Why Does the Apostle Paul Say “My Gospel”?

Jamie Pantastico writes for Mesa Bible Study

by Jamie Pantastico

On April 10, 2022

Short Answer. Because the risen and glorified Lord revealed the gospel of the grace of God to Paul alone. Not Peter or the other apostles.

The Lord revealed to the apostle Paul something new a “mystery” or secret from the Greek word mysterion (μυστήριον). A secret that had been hidden in the mind of God since the world began. This is why the Holy Spirit inspires the apostle Paul to use the personal pronoun “My” when referring to the gospel of grace. This new message was unique to Paul.

Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, David, Jerimiah, not even Peter, and the apostles knew anything of the gospel of grace. If they did then Paul’s epistles would be a lie. Making God a liar and can not lie.

Background

From the time God called Abraham to make a people for Himself up to Paul’s conversion, there was no message of salvation to the Gentile world. The message from Genesis 12 all through the old testament, the four gospels until we come to Paul in Acts 9 is directed to Jew only. With only 9 gentile exceptions over a 2000 year period. And the message prior to Paul’s “My Gospel” was that a Messiah, a King would come to Israel, crush their enemies, and set up a glorious earthly kingdom. Israel would be the preeminent nation above all nations with Christ ruling from David’s throne in Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-5, 9:6-7, 11:1-16; Jeremiah 23:3-8, 30:8-24; Ezekiel 36:21-38, 37:1-28; Zechariah 14:8-11). Gentiles were always on God’s mind for salvation but Gentile salvation was to come through Israel (Zechariah 8:20-23; Isaiah 60:1-3).

Every Jew knew this and was waiting for their Messiah, their King, and the kingdom. Not the Gentile world, they were all pagan, knew nothing of these promises, and hated the nation of Israel. But we know from scripture what happened, all in God’s preordained design (Acts 2:38). Israel’s Messiah did come to the nation preaching the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17). He performed many miracles to prove to the nation that He indeed was the Messiah. But they rejected Jesus as their King and said we will not have this man to rule over us (Luke 19:14). And together with the Romans (Gentiles) crucified Israel’s Messiah (Psalm 2:1-3).

With the climax of Israel’s rebellion in Acts 7,8 and the stoning of Stephen. God calls out one man, Paul to be His chosen vessel to bear His name to the Gentile world.

‘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

God is doing something completely different. For the previous 2000 years, there was NO message of salvation or doctrine for Gentiles. But now, God reveals to Paul alone a “Mystery”. That now, salvation was to both Gentiles and Jews apart from the Mosaic law and temple worship. By simply believing by faith alone in the gospel of grace alone.

‘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

This was unheard of for 2000 years! Israel’s God going to the Gentile world with a message of salvation apart from Judaism. Yes, the God of glory opens the windows of heaven and pours out His grace on all mankind. And God chose one man alone, Paul, to reveal this new message, the gospel of the grace of God to the Gentile world.

‘But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. ‘

Acts 9:15-16

 

Paul’s “My Gospel”

Paul uses “my gospel” 3 times in scripture. And remember this isn’t Paul’s idea the Holy Spirit inspires Paul to write.

When the Lord Jesus Christ sits in judgment at the Great White Throne. It will be the gospel given to Paul by the risen Lord by which the lost will be judged.

‘in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.’

Romans 2:16

In Romans 16:25 Paul again uses the personal pronoun “My” with the gospel. This passage also delineates that the gospel given to Paul was kept secret since the world began.

‘Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began ‘

Romans 16:25

The apostle Paul uses “My Gospel” for the third time in 2 Timothy 2:8. Where he speaks of the resurrection as the culmination of God’s eternal purpose. Which was that the resurrection of Jesus Christ would be the means of salvation for ALL mankind not just Israel.

‘Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, ‘

II Timothy 2:8

 

 

 

Thank you for reading.

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Jamie Pantastico

Mesa Bible Study

Faith, Sine Qua Non

“What is Not Properly Understood can “Not” be Properly Applied”

 

 

 

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What Saith the Scripture?

Most problems in interpreting Bible passages arise from neglecting a passage’s context. The guiding principle of sound interpretation is to take a passage literally. Not maintaining this discipline, interpreting Scripture becomes made up, man’s idea, fantasy, and the passage can mean almost anything. The result is erroneous and ridiculous interpretations.

Another important principle to sound Bible interpretation is to read Scripture “in-time”. In other words, we have to read and study the Bible as a progressive revelation. Not getting ahead of God’s revelation.

God’s plan of redemption for mankind wasn’t revealed all at once to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, or any of the other old testament prophets. Not even Peter and the eleven were given the full counsel of God. The Lord revealed to each of the aforementioned what they needed at their particular time in Biblical history. A hermeneutical method that does not approach Scripture as a progressive revelation leads to erroneous 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.

 

Z

Who's writing?

Identify the author of the book and passage.

Z

Who is the author writing too?

Who is the audience? Yes, all Scripture is for us but not all of Scripture is directed to us our salvation and doctrine (how to live our daily lives). To say all of Scripture is, is erroneous interpretation.

Z

When was the Book or Passage written?

This is necessary to identify the time and historical context.

Z

What were the circumstances when it was written? (what was going on)

Z

What was going on before and after it was written?

What happen before and after the particular Book or Passage you’re reading?

Z

What is the HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF THE VERSE?

Where does the Bible verse fit in Biblical history. Use the answers from the list of these questions to identify the “historical context”.

Z

Are there other passages that the Author has written to help expand on the verse your reading?

Z

Utilize the full counsel of God to illuminate the passage

All of Scripture fits perfectly.

 

The Good News

salvation

Salvation is a FREE GIFT from God. You don’t have to do anything but believe by faith that God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead 3 days later.

THE GOOD NEWS

SALVATION

Salvation is a FREE GIFT from God. SALVATION IS BY FAITH ALONE & FAITH IS BELIEVING WHAT GOD SAYS.

  1. God declares all mankind sinners and we all fall short of Glory of God. Romans 3:23
  2. The payment for our sin is death. Romans 6:23
  3. But God…because he loved you so much sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to die in your place, for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead three days later. 1 Cor 15:1-42cor 5:21

All God asks is that you believe by faith alone in 1, 2, & 3. That you’re a sinner, separated from God but God sent his Son to die for your sins, was buried & rose again 3 days later.

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

Do You Believe?

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