath the surface of the sand.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,028
6,534
113
62
Yes, but zero knowledge of the d,b,r of Jesus for sins which is our gospel for today.
Not sure how much OT saints would have understood concerning salvation, but Job knew his Redeemer lived. And that was probably before any scripture was assembled. Whatever God revealed, it was sufficient for salvation. The same was true of every OT saint.