There are three chapters in the New Testament that so clearly point out that there were two gospels that the only way you can’t see it is to deny God’s word. Here are the three: Acts chapter 15 and Galatians chapters 1 and 2. Take some time to read through these chapters more than once and you see the clear distinction between what Peter and the 11 preached and what the apostle Preached. Again, it is so graphically clear that Peter and Paul did not preach the same message that the only way not to see it is to deny what God has so plainly revealed and cling to tradition.
The Bible indeed presents a distinction between the gospel of the kingdom, which Jesus and the twelve disciples preached, and the gospel of the grace of God, proclaimed by the apostle Paul. To understand this distinction, let’s explore the chronological progression from Old Testament prophecy to the preaching of the gospel of grace.
1. Old Testament Prophecy and the Promised Kingdom:
In the Old Testament, God made a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) and promised that through him, all the nations would be blessed. This promise included a future kingdom with the Son of God, Jesus Christ, ruling as King over the earth (2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Zechariah 14:9).
2. Israel’s Rejection of Jesus as the Messiah:
Jesus Christ came as the promised Messiah to fulfill the prophecies (given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David), proclaim the kingdom of God, and offer salvation to Israel. However, the majority of the Jewish leadership and the people (the nation of Israel as a whole) rejected Him as their Messiah, which ultimately led to His crucifixion. The peak of the nation of Israel’s rejection (in unbelief) culminated in the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7). This marked a turning point (predetermined) in God’s dealing with Israel (Romans 11:32; and all of Romans 11 make it so clear that God is not done with Israel and has temporarily blinded the nation as a whole).
3. God’s (Predetermined) Focus Shifts to the Gentiles:
‘For God has committed them (them is Israel) all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.’
Romans 11:32
Following Israel’s rejection, God turned His attention to the Gentiles, selecting the apostle Paul as the chosen vessel to bring the gospel to them (Acts 9:15; Galatians 2:7-9). This marked a new phase (predetermined and “mystery or secret” hidden in the mind of God since the world began; Romans 16:25) in God’s redemptive plan.
4. The Gospel of the Kingdom:
‘Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. ‘
Matthew 9:35
‘These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. ‘
Matthew 10:5-8
The gospel of the kingdom, preached by Jesus and the twelve disciples, centered on proclaiming the imminent arrival of the promised kingdom of God and the need for repentance and faith in Jesus as the Messiah (the Christ) (Matthew 4:17; 10:5-7; Mark 1:14-15). This gospel was primarily directed to the nation of Israel with only two Gentile exceptions made by the Lord Jesus Himself; the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman.
5. The Gospel of the Grace of God:
‘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
‘But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.’
Acts 20:24
The gospel of the grace of God, which Paul preached, emphasized the finished work of the cross; the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Acts 20:24) as the means of salvation. It highlighted that salvation is by grace through faith alone, apart from adherence to the Mosaic law and temple worship (Acts 13:38-39; Ephesians 2:8-9). These were new revelations not given to Peter and the eleven but to Paul alone (Galatians 1:11,12; Ephesians 3:1-6). Before the gospel of grace, there was no gospel “Good News” message to the Gentile world (Ephesians 2:11,12,13; Romans 16:25).
The transition from the gospel of the kingdom to the gospel of the grace of God occurred as God turned His focus from the nation of Israel to the Gentiles. This shift was prompted by Israel’s rejection of Jesus as their promised Messiah (predetermined/it was the mystery hidden in the mind of God). The apostle Paul was God’s divinely chosen vessel to proclaim the gospel of grace to the Gentile world (Acts 9:15; Romans 11:13). And it is by the gospel revealed to Paul by which all mankind will be judged at the Great White Throne (Romans 2:16; Revelation 20:11-12).
‘But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. ‘
Acts 9:15
‘in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.’
Romans 2:16
6. Back to the Gospel of the Kingdom during the 7 Years of Tribulation
After the rapture takes place, the Age of Grace will have ended. The Anti-Christ will come on the scene to sign a seven-year peace treaty to kick off the seven years of tribulation. Next, the two witnesses will come to the nation of Israel, and out of their ministry will come 144,000 young Jewish men who will be preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom around the planet. Not the gospel of grace. They will be preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom as it was being proclaimed at the time of Christ and Peter and the eleven.
It will be the same message, John the Baptist, Jesus, and the 12 preached during the Lord’s earthly ministry; the King is coming and the kingdom is at hand. And isn’t that exactly what will happen at the end of the seven years? Is the Lord’s second coming to crush Israel’s enemies and set up the promised kingdom. With the Son of God, Himself ruling from David’s throne in Jerusalem. Israel will be the preeminent nation above all nations evangelizing the world (Zechariah 8:20-23). All of Israel will be priests evangelizing the world with a knowledge of their God. That will be good news for those on the planet during that horrible time on earth.
Matthew 24:14
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall (at a future time.) be preached in all the world for a witness unto (how many?) all nations; and then shall the end come.”
Let’s examine Matthew 24:14:
“And this gospel of the kingdom…”
This verse refers to the Gospel of the Kingdom, not the Gospel of Grace. Today, we preach the Gospel of Grace for salvation, which is believing that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead. The gospel of the grace of God was revealed to the Apostle Paul, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Galatians 1:11,12; Ephesians 3:1-6 among other passages in Paul’s writings. However, Jesus and the twelve disciples preached the Gospel of the Kingdom (to Jews only), which emphasized belief in Jesus as the Messiah (the Christ), the Son of God and later repentance, and baptism were added . This message can be found in various scriptures such as Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, and numerous others in the four Gospels and the Book of Acts up until at least Chapter 15.
Now, let’s continue with Matthew 24:14b:
“…shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
This verse clearly states that the Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a witness to all nations during the seven years of tribulation. It signifies that before the end comes, this particular gospel will be preached globally.
Scripture is Clear there “WERE” Two Gospels
To understand the distinction between these two gospels, we can turn to Galatians 2:7-9. Paul explains that there were (today there is just one) indeed two gospels: one that he preached to the Gentiles (the uncircumcision) through revelation from Jesus Christ, and another that John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, and the twelve disciples preached to the Jews or the nation of Israel (the circumcision). It is essential to pay attention to who is speaking and who the audience is as we study the Bible.
It is important to note that while these clear distinctions in gospel messages exist, the overarching theme throughout the Bible is God’s redemptive plan for humanity, culminating in the reconciling work of Jesus Christ. As the apostle Peter makes so clear in one of the very last passages he would write.
‘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, ‘
II Peter 3:15
Takeaway
Recognizing the Bible as a progressive revelation unveils the truth that God’s dealings with mankind evolve over time. It is of utmost importance to rightly divide the truth within the Scriptures, avoiding the mistake of indiscriminately blending passages to suit our personal theology or denominational beliefs. While the entire Bible is profitable for us, it is essential to differentiate between the portions intended as doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction. This discernment is key to understanding how we are saved and establishing a solid foundation of faith.
100% Unashamed of the gospel of grace.
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