Introducing Paul
by Marvin W. Rice
The subject, of this article, is one that is greatly overlooked by many sincere Christians today. It is a sad thing when we, as believers, tend to be swayed by tradition, instead of searching the Scriptures and noting the things that differ in God's Word.
It is hoped that "Introducing Paul" might be of a great help to some of it's readers. Let's take the time to consider these thoughts and to compare them with the Sacred Scriptures. I ask that all who read this article might read it with an unbiased and open mind. We do not wish to sway the reader, but hope that these thoughts may be considered apart from tradition ... and in view of God's Word. Let's see if these views are in accord with the Scriptures. We, as believers, need not be afraid of an unfamiliar teaching. Do as the Bereans did in Acts 17:10-12. They studied the Scriptures to see if these things be true.
Stephen, Phillip, and others of the circumcision were called to proclaim the Lord Jesus, as the Messiah, as were the twelve. This was not true with Saul. He was called to usher in a new dispensation and to proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (not His earthly ministry, as Jesus the Nazarene). He proclaimed Him as the Ascended, Risen, Glorified Christ of Glory to the Gentiles besides the Jews and Kings.
God's Chosen Nation
Throughout the Old Testament and into the New, we see Israel as God's chosen nation. Yet in spite of this lofty position which they held in God's favor, they were not a God fearing nation. While they were religious and pious it was but a formality with most of them. Looking at their history, we see that their only contact with God was often through just one Prophet.
Look at the murmuring and complaining, which took place during those years they were led through the wilderness. In the Gospels, the Scribes and Pharisees were merely a sect of religious pretenders, without sincerity of heart.
As we know, Israel was ruled by a religious leadership who were self righteous law keepers; living in strict accord with the Talmud, exacting strict compliance, of the law of Moses, from their subjects even though their hearts were not right with their God. Many times God brought Israel into bondage, to the nations, as a judgment because they failed to seek the will and purpose of God. They had no desire to please Him. Instead, they had, but a formality, pleasing their own gratifications instead of seeking to please their God.
A Messiah
It was to this disobedient nation, that a Messiah was promised. And to this nation, He came. The Lord Jesus was not born into a Priestly family of Israel. No, He did not come to any of the high and lofty ranks of Israel. He was born to a lowly couple: a couple who loved and feared God. He was born in humble circumstances.
Most of His life, 'He preferred those of lowly state ... the common people of Israel. As He grew older and began teaching, He was hated by the religious leaders of the nation. Many attempts were made on His life. None were successful until God's appointed time had come. It was only when Jesus submitted Himself to them that they were able to Crucify the very One, Whom they had waited and longed for so long .... THEIR PROMISED MESSIAH!
Because of the hardness of their hearts they did not recognize Him when He came. He was rejected even before He was born. They had no room in the Inn. Soon there was an all out effort to kill this their Promised One. But God's time had not yet come. It would come later. Then these self-righteous leaders of Israel would succeed in their effort. Jesus called them "workers of iniquity."
Saul of Tarsus
Saul of Tarsus was of this religious realm: a very religious person, a strict keeper of Moses' law. He was anxious to please those fathers of Israel, which he so respected. We read of Saul's credentials in Phil. 3:5-7.
"circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews: as touching the law, A PHARISEE concerning zeal, persecuting the Church: touching the righteousness which is in the Law, BLAMELESS..."
We also can see another account of Saul's own religious position and his background. Acts 22:3-5. Here he writes that he had sat and learned at the feet of Gamaliel. He was trained according to the strictest of the hereditary law. He was zealous for God with a great anxiety to please HIM.
Because Saul longed to please God and because he respected the religious elders of Israel, thinking that they were led by God and pleasing Him, Saul thought it only proper that he should follow the leadership of those over him. This would, surely, please his God.
Saul did not realize the great apostasy, which was working in Israel. So He felt assured that whatever these religious leaders (including the priests) of Israel did or stood for, surely must be the right thing to do. The very ones who Saul had on a pedestal, had Jesus of Nazareth crucified. In spite of this His followers were beginning to grow, and were multiplying by leaps and bounds.
All his life, Saul was so engrossed in the aspects of those leaders of the day, that He was sure this new sect was contrary to the law of Moses and against the God of Israel. So he set out to finish the job, that those who he held in such high esteem, had started out to do. They crucified the leader. Now he would persecute the followers to rid the chosen nation of this ... supposedly... new sect once and for all. In doing this he felt he would please God.
Saul had not been acquainted with the Lord when He was ih the flesh, before His crucifixion. But he knew of. Him and he saw His followers. Just as his elders had crucified the Lord Jesus, so now Saul was going to rid Israel of those followers of this One, that Saul assumed to be an imposter. Paul said he persecuted them in ignorance. 1 Tim.1:13:
"... but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief ..."
Though it was through ignorance, that he persecuted them, that was no excuse; and would not waive judgment, which might be impending.
Before Acts 9, Saul was persecuting the believers to the worst extent. (Acts 8:3)'. He was punishing them publicly. He was ravaging the followers of the Lord Jesus. He was having many of them put to death and condoning all other assassins, such as those who assassinated Stephen. But, worst of all, he caused many of them to blaspheme (Acts 26:10-11), causing them to turn from their Lord and Savior. giving up their salvation, blaspheming the Holy Spirit, losing all hope for salvation.
The Holy Spirit
Before His crucifixion, the Lord Jesus had told the disciples two very important facts concerning the Holy Spirit One was: when He went away, He would send a comforter (the Holy Spirit) and this Comforter would guide them into all truth Second, He said, "whoever would blaspheme the Father, it would be forgiven him; and whoever blasphemed the Son, it would be forgiven him; but whoever blasphemed the Holy Spirit, it would NOT be forgiven him in this age, nor the one, which is impending"(the millennial age) Matt.12:31-32. When the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) was sent on the day of Pentecost in power and great glory, glorifying their God and magnifying Christ, it was evident to all those present, that something had happened to those followers of Jesus the Nazarene.
The onlookers didn't immediately know that those believers were filled with the Holy Spirit. They knew, beyond a shadow of doubt, that something had happened. Some thought they were drunk with new wine, while others, coming from afar, heard them speak in their-own languages and marveled.
Others saw miracles wrought; and great things done. Many heard marvelous declarations and saw the power of God demonstrated. This was the beginning of the operation of the Holy Spirit. This was the time, era, or office of the Holy Spirit; with miracles of power to follow.
Thousands were saved; The sick were healed; The dead were raised; God was glorified; The Lord Jesus was declared as the Messiah to the people of Israel. The Holy Spirit of God was operating and dwelling in the hearts of the sons of men.
This truly was the era of the operations of the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 7:55, we see where Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. These Jewish believers (often called the circumcision believers) were full of the Holy spirit. ALL their works being of the Holy Spirit.
Saul was not dishonest or crooked. He was not wicked and ungodly, nor a woman chaser, or part of anything done by wicked and evil men. Instead, he was a deeply religious person fearing God, and greatly respecting the elders and elements of Israel. We saw earlier, his credentials as outlined in the Sacred Scriptures. Yet, in spite of his sincere desire to please God and the fathers, he refers to himself as the chiefest of sinners. one reference, of his claim to this lowly position, is found in 1 Tim. 1:5;
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief"
Saul a Blasphemer
In 1 Cor. 15:9, he declares himself, as ONE not competent to be called an apostle, because he had persecuted the believers. one might ask why Paul referred to himself as the chiefest of sinners when he was so religiously involved with the rituals and ceremonies of Israel. The answer is simple. It was because, by his acts of persecution, he had committed the UNPARDONABLE SIN!--the worst of all sins.
Even those, who were guilty of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus, could have been forgiven. We remember the Lord praying for them, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34. Saul did not have the hope of forgiveness as did the Lord's murderers, neither in this age or in that which was to come; for he had blasphemed the Holy Spirit by persecuting those Spirit-filled believers of the Pentecostal era--by the stand he took, the awesome position he filled as a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an injurious one, 1 Tim. 1:13.
Thus he sealed his doom! His hate, for the mighty works of the holy spirit, caused him to persecute those spirit-filled believers of Israel. Saul believed this group of people to be foreign to the traditions of Israel. Thus he set about to carry out what his peers had begun ... to eliminate this so-called sect from the nation of Israel.
In Mark 3:29 and Matt. 12:31,32; Jesus warned the UNBELIEVING Scribes and Pharisees about the blaspheming of the holy spirit. These UNBELIEVERS were accusing our Lord of performing miracles through Satan, thus they were about to be committing the so-called UNPARDONABLE SIN by their accusations.
Saul, not only ACCUSED those SPIRIT FILLED believers of being satanic, he went to the fullest extent by persecuting them, with imprisonment, death and even causing some to renounce their faith. Thus they committed the very act we see warned of in Heb. 6:4-6 and Heb. 10:26-31--the blasphemy of the holy spirit, possible for the BELIEVER of the circumcision, as well.
Saul had received authority to pursue those Jews who fled Jerusalem to Gentile countries to escape persecution. so he set out for Damascus to search for them.
Saul might have been struck dead, as he went to this Gentile city, because of his blasphemous attitude; the same as Ananias and Sapphira received the judgment of death, because they lied to Peter, who was also filled with Holy Spirit. This was the same as lying directly to the Holy Spirit, having done it to the 'least of these.
The same was true with Saul. While he was not opposing the Holy Spirit directly, he was destroying those of the Holy Spirit. Jesus once said to the Scribes and Pharisees, "If you have done it to one of the least of these, you have done it unto Me". The same was true with Saul; since this was the era of the working of the Holy Spirit with signs and miracles resulting in multitudes being saved. If one of the least of these were ill treated, it was the same as if the Holy spirit was being ill treated. SAUL HAD DONE JUST THAT!
So the chance of Saul receiving judgment on the road to Damascus, and being struck dead, was INDEED very great. It would have been in order for that time era
A New Administration
But God! before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4) had purposed to introduce, at a given time, an administration wherein apart from the feeble efforts and short comings of man God would display His vast LOVE, lavishing it upon mankind. Apart from man's effort's, God displays His superabundance grace.
GRACE! Regardless how deep and far reaching evil and wicked sin had become... no matter to what extent it went ... the grace of God would super-abound in quantities untold and to deeper depths and higher heights than any evil and sin could ever begin to attain. Grace that is gushed upon us to more than eliminate all sin ... with NO possibility for any sin to be considered Unpardonable in this all new Administration ---- this Administration of Grace. Note Romans 5:20:
"but where sin abounds grace did much more abound"
This new administration, that God was about to bring in, was more than new. It had been a secret, kept secret since the world began. Romans 16:25:
"the revelation of a mystery which was kept secret since the world began"
Saul a Chosen Vessel
Now it was about to be revealed to the worst enemy of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was to be the one to unfold it to mankind. Saul, the Lord's enemy, was about to become acquainted with the one he opposed. He would instantly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God. He would proclaim Him to the world. The Administration of the Grace of God... that was coming in ... was to include the Gentiles; not as proselytes of Israel, but in spite of Israel. Soon Israel, as a chosen nation, would be set aside and a new era would be made known to man ... one wherein neither Jew nor Gentile, bond or free, male or female would hold no sway; an era wherein the grace of God would flow fluently. And man would be saved APART from his own efforts.
All this is through Christ. In this era, the son of God is no longer in the flesh of humiliation and rejection; but is in the lofty position as the risen, ascended, glorified Son of God, the CHRIST of GLORY. NO! Israel is not in the LIME-LIGHT of God during this ERA. Israel has been put into abeyance until this new administration has been completed. It is then, that God will resume His purpose with Israel; and bring about all His promises to them. But while they are in abeyance, (out of God's limelight) we see something new taking place in the plan of God. This new Era of Grace, is now to be proclaimed by God's chosen vessel. And that CHOSEN VESSEL was NONE other than Saul of Tarsus. Acts 9:15:
".. he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel..."
Instead of Saul receiving judgment and instant death, as Ananias and Sapphira had, Saul was halted by an overwhelming brilliance of the glory of the Son of God, the One Whom he had been persecuting. The Lord Jesus revealed Himself to Saul. In the presence of this glorious splendor of the Son of God, Saul lost all his strength and fell to the ground prostrate; as did Daniel when the angel of the Lord appeared unto him as recorded in the book of Daniel. There in the radiance of this awesome brightness of our Lord Jesus Christ, SAUL, for the first time in his life ... met Jesus Whom he had been persecuting .
Saul lost all his fight and animosity, recognizing that this visit was one that was of a supernatural celestial quality. It didn't take Saul long to acknowledge this visitor as Lord. He immediately inquired: "Who art thou, Lord?" Saul acclaimed Him Lord. When the Lord responded with "I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting... 11 it didn't take Saul long to lose all doubt and immediately believe this glorious ONE-to be the Son of God and the same ONE Who was crucified by his elders. Saul immediately became of an obedient nature and asked "What would You have me do, Lord ?"
According to Peter's Gospel, Saul had sinned away his day of salvation and brought his own doom. He rejected the Lord Jesus ... proclaiming Him to be an imposter and had persecuted many followers of the Lord Jesus. He had blasphemed the Holy Spirit by his acts. But he now became the recipient of having all his sins eliminated through God's grace in the New Era (dispensation). His eyes were opened instantly. Grace took care of Saul's
terrible sins and blasphemy; past, present and future. When Jesus... "the Christ of Glory" appeared unto Saul and saved him, a NEW ERA was introduced. Saul was the first one saved.
As we have stated, Saul of Tarsus, was without hope according to that, which was given to the disciples by Jesus before His crucifixion and what had been made known to them through the Holy Spirit after Pentecost. But when Christ Jesus made His marvelous all astounding visit to Saul outside Jerusalem, outside the land, in Gentile country for the first in the history of the creation of man, the all super-abounding unlimited Grace, of the living God was lavished upon Saul. He was the first one, with no limitations, no requirement, nothing excluded; with Grace gushed on Saul to more than cover every possible sin in Saul's life... ever committed by Saul.
A New Creation
Saul, now, was a completely new man ... the first person to become a member of the new creation. This new creation is neither Jew nor Gentile, bond or free. Saul was baptized into Christ. (Rom. 6:3) Here he experienced dying to the old humanity (Rom. 6:2). He experienced being entombed with Christ, coming forth a new man. Oh ... the grand and glorious far reaching Grace of God, that came forth that day, never before experienced by a human being. This Grace that even eliminated the offenses of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, even though he once rejected Jesus, the Holy Son of God.
This all reaching grace of God caused Saul to no longer reject, but to believe in this one, Jesus the Christ with all his heart. In spite of Saul's misgiving and doubt, God, through His precious Son, saved Saul of Tarsus.
Words could never describe what Saul experienced that day and the days to come. He, who once had committed the unpardonable sin, was a now a saved man because of a new era; and was a choice instrument of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Saul a Pattern
Saul was truly a pattern for all people who happen upon salvation from then to the end of this age. Note 1 Tim. 1:16:
"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me FIRST Jesus Christ might shew for all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life"
Note the translators decided to use the word ... FIRST... while another translation used the word foremost; both taken from the Greek word "PROTON" which means before most. Saul was the absolute first person ever to receive such a display of Grace. He was the first son to be saved in this Administration of grace. He was the first member in the body of Christ". Which is not a body with arms and legs, even though it is likened to a real physical human body. (1 Cor. 12:14-19). The Body of Christ is an organism and our Saul was the first member in this all new BODY OF BELIEVERS.
Saul was definitely the first person to be saved in Grace as we know it today. Therein even the unpardonable sin no longer exists. He, truly, was a pattern for all ' who would believe from that day forth. No other one could be worse than Saul. None could ever be in a worse position for salvation than Saul no matter how bad their sin. The Grace that overwhelmingly exceeds all Saul's sins will reach far beyond any sin of any other person in the generations to follow.
He was not just an example or pattern for us to see his doomed position; but for God to display, through His Son Jesus Christ, the glories of the riches of His Grace and His vast love with which He loves all creation. His vast love surpasses all love that man has ever known; such love that He gave His Son for our salvation. This grand and awesome love is reflected in the love that His Son manifested on the cross; giving Himself for us. This great love is displayed in this Grace of God that so overwhelms every believer since Paul's conversion. It was through this great love that God had purposed before the world began. 2 Tim. 1:9:
"... but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began"
To have an Administration (often referred to as a dispensation) in which God could show forth to the entire universe, a most glorious display of His wondrous love and grace. And through this operation of this new Administration, He will be able to make manifest the glories of Christ, His beloved Son. Note Eph. 1:9-10:
"Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times, He might gather together in One all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven and which are on earth; even in Him"
A New Dispensation
Let us note, the l0th verse: "that in the dispensation of the fulness of times" that this is the Administration in which we are living; this dispensation of Grace. This verse points out that God had purposed to " ... gather together... IN ONE.. all things (creation) in Christ (or into Christ) both, which are in heaven and which are on earth...." long before this "NEW" dispensation came into existence. God already had a people or (dispensation) through which to gather those on the earth into one, in Christ. This will be the chosen nation, Israel. It was promised throughout the old Testament that God would be using Israel to evangelize the world; and that one day they would be a priestly nation. Most of us, are aware that Israel has been promised, through the prophets of old, that they' would be a blessing to the nations of the world.
Note Gen. 23:2-3:
"And I will make of thee a great nation: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
Their Messiah
Their Messiah, the promised savior was to come of Abraham's seed. But also there was to be a great nation that was to come out of Abraham, and this nation was Israel. One day, as a nation, they will be blessed of God. They will be filling a place as a priestly nation and be a blessing to the world. Israel was promised many blessings. They will be representing the Lord to the Gentiles and will be leading them to Christ. Isa. 61:6:
"... but ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves."
And then, will the great commission of Matt. 28:19 really be carried out by those to whom it was given..,the Jews. It was given to the 12 apostles, for them to go to the nations, which they have not yet done. BUT they WILL in the millennial Kingdom.. Matt. 28:19:
"Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you: and Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
This Scripture was a commandment, given by the Lord Jesus, to the disciples, while Israel was still filling the place as His chosen nation, in the limelight of God. this commandment is to be carried out during the future millennial Kingdom, by believing Israel. Note, in the end of the reference, that Jesus promised to be with them to the end of the world. But He ascended to the Father. This is for the future. Then He will be with them to the end of the world (age). The millennial Kingdom lasts for 1000'years. It is during THIS AGE that Israel will be a blessed and beautiful people ... a righteous Holy people ... who will love and serve God.
They will, then, be loving and worshipping their messiah and King. It is then that the Lord will be with them to the end of the age and beyond. It is during that age that Israel will be going to the Gentiles and will be baptizing them and teaching them all things, whatsoever Jesus had commanded them. THEN: Israel will bring men unto Christ. Isa. 49:6-7. THEN: their sons and daughters shall prophesy. Then Isa. 11:6 will be realized.
"The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: and the calf and the young lion and fatling together, and a little child shall lead them"
There will be perfect peace in the kingdom. This is what Isaiah goes on to say in the 11th chapter, verse 9:
"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: and the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the water covers the sea."
This is that time, spoken of in the Scriptures, where David will sit on the throne, in the kingdom, with his Lord. Then David will be doing all God's will. Acts. 13:22. There David is called a prince and shepherd and he will be feeding the children of Israel. Ezek. 34:23-24. And this is the time spoken of by Jesus, in Matt. 19:28 when He was speaking to the twelve disciples, telling them:
"... you shall also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
This is, also, when they will be carrying out the commandment given to them in Matt. 28:19.
It is through Israel that God will be bringing all those, of the earth, together into Christ. Israells promises, Israel's blessings, Israel's allotment, in Christ, will all be realized on the earth. Rev. 5:10:
"And hast made us unto our God, kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."
Verse 9 of Revelation is verifying that which is written in Isa. 11:11-12. As we all know, Israel has been scattered to the four corners of the earth. Rev. 5:9 is saying the Lord hast redeemed them from out of "every kindred, and every tongue, and people". Isa. 11:11-12, is saying that He is going to recover... THE SECOND TIME... the remnant of Israel from whence they have been scattered.
Rightly Dividing
Oh, if we, the believers of this day of grace, would not attempt to mix our blessings with those of the circumcision. We should not apply their promises and blessings to ourselves;but leave them for Israel, which are rightly theirs (on the earth). We should take our place where we belong, in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. How much happier we would be.
Israel's promise that they will be reigning on the earth can then be seen in the beatitudes in Matt. 5. Note verses 3, 5, and 10 of the beatitudes:
Vs. 3 "Blessed are the poor, in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"
Vs. 5 "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."
Vs. 10 "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Let us note in verse 10 of Matt 5, the term "Kingdom of the heavens." Many believe that this Kingdom is IN THE heavens. The reference states... OF THE HEAVENS." It does NOT say... Kingdom IN the Heavens. Every verse, in the Scriptures, referring to this Kingdom of the Heavens states it in JUST THAT MANNER; with the word OF. This Kingdom is on the earth, in the land of Israel ... during the millennial reign. It is a Kingdom functioning on earth with earthly people. It has a Heavenly government and a Heavenly rulership, with a Heavenly origin, purposed and determined in the HEAVENS. It is not a Kingdom OF THE EARTH. It is "ON" the earth, "NOT OF" the earth. It's King is from Heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ will be the King.
KINGDOM OF GOD
The Kingdom of the Heavens is not to be confused with the Kingdom of God. The kingdom of the Heavens is in the Scriptures, some 30 times. It always is in relation to the Kingdom of heaven on earth... the millennial Kingdom of Israel. The Kingdom of God is not a kingdom as we know kingdoms. It is God's family, composed of every saved person from Adam's time through the end of the ages. Every person who has been saved of every administration, and of every spiritual economy of the Scriptures, are part of the Kingdom of God.
The term "KINGDOM OF GOD" relates to His relationship to us as it pertains to His HOLY DEITY. In Eph. 2:20, we see the relationship of God to us as a Father. This speaks of God's family, which is all saved people. it is likened unto a building wherein "God" can dwell. Some translators have not been consistent in translating the Greek, of the Kingdom of the heavens; and the Kingdom of God. The difference between these two terms, can only be accurate in the Greek.
The Kingdom of the heavens is a part of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God takes in a much broader scope of people. Our expectation is in the heavens; and is part of the Kingdom of God. The body of Christ does not belong to the Kingdom of the Heavens. It will not be on the earth. The government of "the Kingdom of Heaven" is ruled by God's Beloved Son as King. It's injunctions come from the Father out of heaven. He dispatches the gospel through Israel, who will still be the chosen nation. See Peter 2:9: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation,..."
ISRAEL IN MOMENTARY ABEYANCE
Note what Paul wrote concerning their future. Rom. 11:11: "I say, then have they STUMBLED... that they should fall? God forbid: but rather...through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy." Israel has not fallen by the wayside to be forgotten, but are stumbling for the moment. During this time, this Administration of Grace is flourishing.
There is now no nationality preference. All nations are included. Paul gave us another reference regarding Israel's callousness in part. Rom.11:25: "For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in."This Scripture says "blindness" in PART. This blindness is not complete nor permanent. Paul tells how long this blindness will last.
Note the word UNTIL. It will only last UNTIL the fullness of the gentiles is completed. The word FULLNESS means completion: when the completion of this dispensation of Grace is over or completed, then Israel will regain their sight. Again, they will be God's chosen people.
The climax, of this dispensation is found in 1 Thess. 4:14-17. Here Christ comes in the air for His Body. He sounds the trump and the dead in Christ shall rise from the grave first. Then those believers who are living at "HIS" coming will be changed into a glorious body and together we shall all ascend into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. That will be the completion of the time of the Gentiles.
Then, again, God will focus His attention on Israel, His chosen nation. He will be bringing all His past promises into a realization for Israel; and through them to the nations. Note Israel's abeyance in Romans 11:26-27: "And so ALL Israel shall be saved: as it is written: there shall come out of Zion the Rescuer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins." THEN it will not be JUST a remnant of Israel, but the entire nation shall be saved,- from the least to the greatest.
Note another verse. Rom. 11:28: "As concerning the gospel they are enemies for yoursakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the Father's sake." In this verse, Paul says that the gospel is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Israel had no use for this gospel; and are it's enemies for our sake. They are enemies of the cross. God had hardened them, as a nation, that they might be set aside for the time being so a new administration might be brought in ... a new one made for a different people. Paul is writing of the election. Israel was elected as a chosen nation of God generations ago. The promises, which Israel will enjoy, were given to the Fathers of old. God will favor His Word concerning the blessings and position of Israel; who will come to believe on THIS ONE, the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah. They will be a spirit filled people.
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
On the day of Pentecost and the months following, we get a glimpse of the joys and blessings of Israel. The power of God will be operating through the Lord Jesus Christ and the people of Israel on that glorious day. They, once again, will be speaking in tongues (foreign languages) so they can speak to the peoples of all nations. They will tell them of this glorious Savior, Whom they had crucified centuries ago; and Whom had been raised by the Power of God. He then will be reigning as King: this one, the Savior of all men. For His death on the cross was for all.
That, which was seen in the early Acts period ... the Pentecost era ... was the time of power and display through the Holy Spirit. This also had become a time of much persecution for those who believed. Many believers fled to Gentile countries to escape persecution because they feared for their lives. Note Acts 11:19: "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen, traveled as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch preaching to NONE but unto JEWS ONLY." There is no record of any of those fleeing Jews ever going to the Gentiles with the gospel of the Lord Jesus; as He had commanded them in Matt. 28:19. Yet here were believing Jews going into the land of the Gentiles for refuge, but preaching to Jews only. Nor did the twelve ever go to the Gentiles to preach the gospel. These people were not failing to do the Lord's will. They knew this commandment was not for that time era; but for the future. They understood the Hebrew Scriptures of the old Testament; and knew this was what they would do in the kingdom. That's why Peter had a bit of a difficulty with the vision he received regarding Cornelius. He was immediately reprimanded, by the brethren, in Jerusalem. Acts 11:2,3. If they were suppose to be carrying out the great commission of Matt 28:19 at that time, they would have commended Peter. They knew it was for the future.
Peter's visit to Cornelius was a type of what will take place later for Israel. Cornelius was already a proselyte of Israel and a God-fearing man before Peter went to him. He had been praying and seeking spiritual blessings. Cornelius did what any God-fearing Gentile did at that time. He reverenced this man, as a Jew like the Gentiles will do in the millennial reign. Then the Jews will again be the prominent ones.
You may ask why the writer is making a distinction between the Jew and the Gentile; even though Paul states, "there is neither Jew nor Gentile". Rom. 10:12; Gal. 3:28; and 1 Cor. 12:13. Most assuredly, Paul makes it clear that, in the Administration of Grace, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. Many Bible theologians believe that this day of Grace takes in all believers of all times: and that Grace annuls the purposes. laws, and precepts of all other peoples and eras in the Scripture ... that now all people of all eras are included in this Administration of Grace. NOT SO!
THE TWO TESTAMENTS (?)
The main change, between the Old Testament and the New Testament was the language... Hebrew and Chaldean to Greek. The sin sacrifice was replaced by the greatest of all sacrifices, that of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of the Messiah to Israel was part of the old Testament. The Lord worked many miracles; and as promised in the Old Testament', He was bringing in a New Covenant; but the people, promises, expectations, and administrations were still the same as seen in the Old Testament through the Pentecostal era, and Hebrews through Revelations.Many believe the change of ages or administrations took place at the beginning of the New Testament. They believe the Old Testament era is past: that we are now in the New Testament era. We are attempting to show that the administration of Grace began when Israel as a nation, rejected their Messiah, as they rejected the work of the Holy Spirit, in the Pentecost era.There were two remnants of Israel who believed, when the national rejection took place. one was those believers of the Pentecost era including the twelve. The other remnant were those Jews, who believed through Paul's ministry according to the choice of Grace. If all believers, from Matthew to Revelation were all ONE in the same body, there would be NO NEED FOR THE DISTINCTION we see in Gal. 2:7,8. It states that the gospel of Paul is for the uncircumcision and Peter's gospel is for the circumcision.During the Acts period, the Jews are seen in three factions.
They are as follows:
1. Those of Israel, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, the twelve; and all who were looking for the kingdom of Acts 1:6. This includes those of Israel, who believed during the Pentecost era; and their believing forefathers.
2. Those of Israel who represented the nation of Israel, who were the priests and the leaders, and the majority--those who rejected the Messiah and the works of the Holy Spirit. These made up the nation Israel. They were hardened after rejecting their Messiah three times, thus the blindness on Israel.
3. The-third faction is seen by us as Paul entered each Gentile city. He preached to the Jew first. Thus those Jews, who believed through Paul, became part with Paul. Acts 19:4: "And some of them believed and consorted with Paul.... 11
The word CONSORTED means to join. These Jews, who believed under Paul's ministry, were joined to Paul by the Holy Spirit and thus placed into the BODY OF CHRIST. Not only was this true in Gentile lands, but Paul preached to every Jew everywhere, giving each another chance. All, of Israel, had the opportunity to accept the Lord Jesus when He
was in the flesh, as their Messiah. It was, to them, that He came. But the majority, including the leaders and priests, rejected Him and had Him crucified. They had another chance to repent at Pentecost, through miracles and preaching the word. But the majority rejected again, while a remnant, of a few thousand believed. It was this remnant of Israel, who were the circumcision: who were of the Acts or Pentecost period, of whom were the twelve. After James' assassination, they began to die. and take their places with expatriates of Hebrews 11. At this time they are waiting for the promises of the Fathers. They are looking for the time, Israel will, once again, be in God's purpose. Then the Prophesies of Daniel regarding the tribulation and resurrection will begin to unfold.
When the Angel released Peter from prison, (Acts 12:11) he realized that as the Lord had delivered him out of Herod's hand, thus will He give the expectation to Israel in that It is this remnant who will be the nucleus of the nation Israel. It is out of this remnant that the nation will develop. To this remnant, the Jews from the four corners of the earth, will come.
The TWELVE will be part of this remnant and sit as the governing force of Israel on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes. That remnant of believers and events of Rev. 12:6, 14 would have taken place in the Pentecost era. But God put a temporary hold on this part of His purpose and plan, to bring in this Administration of Grace. After this era of the Nations is finished, and we ascend into the heavens, then again Israel will be in the limelight of God.When Israel rejected the Messiah and persecuted those who did believe, they sealed their doom by this blasphemy of the Holy Spirit just as Paul had done. Thus the nation of Israel was set aside, by their God, as He turned to the nations with a new era, and administration.
Just as Paul received mercy through the Lord Jesus Christ, so every Jew who had been Part of the national rejection, now would be shown mercy individually according to the choice of grace.
ONLY CHRIST; TO JEW FIRST
When Paul preached to the Jews, he presented Jesus; the One, Who was promised by Moses and the Prophets of old, as they had foretold of His coming and His death and resurrection. Acts. 26:22, 23. "... none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: that Christ should suffer and that He should be first and that He should rise from the dead" In Acts 23:11; Acts 28:29, Paul is preaching Jesus, as the Son of God to the Jews on an individual basis, not as a nation. For he was to preach to every INDIVIDUAL. Paul did not preach the Administration of Grace, or the kingdom message that Peter preached. He presented, only those truths about Jesus as the "Son of God," nothing controversial. Note Acts.4:12: "And they neither found me in the temple, disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city.... "
And in Acts 13:16-41, Paul again is seen preaching "Jesus" to the Jews. This time he is at Antioch Pisidia. This is a complete account of one of Paul's messages to the Jews ... and well worth the reader's time to stop and read it. As one reads this account, it can be noted that Paul neither preached the Kingdom message nor the secrets of this administration, that he preached outside the Synagogue to the nations. Paul was presenting in the synagogue, the Lord Jesus, Who had been dwelling among those in Israel and was crucified ... as the One, Who would not taste of decay: the one, Who would take away all their sins.
THE KINGDOM GOSPEL (?)
When Paul presented Christ to the Jews, he often used Jewish terms and Hebrew Scriptures to convince them of this Jesus, Whom they had crucified, as THE MESSIAH; promised by the prophets of old. Each city that Paul entered, he first went to the Synagogue declaring this Jesus, to be the Son of God ... using the Prophetic Scriptures. While some believed, most did not. Paul turned from those who rejected; and went to the GENTILES; taking those Jews who believed with him.
Paul did not preach the Kingdom of the Heavens to any Jews. He preached Jesus, as the Son of God. Paul could never have preached the Kingdom of the Heavens to anyone. It was pointed out, that Paul had blasphemed the Holy Spirit. The message Peter preached doomed anyone who blasphemed the Holy Spirit. The kingdom message judged and condemned Paul. So how could he have preached the "Kingdom Gospel," when within this gospel there was No hope for him, only curse. God is not the author of confusion and would not have one to dispense a gospel of which he himself could not be first partaker. Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Tim. 2:6 that: "... the husbandman, that laboureth, must be first partaker of the fruits." No more than an unsaved person can preach the Gospel of salvation, neither could Paul have preached the same message as Peter. That part of the Kingdom, gospel, which related to blasphemy, was still in operation in the first part of Acts, which was made evident with Ananias and Sapphira. Their judgment for blaspheming the Holy Spirit, was instant death.
PAUL'S SECRET
This Administration of Grace was not given to the twelve, but only to Paul. That is why Paul refers to himself as the first in 1 Tim. 1:16. Not only was Paul the first one to be saved in this Grace period, but he was the first one to dispense this new gospel according to grace, as we see in ALL Paul's epistles. Some theologians claim that Paul preached two gospels, until Israel was set aside. This was not possible! He would not have preached a gospel that he could not partake of first. Also, he himself said he preached the same in every place. Note 1 Cor. 4:17: "... of my ways which be in Christ as I teach every where in every church"Also, Paul writes in Gal. 1:8, that if anyone including an angel was to preach any other gospel ... other than what he preached... let him be accursed. Note that word GOSPEL. It is singular ... i.e. ONE gospel. Had Paul been preaching TWO gospels--to the Jews the message of the kingdom or circumcision (that, which Peter preached); and at the same time preaching Grace (which he was dispensing to the Gentiles) then the question is asked, which gospel would he be accursed for? This should, with a little careful study, enable one to realize that Paul was NOT preaching one thing to the Jews and something else to the Gentiles. Paul was preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified to every man, everywhere. All those who believed, he took to deeper depths and higher heights, in the secrets and revelations, given to him by the Lord Jesus Christ.
If one were to remove ALL the epistles of Paul including Acts 13 through Acts 28, and Acts chapter 9 from the Sacred scriptures, then all the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation would flow smoothly together. All have the same purpose and theme, for the same people with the same expectation. They relate to Israel, with God's purpose for them. They look forward to and relate to the Kingdom of the Heavens. In the eras of these writings the Gentiles do not fill a prominent place. They are as dogs. Their only place is that of a proselyte or guest of Israel, receiving either their blessings or their judgments for the persecution they brought on them. But this is not so in Paul's writings. Here we see the Gentiles fill a prominent place--with salvation apart from Israel. The Jew is no longer prominent, but a remnant. Nationality is no longer of any importance. Israel's hope is a Kingdom on earth. our hope is in the heavens. Christ is coming for us in the air to catch us up to Him. (1 Thess. 4:16-17) But for Israel, He is coming to the earth, and every EYE shall see Him. Rev. 1:7.
SECRET OF RESURRECTION
In the study of the resurrection of the believer, we will see two different ones mentioned in the Scriptures:
1. Our resurrection often referred to as THE RAPTURE, spoken of in 1 Cor. 15:51, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, and 2 Thess. 2:1: when Christ shall come in the air, and the dead, in Christ shall be changed and we shall go up together to meet Him in the air. (1 Thess. 4:18). This resurrection pertains to those of us of this day of grace.
2. The resurrection spoken of in Revelations 20:5 is for' the believing Jews and their proselytes. In this resurrection, the Lord comes to the earth: and His feet stand on Mt. Olivet (Zech.14:4), the same mountain from which He ascended. In this resurrection, every eye shall see Him.
Shortly after His return to earth, the believing Jew will be resurrected.For us, there is no mention of the graves being opened ... only that "the dead in Christ shall rise." This is a secret administration. our ascending will be a secret. Everything about this economy is a secret to mankind. It is not found in the prophetic scriptures; but not so with His in for the believers of Israel. He not only, is coming to the earth, and every eye shall see Him; but in that resurrection of Rev. 20:4, the graves of the believers will be opened. Ezek. 37:12.Note in Revelation 20:5, this resurrection is referred to as the FIRST resurrection. The question might be asked,"How can this be the FIRST resurrection when it takes place AFTER the great tribulation period,- when the resurrection of the body of Christ, (the rapture-,) will have taken place BEFORE the Tribulation".Paul tells us that we are saved from the Tribulation throughout his writings. He states that the anti-christ cannot be made manifest until the present detainer shall be taken out of the midst of mankind. We see this in 2 Thess. 2:7:" until he be taken out of the midst."
In this day of Grace, God is conciliated to the world. His grace is flowing freely. The anti-christ cannot appear amidst the all-flowing Grace of God. The Body of Christ is the retainer that is holding back the appearance of the antichrist. We, also, are promised a savior out of the coming tribulation. 1 Thess. 1:10. So we will be taken up before the tribulation.This resurrection in Revelations 20:5, being called the FIRST further verifies this present administration to be a SECRET. We have seen by the Scriptures, that this day of Grace was a secret, not found in any writings of the Old Testament; and not mentioned by Paul. Even our resurrection is a secret. The rapture will not be causing catastrophes as some think, but will be orderly and in God's control.
The Greek indicates we will be snatched up and will barely, if at all, be missed. This day of Grace is not acknowledged in the circumcision writings. As was mentioned before, this is a secret administration: Rom.16:25 and (including our resurrection) is not mentioned outside of Paul's writings. Thus the writer of Revelations can refer to their resurrection of Rev. 20:5 as the first resurrection. For he has not takenour resurrection into account. When this present dispensation is over, then Israel will resume their place in God's calendar (or plan). The antichrist and the tribulation period will begin to unfold; this is the first thing on the agenda for Israel. We will not be apart of that resurrection or Israel's allotment, or of the millennial reign.
INTERVAL OF THE NATIONS
It has been said that this administration is like a parenthesis in the Scriptures. The name "Paul" indicates an interval, which this administration is. His name changed from Saul to Paul with no mention why. Perhaps it was because of Israel's place as the chosen nation paused for a time, to make room for this economy of Grace, which is an interval in Israel's time period in God's purpose.As was already seen, the purpose of the call of Paul was to bear the name of Jesus to every individual. Act. 9:15. Many Scriptures verify this, one of which is Romans 11:13: "For I speak to you, gentiles inasmuch as I am the apostle of the GENTILES. I magnify my office." Paul was saved and called in Acts 9. He was sent, by Holy Spirit, in Acts 13 from Antioch, outside the land of Israel. He was separated from the people of Israel in Acts 13 for the work of the Lord. Paul's separation is seen again in Acts 26:17: Delivering thee from thepeople and from the gentiles, unto whom now I send thee". In the Greek (Stephens) instead-of the word "deliver" it says "taking out".
Paul was taken out or separated from both the Jews and the gentiles ... to stand alone as the first person in the "New Creation"; being neither Jew nor Gentile. He was separated from all people to them as an outsider...one of a New Creation ... as an ambassador wherein there is neither Jew or Greek. Galations 6:15. There would have been no need for Paul to have been called to carry out the great commission of Matt. 28:19. This was given to the twelve. They were very active for the Lord in Acts. 1:8; with thousands being saved under their ministry and more being added day by day. All were spirit filled and could have gone to the rest of the inhabited earth with the message. It was not necessary that all twelve stay in Jerusalem; sending YET another (Paul) to the Gentiles. If this commission was for that time era, some of the twelve could and ,would have gone to the Gentiles. No! Paul was not called as the 13th apostle, as some would like us to believe. Instead the Apostle Paul was called as OUR APOSTLE to bring in a new dispensation to be dispensed to every individual of every nation.
The great commission of Matt. 28:19 required those, who were to carry it out to be baptizing in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Yet, Paul says in lCor. 1:17, that the Lord had not commissioned him to baptize. Also the Lord Jesus told the twelve, in Matt 28:19, to instruct the Gentiles of all that He had told them. Paul was never under the Lord's earthly ministry. So he was not qualified for this.Paul had a commission, apart from that of the twelve. While there were a few similarities between his commission and office, and that of the twelve, there are as many differences. These are plain to be seen as we study Paul's epistles.
To all those of the circumcision, the "Hebrew Scriptures" were very important. Every jot, every tittle, and every type meant much to them. But we, the gentiles, have become so loose in our study of the Scriptures that we generalize the word of God. Often we overlook those things that differ Romans 2:18, Phil. 1:10. Paul, not only could not have been SAVED under the circumcision message; but neither did he qualify to be an apostle of that gospel. To qualify, one needed to be a witness of Christ's resurrection. Acts. 1:22. A person is not a witness if they have not seen the event FIRST-HANDED. So Paul did not qualify.Peter's main theme, as he preached concerning the Lord, was heralding Him as Jesus the Nazarene; and as He related to Israel; as He came of the seed of David according to the flesh, before ascending.
Paul's main theme, is Christ after His ascension; including His death and resurrection. Peter preached His rejection on earth. Paul preached His acceptance in the heavens. Peter preached of the Lord through the cross; and Paul preached about Him FROM the cross. Let us continue the comparison of Peter's gospel with the gospel of Paul.Let us note another interesting Scripture reference: Gal. 2:7: "But contrariwise, when THEY saw that the gospel of the UNCIRCUMCISION was committed unto me, as the gospel of the CIRCUMCISION was to Peter.... "The word "THEY" in this verse refers to the twelve, who were apostles before Paul. They recognized that Paul had a message and a commission just for the uncircumcision... ]just as Peter and the eleven had for the circumcision. The Lord Jesus appointed Peter for the spiritual leader of the believing Jews. Paul was the spiritual leader for the uncircuacision; appointed by Christ Jesus after His Ascension to the Father, and was glorified. When we compare the Gospel of Peter with Paul's, we notice those things, which differ.
We can plainly see that these gospels are two distinct gospels, but have the same source, which is the Paul received the Gospel of the uncircumcision from Christ Jesus after He ascended and was glorified and seated at the right hand of the Father. The expectation (or hope) of Paul's gospel was that of the heavens. our expectation is going up to be with Him. It is a HEAVENLY CALLING. Both gospels have the same Savior. Both gospels have salvation through the cross. Both center in Christ; but have a different avenue to the cross. One is solely through faith. The other, works mixed with faith. Both have different blessings. our blessings are among the heavens (Eph. 1:3). Israel's blessings are on the earth in the millennial reign. ours is spiritual with a body like unto His glorious body fitted for the heavens. Israel's earthly with a body fitted for the earth, but beyond the range of death. We look at another verse in James 2:24: "Ye see then how that by works, a man is justified, and no by faith only". James said that one is saved by works with faith. This is correct for Israel, in accord with the gospel given to Peter. But compare this with that which Paul writes in Romans 3:27,28:"... By what law? Of works? NAY:but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law"...Paul said that man is justified apart FAITH only. Gal. 2:16: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith of Jesus Christ..... "
There are many references in Paul's epistles that disagree with James. Read Eph. 2:8,9 and 2 Tim. 1:9.So we have just seen two different gospels, for two different administrations. The gospel of the circumcision or kingdom; that gospel given to Peter and the eleven was conditional. Their salvation is through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the same as ours. But for them, it is not entirely by faith. Their proof of acceptance depends on their works. Retaining salvation also depends on their conduct. THUS James said "by works a man is justified and not by faith alone... ".
OUR HOPE (EXPECTATION)
On the other hand, our salvation is through "Jesus Christ's faith"; through grace and not of any works of our own!!! We have no promises, to our forefathers, on which to cling. God was not bound by promises or covenants. We were without hope and without God. (Eph. 2:12). But because of His vast love, wherewith He loved us. He extends grace overwhelmingly to each of us... unmerited by us, and not based on promises to our fathers of old. They are gushed on us in spite of Israel and surely not because of any acts of our own. 2 Tim. 1:9:"... not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace ...We have already seen the Scriptures relating to the beatitudes of Matthew. Israel's expectation is the millennial kingdom on earth. Now let us see some verses relating to our expectation, which is not found on the earth, but in the Heavens. Eph. 1:3: "... Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ".
Our blessings are not earthly, but spiritual. "EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING" not on the earth but "IN HEAVENLY PLACES". Where are these heavenly places? Ephesians 1:20 makes it clear where these heavenly places are. "Which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the "HEAVENLY PLACES".
We will be in the heavenlies where Christ is, sharing in all, His glories and blessings, OF the Heavens, Rom. 8:17:"And if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" also in Eph. 2:6:"And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ"
The Apostle Paul tells us in Col. 1:15, that we are having an expectation in the heavens. Let us read it: "... for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven"
THE BODY OF CHRIST
We truly have a glorious expectation awaiting us in the heavens. We are members of Christ's body. The following references bring this truth out: Eph. 1:23:"... the church which is His body... "Eph. 5:30: "His body, of His flesh and of His bones " 1 Cor. 12:27:"Now ye
are the body of Christ and members in particular."
THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
We will not find any other group of believers referred to, as the body of Christ, in God's Word. This term is found in Paul's epistles only. In the Person of His Son, we are as near to God's heart as He. The old creation is passed away. We are not only a new creature, but a NEW CREATION, and with Christ as our Head, no Jew and Gentile. All are equal in His person. In all other writings, we find the believers referred to as the children of the Bridegroom. Some references that will portray the relationship of Israel to their Messiah during the Kingdom reign, as that of a marriage are as follows:
Hosea 2:19:"And I will betroth thee unto Me forever; yea I will betroth thee unto
Me".
Matt. 9:15: "And Jesus said unto them, can the children of the Bridegroom mourn
as long as the Bridegroom is with them"
John 3:29: "He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom, but the friend of the Bride
groom standeth by"
There are many other references, such as Rev.18:23; 19:7; 21:2; Isa 61:10 and more. These portray Israel's position with their Messiah as His Bride. Is it possible for those of us, who are members of His Body, to be also referred to as His Bride, or as children of the Bridegroom? I say NO. Let us leave that relationship of the marriage union with Peter, James, and John and the rest of the circumcision believers. Let us take the position that belongs to us, which is "Members of His Body".
These two relationships are two distinct relationships ... the Bride and ' the Body. In the Kingdom, the nation of Israel will be "married" to Christ; and not members of His Body. They are bound by promise and conduct. While the Body of Christ has a different relationship, with all sustenance flowing through us right from our Head (Christ) completely unseparable. No closer relationship is possible. We have complete security; total dependance on Him. Can we imagine a member of Christ's Body being amputated? No! We are CREATED IN HIM.
Paul wrote to those of Corinth. He referred to us as a chaste virgin. Some of our brethren believe he was teaching that we are also of the Bridegroom. 2 Cor. 11:2:"...for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ". We will note that Paul did not want them to have a mixed Gospel. Paul. had brought these of Corinth, out from idol worship. He did not want them to be carrying some of these practices into this all new grace teaching. He wanted them to be PURE in GRACE. so that he might present them as chaste virgins of grace. It was not Paul's intention to call them children of the Bridegroom. Nor did he want them to mix the law with the pure gospel of Grace. He had brought them to Christ through grace and not by works, nor through the elements of Israel. Now he wanted to present them to Christ ... as a pure undefiled virgin.
Take a moment and read the rest of the 11th chapter. It will be seen that Paul was not talking of a relationship or implying that we are children of the Bridegroom.
DIFFERENCES OF PAUL
We see many expressions in Paul's writings, which differ from all the other writers. Where else do we read of a heavenly expectation? or where do we read of every spiritual blessing in heavenly places; or of the Body of Christ; of justification in its richness; and many more.
The saved of Israel all have a wonderful expectation, with blessings innumerable. They will see multitudes saved, miracles wrought, and the sick and suffering will be healed... in far greater measures than were seen in Acts 1-8. THAT, in the first part of Acts, will take place in the Kingdom in a far greater measure than can ever be described. We, too, shall have blessings untold and beyond description in the heavens. Much could be said. Many more references could be presented to show the ever present differences between the gospels of Paul versus Peter. May that which has been presented be sufficient to wet the appetite of the reader, to create a desire to search the Scriptures for further evidence of two different administrations with two different gospels for two different people.
Theologians have been attempting to mix Paul's writings with those of the rest of the Bible. Many are teaching that ALL the Bible and ALL the promises belong to all of us. While there are others who think that only the entire New Testament belongs to us --- forgetting that half the books of the New Testament are written to and about the Jews and the nation of Israel. Paul says "All Scripture is inspired by God...". And it surely is! He goes on to say "And is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." This is very true. This does not mean to say that every book is for us today. For instance, Paul said" profitable for doctrine.' Again true... but to that people; to whom it was written and in each era for which it is intended. Circumcision is a doctrine installed by God. Yet are we to apply it today? All Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, is inspired of God and is profitable for us to read and to study; to learn of God's attributes: to learn of His patience with Israel: to learn of creation: and to see how God has dealt with mankind since Adam.
We see God's love and His judgments. we see how God will reconcile the peoples of the earth to Himself. When men try to mix Paul's writings with those of the rest of the Bible, we have what we see today...mass confusion and multiple beliefs with churches differing on every corner. Mixing the gospels give place for the Bible critics to say that the Bible contradicts itself": such as " end of the world" and 11 world without end."
As said before, those of the Pentecost period, were part of those believer of the Old Testament. The era of the coming of the Messiah in the flesh, the cross, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was all prophesied in the old Testament. They were carried on through the Pentecost Era until Israel was set aside.
But regardless of which era or Administration we are of, or what blessings; we are promised (that, which will be on the earth for Israel) or (that, which is in the heavens for us), every saved person from Adam through the end of time all belong to God's family; as seen in verse 19:
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the Saints, and of the household of God." We are not part of Israel, nor do we share in their blessings but all are part of God's family. We each have our own position in Christ. We each fulfill that place that God had intended; and accept the place where God has placed us.As one studies the four gospels, Jesus is seen in the very precious office or position that He held. It was of extreme importance for the plan of salvation. Then He was in the form of a slave (the lowest of places). It led to the Cross. He was the One (so loved by the disciples) Who blessed the loaves and the fishes. He healed and comforted the sick and the weak. But He also was the One Who was tried by Satan. He was the One Who wept bitter over Israel. He was the one Who was scoffed and rejected. Here we see Him on the earth, in the form and like-ness of a human, dwelling with an earthly people; (with those of Israel) to Whom He had come; to the EARTH where THEIR expectation will be in the Kingdom. Theirs is an earthly hope, not heavenly as ours.
AFTER CHRIST ASCENDED
But for us: when He called Saul, He no longer was in the flesh. He was no longer in humiliation and rejection. He was no longer on the cross. No! He was resurrected, ascended into the heavens and glorified by the Father and seated at the Father's right hand. All this took place before He called Saul and brought in the new administration. He did this from His position in the heavens, where all the Body of Christ will be going for our blessings. He will be appearing in the clouds to escort us to the heavens.
Phi 2:9:"Wherefore God also highly exalted Him, given Him a name which is above every name,
Ephesians 1:20:"He raised Him from the dead and set Him, at His own right hand
in the heavenly places".
We see Him as Paul saw Him, as the exalted glorified Son of God, in an entirely different office. He no longer was in the form of a slave and humiliation as He was when He called Peter.
SEPARATION OF PAUL
Paul had been separated from the people of Israel, and from the Gentiles to stand alone as one of a new creation to bring the gospel to both the Jews and the Gentiles. He was apart from ALL, yet to ALL. Acts. 26:7. He was to bring the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He
was saved outside the land of Israel, in Gentile country. He was born outside of Jerusalem, in Tarsus, with a Roman citizenship. After his conversion, he didn't go to Jerusalem to confer with the apostles before him (Gal. 1:17). In fact, he did not go up to Jerusalem for three years after his conversion. Instead he received his instructions, his enlightenment and his gospel by revelation. To verify this and his apostleship for the Gentiles, we will review some passages relating to his position in our effort to introduce Paul for the nations (uncircumcision) as Peter was for the circumcision. Gal. 1:1:"Paul, an apostle (not of men neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father Who raised Him from the dead)". Paul writes, He did not get the gospel by man nor from man. In verse 12, he said he received it by revelation. In 2 Cor. 12:7, he mentions abundance of revelations.
Look at Gal. 1:12:"For I neither received it of man neither was I taught it but by revelation of Jesus Christ".Then note 2 Cor. 12:7:"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelation.... "Paul makes it known that he had received an abundance of revelations in this passage, concerning the plan and purpose of God and the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is seen in 2 Cor. 12:1 that he would be receiving still more. "... I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord".If Paul's gospel were the same as that of the twelve, wouldn't it have been normal for the Lord to have sent him to Jerusalem to learn from the twelve the same as the others who were converted then? Paul did not even receive his revelations in Jerusalem, but outside Israel altogether, in Gentile country. These things were not just happen stance. for this was in the purpose of God. Shame on us when we pay so little attention to all the little important factors of the Scripture.
Why can't the Bible scholars see a difference here? They can't see because they are blinded by tradition! It is so vividly and plainly stated in Gal. 2:7, that there were two different apostles with two different gospels for two different people. And why, if Paul was carrying out the commission of Matt. 28:19 and preaching at the same message as Peter, why didn't the Lord send him back to Jerusalem to learn from Peter?
Gal. 1:16,17:"... immediately, I conferred NOT with flesh and blood. Neither, went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me".
Wouldn't it have been the normal thing for Saul to have done, upon believing, to have gone immediately to Jerusalem to rejoice with these before him; also to learn all that he could of Jesus from those who were apostles before him? This did not happen. The Lord had something different for Saul. He was not going to be part of those at Jerusalem, nor of their dispensation. He was the FIRST of a new era--- an all new dispensation coming in. Therefore he was instructed to stay in Damascus and Arabia. Saul was the FIRST of a new administration.
The twelve and their disciples were not a part. In this administration, the Jew was not the prominent one. All saved peoples would belong to a body and be equal in Christ. Israel, as a nation, had rejected their Messiah; both when He was in the flesh as Jesus the Nazarene, the preaching of the apostles at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit had wrought mighty miracles to portray Jesus as the Messiah. Yet they rejected Him completely. They blasphemed the Holy Spirit by their persecution of spirit filled believers, thus sealing their doom nationally. Because of their HERITAGE and because of the promises to the fathers, Paul was to take the Gospel to them FIRST... individually, no longer nationally. Because God honors His promises to the Fathers of old, the gospel was to go to the Jew FIRST.
PAUL'S GOSPEL A MYSTERY
There were some of these Jews from these out-lying lands who believed, when Paul preached to them about the Christ. It was these Jews (not the twelve) who had believed through Paul's gospel, who were, then, members of the body of Christ. They were members equally with the Gentile believers who also believed through Paul's gospel. PAUL'S GOSPEL? Note 2 Tim. 1:17 and 2 Tim. 2:14:"According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to me". "Whereunto He called you by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ".
And again, in Romans 16:25: "Now to Him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began".
Let us note that Paul did not generalize and say "according to the gospel, which I preached. No! 'Not at all, but "According to MY gospel"... the apostle which, Paul received from the Lord Jesus Christ through revelations when he was caught up into the third heaven. 2 Cor. 12:2. Also this passage states: "... the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY which was KEPT SECRET since the world began".
Shouldn't it be wondered what MYSTERY Paul is referring to? certainly our Lord Jesus Christ is not a mystery nor is the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not at all! Through the entire Old Testament, the coming of Jesus has been proclaimed; even where He would be born and His death and resurrection. Nor was the appointment of Paul, to the apostleship, a mystery. Again I say, NOT AT ALL! Paul is referring to this ALL NEW ERA, a change in GOD'S purpose. This new era was then, through GRACE, the Gentiles and those Jews who believed through Paul's message would be fellow members of one body--a new creation--as being a mystery. The Greek uses the word SECRET instead of mystery. And that is what this administration of Grace is. It is a secret never mentioned in the Old Testament. The prophets had foretold that the Lord would be turning to the gentiles with the gospel to provoke the nation of Israel to jealousy. But, it was never mentioned that there would be a very different Administration, wherein Christ would be dwelling among the Gentiles. And they would be members of His Body. And all would be aside, and apart from Israel. This mystery of Rom. 16:25 was made known through the Apostle Paul. Let us verify this by looking at 1 Cor. 2:7-10. This is worth our consideration."But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom of God... ORDAINED BEFORE THE WORLD unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the hearts of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But GOD HATH REVEALED THEM UNTO US by His Spirit ... "
We might note that it is established that this mystery (or secret) was ordained before the world began. In verse 10, that it now has been revealed, through His Spirit by revelation to the Apostle Paul. This is verified with another passage in Ephesians 1:9:"Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed-in Himself."In this passage, "the mystery of His will" refers to this new Administration of Grace. See verse 10. Paul declares himself and for us to be stewards of this mystery. How can one be a steward if it's a mystery? It is no longer a mystery (secret), but was made known to and through Paul. Next let us note. 1 Cor. 4:1:"Let a man so account of us as of the mystery of Christ and stewards of the mystery of God."
Again in Eph. 6:19:"And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my
mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel." As Paul needed prayer that God would give him the words to speak and the people to speak to, with boldness to declare the gospel. So we need prayer for ourselves to speak forth the Word with ALL boldness.
Paul was not thinking that he might be bashful or shy. But he wanted to speak in the Power of the Spirit, that he might make known the beautiful secrets of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as it applied to Grace and for the Gentiles. A better word is NATIONS as this Administration not only is for the Gentiles, but includes all Jews who believe in this day of Grace.
There is No hint, in the Bible from Genesis to Revelations, about this day of Grace; wherein God is conciliated to the world (2 Cor. 5:9:) There is no hint that the Jew and the Gentile are equal: with Christ within us and not JUST with us.
ONLY PAUL WRITES THESE TRUTHS.
We are to be members of His Body, and all in spite of Israel; and totally unsearchable in all the Scriptures, other than Paul. Note Ephesians 3:8,9:"Unto me, who as less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach, among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ".What are the unsearchable riches of Christ? That we, the Gentiles would have Christ within us, and be seated in the heavens, sharing equally with each other, with Christ's allotment and all His glory. It was a complete secret to Israel, that one day, they would be temporarily blinded and that God would be turning completely to those of the nations. Note our next reference, which verifies the truth of the mystery--one of which is Christ among us.
Col 1:27: "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you, the hope of glory".
Within the mysteries (secrets) of the gospel of Ephesians 6:19, there are several truths that are not found in any other writings apart from Paul's epistles, such as God being conciliated to the world (1 Cor. 5:18, 19; and justification by faith (Rom. 3:30) and that we, the body of Christ, are seated among the heavens in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6). We have complete security in Christ. (Col. 3:3; Rom. 8:38,39) We are complete in Christ (Col. 2:10) and many more precious truths that make Paul's epistles called the cream of the Scriptures. The blessings. which the universe longs for are already ours in a display of the vast love of God to us in depths far beyond our greatest comprehension, to be fully realized by us in that day. Paul was the one who was chosen, by the Lord, to be the one to bring this Administration to us (the nations) and to introduce Christ and the untraceable riches to us. He dispensed this Grace and truth, which was hidden but is now made manifest to His saints.
All believers enjoy reading the four gospels and love them. They are very precious in relating to the life of Jesus in the human flesh; as He spent 33 1/2 years walking and living among His brethren. This time He spent, on earth, was spent in humiliation and rejection. This was a grand office, and probably one of the most important positions He will fill since the creation of man: as it relates to man's salvation. He came to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION WAS FOR, ALL CREATION.
As We are in human flesh, we easily relate to His life in the flesh. Reading the four gospels gives us a close insight to the relationship between the Father and His Beloved Son and the obedience of the son to the Father; and the love of the Son to all creation. These records of the earthly life of our Lord Jesus Christ are marvelous to read and learn of the mind of Christ; His vast love for the Father. We do not exclude these beautiful truths and thoughts portrayed in these wonderful writings. We can rejoice because we know that He is no longer in humiliation. He is no longer in a fleshly body wherein He can feel pain and suffering. He is no longer being tried by Satan; is no longer on the cross; but is risen from the dead through the power of God. He has ascended into the heavens where God highly exalts Him and Graces Him with a Name that is above every name. He is sitting at
the 'right hand of the Father; up over every principality and power and Lordship. He has been placed as head over the church.. the Body of Christ. He is the glorified Christ of Glory. We need to recognize Him as such and love Him as our Head; and rejoice that He is no longer walking the streets of Jerusalem with the Jews only. He is exalted up in the Heavens now for all mankind. Some are anxious to travel to Israel to walk where He walked. This is not wrong, but we now have something better. We are IN Christ, and He is dwelling within us. He is coming in the heavens to escort us up to be with Him eternally.
DISTINGUISHING GOD'S WORD
Paul wrote to Timothy and said in 2Timothy 3:16:"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness".
This surely is true. We must remember to pay attention to WHOM it was written; and for what ERA of time. We should not take and apply it to ourselves unless it is for US. Some Scripture is general and applies to all men of all times, such as the death and resurrection of Christ. But this is not true of every passage. Take the Psalms, for instance. How often they remind us of ourselves and many of them speak of our God and His love. But apply them to the Psalmist and Israel.
We cannot claim all the promises of the Bible as ours. If we do, we could find problems ... such as Abraham, who was promised a son. That promise was to Abraham; and not to you. Israel was promised a Messiah to come, of the seed of David, from within their own lineage. The Gentiles had no promise of a savior from their lineage. Israel is promised a Kingdom on earth. The nations are not. We are promised justification, which means NOT GUILTY. Israel was not promised this; but they were promised pardon, which can be revoked because it is conditional. We could continue.
Let us divide the Scriptures as the Scriptures themselves do. Paul said He was for the Gentiles. Let us accept him as our apostle and his writings for us. Let us not take Israel's promises for ourselves. Paul gives us richer and greater promises that far excel those given to Israel. Let's NOT MIX the GOSPELS; thus making a mongrel gospel. Compare Paul's writings with the rest of the Scriptures to see if these things be true.
So much more could be said. So many more references could be given. But it is the hope, of this writer, that the reader might be encouraged to search the Scriptures to find if the thoughts herein are Scriptural. We close with this reference. "... he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the children of Israel". Acts. 9:15
Any comments or questions are welcome. Write:
Marvin W. Rice
9401 88th Way, No.
Largo, Fla. 34647
Other Articles Available:
1.From Adam, Sin or Death
2.Absent From the Body