The True Narrative: How it Really Unfolded – Part 3 of 3

The True Narrative: How it Really Unfolded – Part 3 of 3

by | Jan 23, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

The True Events Leading up to “the body of Christ” and the gospel that saves mankind today

 

Most problems in interpreting Bible passages arise from neglecting the context of a bible verse. The guiding principle of sound interpretation is to take a passage literally. Not maintaining this discipline, makes interpreting Scripture man’s idea, fantasy, and the passage can mean almost anything. The result is erroneous and ridiculous interpretations. To be a good bible student one must maintain a literal, grammatical and historical (in-time) hermeneutic. There has been much too much of man’s theology governing Scripture when it is God’s Word alone that reigns over theology.

 

This post is part 3 of 3. Please read Parts 1 & 2 “The Narrative” & “Multiple Errors” if you haven’t read them already in order to get the flow and to better understand this final post.

 

The arrival of John the Baptist on the scene marked the beginning of a new era for the people of Israel. He announced that their promised King was coming to usher in the kingdom. The Lord, Jesus Christ, began His earthly ministry by preaching in synagogues the gospel of the kingdom, saying “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

 

Jesus Christ performed many miracles and chose 12 disciples, commanding them to go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The apostles, led by Peter, preached the gospel of the kingdom to Jews only, baptizing and adding to the Jerusalem Church. Jesus made Peter the leader of the disciples and spokesman for the Jewish Church.

 

However, the Jewish leadership rejected Jesus’ claims that He was their Messiah and, along with the Romans, crucified Him. Jesus was raised from the dead and spent 40 days talking to the 11 about things concerning the kingdom they were to rule over, as promised by the Lord Himself before His crucifixion (Matthew 19:28). The Lord also commanded His disciples to preach the gospel of the kingdom throughout the world, beginning first in Jerusalem.

 

After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples continued to preach the gospel of the kingdom (that Jesus was the Christ) to Jews only, continuing to practice the Mosaic Law. Peter preached to his kinsmen that even though they (the Jewish Leadership and the nation as a whole) along with the Gentiles killed the Prince of Life, if they (the nation) would just repent, God would still send their Messiah and usher in the kingdom.

 

Around the same time, Saul, a much-feared persecutor of those Jews who claimed that Jesus was the Christ, had a conversion experience on the road to Damascus. The ascended and glorified Lord confronted Saul, who would become the apostle Paul, choosing him to be the apostle to the Gentile world.

 

Paul did not join up with Peter and the other apostles (he only met with Peter for 15 days, and no record of their conversation exists) and did not preach the gospel of the kingdom. Instead, God sent Paul to

 

Arabia for three years where the ascended Lord Jesus revealed to Paul and Paul alone the gospel of grace; that now salvation is available to all mankind, Jew or Gentile, apart from the Mosaic law and temple worship, by simply believing by faith alone the gospel. That Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead three days later.

 

In 51 AD, after Paul had been preaching grace for 11 years, God instructed him to go up to the Jerusalem Church to tell Peter, James, and John about the new revelations given to him by the risen and glorified Lord. Peter stood up and declared that from this point forward, the Jews shall be saved in the same way as Paul’s converts (the Gentiles).

 

Up until this point in Biblical history (22 years after Christ’s earthly ministry, 14 years after the cross), Peter and all Jews of the Jerusalem Church were still practicing the Mosaic Law and the temple was in full operation.

 

It was Paul who told Peter the new revelations that now salvation is by faith alone in the finished work of the cross for both Jew and Gentile apart from the Mosaic Law. This was absolutely unheard of for the previous 1,500 or so years. The apostle Paul continued to preach the gospel of the grace of God for 24 years, spreading the message of Christ crucified, buried, and resurrected three days later all over the world.

 

In conclusion, it is clear from the events in the Bible that the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of grace were two distinct messages. The Jerusalem Church, led by Peter, preached the gospel of the kingdom that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, and kept the Mosaic Law and temple worship in order to be saved. On the other hand, the apostle Paul preached the gospel of grace, which emphasized salvation by faith alone in the finished work of the cross, apart from the law and temple worship. The revelation of the gospel of grace was a new message that was revealed to Paul by the ascended Lord Jesus and was not known or understood by the Jerusalem Church.

 

It is important to note that the gospel of the kingdom was a message that was directed to the Jews only (Matthew 10:5,6; Romans 15:8), while the gospel of grace was a message that was intended for both Jews and Gentiles and was salvation apart from the law. The events in Acts 15:1-11 and Galatians 2:1-16, clearly demonstrate the differences between the two messages and the role that the apostle Paul played in revealing the gospel of grace to the world.

 

The truth is that the gospel of grace is the message of salvation for all mankind today and has been the one and only gospel that can save a person for the last 2000 years. That by grace through alone in the finished work of the cross we are saved. As it is written in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

 

The apostle Paul continued to preach the gospel of the grace of God for 24 years spreading the message of Christ crucified, buried, and resurrected three days later all over the world.

 

This is the truth and is 100% accurate and fully supported by Scripture.

 

Scripture references:
Matthew 9:35, Matthew 16:16, Acts 15:1,5, Acts 20:24, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 3:21, Romans 16:25, Colossians 1:26, 1 Corinthians 2:7, Ephesians 3:1-11, Galatians 2:2, Galatians 2:6, Galatians 1:11,12, Galatians 2:3-9, Matthew 19:28, Ephesians 2:8-9.

 

 

Peter vs. Paul: Conclusion: Paul tells Peter How Mankind will Be Saved Going Forward

Peter vs. Paul: Conclusion: Paul tells Peter How Mankind will Be Saved Going Forward

by | Jan 22, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

The events in Acts 15:1-11 and Galatians 2:1-16 (The Jerusalem Council) occurred around 49-51 AD, and they highlight a major debate in the early Christian church regarding how a person was to be saved. This event centers around two key issues: how a person was to be saved and the actions of men from the Jerusalem church, led by Peter, James, and John, who came into the apostle Paul’s Gentile congregations as spies commanding Paul’s congregants to get circumcised and keep the Mosaic law or they could not be saved (Acts 15:1,5).

 

The Jerusalem church believed in the gospel of the kingdom, as stated in Matthew 9:35 and Matthew 16:16, and believed that Jesus was indeed Israel’s promised Messiah, the Son of God. They believed that keeping the law and circumcision was necessary for salvation. On the other hand, the apostle Paul preached the gospel of the grace of God, as stated in Acts 20:24 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 3:21. Paul preached that salvation was by faith alone in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, apart from the law. This message of faith alone was being undermined by the actions of the men from the Jerusalem church.

 

The gospel of the grace of God that Paul preached was a secret or mystery kept hidden in the mind of God since before creation (Romans 16:25; Colossians 1:26; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 3:1-11). The Lord Jesus Himself revealed this message to Paul (around 37-40 AD), putting him on higher ground than Peter and the Jerusalem Church. The actions of the men from the Jerusalem church were undermining Paul’s message, and it was important for Paul to address this issue and set the record straight.

 

In Galatians 2:2, the ascended Lord Himself told Paul to go to the Jerusalem church and tell Peter, James, and John and all at the Jerusalem church how mankind was to be saved moving forward. The Lord revealed to Paul that salvation would be by faith alone in the finished work of the cross alone apart from keeping the law, temple worship, and circumcision. This message was acknowledged by Peter in Acts 15:11, where he states, “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

 

This statement by Peter alone proves that the Jerusalem church was preaching a different gospel than Paul. The apostle Paul was on higher ground than Peter, James, and John, as he had received new revelations directly from the ascended Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11,12). This is evident in Galatians 2:3-9, where Paul states that those at the Jerusalem Church had nothing to offer him because he was given new revelations directly from the ascended Lord Jesus Himself, and not from anyone else, making him the higher authority on the matter. And the text in Acts 15 and Galatians 2 make it crystal clear.

 

To add even more Scripture support to Biblical truth that Paul was given new revelations from the Lord Jesus and Peter knew it is the apostle Peter’s very own words in 2 Peter 3:15-16. These are the very last words the mighty apostle would write and he tells his kinsman not to go back to the sermon on the mount for questions about salvation, not to go to the Lord’s earthly ministry for salvation, not to go to Peter’s sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2 for salvation. Instead, he admonishes his readers to go to Paul’s epistles for things pertaining to salvation!

 

‘and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.’

II Peter 3:15-16

 

Takeaways

 

It was Paul who told Peter and the Jerusalem Church leadership how mankind was to be saved going forward, not the other way around.

 

In conclusion, the events in Acts 15:1-11 and Galatians 2:1-16 are significant in the early Christian church as they reveal the fundamental differences in the gospels of the Jerusalem church and the apostle Paul. The Jerusalem church believed in salvation by believing that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God (by faith of course) that would bring in Israel’s promised kingdom and keep the law, while Paul preached salvation by faith alone in the finished work of the cross apart from the law and works. The actions of the men from the Jerusalem church, led by Peter, James, and John, were undermining Paul’s message and it was important for Paul to address this issue and set the record straight.

These events in Acts 15:1-11 and Galatians 2:1-16 are crucial for understanding the progression from the gospel of the kingdom to the gospel of the grace of God. Those who deny the Biblical truth that there were two gospels for a short time have a disagreement with God and no one else. A sixth grader can read Acts 15 and Galatians chapters 1 and 2 and come to the conclusion that there were two gospels. The language is explicitly clear and easy to understand. The gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of the grace of God.

Today, and for the last 2000 years there has been only one gospel that can save the individual. And it is the gospel that the ascended and glorified Lord Jesus gave to the apostle Paul found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

 

‘Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ‘

I Corinthians 15:1-4

 

 

 

 

 

Multiple Errors in Christendom’s Traditional Narrative

Multiple Errors in Christendom’s Traditional Narrative

by | Jan 22, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

This post is part 2 of 3. Please read Part 1 “The Narrative” if you haven’t read it already in order to get the flow and to better understand this post.

It is important to note that the traditional narrative of Christendom is not supported by scripture and is in fact, completely false. The truth is that the gospel of grace and the doctrine for the Body of Christ was revealed to the apostle Paul approximately 10 years after Pentecost by the ascended Lord Jesus Himself. Paul was designated the apostle to the Gentiles and received new revelations that were not known or understood by Peter and the other apostles. The gospel message that Paul preached was not learned or taught by men, but directly from the Lord many years after the cross.

 

“It’s impossible for anyone to believe something that was never revealed, but when God does reveal something He expects us to believe Him”

‘“The secret things belong to the L ord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.’

Deuteronomy 29:29

 

Multiple Errors:

 

  • First and foremost, the gospel of grace and the doctrine of the body of Christ was revealed to the apostle Paul 11 years after Pentecost. How could Christ be preaching death, burial and resurrection when He was still alive? Furthermore, Peter and the other apostles HAD NO CLUE THAT CHRIST WAS GOING TO DIE ON THE CROSS, BE BURIED IN A TOMB THAN BE RESURRECTED THREE DAYS LATER (Luke 18:31-34).
  • Peter and the 11 knew nothing about the gospel of grace (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) or the Body of Christ because it wasn’t revealed yet. How can anyone say that Peter was preaching the gospel of grace when God Himself says I revealed it only to the apostle Paul?
  • John the Baptist was a Jewish prophet, not a “Christian”. John lived under the Mosaic law and believed that Jesus was the Christ (“Israel’s Messiah”). He would have fulfilled the role of “Elijah” as prophesied in Malachi 4:5,6. If the nation of Israel accepted his message.
  • There is NO Scripture record of Paul joining Peter and the other apostles to preach the gospel of grace. The record is the exact opposite! God makes it clear that He chose Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles. The resurrected Lord Jesus said it Himself that I revealed the gospel of the grace of God to Paul. Paul didn’t learn what he knew nor was he taught it by men but by the risen Lord Jesus Himself. (Galatians 1:11,12) (Ephesians 3:3-5) Most in Christendom seem to think Paul was taught by Peter and the other apostles. Ridiculous!
  • It was God the Son who told the apostle Paul to go up to the Jerusalem Church and set the record straight. At the Jerusalem Council, it was Paul who stood his ground and told them “who seemed to be something” how it was going to be moving forward. (Galatians 2:2) (Galatians 2:6)
  • At the Jerusalem Council “those who seemed to be something” Peter, John and James shared NOTHING of value to the apostle Paul. (Galatians 2:6,7,8,9) (Acts 15:11)
  • It was the apostle Paul who shared with them what the risen Lord Jesus revealed to him. The apostle Peter at the Jerusalem Council makes his grand statement that most DO NOT REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT PETER REALLY SAID. ‘But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”’ Acts 15:11 Not the other way around! Paul didn’t go back to his congregations and say sorry guys but now you have to be baptized, circumcised, and keep all 613 laws.
  • There is no Scripture support for Peter or any of the other apostles leaving Jerusalem to spread the gospel all over the world. They never left Jerusalem. (Acts 8:1; 7 years after Pentecost)
  • The word “Christian” wasn’t used until Acts 11:26, in Antioch, not Jerusalem. Well after Paul’s conversion. Those who believed that Jesus was the Christ the Son of God were called followers of “the way”.

 

There is so much confusion, division, and infighting among the Body of Christ because of this erroneous narrative. These biblical verses and facts demonstrate that the traditional narrative of Christendom is not supported by scripture, and it is critical for Christians to understand that the gospel of grace was revealed to Paul and not the other apostles, and that salvation is by faith alone in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, apart from any works or laws.

 

In conclusion, it is clear that the traditional narrative of Christendom is riddled with errors and misconceptions. The gospel of grace and the doctrine of the body of Christ was revealed to the apostle Paul approximately 10 years after Pentecost and not to the other apostles. Peter and the other apostles had no knowledge of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. John the Baptist was a Jewish prophet and not a Christian. There is no scripture record of Paul joining Peter and the other apostles to preach the gospel of grace, baptizing all over the world. It was the risen Lord Jesus himself who revealed the gospel of grace to Paul. At the Jerusalem Council, it was Paul who stood his ground and shared with Peter, James, and John what the Lord had revealed to him, not the other way around. The word “Christian” wasn’t used until Acts 11:26, in Antioch, not Jerusalem.

 

 

The Bottom Line

 

To avoid confusion, division, and false teachings, believers must maintain a literal, grammatical and historical (in-time) hermeneutic. There has been much too much of man’s theology governing Scripture when it is God’s Word alone that reigns over theology.

The Bible is a progressive revelation it wasn’t all dealt out at once to Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses, or the apostle Peter. God is the same and will never change but the instructions He gave to mankind for salvation throughout Biblical history changed significantly.

For the first 2000 years, God dealt with all mankind directly and everyone spoke one language (Genesis 11:1). Then He made a change and chose just one man out of millions to start a new race of people for Himself (Deuteronomy 32:8-9). God deals with Jews with only (7 exceptions) for 2000 years. Dividing mankind by Jew and Gentile with the Gentile world without hope and no access to God (Ephesians 2:11,12). Then the sovereign God makes another change by choosing another man, Paul, (Acts 9:15; Acts 20:24; Galatians 1:11,12) with a new message of salvation for Jews and Gentiles apart from the Mosaic law and temple worship.

 

 

 

The Importance of Bible Study: 10 Encouraging Verses

The Importance of Bible Study: 10 Encouraging Verses

by | Jan 22, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

As Christians, it’s essential to make reading and studying the Bible a daily habit. The Bible is the living word of God, and it’s through it that we learn about God’s character, His love for us, and how we are to be a light in this dark and evil world.

To be a good bible student one must maintain a literal, grammatical and historical (in-time) hermeneutic. There has been much too much of man’s theology governing Scripture when it is God’s Word alone that reigns over theology.

 

‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’

2 Timothy 2:15

 

Here are 10 encouraging verses that remind us of the importance of Bible study:

 

  1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that all scripture is God-breathed, useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. So that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
  2. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that the word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path.
  3. Isaiah 34:16 encourages us to seek out of the book of the Lord, and read.
  4. James 1:22 reminds us to not only listen to the word but to do what it says.
  5. 1 Peter 2:2 reminds us that like newborn babies, we must crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it, we may grow up in our salvation.
  6. Colossians 3:16 reminds us to let the message of Christ dwell among us richly as we teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in our hearts.
  7. Proverbs 2:1-5 reminds us that if we accept God’s words and store up his commands within us, turning our ear to wisdom and applying our hearts to understanding, we will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
  8. 2 Peter 3:18 reminds us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
  9. Psalm 1:2 reminds us that delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on it day and night is the key to success.
  10. Isaiah 55:11 reminds us that God’s word will not return to Him empty, but it will accomplish what He purposes and succeed in the thing for which He sent it.

 

In conclusion, reading and studying the Bible is essential for our growth as Christians. It’s through the Bible that we learn about God’s character, His love for us, and how we are to live our daily lives. Make sure to set aside time every day to read and study the Bible, and you will strengthen your faith and daily walk through the wisdom and guidance it provides. The Bible is the living word of God, it should be our only source of wisdom, encouragement, and hope. Let’s make an effort to read and study the Bible regularly, so we can be equipped to face the challenges of life and grow in our faith.

 

 

 

Finding Strength in Weakness: The Sufficient Grace of God

Finding Strength in Weakness: The Sufficient Grace of God

by | Jan 21, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

Life is challenging and we all go through difficult times that can leave us feeling weak, heartbroken, and overwhelmed. But 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that when we are weak, we are the strongest.

 

‘And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ‘

II Corinthians 12:9

 

God understands our weaknesses and limitations, and He wants to give us the strength we need to overcome them. He is always with us in our struggles and will give us the grace we need to keep going. Trust in Him and find your strength in Him.

The Apostle Paul also reminds us of this truth in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where he states that “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This verse shows us that when we are weak, God’s grace is sufficient for us, and His power (Holy Spirit) is made perfect in our weaknesses.

Additionally, In Philippians 4:13, Paul says that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him, reminding us that Christ is the source of our strength and the one who empowers us to overcome our weaknesses.

 

Get Your Bible Out and Read – Study God’s Word

In times of weakness and struggles, let’s take out our Bibles, read these passages and trust in God and find strength in Him. God’s comfort, strengthening, and power are in His words. He is the source of grace and strength that empowers us to overcome our weaknesses. And through His grace and strength, we can face and overcome any challenges that come our way.

 

 

 

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