Part 4 of 8 - The Acts of the Apostles

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called Distinction Marks Paul's Epistles.

The early Acts period is also considered "time past" - pre the dispensation of the grace of God (Eph 3:2) This period applies to Israel and the promises of "the kingdom" of the Messiah to come to earth.

Interestingly, Jesus, in the forty days after His cross and before His return to heaven,

Acts 1:3 To whom also he (Jesus) shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Jesus never at that time shared the meaning and significance of His cross of His death and His shed blood that brings redemption, justification and deliverance from the power and penalty of Sin.

Then also Peter’s Pentecost preaching and later was directed specifically to "Ye men of Israel" (Act 2:14, 22, 3:12, 5:35), not the Gentiles. It was followed by the miraculous "signs following" just as Jesus had prophesied for them in Matt 16:20. The signs were because "the Jews require a sign" (1Cor 1:22). 

The transition period from "the gospel of the kingdom" for Israel to "the gospel of the grace of God" for "the body of Christ" began with the stoning of Stephen, which actually was the rejection of the Holy Spirit (Act 7:51). With the call and salvation of Saul Paulus of Tarsus in Acts 9 (later called Paul, his Greek name), we see a transition period that sharply concludes in Acts 28:28 as God sets Israel aside and turns to the Gentile "body of Christ." Acts 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that THE SALVATION OF GOD IS SENT UNTO THE GENTILES, AND THAT THEY WILL HEAR IT.

Note that Paul is not one of "the Twelve" Apostles that walked with Jesus of Nazareth in His ministry on while He was on earth. Paul was called and saved by the ascended Lord from heaven as seen in Acts 9. Paul was given a unique and new gospel "for ye Gentiles."

Ephesians 3:1-5 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ FOR YOU GENTILES, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me (Paul) to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he (Jesus) made known unto me (Paul) the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages WAS NOT made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I AM THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES, I magnify (honor) mine office:

Here we see the first record of Paul’s preaching his gospel and note Paul’s statement that now he turns to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Paul consistently went to the synagogue (Act 13:14) first in his travels as noted throughout the book of Acts transition period. He ultimately came to Rome and said this.

Acts 28:28 "Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen."

If there we no "turn to the Gentiles," judgment upon Israel and the world would have followed the book of Acts. God chose to bring in a new thing that had been hid in God from eternity past – "the body of Christ." The "body of Christ" is open, without distinction to both Jew and Gentile who now stand on level ground.

Galatians 3:28 THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.

When the Lord though Paul turned to the Gentiles he at the same turned away from the Nation Israel for a time. The Nation Israel was set aside for a time. How long are they set aside? Paul gives us the answer here.

Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Why did God turn from Israel when they fell? The answer is twofold as we see her.

Romans 11:11 I say then, Have they (Israel) stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but RATHER THROUGH THEIR (Israel's) FALL SALVATION IS COME UNTO THE GENTILES, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Yet, Israel’s fall is not permanent. One day God will turn to Israel and "all Israel will be saved" into the kingdom of God on earth. God will fulfill all His promises to Abraham and the Israel in Millennium, after the Tribulation.

Romans 11:26a And so all Israel shall be saved

Romans 11:29 (NASB) for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Romans 11:23 And they (fallen Israel) also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in (into God’s Olive Tree): for God is able to graff them in again.

Luke 13:28 (Jesus said) There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves (the Pharisees) thrust out.