The Gospels and the Mystery

Sorry, but I don't see that in Acts 15. ... the Gospel of Grace came in through revelation to Paul,

The gospel of grace was first proclaimed to the gentiles by Peter, not Paul, and it was no different than what all of the apostles followed. God is no respecter of persons. Works of law is not grace. Believing Jews zealously following the law was done out of ignorance of the fullness of God's plans rather than being a dispensational requirement

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Acts 15:7-9

But we [children of Israel] believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Acts 15:11

When we look at the Gospel as preached by the twelve, and the Gospel given to Paul to be preached to Gentiles and Jews alike, it becomes quite clear, apart from over-spiritualizing everything one reads, that the two messages are not one and the same:

The Kingdom Gospel preached by Christ and the twelve:

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

The Gospel of Grace received and taught by Paul:

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

Paul was not taught by the twelve:

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

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

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

Ephesians 3:2-7
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

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

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

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

Thoughts?

MM

What drove Paul, besides the Judaisers, to go to Jerusalem as described in Acts 15?

Nowhere does scripture declare that about Peter being an apostle to the Gentiles

Why would Jesus leave,ascend,ifn a glorified body not as a light, if he wasn't finished delivering his good news?

As an aside, why doesn't Christianforumsite.com allow open registration now? Only Facebook,Google, membership registration?

To settle once and for all if the gospel required gentiles to become circumcised and observe the law as some trouble-making pharisees were trying to get them to do. All of the apostles agreed that gentiles were saved by grace as they were. Works of law excludes grace and vice versa

Peter was the first apostle sent to the gentiles. He, in fact, opened the door for the gentiles to enter the kingdom of God by baptizing Cornelius, thereby putting and end to the Jews' exclusiveness. That was about 3 years after the cross.

Three years Jesus preached and revealed Himself to Israel, and they bore no fruit of faith in Him as Messiah. Giving Israel one more year after Christ's ascension, that is when they stoned Stephen, which is what set in motion the Lord's preparation of Saul as he persecuted the Church, ultimately bringing him in as a believer after appearing to him on the road to Damascus.

Christ likely confirmed the new covenant with the circumcision for 3.5 years before he was cut off. And then his body, the apostles of the circumcision, confirmed the covenant for another 3.5 years culminating in the head apostle of the church, Peter, opening the door to the gentiles by baptizing Cornelius. This IMO was prophesied in Daniel where it says the messiah would confirm the covenant with the circumcision for one week, which is generally interpreted to mean 7 years. In the midst of that 7 years the messiah was to be cut off, leaving 3.5 years for him to confirm the covenant through his ambassadors. And then with the baptism of Cornelius it was over. The age of the nations had begun

That's something that clearly is not from the scriptures so much as it is from roman catholic dogma. Besides, if Peter were such a tall figure in the Church, then why was it that James issued the final decision in Acts 15 concerning the Gentiles? No, sorry, but I simply don't buy that.

MM

That's something that clearly is not from the scriptures so much as it is from roman catholic dogma.

I'm not sure I understand your question about Jesus.

Also, please keep in mind that I can't see your facial expressions nor the inflections in your voice to know precisely when there is humor being applied. I have a great sense of humor, but since you've already written my off as lacking in that area...whatever...

I've placed you on ignore in order to avoid future problems with your inability to communicate with reason and etiquette.

MM

Peter by all indications was the lead Apostle; it was his job to proclaim the gospel. James was head of the Jerusalem church; he wasn't sent to proclaim the gospel.

Really?

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

That was commanded of ALL the disciples, not just Peter. The fact is, the Kingdom Gospel declined along with the eleven, as the Gospel of Grace through Paul grew. Pointing at only ONE instance of Peter being with Gentiles, that proves nothing in relation to your claim. Peter was not the chief apostle for very long. They all ended up dead as Paul's Gospel continued to spread across the world to this very day, having gone to every nation.

MM

Paul's gospel,as he called it numerous times,is predicated on his claim that Jesus met him on the road to Damascus that Paul was traveling so to hunt down and execute Apostate Jews who followed Christ.
It is said he was given instructions to bring the gospel to the non-Jews,Gentiles.

The Apostles of Jesus were already charged to do this in the Great Commission.
Per Paul's account of the encounter,why would Jesus do that?

The implication is Jesus ascended before finishing his Gospel mission.
Jesus ascended in a glorified body,not as a light.

I didn't ask about CC registration. I asked about the site you moderated(?), Christianforumsite. That's not Christian Chat is it?

Acts 15:7 (NKJV):
And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them, "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe."

That was commanded of ALL the disciples, not just Peter. The fact is, the Kingdom Gospel declined along with the eleven, as the Gospel of Grace through Paul grew. Pointing at only ONE instance of Peter being with Gentiles, that proves nothing in relation to your claim. Peter was not the chief apostle for very long. They all ended up dead as Paul's Gospel continued to spread across the world to this very day, having gone to every nation.

You really seem to have a dull or obtuse spirit. Peter himself said he was sent to open the door to the gentiles, yet for some reason you feel a need to gainsay that

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. Acts 15:7

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Acts 15:13-14

And it's obvious that the Jerusalem church and apostles believed in the gospel of grace, because Peter explicitly said so, but again, you want to gainsay that

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Acts 15:8-9
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Acts 15:11

Stay well clear of these guys.