So, we must ask: different in what way? Well it is stated that Paul learned not from the Apostles but directly from Jesus this new gospel of grace. Therapy apostles according to this teaching were taught the gospel of the kingdom.
Paul’s telling us of all of this is found in Ephesians and Galatians. So with an open mind why don’t we just read the whole passage dealing with Paul’s involvement with the Apostles and the gospel. So read Eph. 2 and 3, and Galatians chapters 1-3; then we will analyze.
Ephesians 3:4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
What is the “this” in this verse referencing? It refers back to what he stated in Eph 2, because he tells us that he had already brought this up. So go back and read it again if necessary. It’s clear. What Paul is definitely telling us, is that he wants us gentiles to instead of being on the outside of Christ looking in; that we need to get inside in Christ where the Saints are, so that we will be one with them. So before we go on with Eph 3:5, let’s look at
Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, (NASB2020)
Is there any question who God’s household might have been when we were on the outside looking in? Can that question be answered any way other then: they were the faithful believers from Israel? They at times were only a remnant as Paul describes in Romans 11. So speaking of the gospel Paul says:
Ephesians 3:5 which in other generations was not made known to mankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
So here there is no question that all the Apostles and prophets now know this. So who taught the Apostles. In every case it was Jesus. He even taught Paul.
I’m sharing a video at the end of this so you can see today’s teaching by many (not all) Dispensationalists. And this teaching has evolved. But these many are now teaching two gospels. They want us to believe that Jesus taught Paul a different gospel. You will hear about this in the clip that is shared here at the end. We need to decide from what Paul himself teaches can it be true that Paul later taught the others instead of Jesus doing it while with them?
Is it clear that Paul taught the other Apostles this new gospel of grace? Did Paul go to Peter to teach him, according to his own writings? From what I’m seeing in his writings, he says that because he wanted to be sure that he was teaching correctly he went to the disciples in Jerusalem. Listen to Paul here:
Galatians 1:13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; (NASB2020)
Ok, I must ask you (the Dispensationalists) just how did Paul persecute a Church that you in effect say did not exist yet; because you want to separate the Church into another Gospel that you apparently think was not even yet know to anyone but God Himself. Paul says that God set him apart
Galatians 1:16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, (NASB2020)
So God revealed His Son and placed Paul in Christ. That it seems would make Paul part of the Church that he had been persecuting. Is that confirmed?Then Paul says:
Galatians 1:21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was [still] unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which are “in Christ”; (NASB2020) my quotes are added here for emphasis.
Interestingly he is unknown by sight to these churches; but oh boy he is known by reputation. Listen:
Galatians 1:23 but they only kept hearing, “The man who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” (NASB2020)
He is now preaching “the faith”that he previously tried to destroy. Does that sound like Paul himself wanted us to think that he taught something different than what they had heard and believed?
Was he teaching the Apostles as we are being told, a new gospel??? I Don’t think so: because 18 years later:
Galatians 2:2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but [I did so] in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that somehow I might be running, or had run, in vain. (NASB2020)
Paul does not sound like he ever intended to be their instructor, but rather like one under their authority. Making sure that he was running the race well is my best supposition.
He says in
Ephesians 3:6 [to be specific,] that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
Yep, Mark it down. It is “the gospel” not a new gospel, but the same faith that he had once persecuted, only now gentiles are allowed into it. We now have the same opportunity “in Christ” as does Israel under the new Covenant. The new Covenant it seems was presented strictly to Israel, but because of God’s promise to bless us gentiles through Abraham, Paul, also, elsewhere tells us that the gospel was given first to the Jews and also to the Gentiles. That mystery was not about another Gospel. It was about our addition to the Gospel that Jesus brought for whosoever will. Paul does have a concern because of those, who are teaching that the law needs to be kept. And here is what he says:
Galatians 2:4 Yet [it was a concern] because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy on our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. (NASB2020)
These were likely the same Jews that Jesus had a name for:
Revelation 2:9 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the slander by those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. (NASB2020)
These false Jews, Paul also knew to be selling a false gospel. It was so bad what these were attempting to do that it would have meant enslavement to follow them. This is what we just read from Paul. In fact even when Paul speaks of gospel, it is “the gospel”. Listen:
Galatians 2:7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter [had been] to the circumcised (NASB2020)
Paul is not speaking about different gospels here, but of different people with different teachers speaking to them the same Gospel. To prove this point:
Galatians 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. (NASB2020)
Why was he condemned, because he separated from those to whom he had previously offered the right hand of Felloship. He confirms this one gospel for all:
Galatians 2:14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how [is it that] you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? (NASB2020)
Paul was not saying that anyone should live like the Jews, because there is only one Jewish gospel remaining it was “the gospel” of the new covenant Church bought with Jesus blood, and it is now and forevermore finished with the cross. It is more Jewish than the law ever could be. He puts a stamp on what Christ has required of every human in order to be saved:
Galatians 3:7 Therefore, recognize that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. (NASB2020)
You either believe in Christ by faith in what He did or you don’t make it to the Father. Paul makes this case throughout Galatians 3. That there is no other way but by faith in Christ. He goes so far as to say:
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (NASB2020)
Being in Christ in one new man is the only thing that now matters. It is The Gospel:
Ephesians 3:7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.
Paul says I knew nothing but Christ and Him crucified.
But all of this came out of verse 6:
Ephesians 3:6 [to be specific,] that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, (NASB2020)
Through “the gospel”
Ephesians 3:8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, (NASB2020)
Do you know who the Christ is? Peter did. Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God. He is the Messiah (the Christ) of Israel. Jesus said to Peter on this rock (this understanding about Me that you were blessed to have the Father show you Peter, on this I will build My Church; not a gentile Church, but a New Covenant Church promised to Israel and into which we are adopted. “No man cometh to the Father but by Me”. Dispensationalist, you make the Church to be all gentile, with a few Jews thrown in. You make the Jews to be all earthly with no heavenly flavor thrown in. Yet, His Church is all there is: if you are sorry about that fact, I’m not. For Isa 54 makes widowed Israel to be wedded or to be the bride of her Redeemer, who is Jesus who was crucified in Chapter 53 making her this widow. We gentiles are no longer outside looking in on Israel’s covenants and promises including that very one (to be His bride with the Israel of faith). We are one new man in Christ Jesus. We will rule with Christ over mortal nations in the millennium. And Israel will also be in that day made up of a mortal nation of Jewish men returned on the shoulders of Gentiles to be ruled over by their Messiah and His bride. The saved from Israel will be in Christs bride (the Church). You can continue to teach your version of dispensations from your version of Scripture, but the Church is all encompassing, it incorporates all the saved from the entire history of mankind. No man (do you know what man is in the Scripture?) can come to the Father but by me. One thing I agree with you Dispensationalists about: Jesus is coming soon. But, If you must know why we must be caught up in the air only to be returned immediately with Him; then let me tell you why. One day soon you will see a holographic Jesus come in the clouds possibly among Spacecraft and He will tell you what you must do, and who God your creator “truly” is; (the technology has been with us for years to do this) but a true believer will know that He is a fake deceptive part of Satan’s plan, because we are to meet Him where the Eagles gather not out in the desert or in the upper room, but in the air when the last trumpet shall sound, we will be with Him. Do not be deceived my friend, God will not go against His word. And He will not be proven a liar, no matter how much Satan uses man to attempt to make Him such. Know your Bible or you will be deceived. For even the very elect are warned of such.
