50 Days After the Lord’s Ascension

Peter, in his earnestness, continues to appeal to the nation of Israel, urging them to repent for the grave act of killing their own Messiah, their promised King. He passionately pleads with them to accept the One they Killed (Jesus) as their King, and God will still send His Son to set up the promised Kingdom. However, despite Peter’s heartfelt appeals, the nation of Israel stubbornly rejects this offer.

Does this mark the pinnacle of Israel’s final rejection? Well, it is not the absolute end, but it certainly signifies a significant turning point. The nation of Israel reaches its height of rejection when they stone Stephen in Acts 7:54-60. From that moment onward, Israel begins its descent into dispersion, and their beloved Temple is ultimately destroyed in 70 A.D, with Jesus’ prophetic words in Matthew 24:1-2 regarding the destruction of the temple. At this juncture, God shifts His focus to the Gentiles, NOT to change His plan but to fulfill His predetermined plan (Acts 2:23; 2 Timothy 1:9; Romans 11:32; Ephesians 3:1-11).

This brings us to the mystery or secret that has been hidden in the mind of God since before the world began (Romans 16:25; 11:25; Colossians 1:24-27; Ephesians 3:1-11). The concept of God calling out a distinct group of people for His name (Act 15:14). This group, often referred to by Paul as the Body of Christ or the Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Colossians 1:24), is the chosen bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27). The body of Christ, which is His church purchased by the Lord’s shed blood (Acts 20:28) is made up of both Jews and Gentiles (Galatians 3:28) but mostly Gentiles (Romans 11:25). All saved in this dispensation of Grace (Ephesians 3:1-3) by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) in the finished work of the cross alone (Romans 4:4-5; Ephesians 2:8-9) apart from keeping the Mosaic law and temple worship (Romans 3:21).

The Gospel

‘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

Get out your Bible and Study. Listed below are the verses as they appear in the post. Use the timeline as a reference.

Acts 2:22-38
Acts 3:19
Acts 7:54-60
Matthew 24:1-2
Acts 2:23
2 Timothy 1:9
Romans 11:32
Ephesians 3:1-11
Romans 16:25
Romans 11:25
Colossians 1:24-27
Ephesians 3:1-11
Acts 15:14
1 Corinthians 12:12-14
Colossians 1:24
Ephesians 5:25-27
Acts 20:28
Galatians 3:28
Romans 11:25
Ephesians 3:1-3
Ephesians 2:8-9
Romans 4:4-5
Ephesians 2:8-9
Romans 3:21
1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Please note that some verses are mentioned multiple times throughout the post.