1) John the Baptist; the forerunner of Jesus. Did his message differ from Paul’s and Peters? Why?
2) Peter; preached Repentance unto Baptism TO THE JEWS; and later, in 1 Peter 1 his message EXACTLY MIRRORS Paul's message of Grace through faith alone.
3) Jesus: Was in their midst. Was sent SOLELY for the House of Israel. (Matt 15; 24) He was here in the FLESH at the time and had yet to shed his blood for forgiveness of sins. These are just TWO reasons his message had a different emphasis from the other three.
4) Paul; COMPLETED the message (the mystery) of the Gospel of Grace through Faith. Paul didn’t emphasize baptism, tongues or wondrous signs in his preaching and letters. (1 Cor. 1:17).
NONE of these men's messages contradict, but, this was the time God revealed Jesus as Messiah. So, the message of reconciliation was taking place before their eyes. History was being made, and their understanding was being increased daily as God added to their message. Over this period of years they were being used by God to introduce the Gospel of Grace through Faith, and the messages were received differently by the people based upon their knowledge of the Scriptures, and their understanding of events unfolding at the time.
ALL FOUR of these men sealed their Gospel message with their own blood as they died for their testimony of Jesus Christ.
The salvation part of "The mystery" wasn’t revealed until Paul began his ministry and it revealed to man the entire message of salvation. (Romans 16:25-27)
My hope is to try to explain, as I see it, (PLEASE STUDY) some of these confusing (to the believer) messages from these four men, and to help you understand this ‘mystery’.
They were fit messengers for the times in which they lived. They were sent to help us understand how to "rightly divide the word of truth" and apply it to our relationship with Jesus.
Milk to Meat
When reading the scriptures, it’s important to know to WHO and Where the speaker was giving the message. It is also important to ask yourself these questions in determining doctrine and your study of the Word of God. "is it LOGICAL."? "Is it SCRIPTURAL"?, is it in harmony with other scripture?" Is it God's NATURE" and "Does it fit the CHARACTER of God."?
I'm trying to paint a picture here to help your understanding. Verify this with your OWN study, PRAYER, and the Scriptures, for I am fallible.
Peter preached in Jerusalem, and he went STRAIGHT BACK there to preach after he denied Christ. He preached the Resurrection of Jesus at Pentecost and told believers to be baptized for the remission of sins in Acts 1&2. (Also, at his healing, and confirmation, Paul was instructed to be Baptized. (Acts 22:16).
But in 1 Peter he preached of his RECONCILIATION with Jesus.
Peter was confirmed as a Prophet by our Lord Jesus, PUBLICLY, PERSONALLY. (Mark 16:20).
It was Paul that taught him the message of reconciliation about twenty four years after Pentecost, in Galatians 1&2; and in 1 Peter 1 his message to the GENTILES mirrored Paul’s.
His first recorded public message was 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus, and only ten days after Christ’s ascension.(Pentecost, Acts 2)
Jesus walked the Earth for forty days after his resurrection, he was seen by 500 people at one time, and the dead came out of their graves at his resurrection (Matt.27:53) . I have no doubt Jesus "made the newspaper" in Israel.
Jesus resurrection was common knowledge in Jerusalem following the Crucifixion. It was not disputed. To deny it would have been akin to saying Barack Obama’s not the President. Consider this in your study.
BELIEF in his ATONING BLOOD, and the PURPOSE of his death on the cross and Resurrection was all that was required for Salvation (AND STILL IS!), while Baptism, part of Peter's first message to ISRAEL, was the confirming act, or seal TO THE JEW, of the work of Grace in the heart. Peter was preaching to the JEWS on the day of Pentecost. And it WAS the Gospel of Grace through Faith with the necessity of baptism. But later, Peter's message of Grace through faith alone TO THE WORLD is recorded in 1 Peter 1.
Believers today are SEALED by a Spiritual act of the Holy Spirit IN THE HEART of the believer, not thru Baptism.
To this day, the Jew requires a sign (1 Cor 1:22) to confirm a work of God, And will require More signs in future to come; and TWO STILL LIVING PROPHETS will be sent to Israel in the Tribulation Period. (Rev 11:4, Zech 4:11-14) and God has ALWAYS dealt with the Jews through Prophecy, followed by confirming signs,(Mark 16:20), so it’s not right or fair to judge or condemn the Jews for seeking a sign. That's what God gave them to work with, and God has always dealt with them as such. God will deal with Israel again, in the SAME MANNER, in the near future. Peter's message reflected this. My thought is that if there was no confirming act (baptism or tongues), the Jews would have totally ignored Peter, and his message.
The Gentile was not favored by God and was not sealed with a covenant from God, nor given the law . The Gentile was chiefly ignored by God during the reign of the law.
But after The Jew denied Christ and crucified him, Jesus sent a fit messenger to the Gentiles in the form of a past Pharisee sect leader and student of the High Priest of Judaism, Paul (formerly Saul), the apostle of the Gentile people.
The Gospel of Grace through Faith Eph 2;8
The Gospel of Grace through Faith was first given to Paul. Paul was instructed to take this word to the whole world and as he made disciples, based on this message, the world was reconciled to God.
Jesus said the Gospel would begin at Jerusalem. Peter was sent to The Jews. Paul was sent to the Gentiles(Gal.1&2), and Paul's ministry had not begun at the day of Pentecost..
Peter and the other disciples were confirmed by Jesus IN PERSON, in the Scriptures (Mark 16:20) with accompanying signs. Peter was
also confirmed by his RELATIONSHIP with our Lord and Saviour. Other things to consider are His thrice denial of Jesus before his crucifixion, and subsequent CONVERSION (Luke 22:32) after The Resurrection, his RECONCILIATION with Jesus(John 21:17), preaching with POWER on the Day of Pentecost, his PUBLIC walk, and association with Jesus and his Ministry, confirmation from the other Disciples, as well as the Jews immediate identification, and recognition of Peter as the leader of the Apostles (John 21:17 "feed my sheep") (my inference),
Who was Saul? (later named Paul)
Pentecost is one of the most significant Holy Days in Israel. As a full Jew. a Pharisee, and the son of a Pharisee. Saul (at the time) would have, without a doubt, been in attendance, and in the midst of the congregation, he could have had one of the "chief seats" on the day Peter gave his first message.
My opinion is that, on the Day of Pentecost, Saul (later Paul) probably Heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and had the opportunity at that time to accept Jesus as his Savior, and he rejected it. (Acts 26:14).
I wonder if Paul was listening, observing, and planning a counterattack on the "Christian movement" that was such a threat to the very Institution he had been reared and taught in, and faithfully served all of his life. Pentecost may have prompted the thought of Saul's forthcoming persecution of the early church. (my thought).
Paul was called out of sin and into ministry, repented, and was taught the ‘mystery’ by Christ himself. Later he recounts that he was reconciled to God. He professed that his persecution of the Church was a sin of ignorance. (1Tim 1:13).
John the Baptist
What about John the Baptist? John was the forerunner of Jesus. Jesus was there in their midst. Jesus had not yet shed his blood for us, and John's message reflected that reality. He preached a message that would allow the act of baptism to develop faith and open the ‘spiritual eyes’ of those willing to believe when they looked on Jesus. His message was Baptism for the remission of sin. This message wasn’t based on Jesus death but Jesus’ Coming. (WOW!)
John the Baptist was, without a doubt, a fully accepted Prophet in the House of Israel. John, a life Nasserite, (he had no wife, died a virgin), was a Levite. He was confirmed by the Torah (Isaiah 40:3-5), and at the TEMPLE by his Priest and father, Zacharias, 8 Days after he was born (Luke 1:67, 1:13)
John the Baptist had all the qualifying credentials to be an undisputed Prophet to Israel. His credibility was not disputed, and as such, neither was his confirmation of Jesus. He baptized Jesus, as scripture demanded, so Jesus could begin his ministry as priest (Lev. 8:5-6).
Jesus our Saviour
Jesus preached that he was sent "but to the lost sheep of the House of Israel" yes, that right, Jesus' message when he was on earth, in the flesh, was STRICTLY for the JEWS at the time (Matt 15:24). BEGINNING at Jerusalem, and from there to the world.(please study).
The Jews were INITIALLY intended to be The Priests for the WHOLE WORLD in the Kingdom message {explained in the sermon on the mount, Matt 5, Exo. 19:3-6} .Since the Jews rejected this message then, it will be fulfilled in the future Millennial Kingdom.
Jesus message as he walked on Earth reflected that prophetic calling. Read and understand this important fact.
About Prophets
In Judaism, and the Law of Prophets, a Prophet must be confirmed by another LIVING Prophet.(the High Priest is considered a qualified Prophet to the Jews) As a baby, Jesus was confirmed at his dedication in the Temple in Jerusalem by Simeon, (Luke 2:32) and Anna,(Luke 2:36) both prophets. Before he could even speak, Jesus was a confirmed and accepted as Prophet in the House of Israel.
By the time Jesus began his ministry, no doubt Simeon and Anna had passed on. The scriptures say Simeon was near death, and Anna was "of a great age",84 at the time. (Luke 2:26,36).
A generation later , (Luke 3:23), Jesus was REAFFIRMED by John the Baptist, a LIVING prophet (Luke 3:23)also of Priestly descent on his maternal side of the family. Jesus had no paternal father, and His Mother Mary, as well as Joseph were BOTH direct descendants of King David, giving Jesus a right to David's Throne. Jesus had no PATERNAL blood to annul or disqualify his Levite ancestry on his mother's side,(Luke 1:5), and this qualified Jesus to read from the Torah and teach in the Temple. (Luke 4:14-19, "as was his custom")
Jesus mother Mary, and John the Baptist's mother, Elizabeth were cousins, "daughters of Aaron" (Luke 1:5,36)
and shared common Levite ancestors.
Joseph was from the Tribe of Judah, which so designated Jesus as "the Lion of the Tribe of Judah" His ancestry was reckoned by Joseph's, or his ADOPTED, and Paternal side. (Matt. 1:16, Luke 3:23, "As was supposed"). Jesus received his adopted fathers Paternal Tribal designation, "the LION of the Tribe of Judah".
Jesus was begotten of the Holy Ghost. He had no EARTHLY, PATERNAL FATHER. He was adopted by Joseph, and his genealogy reflects this (Luke 3:23,"as was supposed"). Consider this when viewing the misunderstanding many have of his two genealogies given in the New Testament..
In Judaism, and Israel, an adopted child has FULL RIGHTS to inheritance, and Kingship, or a claim to the Throne, as a natural one. There is NO DIFFERENCE. Adoption was how Jesus avoided the curse on David’s line.
The PROPHET Paul, and his message
Many don't consider the fact that Paul was ALSO a CONFIRMED PROPHET (Ananias, Acts 22:14).As a Pharisee, a qualified Priest, and the son of a Pharisee. (similar credentials to John). Paul was just as much a Prophet as Daniel, Jeremiah, or Moses. Paul's message has been in effect longer than any other Prophet (2000 yrs), and many of His Prophecies are soon to come to pass. Many Christians, don't view him in that light. Doing so will help you to better understand the Gospel of Grace Through Faith.
Scripturally, Paul was confirmed as a Prophet when Ananias, the High Priest, received a message from God of Saul (so named because Ananias knew Paul as "Saul") coming to him. (Acts 22:14). Ananias more than likely, knew Saul PERSONALLY, ON SIGHT. Ananias had probably watched Saul grow up in and around the Temple in Jerusalem.(my inference).
Paul’s appearance three days later, and subsequent healing of his blindness, was the confirmation to the Priest, AND the House of Israel,(a confirming sign), of Paul's authority and credentials. Ananias also publicly confirmed Paul with Prophecy at the Temple. (Acts 22:13-16). No one in Israel could dispute it.
Peter and the Apostles also confirmed Paul (and Barnabas) by his correlating doctrine, message, his personal account and witness of Jesus, Prayer, and the "Right hand of Fellowship"(Galatians 2:7-9, Paul to the Gentile, Peter to the Jew.). Not to mention that the Disciples were probably fully aware of his confirmation at the Temple with Ananias. And so Paul's ministry was to the Gentiles.
Paul's Authority
Paul Wrote at LEAST 14 books of the New Testament.(Romans through Philemon) Without these, there would be no Church as we know it today. In his very first letter, Paul establishes the authority of his Message, Romans 2:16 "my Gospel" and again confirms it in Galatians 1;8 "If any other, even I, brings you another Gospel, let him be accursed"
So it’s very clear that Paul's message is the last, final "Prophecy," or word to the GENTILES in the present Dispensation, until we see our Lord and Saviour face to face.(Come Lord Jesus!).
Paul had no need to confer with ANYONE concerning his message, and the twelve Apostles added nothing to his understanding of our reconciliation to God, but he taught them in truth.(Gal 1&2).
Fact is, he had to correct Peter, for his refusal to eat with Gentiles (Gal 2:11-21). This correction was confirmed to Peter by the dream sent to him from God (Acts 10:1-48),
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Paul never asked any of the Apostles for advice. He didn’t need it. Paul says he "neither learned it, nor was he taught it. but by direct Revelation from God" (Galatians 1:12)
Paul met Jesus face to face after Jesus had died , rose and ascended into heaven. He was the direct messenger to the church. Focusing on his message helps us "rightly divide the word".
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Now, please read, and self study to confirm Paul’s message about our position in Christ:
Mystery of Godliness [1Tim. 3:16]
Mystery of Iniquity [2Thes. 2:7]
Mystery of Christ in You [Eph. 3:4]
Mystery of Christ and the Church [Eph. 5:32]
Mystery of The Faith [1Tim. 3:9]
Mystery of Israel [Rom. 11:25]
Mystery of the Second Coming [1Cor. 11:26]
Mystery of Christ and the Church [Eph. 5:32]
Mystery of The Faith [1Tim. 3:9]
Mystery of Israel [Rom. 11:25]
Mystery of the Second Coming [1Cor. 11:26]
Mystery of Babylon [Rev. 17:5]
And Paul also farther expanded on this message to include major changes in practice and understanding of the mystery of salvation, and howwe benefit by it:
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. Rom. 4.
GRACE, AND THE CURRENT DISPENSATION Eph 2;8 Romans ch 4, 6:14
ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER Eph 2:8, 1;12-14; Heb 6;
Romans 6:1-11 once you taste the truth, your desire is for more. And "IF IT WERE POSSIBLE to lose salvation, there’s no way to crucify Jesus again..
TITHES: 1 Cor 16;2 "as the Lord has prospered", not 10%. it may be MORE, may be LESS. Its about INTENT, not the AMOUNT
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CIRCUMCISION 1 Cor 7;19.
THE LORDS SUPPER 1 Cor 11;24 "this do IN REMEMBRANCE of me"
SABBATH: Romans 14:5-12, Colossians 2:16, (a matter of CONSCIENCE).
REPENTANCE for a believer involves confession as a way of obtaining a CLEAR CONSCIENCE, ( NOT to regain a lost SALVATION){unbelievers don’t repent until they become believers}.2 COR 7:10.
BAPTISM 1 Cor 1;17, Matthew 28:19, by IMMERSION. (is a PUBLIC identification with Christ, not a work of Grace and is not tied to salvation).
One Baptism Romans 6; Eph 4:1-7
HOW GOD DEALS WITH A BELIEVERS REBELLION 2 Peter 2:10-21.
The NEW BODY OF CHRIST
THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
CONDUCTING SERVICES, DRESS AND BEHAVIOUR IN CHURCH. Timothy1,2,3.
DEALING WITH WILLFULL SIN AND REBELLION IN THE CHURCH 1 Cor 5:5.
FORNICATION: 1 Cor 5;5 1 Cor 6:9 (inheritance is REWARD).
MARRIAGE, DIVORCE,AND REMARRIAGE 1 Cor 7; Romans 7; Eph 5-6.
Heavenly and Earthly judgment of believers 1Cor 11:31-32
DEACONS< BISHOPS AND ELDERS 1 Timothy ch 3.
TEACHERS. Acts 17:11 **** NOTE: ALWAYS VERIFY TEACHERS DOCTRINE with YOUR OWN study, prayer, and conscience******* ANY teacher who resists critical inquiry should be avoided and not heeded. ALL men are fallible>!!
SPIRITUAL GIFTS 1 Cor 12:1-11.
GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT, and avoiding the "prosperity gospel" 1Tim 6;5-6.
TONGUES: 1 Cor 13;8-9, 14;27-33, 1 Cor 13:10.
THE LAST DAYS: Revelation of John.
THE RAPTURE: 1 Thess 2;16.
CROWNS,REWARDS, AND THE BELIEVERS JUDGEMENT. 2 Cor 5:10-12, 2 Cor 3:10-15.
And many more changes in practice and truth. When Jesus died for us ‘The Mystery’ was revealed to us and we now understand more about the love of God and his perfect plan for us. So,
In Closing :
The Revelation of John, is primarily for the Jews, and apostate Churches in the last days during the Tribulation. THE JEWS WILL RECEIVE, and will accept the Gospel of Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ in the Tribulation period.
The BRIDE OF CHRIST will NOT BE HERE during that time. To be clear, God NEVER Judges the righteous with the wicked, and Jesus won't allow his BRIDE to suffer, or to be judged with the unrighteous. Jesus will Judge his OWN HOUSE FIRST at the Judgment seat of Christ (immediately after the rapture, or "catching away" 1 thess 4:16 1 Cor 5:10-12, 3:10-15), also called the Bema seat Judgment, BEFORE the Second Coming, Armageddon and the Millennial Reign. This Judgment, or The Believers Judgment, will determine our REWARD for the works done in the body AFTER SALVATION.
Our Salvation is secure. It was confirmed in Blood 2000 yrs ago. It will not be taken away. God is not an "Indian Giver" his love is NOT CONDITIONAL. We will not be condemned, but will receive due pay for our works done in the body AS BELIEVERS. Some will receive little or no reward. This Judgment will be NOT BE a party, but a very SOLEMN ASSEMBLY.
The Believers Judgment will take place in heaven, immediately after which will be the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb." The Tribulation, triggered by the Rapture, and the Removal of the Holy Spirit from the Earth will be taking place on Earth during this time.(2 Thess 2:16). The Holy Spirit HAS to be "taken out of the way" during the Tribulation Period to allow anti Christ full reign and the subsequent Judgments of God during the Tribulation period. (2 Thess 2:7). We believers will return with Jesus seven years later to witness the defeat of the anti-christ and to begin the Millennial Reign.
The unbeliever will be judged at the Second Coming of Christ, and at judgment, he will receive no rewards for any good works done in the body.
Their Judgment will be for condemnation, for rejecting Jesus blood as payment for their sin. They will be required to pay the price of their sins with their OWN BLOOD at this Judgment, and will be condemned to hell.( Rev 19:4-15) A thousand years after this, the Great White Throne Judgment will be their Final ("the second death") condemnation. (Rev 19:4-15). They will be removed from hell and cast into the lake of fire to burn with the antichrist, satan, and his angels for all eternity.
My question to you
Where do you fit in?
If you are reading this, and don't Know Jesus, understand that he loves you so much, he paid YOUR blood price with his OWN BLOOD 2000 yrs ago, so that you don’t have to. He LOVES YOU THAT MUCH. He VOLUNTARILY died a horrible, shameful, cruel death as an INNOCENT MAN to save you. He spared no misery, took no shortcuts to die for you so that you can live forever in his presence. It is his free gift to his creation. To receive this gift, simply Believe and ask him into your heart. HE LOVES YOU THAT MUCH. He defeated death, and rose again on the third day as the first fruits of the grave, and to show, that by HIS power alone, YOU will also be resurrected.
Every human being who ever lived will be resurrected. some to everlasting life, others to eternal separation from God, and the fires of hell, intended for Satan and his angels. Will you be resurrected to life, or condemnation.?
By believing in your Heart Through FAITH, that his blood was payment for your sins, you will NOT be condemned with the wicked. Your sins are forgiven for all eternity, and your life in heaven is guaranteed. Simply admit that you believe. You are Justified by his blood alone, not by anything you can do, or have done, or will do in the future. You were forgiven at the cross. He paid your debt there. By believing on his work of obedience, you won’t be required to pay with your own blood on judgment day.
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He won't go where he's not wanted. You have to invite him. It’s YOUR decision. He gives you the Liberty and free choice to decide. THAT IS LOVE. It’s your soul, he allows you do what you want with it, but likewise has provided the way to heaven through the Veil of the Holy of Holies, his own body.
He is not slack concerning his promises, and will send the Comforter, The Holy Spirit to dwell in your heart, confirming Jesus to you, leading you to good works, repentance and Peace with God, thus beginning your eternal RELATIONSHIP with God, and eternal presence with him in Heaven. It’s a work of GRACE THROUGH FAITH, not anything you can do on your own with your own hands, or your own acts. He LOVES you! Tomorrow may be too late, today is the day of Salvation, and a new life in Jesus. Simply ask him into your heart on faith as you read this, and look forward to the coming Kingdom, and taking your place in the Mansion Jesus is building for you right now.
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Look up! we will see our redeemer soon. COME LORD JESUS!
God Bless you,
James E. Dixon
