THE
APOSTLE PAUL AND HIS GOSPEL
The
purpose of this study, is to show the difference between the Gospel as given to
the Jews through the Apostle PETER, and the Gospel given to the Gentiles
through the Apostle PAUL.
For
many years, Pastors, Bible Teachers and evangelists have preached the GOSPEL
all over the world. However it would probably be more correct to say they have
preached what THEY BELIEVE to be the Gospel that Jesus taught. However, Jesus
never preached the Gospel of SALVATION, as is preached in most Churches today.
He introduced the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM that he declared to be a present
reality at the time of his ministry. It would seem that very few people
understand that the scriptures reveal more than ONE EVANGEL, and the difference
between them is most remarkable. Now for many, this statement will be
considered heresy, because they have been told there is only ONE EVANGEL. But I
encourage you to read on and prove it for yourself. Now let us explore the
facts.
The
Greek word for Gospel is EU-ANGGLEION. The prefix EU means WELL or GOOD, as in
Matt 25:21. The word ANGGELION means a message, and is connected with the word
"LOGOS." 1Jn 1:5. So the Bible definition of the word GOSPEL is
"A MESSAGE of GOOD NEWS." The first four Books in the New Testament
are called "GOSPELS," but this is not to be considered an exclusive
use of this word. In Rom 4:3 it speaks of the GOSPEL that God brought to
Abraham. Gen 12:3. Then there is the GOSPEL Gabriel brought to Zachariah in
Luke 2:10-12. Paul speaks about the GOSPEL OF THE CIRCUMCISION in Gal 2:7, and
also the GOSPEL OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION. In the book of Revelation there is THE
EONIAN GOSPEL, to name just a few of the Gospels that are mentioned in the
Bible. How interesting it is to note that in none of these "Gospels"
is there mention of judgment or a burning eternal hell as part of the message.
The Gospel is all GOOD NEWS.
In
this study we will deal mainly with the TWO GOSPELS mentioned in Gal 2:7-9. The
Gospel of the CIRCUMCISION that was delivered by Peter to the Jewish people,
who were the people of the CIRCUMCISION, and the Gospel of the UNCIRCUMCISION
given to Paul for the Gentiles or nations. Because of the divergent nature of
these two Gospels, it was necessary for the Lord to use two separate men to
deliver these messages to men. The separation of these two messages and the men
involved, is outlined for us in Gal 2:7-9. It is obvious that Peter, James and
John all recognized God’s choice in the matter, so that Paul was sent to the
NATIONS, whilst Peter was sent to the CIRCUMCISION.
The
one thing that impressed Peter, was the fact that in choosing Paul, Jesus
Christ had acted wholly independently of the twelve, who were His chosen
witnesses unto his people. It was because of this that Paul found it necessary
to establish the basis of his Apostleship, which did not depend upon the
winning of a vote by men, or of the church. The Lord himself chose all the
original disciples, and this is very important to remember. But after he
returned to the Father, the CHURCH did the choosing of those who functioned in
special ministries and have continued to do so even to this day. But many are
being called in this our day who are not a part of the religious establishment,
those who have been trained in the school of the spirit for a particularly
ministry.
So
Paul makes it very plain, that he was an apostle, NOT ordained by man but of
God, neither was he taught by man but by the spirit of God in the Arabian
Desert. This put him on the same level as those who were the original
disciples. The next matter that needed to be clarified, was the authority for
the GOSPEL that he preached. The other Apostles, who had been with Jesus and
had listened to His teaching, felt they had an advantage over those who had not
been so involved. However, it is obvious their understanding of what Jesus said
was still lacking, especially concerning the events of the cross. It was not
until after Pentecost that many things became clear to them.
Paul
of course was not among these men, being at that time a persecutor of all who
followed Jesus. It is because of this that he needed to establish his authority
for the Gospel he preached. He declares quite plainly, "The Gospel that was preached of me is NOT AFTER MAN, for I
neither received it of man, nor was I taught it but by REVELATION OF JESUS
CHRIST." Paul testifies, that after God called him on the Damascus
road he did not CONFER WITH FLESH AND BLOOD, but went to Arabia where he
received REVELATION direct from God without human instrumentality. Thus he
proved his Apostolic authority flowed direct from God, according to HIS
predetermined GOOD PLEASURE. Gal 1:15. It is also interesting to note that Paul
received his revelation outside the HOLY LAND, among the heathen or Gentiles.
The
mutual independence of Peter, the Apostle to the CIRCUMCISION, and Paul, the
Apostle to the UNCIRCUMCISION, had to be clearly established, This was done
through THREE meetings they had together. The FIRST was private in nature as
they shared together their own dealings with the Lord, and was designed to
establish a basis for mutual understanding. Gal 1:18 The SECOND meeting was
somewhat official and is outlined in Gal 2:1-10. In this instance God had
spoken to Paul and told him to communicate to the twelve the GOSPEL that was
entrusted to him. As a result of this meeting, these "Pillars" of the
Church at Jerusalem, Peter, James and John, issued a formal recognition of
Paul’s DOCTRINE, AND APOSTLESHIP, on behalf of the Jewish Church.
Such
recognition by men was but a human formality and did not in fact legitimize
Paul’s message or his authority. This had already been done by the one who said
, "HE IS A CHOSEN VESSEL UNTO ME TO BEAR MY NAME." All that the other
apostles could do was to publicly recognize this DIVINELY CHOSEN VESSEL. The
THIRD time they met there was open confrontation over the question of GENTILES
having to conform to JEWISH LAW AND CULTURE. Bear in mind, the Jerusalem
conference had already recognized Paul’s message and authority, and allowed the
Gentile converts freedom from the law by their decree. Acts 15:19-20.
Peter
had previously been taught by the Lord in a most unusual way, that he should
make no distinction between Jew and Gentile. Acts 10:9-216. Now Paul challenges
Peter openly for his present behavior, because he was denying the very truth he
claimed to believe. He was refusing to eat with Gentiles, being in FEAR OF
THOSE OF THE CIRCUMCISION. Gal 2:12. Even Barnabas was influenced by Peter’s
behavior. So Paul brings a public rebuke to the apostle Peter, accusing Him of
living as do the Gentiles, and yet demanding the Gentiles live as do the Jews.
(verse 14) This results in the charge that Peter had built again what he once
pulled down. This makes him a transgressor and Christ a minister of sin.v17-18.
Paul
begins to outline the Gospel of Grace that was entrusted to him, even though he
knows it will put him at variance with those of the Circumcision.
PAUL’S REVELATION
There
were THREE main truths made know to Paul in Arabia.
The
GOSPEL OF GOD, mentioned in Rom 1-1.
The
MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL. Rom 16-25.
The
DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY. Eph 3:3 & 9.
The
GOSPEL OF GOD was "promised
before" through His holy prophets, in the scriptures. Rom 1:2. It concerns
the justification of the nations, (heathen) on the basis of God’s promise to
Abraham, that through his seed which is CHRIST would all the nations be blessed.
Rom 4:9-10. Gal 3:8. When Paul understood that Jesus Christ was the Son of God,
he realized that HE was the heir of Abraham’s promise. Paul knew the old
testament scriptures, so all he needed was to receive light and understanding
from the Holy Spirit and his view-point was changed to include Christ, as the
center of all God’s purposes. The first four chapters of Romans shows how he
was taught the Truth by the Lord, leading his readers along the same path.
The
MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL or the SECRET NEWS, is the message of reconciliation. The
message of reconciliation was latent in the scriptures, but unlike the Gospel
of God that was a distinct item of promise and prophecy, it was silenced or
hushed up. The truth was there but its lips were sealed, so that being mute it
could not draw attention to itself. But when the fullness of time had come, the
long silence was broken , and MERCY AND TRUTH declared the all consuming
passion and LOVE of GOD.
When
God created that first M-A-N in Genesis 1:26-28, He created the whole human
race. All men were latent in him. i.e. In that M-A-N lay the germinal force to
produce all of mankind all out of himself, just as a grain of wheat contains
within itself, a whole crop to be produced from it. This MAN was told to be
FRUITFUL and replenish or FILL the earth. We are not speaking here of the MAN
formed from the dust of the ground, but the one who was in the beginning with
God and was GOD. John calls him the LOGOS or the WORD that is the CHRIST.
BUT
there is another MAN ADAM formed of the dust of the earth who is placed in the
Garden of Eden. This man also has the power to procreate but on an earthly
level. This man through disobedience looses his divine perception of God and
himself and enters into a world that is hostile to him. However because of his
representative nature his disobedience flows on to affect all of his offspring.
Paul says, "Through the one man’s offence, death was passed upon all
men."
However
this same representation, and headship exist in Christ. As in the ONE so in the
OTHER, is the principle laid down by the apostle. Each is HEAD and represents
the human race on two levels , the EARTHLY and HEAVENLY. Each HEAD imparts his
own quality to the whole race. The first Adam was a living SOUL and in Him ALL
DIE. The LAST Adam is a LIFE GIVING SPIRIT, and in Him ALL are MADE ALIVE. Adam
sinned and through the one offence brought condemnation on ALL MEN. In the same
way through Christ’s OBEDIENCE he brought LIFE AND JUSTIFICATION to all. Rom
5:18-20. When Adam sinned IT WAS RECKONED TO ALL, but was imparted by
generation. In the same way, Christ SANCTIFIED ALL, through the offering of his
BODY once and for all. Heb 10:10. Therefore for ALL, death has been destroyed
that we might LIVE.
TO
EACH IN HIS OWN ORDER. FOR THE RECONCILIATION OF ALL THROUGH THE DEATH OF
CHRIST, IS THE FOUNDATION OF GRACE. Neither ADAM or CHRIST is a SUBSTITUTE for
all men. Neither stand INSTEAD of the human race, but each stands FOR the whole
human race, all being present and represented in their HEADS, ON BOTH THE
EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY PLANES. The teaching of SUBSTITUTION is NON BIBLICAL. It
is ONE-NESS and not SUBTITUTION that brings both SIN and DEATH in ADAM, and
LIFE and RIGHTEOUSNESS in CHRIST.
Paul’s
knowledge of the DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY could not have been known except
by revelation from the Lord. He speaks in humility of these wonderful truths, "I was made a minister according to the gift of
the Grace of God given to me by the effectual working of his mighty power. Unto
me, who am the least of all the saints is this GRACE given, that I should
preach among the Gentiles, the UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST. And to make all
men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the
world HAS BEEN HID IN GOD, WHO CREATED ALL THINGS BY JESUS CHRIST." Eph
3:7-8.
A
new experience awaited Paul in order that he might understand the Truth of the
DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY. Eph 3:9. Paul is "caught up" to the
third heaven, and hears UNSPEAKABLE WORDS. 2Cor 12:4. Let us not waste time
seeking to establish the number of levels associated with HEAVEN. The truth
here is that Paul heard things that he categorized as being UNSPEAKABLE. The
rest of the verse does not appear in the old manuscripts. What does he mean by
UNSPEAKABLE? Divine truth is of such a quality that our language is totally
inadequate to give expression to it.
Jesus
said to Nicodemus, "If I have told you of EARTHLY THINGS and you cannot
understand them, how will you grasp the truth if I speak about HEAVENLY
THINGS." Paul is transported to the dispensation of the FULLNESS OF TIMES,
and sees heaven and earth reconciled. Remember Christ is HEAD in both the
heavens as well as the earth. We must understand that the heavens and the earth
refer primarily to man who consists of a part, which is spiritual and therefore
associated with the heavens, and a part that is earthly. These are the heavens
and the earth that must be reconciled through Christ. For in the beginning he
was the WORD, but the time came when he BECAME FLESH, and lived among us, so
that we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full
of grace and truth. He is the Savior of ALL MEN 1 Tim 4:10, because HE is the
HEAD of every man . 1 Cor 11:3. HE is the Savior of the BODY Eph 5:23 because
HE is the HEAD of the body. Eph 1:22. He reconciles all Principalities and Powers,
Col 1:20 because HE is HEAD of all Principalities and Powers. Such a revelation
staggers the imagination, and overwhelms us with a VISION of the MAJESTY of HIM
who sits upon the throne, working all things after the counsel of His own will.
THE
GOSPEL OF THE CIRCUMCISION
BLESSINGS
AND DEMANDS
In
Gen 17:9-14, the covenant of circumcision was made with Abraham, and his seed
after him for their generations. Israel who are the descendants of Jacob was
"set apart" from all the Nations of the earth by the rite of
circumcision. THESE ARE THE CIRCUMCISION of the New Testament. The first five
books of the New Testament are taken up largely with this people. It was
declared by their prophets that that the MESSIAH was to come and that he would
be born in Bethlehem. But the nation of Israel into which he was born rejected
him and the religious leaders set about to kill him.
It
is recorded, "He came unto his own (people) but his own received him
not." However it soon became evident that even though Jesus began by
dealing with the people of Israel, the scope of his mission was far greater
than any of the circumcision realised. Twelve men were selected to be his
disciples from this people, and to them he shared many wonderful things.
It
is most important to note the commission given to these twelve disciples in
Matt 10:1-6. "Into the road of the NATIONS
you should not pass forth, and do not enter into any city of the Samaritans,
but rather be going to THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL". Also
remember Christ never went outside the Land of Palestine in His earthly
ministry. Only TWO GENTILES were blessed during His ministry, and they were the
centurion who was a proselyte, and the Syro-Phoenician woman. When she asked
for help, she was told that it is not meet to take the CHILDREN’S Bread and
give it to DOGS. As a Gentile, she was told she did not qualify to receive the
"Children’s Bread."
All
the prophets in the Old Testament prophesied concerning Israel, bringing
instruction and direction and sometimes rebuke to them from the Lord. Israel
had become a very proud people and that pride had elevated them in their carnal
minds causing an arrogance to develop, which was most destructive. For this
reason the four "GOSPELS" in the New Testament are more a part of the
OLD TESTAMENT than the NEW. In these Books Christ the Messiah is seeking some
recognition from the people of the circumcision while calling for them to
REPENT of their wicked ways. This was like a special visitation of the Messiah
himself seeking to bring them back from apostacy.
Israel’s
response to the coming of the Messiah was to oppose him at every opportunity.
They challenged him concerning the SABBATH, and sought to trap him in his
judgment of a woman taken in adultery. The religious leaders were jealous of
his acceptance by the ordinary people, and searched for an opportunity to
destroy him. Finally at the instigation of the High Priest, one of the
disciples was bribed and made it possible for them to arrest him. This resulted
in a mock trial before the Sanhedrin, which passed the sentence of DEATH upon
him. However because the Jews were subservient to the Romans at that time they
had no power to execute him. Therefore they handed him over to the Roman
authorities.
This
is the nation who had drunk water from the ROCK that was CHRIST, every day in
the wilderness, and eaten BREAD which came from heaven every night Who
delivered them from slavery in Egypt, sending them forth with much wealth from
their captors. This is the same one who had opened the Red Sea before them
providing a way of escape for them from their enemies, who were all destroyed
as they tried to follow. This was the nation who stood at Mount Sinai and said,
"All that the Lord has said we will do."
After
the crucifixion of Christ and the out pouring of the Holy Spirit Peter tells
the people, "Ye men of Israel hear these
words. Jesus of Nazareth a man approved by God among you by miracles wonders
and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you as you yourselves know; HIM
being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have
taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain, whom God hath raised up
having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be
holden of it." Acts 2:22-24. The result of Peter’s words the people
realised what they had done and asked, "WHAT SHALL WE DO."
Peter
replies to their question, "REPENT, AND BE
BAPTISED EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF YOUR
SINS, AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. FOR THE PROMISE IS TO
YOU AND TO YOUR CHILDREN AND TO ALL THAT ARE AFAR OFF (THE DISPORA) EVEN AS
MANY AS THE LORD OUR GOD SHALL CALL" These are the demands of the
Gospel of the circumcision.
REPENTANCE,
BAPTISM for the remission of your sins, and the receiving of the Holy Spirit is
the requirement for the circumcision. Both the Lord Jesus and the disciples
called for Israel to REPENT. The Greek word for repent is METANOEOO and
literally means A COMPLETE CHANGING OF THE MIND, or to CHANGE DIRECTION. At
Mount Sinai, God made a covenant with Israel giving them the TEN COMMANDMENTS,
which they vowed to keep. But their history is filled with failure. John the
Baptist as the fore-runner of Christ continued to demand REPENTANCE from
Israel, as did the disciples.
However
the Gentiles as such HAVE NOT THE LAW according to Rom 2:14. The LAW was not
given to the Gentiles as it was to Israel, therefore the breaking of the LAW
cannot be attributed to the Gentiles. This situation also applied to Israel
before the time they received the Law at Mount Sinai, but from that time on,
they became responsible to keep it. So the heralding of the baptism of
repentance had no application to the Gentiles. It was Israel who had forsaken
the covenants and promises, and made void the commandment of God. Thus they
were required to repent and be baptized, which brought them to a position where
they could believe the Gospel.
The
BLESSINGS promised are these, pardon or remission of sins with the promise of
the Holy Spirit for regeneration and New Birth. Then there is the hope of the
resurrection of the dead and an abundant entrance into the everlasting Kingdom.
Having believed the Gospel of the Circumcision, they were then exhorted to
"ENDURE UNTO THE END", and they would be saved. Matt 10:22. They were
also assured that Christ was their High Priests, seated at the right hand of
the Throne of the Majesty. Heb 3:1-6. And if anyone should be sinning we have
an advocate with the Father. 1Jn 1:7-10. How many of these scriptures are
"misquoted" by today’s preachers as part of the Gospel to the
Gentiles.
The
Gospel of the Circumcision was heralded by the Lord Jesus and His disciples,
but was eventually rejected by the BUILDERS of Israel Mk 12:10-12. It was then
Jesus quoted the words of the prophet Isaiah, "BY HEARING YE SHALL HEAR
AND SHALL NOT UNDERSTAND: AND SEEING YE SHALL SEE AND SHALL NOT PERCEIVE."
At this point the doors of the Kingdom were locked against them, and the KEYS
were given to Peter Matt 16:19 which designated him the Apostle and custodian
of the Gospel of the Circumcision. Gal 2:7-8.
A
further proclamation of this Gospel began on the day of Pentecost, in accord
with the commission given to the disciples in Acts 1:8. On that day Peter
declared to the people, "Ye men of Israel,
hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God among you by miracles
and sign and wonders, you have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and
slain. Whom God has raised up having loosed the pains of death, because it was
not possible for him to be held by it." This resulted in many
people asking Peter what they must do in the light of this indictment
He
replied, "REPENT AND BE BAPTISED every one
of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, for the promise is to you and to your
children, and to all that are afar off (the dispora) even as many as the Lord
our God shall call." This resulted in about 3000 who believed the
"Good News" and so REPENTED and were baptised. Acts 2:41-47. The
witness continued in Jerusalem and Judea, until the Priests and officers of the
Sanctuary, together with the Sadducees, led a persecution against them, and
imprisoned the disciples. However in Acts 4:1-4 the number of the converts
reached 5000 and they keep multiplying. This continued for about 28 years after
Pentecost, at which time the church numbered "Many thousands", or as
the Greek states, many tens of thousands. Acts 21:20.
It
is interesting to note that the persecution started with Pauls visit to
Jerusalem in Acts 21. Again the differences in the GOSPEL Paul preached, became
a problem for the elders of the Jewish Church who requested that he fulfill all
the requirements of the Law for purification with four men from the assembly.
This he agrees to do but just before the seven days that were required, were
finished JEWS from Asia saw him in the Temple. They stirred up the People so
that the Temple guards were called in and the persecution began.
The
disciples were scattered to the districts of Judea and Samaria. As they passed
through they evangelised with the Word. Then Phillip went down to the city of
Samaria and preached Christ, thus fulfilling the third part of the commission.
From this time the apostle Paul was rejected by the rulers of the Israel. At
this point AD 61-63 Israel was "BLINDED", cast away, "BROKEN
OFF", and made ENEMIES OF THE GOSPEL. Rom 11:7-28. Paul became a prisoner
of Christ Jesus for the NATIONS or GENTILES. To him was given the task of
revealing the DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY, in which we live today. During this
administration of the Mystery there is a remnant of Israel according to a
choice of GRACE. These together with the believing Gentiles, are jointly
blessed in the CHURCH WHICH IS HIS BODY, through the GOSPEL of which Paul was
made a minister. Our realm, or citizenship is inherent in the heavens, where we
are blessed with EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING, among the CELESTIALS, IN CHRIST.
Remember the Pauline Epistles of EPHESIANS, PHILLIPIANS and COLOSSIANS, were
written soon after Acts 28.
THE GALATIAN CHURCH PROBLEM.
The
study so far is designed to help us see that there is a FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE
between the GOSPEL given to Peter and the Gospel given to Paul. To understand
this DIFFERENCE is basic to being able to grasp the far higher calling and
blessings of the Gospel that is ours today. If we have not learned the
difference between the TWO, then we may well be in the same situation as the
saints in Galatia. For this reason we will see what Paul had to say to the
church there about the false teaching that had crept in amongst them.
Gal
1:6-9 says they have moved from the Gospel he preached to them to a DIFFERENT
(Gk HETEROS= implying essential differences) Gospel. So Paul himself makes it
clear these TWO Gospels are NOT THE SAME. However they are ONE in origin but
differ in FORM AND COMPOSITION. The Greek text makes it plain that this OTHER
Gospel was not another OF THE SAME KIND. This is important, for if the
Galatians simply changed from one Gospel to the other that was basically the
same, there would have been no case at all for the ANATHEMA spoken by Paul.
The
problem was that the Galatians were carried away by agitators, who had traveled
up from the Church in Jerusalem and "PERVERTED THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST"
The intention of this clause is to extend the thought of the differences, being
not ANOTHER but a perversion of the Gospel Paul preached by tampering with the
Truth. So strongly does the Apostle feel, that he pronounces an ANATHEMA upon
those who caused the problem. This sentence upon them simply exposes them to
the just judgment of God.
Paul’s
answer to their problem comes in the form of a series of questions. The first
one concerns the MANNER in which the Spirit was received. "Received ye the
spirit by the keeping of the LAW, or by faith? The acceptance of Paul’s Gospel
by the Galatians, received the seal of God’s approval. When they believed the
WORD OF THEIR SALVATION, God sent into their hearts, the SPIRIT OF HIS SON,
crying "ABBA FATHER". Gal 4:6. If the spirit of SONSHIP came as a
result of pure FAITH, them God had established FAITH as the basis of all future
receiving. The beginning marked the way and mapped the line of the continuity.
The SEED OF GRACE must be allowed to grow in the soil of its original planting.
FAITH was to be the CROWN, just as it had been the BEGINNING of their life unto
God. Could these people be so lacking in understanding as to suppose, that what
BEGAN in SPIRIT, could be perfected in FLESH?
The
second question relates to the operation of the Spiritual gifts operating among
them. What is supplying the Spirit to you, and who is operating powers among
you, is it your keeping of the LAW, or is it the HEARING of FAITH?. Because if
FAITH was the basis of the Spirit’s work, which enriched them and extended
their usefulness, was it not obvious that FAITH would continue to bring the
same response. The whole question of FAITH taught by Paul was no new
innovation, but is based on an historic precedent. The scriptures record
Abraham’s experience in days of old. "Even as Abraham believed God, and it
was reckoned unto him for righteousness". This faith of Abraham was
established before circumcision or any of the legal system was instituted.
Now
this identity of experience, between the believers in Galatia and the ancient
patriarch establishes a certain bond, and a kind of kinship, linking them
together. Know therefore, that they are of FAITH; the same are the sons of
Abraham. This link with Abraham adds multiple blessing as Paul says, "And
the scriptures, foreseeing that God would justify the nations by FAITH,
preached the Gospel before unto Abraham, IN THEE AND THY SEED SHALL ALL THE
NATIONS OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED." It becomes perfectly clear that the
Abrahamic promise anticipated the GOSPEL OF GRACE, being a fore-declaration of
it. Thus in fact Paul’s Gospel actually is older than both ISRAEL and the LAW.
The
people from Jerusalem, who were troubling the saints in Galatia, were seeking
to destroy their LIBERTY which they had in Christ. They ENTERED IN by faith,
and were received by faith, and blessed by faith, yet now they were being told
to add LAW to their faith. Beloved this is not so different from our experience
in Christ today. We are constantly being told we must DO THIS or we are made to
feel guilty. If a person believes the Gospel today, they are told now you must
do this list because God requires it of you. The list of "Laws" may
vary according to the particular group you may belong to and their teaching,
but it will be imposed and you will be expected to obey. Beloved we are saved
by GRACE, AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES, LEST ANY MAN BOAST, for IT IS THE G I F T
OF GOD.
How
comforting to know, "WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP created in Christ Jesus. And
Paul states very clearly, that IT IS GOD THAT WORKS IN YOU BOTH WILL AND TO DO
OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE. The world may well speak of "self made men",
but to be seated in the heavenlies in Christ, we must be part of the "NEW
CREATION", which is Christ, for he is the first-fruits.
To
sum up what has been said, we find that the Gospel to the circumcision, was the
Gosper Peter was given for the children of Israel, it said, "REPENT and be
baptized for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit, which shall be to you and to your children." Their Gospel involved
repentance because when they sinned it became a legal issue for they were under
the LAW of commandments. So being under the Law they needed a Judge to
administer the Law, and that is how they saw God. Then if you have a law there
must be a penalty, so God was not only their judge, but he was also the one who
punished them when they sinned. Therefore the God of Israel was always
presented as an angry God who blesses those who do good, but punishes those who
do evil.
The
Apostle Paul’s commission was to take the "Gospel of God’s Grace" to
the Gentiles or the Nations, who were never under the law of commandments. Rom
2:14. In other words the Gentiles were not put in legal bondage to the Law as a
system of Judgment. However, even though the Law was not a binding legal system
on the Gentiles, yet they did by nature the things contained in the Law,
showing that the Law is universal. But God has now written his law in our
hearts and in our minds. Jesus Christ fulfilled the law in every detail and now
dwells within us fulfilling the law now in his people. The law for us is not
written on pieces of stone but it is written in our hearts, and our sins and
iniquities he said, I will remember no more.
So
we have a God of Grace and not a God of law. So sin for us, is not a legal
issue at all and we do not need a judge, and as a result we know God as OUR
FATHER. So Paul does not speak about repentance and Baptism for the remission
of sins at all. In fact he says there is only ONE Baptism, which is by the
spirit into ONE BODY. Gal 3:26-28. Paul’s statement is very simply, "IF
ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST HE IS A NEW CREATION for old things have passed away and
behold all things have become new." 2 Cor 5:17. In speaking to the saints
in Ephesus he said, "You are God’s workmanship CREATED IN CHRIST
JESUS." So there is nothing we can DO to "BE" in Christ, except
to believe that our very origin was in him, that first man in Gen 1:26. Israel
had to keep the law in order to please God, but under Paul’s Gospel of Grace,
we are SAVED BY FAITH and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.
Finally
it is important to note that the Jewish Church in Jerusalem established in the
early part of the book of Acts, had all but disappeared by the end of the same
book. The Churches that remained were the Gentile Churches established by Paul.
The startling issue here is that for almost 2000 years the Church has been
preaching the Gospel that was given to the Jews or the circumcision, complete
with a legal system and an angry God who relegates millions to an eternal
burning hell if they do not respond correctly to him. No mortal man can
possibly keep the Law, so to him it becomes a Law of SIN AND DEATH. Only those
who are IN CHRIST whose presence WITHIN US gives us the capacity to keep the
law engraved on our hearts and in our minds..
These
studies are sent out with the prayer that they will bring hope to many who are
confused by the thousands of voices that are in the world. It is inevitable
that some things shared will be controversial in terms of TRADITIONAL TEACHING,
BUT AS WE COME HUMBLY before Him and seek His face, He will be that Lamp unto
our feet and a light to our path. Remember ALL TRUTH is a manifestation of God,
WHO IS TRUTH.
May
the Lord give you understanding of these things.
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