Contrast The Two Gospels
This article by Thomas Cesar offer us clear contrast between Jesus' 'The Gospel of the Kingdon" for Israel and that of Paul's 'Mystery' Gospel - "The Gospel of the grace of God"
The Gospel of the Kingdom
(Kingdom – Abstract noun, denoting sovereignty, which requires the presence of a king.)
History
John the Baptist – Matt 3;1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens is near. John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” (Purpose for Israel, not the nations)
The Lord Jesus – Matt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand…23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
The Twelve – Matt 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, saying “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ …16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues;
Pilate – John 18:33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Did you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37. Then Pilate said to him, so you are a king? Jesus answered, “you say that I am a king. For this purpose, I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth.
In John 1:49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
After the resurrection – Acts 1:3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God… 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. (Does this statement not tell the reader that the kingdom will at some point be restored to Israel in the future?)
The Church at Pentecost – The common teaching is that this is the first church in the body of Christ under God’s grace. However, the body is composed of Jews and Gentiles. Upon close examination of the Scriptures, it becomes evident that Gentiles are not included at Pentecost. What is the evidence?
- Acts 2:9-11 The list of visitors. Vs 11. Both Jews and proselytes. Not Gentiles.
- Acts 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. (Peter does not address the Gentiles, only Israel 1.
- Acts 3:12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?...26 God having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness. (Peter addresses Israel and tells them Christ has come to them first, not the Gentiles)
- Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.31 God exalted him at his right hand as King and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. (The nation of Israel and individuals of that nation are addressed in Peters speaking, but nothing to Gentiles)
- Acts 10:28 And he said to them, You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” (Just the previous day in a vision Peter saw unclean animals, representing the Gentiles, and was told to rise and eat which he refused. Then, the spirit told him God has cleansed the Gentiles. Verse 10 clearly tells us that Peter had never eaten with a Gentile, therefore there were no Gentiles involved at Pentecost several years earlier.
Future Prophesy
The end of the age and sign of his coming – Matt 24:3b “Tell us when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming (Parousia) and of the end of the age?”…14 and this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.15 so when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority on heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Disciple nations, not individuals, when He has authority on earth)
Many years after the ascension of the Lord, the Holy Spirit speaks in two verses that clearly indicate the authority of the Lord Jesus has not yet transpired on earth. Heb 2:8b at present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 1 Jn 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the evil one. (Since the whole world currently lies in the evil one, Matt 28:18 has not yet been fulfilled)
Therefore, the going to the nations will be fulfilled when the Son of Man is on His throne which is still in the future. Matt 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne…34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘ Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
This will be the fulfillment of Matt 19:28 “Truly, I say to you in the regeneration, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And, answer to the prayer in Matt 6:9 “Our Father in the heavens, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
This is the earthly kingdom composed of Israel and the nations is the fulfilment of Gen 12:1-3. 2.
The Mystery, Christ the Head of His body
(The Head – Metaphorically, of the authority in relation to Christ with his believers. Christ as head over the body in Eph 1:22 denotes the head of the body has sovereignty over its members.)
History
Revealed to Paul – Eph 3:3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ.
The secret was then being made known through Paul’s prison epistles. It is certain this can not refer to the blessing of the Gentiles given to Abraham through Israel which was never a secret. The secret is that individual Jews and Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body. According to Eph 2:13-16 these Individual are constituted into one new man, the body of Christ. And, according to Eph 4:15 they are to grow up into Christ who is the Head. (Revealed after Israel is broken off at the end of Acts)
No Jew or Greek – Col 3:10 and have put on the new man, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11. Here there is no Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. (No distinctions of persons in the body as in the kingdom comprised of Jew and Gentiles. Our identity is in Christ as a member of His body)
Hidden in God – Eph 3:9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the stewardship of the mystery hidden from the ages in God, who created all things. This verse makes it clear that this secret was not recorded anywhere in the previous revealed scriptures of God. It was hidden in God until He chose to reveal it to Paul who then made it known in these prison epistles after the close of Acts.
All spiritual heavenly blessings – Eph 3:1-14 This is the longest sentence in the Bible describing the blessings. It describes the purpose of God in Sonship, Redemption, the Mystery and Inheritance. (In contrast with Israel was told to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. The things listed in the previous verses are material things)
Seated with God in the heavens – Eph 2:6 and he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus
Upward Heavenly Call – Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Heavenly Citizenship – Phil 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Heavenly seeking – Col 3:1 Since you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Israel was told by the Lord on the sermon on the mount to seek first the kingdom, which is earthly)
Heavenly kingdom – 2 Tim 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. (The Lord told the 12 to pray, thy kingdom come on earth…)
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of the times He might head up in one all things in Christ, both 3 in the heavens and on earth” Eph 1:10
By Thomas Cesar