Is There Only One Gospel in The Bible?

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Did the Apostles Peter and Paul preach the Same Gospel? Many church members believe there is only one Gospel in the Bible, but is their view Biblical?

Jesus Christ chose 12 apostles during His earthly ministry, of whom Peter was the head (their names are listed by name in Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 3:14-19, Luke 6:13-16, and Acts 1:13). Paul was not yet converted; he was called by Jesus from heaven in His heavenly ministry. This was in Acts 9, long after the cross. We must note that during His earthly ministry, Jesus commissioned “the twelve” to go to the nation Israel first; He commanded them not to go to Gentiles.

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven (to come to earth) is at hand.(Matthew 10:5-7)

“But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come (at 2nd coming).(Matthew 10:23)

Jesus’ twelve apostles were to convert all of Israel first, then, and only then, they were to go to the Gentiles (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15). Luke 24 further explains: “[Jesus] said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, (but) beginning at Jerusalem. 48And ye are witnesses of these things.” But then Jesus said; “But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. (Mat. 10:23). In other words, His disciple’s assigned mission will not be completed until the Millennial reign of Christ.

Everything that Israel’s twelve apostles learned, they learned in from Jesus Christ during His Earthly ministry. Jesus said to them, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26). He also said to them, “Ye (the twelve) are they which have continued with me in my temptations” (Luke 22:28). When selecting Judas’ replacement, the qualification required… “Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection” (Acts 1:21-22). The twelve apostles, Matthias taking Judas’ apostleship, had followed Jesus during His entire earthly ministry, from John the Baptist’s water baptism to Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven in Acts 1. Paul wasn’t saved at that time, and thus not qualified to be one of “the twelve.”

Here in Galatians 1:11-18 (below) the Apostle Paul makes it absolutely clear that he did not receive the knowledge and doctrines that he taught from Peter or any of Israel’s other apostles.

“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me (Paul) is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of (from) Jesus Christ15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.”

Paul never was in Jerusalem for the next 14 years (Gal 2:1). Not only did Paul not learn of his grace doctrines from Peter and the other apostles, but he also did not learn the grace doctrines from Jesus of Nazareth’s words spoken during His earthly ministry. In fact, Paul wrote: “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him (Jesus in His human ministry) no more (2 Corinthians 5:16).

During Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry, Paul was lost and known then as “Saul of Tarsus”; he was persecuting, imprisoning, and killing Jews who had trusted Jesus as their Messiah (Acts 8:1-4; Acts 26:9-11; Galatians 1:13; 1 Timothy 1:13). The resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul alone the “revelation of the mystery” (Rom. 16:25; Gal. 1:11-18; Eph. 3:1-11; Col. 1:25-26). Peter, James, and John never used the expression “the revelation of the mystery in their epistles, only Paul used that term.

Now read what the Apostle Peter wrote toward the end of his life. “And account that the longsuffering (patience) of our Lord is (opportunity for) salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest (twist), as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:15-16) Some still today twist Paul’s words.

For those who want to discard Paul’s thirteen epistles of Romans through Philemon and reject the doctrines of pure grace, they would also have to throw away the Apostle Peter because Peter (above) identifies Paul’s writings as inspired “Scripture.” So, if you deny Paul’s apostleship, then you forced to deny Peter’s as well! Furthermore, the Apostle Peter admitted that he did not easily understand what Paul taught and wrote (v16 above). If Peter and Paul preached the same Gospel and doctrines, then Peter would have no trouble understanding Paul’s teaching. Peter had difficulty grasping the new grace doctrine Paul taught, so it is only logical to conclude that Paul and Peter preached different messages.

Why did Peter not understand the writings of Paul? Peter could not and did not easily understand Paul’s message because, like it was stated earlier, Jesus Christ selected Peter as an apostle of the Nation Israel (cf. Mat. 10:5-7; Gal. 2:9). On the other hand, Jesus Christ selected Paul to minister to the Gentiles, the non-Jewish world. Paul was “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:13; Rom. 15:16; Eph. 3:1; 2 Tim. 1:11). Peter did not need to understand Paul’s doctrine, because Peter was not ministering to Paul’s audience – the Gentiles. Peter had his own doctrine in his own program and had his own audience - Israel.

In Rom. 2:16, 16:25, and 2 Tim. 2:8, Paul wrote about something called my gospel.” The Bible says that “gospel of the grace of God(Acts 20:24) was committed to Paul’s trust. Paul spoke in Acts 20:24: “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify ‘the gospel of the grace of God.” Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 1:11: “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”

Notice how this glorious “gospel of the grace of God” was exclusive to Paul’s ministry; nowhere else in Scripture is that glorious gospel message even mentioned. Peter, James, and John are not mentioned in Acts 20:24, Rom. 2:16, 16:25, 1 Tim. 1:11, or 2 Tim. 2:8. This “Gospel of the blessed God” could not be the same Gospel that Peter and the eleven preached.

We read in Galatians 2:2, where Paul writes, “I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them [James, Cephas/Peter, and John; verse 9 that gospel which ‘I preach among the Gentiles….” Evidently, Paul shared with James, Peter, and John something they had not previously known, Paul taught them the Gospel that Jesus Christ had committed to his trust, a Gospel message He had not committed to James, Peter, and John). Surely, Paul and Peter preached two (2) different Gospels.

Look at Galatians 2:7-8 as seen in the KJV only: “But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision (the Gentiles) was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision (Israel) was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision (Israel), the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:).”

Do you see here above that there are two Gospels mentioned in that one verse alone? Please note that the modern corrupted English “bibles” incorrectly retranslate the verse to say “the gospel to the circumcision” and “the gospel to the uncircumcision,” as if to make the two gospels seem as though they are one gospel, but such re-translation is dishonest. Peter and the 11 apostles were not just sent to Israel, but were also sent to Gentiles, but only AFTER they converted all of Israel (cf. Mat. 28:19; Mk. 16:15), and that will not occur until the 2nd coming of Christ to set up His Millennial Kingdom, reigning on earth.

The “Gospel of (pertaining to) the Circumcision” is the Jews’ “Gospel of the Kingdom” that Jesus spoke of in Mat. 3:2; 4:17; 9:35). By contrast, “the Gospel of (pertaining to) the Uncircumcision” is the Gentiles’ “Gospel of the Grace of God” (Acts 20:24; cf. 1 Cor. 15:3-4). You do not find any reference to Jesus’ “the Gospel of the Kingdom to come to earth in Paul’s epistles. By contrast, outside of Paul’s ministry, you do not find any reference to the Gentile’s “the Gospel of the Grace of God” that takes “the body of Christ” to heaven.

So there are two separate Gospels here: one which God entrusted to Paul’s apostleship and one which God entrusted to Peter and the eleven’s apostleship. There is nothing complicated or contradictory as long as you keep them separate. This is a distinction that God makes in your Bible.

  • Peter and the 11 other Apostles preached that Gentiles would be saved through Israel’s rise to kingdom glory (Isa. 60:1-3; Zech. 8:20-23; Acts 3:19-26; etc.), the Gospel of the Circumcision.
  • Paul preached that Gentiles would be saved through Israel’s fall (Romans 11:11-15, 25), the Gospel of the Uncircumcision.

“ I say then, Have they (Israel) stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them (Israel) to jealousy.” (Romans 11:11)

Everything that Paul preached—including the Gospel of the Grace of God,” had been kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest.”

“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my (Paul’s) gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery (Gk. musterion, secret), which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:” (Rom. 16:25-26)
(The Mystery) 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;” (Ephesians 3:5)

The “but now” of this verse is Paul’s ministry, “the revelation of the mystery” was “kept secret” until God revealed it to Paul, which was after Jesus’ earthly ministry. That is after Jesus had already taught the twelve apostles of Israel concerning “the gospel of the kingdom.” If Peter was preaching “the gospel of the Grace of God” before Paul came on the scene, and many people assume that he was, then both God and His Word are dishonest, but we know God “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18).

Paul is the only person in the Bible who uses the term “the church, which is His Body” (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:22-23; et al.) Peter, James, John, Jesus in His earthly ministry, and all the other apostles of Israel do not use the terms “the Church,” “the Body of Christ.” Grab any Bible concordance, and you will not find a single reference to “the Body of Christ” outside of Paul’s thirteen epistles (Romans through Philemon).

Why is that? This is because Paul claims that he alone received the revelations and doctrines for this days “dispensation of the Grace of God” (Eph. 3:1-11; cf. Rom. 16:25-26; Col. 1:23-27). Paul wrote; “According to the grace of God which is given unto me (Paul), as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 3:10-11). So, who laid the foundation of the Christian faith for this “the dispensation of the Grace of God”?

The Bible says it was the Apostle Paul. Please understand that Jesus Christ is the foundation, but Paul is the “wise masterbuilder,” the architect who laid the foundation of Jesus Christ by the, “the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest” (Romans 16:25-26). God revealed that “secret” information through the ministry of the Apostle Paul, and it was information that involved Jesus Christ as seen through the lens of the grace doctrines seen only in Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern (Gk. protos, prototype) to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” (1Tim. 1:15-16)

Again, sadly, the modern corrupted English “bibles” tamper with these verses, so their truths are not as obvious here. A pattern is the first, and the Holy Spirit says that Paul is our pattern. Paul was the prototype, the first grace believer to be placed into “the Church, Body of Christ.” The word “hereafter” refers to people who are saved after Paul. The word “chief” implies also that Paul is the first,” the primary, the head of the line. In Acts 14:12, 28:7; Luke 22:26, “chief” is taken to mean “first, main.”)

Paul’s own salvation under God’s pure grace gospel is our pattern for this “dispensation of the grace of God,” The Spirit tells us to follow Paul as he follows Christ (1 Cor. 11:1, 4:16; Eph. 5:1; Phili. 3:17; 1 Thes. 1:6). There is no such command to ‘follow’ Peter, James, or John in the Bible. Why? Remember, Paul is “the apostle of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13; Rom. 15:16; 2 Tim. 1:11). Remember, James, Peter, and John were apostles of Israel (Mat. 10:5-7, 19:27,28; Gal. 2:9).

  • When the nation Israel asked the Apostle Peter, “What must we do to be saved?” Peter’s answered:
  • (Acts 2:38; cf. Acts 3:19).
  • However, when the Philippian jailor asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas declared: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31).

Obviously then, these are not the same message. Peter told people to repent and get water baptized, so they could receive forgiveness of sins and receive the Holy Spirit. Yet, Paul simply taught that salvation comes by “believing on [trusting] the Lord Jesus Christ,” without water baptism or repentance.

If words mean anything, and words do; Peter and Paul preached two distinctly separate and different Gospels for the two different people groups of God. Confusion and seeming contradiction abounds when and if we mix that which pertains to the nation Israel with that which pertains to the Church,” which is the Body of Christ. We must heed Paul’s admonition to “rightly divide” the Bible, separating Israel’s Law program from the church’s Grace program (Rom. 6:14-15); Israel’s prophetic program (Acts 3:21) from the church’s ‘mystery’ program (Rom. 16:25-26a), just as the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy: “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 KJV only), this is another verse that modern English versions pollute. So, all of the Bible is for us as “the body of Christ,” but not all the Bible is to us or about us.

Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, have direct application to us. The rest of the Bible involves the nation Israel and her prophetic program. We should not pilfer verses pertaining to Israel’s program as though they were ours. We are the Gentile “body of Christ” – we are NOT spiritual Israel.

Anyone who does not see the clear distinction between the ministries and apostleships of Paul and Peter is actually unwilling to see the difference. The verses are in plain in English and no seminary degree is necessary. If one disagrees with any of these verses cited above, he or she is denying God’s Word and arguing with God Almighty. Religious tradition is not the authority; God’s Word “rightly divided” is the authority. We must let the Bible correct our thinking; don’t try to correct the Bible.

Paul wrote; “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I (Paul) write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1Cor. 14:37-38). If you do not see the simple Bible truths contained in this study, you probably don’t want to see them; you are being dishonest with the Bible and yourself. Usually one who ignores these truths is doing so in order to embrace vain church tradition and fallible denominational biases and interpretations.

It is without a shadow of a doubt that Peter and Paul did not preach the same Gospel. They had two different ministries concerning Christ. They preached to two different audiences, and taught different doctrines, hence, right division of the word is necessary.

There is only one Gospel today – “Grace”; but there’s more than one Gospel in the Bible.