The Gospel of Paul; What It Is; Why we should recognize it.

[JD731]

1. Romans 1:1
   Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
   In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
2. Romans 15:16
   That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
3. 2 Corinthians 11:7
   Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
4. 1 Thessalonians 2:2
   But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention
5. So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us
6. 1 Thessalonians 2:9
   For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God
7. 1 Peter 4:17
   For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
   

Romans 2:16
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Romans 16:25
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

2 Timothy 2:8
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

2 Corinthians 4:3
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

1 Thessalonians 1:5
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

2 Thessalonians 2:14
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So, gospel means good news, glad tidings. What I have posted above is the good news, glad tidings of God. This good news , glad tidings of God has a paticular application that is somewhat different than other glad tidings, good news of the NT. It is, Paul said, my gospel. Paul, who was SEPARATED from the other apostles, the twelve, and with a different mission. He calls the gospel of God, "my gospel," and it was his. He had been especially called, equipped, and sent to accomplish it.

The gospel of God is the theme of Paul's preaching as one can see above, and it is the theme of this church age beginning with his calling. One can notice that he uses this term for the most part in his letters to churches in the West. Since no other apostles preached in the West, those times he used "our gospel" he is referring to those "elders" who travelled with him in his ministry.

So, seven times Paul calls this gospel "the gospel of God." Three times he calls it "my gospel." And three times he calls it "our gospel" for a total of thirteen times, which is significant, instructive, and doctrinal. God uses numbers to confirm his truths and we must learn them and pay attention to them.

I know something about the subject I have brought up because God has taught it to me. It is exciting study. It is this gospel that I believe all Reformed religious people reject and denies and is what takes them out of the categorie of fundamental, bible believing Christian faith.

The gospels of the NT is pointed and specific and is powerful but they have different applications. Can we talk about this gospel awhile, anyone?

 

[JD731]

1) During the first 7 years of the church era before his conversion Paul was a zealot for Judaism.
2) Testifying later he said he persecuted the church. (Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church)
3) He gained a reputation for his severity; (Ac 9:26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple).
4) He was converted on the Damascus Road in AD 37/38 in time to have Jesus reveal all the mysteries of this age to him. (Ga 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood):
5) This took place in Arabia (Ga 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus).
6) A long time later he did go to Jerusalem with all the apostles and Peter. (Ga 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
7) This meeting was precipitated by the controversy that arose over the preaching of Paul to gentiles in Acts 15 without adding constraints from the Law. (Ac 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question).
8) The separation of Paul (Rom 1:1) from the 12 apostles unto the ministry to gentiles while they go to the circumcision is explained here. (Ga 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
9) At about the same time Paul who would preach the gospel of God as his occupation to gentiles was finishing his training by God, God through Peter in AD 40 opened the door of faith to gentiles. (Ac 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe).
10) With the open door for gentiles God explained to Peter that he had suspended the observance of the ceremonial laws of the Mosaic covenant and gentiles could come through the door without those constraints (Ac 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean).

11) The best definition of dispensation;

A) Exemption from a rule or usual requirement

B) A system of order, government,
or organization of a nation, community, etc., especially as existing at a
particular time

C) The Action of distributing or supplying something

Here is a description from Paul's own pen of his unique ministry among the apostles, standing alone in this calling.

1 ¶ For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, (the Ephesians were considered gentiles by God)
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward (gentile-ward):
Read definition #C above and know that grace is supplied to gentiles through the gospel of Christ. God ordained it so it is the gospel of God to the heathen. The door is opened to you.

See my #2 above in my list as you read V 3-4.
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me 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;

The nutshell definition of the "mystery of Christ in one verse, verse 6.
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise (the Holy Spirit) in Christ by the gospel:

What these verses say will define what he later calls "the gospel of God."
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Here is a word to the Reformed. Consider verse 6 where Paul shows that a sinner partakes of his gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (who is eternal life) in Christ, that is in his body, not by previous election that the scriptures knows nothing about, but by the gospel.

This is how Christians are chosen by God the Father. This is the reason I do not consider the Reformed as fundamentalist Christians. They do not believe and teach this.

Ephesians was written in 60 AD and was the 7th of Paul's 13 letters.

 

[JD731]

The gospel of God that was charged to the apostle Paul is not the good news and glad tidings that will save anyone from their sins by believing it. The gospel of Christ is the good news and glad tidings that Jesus Christ, that man who is the son of God, sinless in his whole life on earth, has willingly sacrificed himself to bear the guilt and penalty of suffering and death for his own people and nation and then has risen from the dead and that God has declared that they will be forgiven and given God's gift of eternal life, (his Spirit) and restored if and when they will believe this good news and glad tidings and obey God in his will for them.

Now, we can read the account that God has given to us through inspiration (so we will be sure to get his testimony right) and can understand that the charge of the apostles and elders in Mark 16:9-20 by Jesus Christ himself is not about a commission to the whole world to preach about the person and work of Jesus Christ and to be baptized in water to receive this salvation with the confirmation of the kingdom powers of miracles to show the authenticity of the preachers, but to the physical descendants of Abraham through his son Jacob only.

There is an order to God's unfolding plan of redemption. It is to the Jew first and then to the world, and Paul would later say this about the gospel of Christ. Understanding this will help to understand the gospel of God and why the gospel of God is such good news to gentiles.

Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The word "also" is a word of "addition." If one were prone to add to the word of God, he could put the adverb "then" before the word also, and it would be one time the addition would not do violence to the text. Paul tells us when the good news of the gospel of God to gentiles takes place.

Back to the commission in Mark 16. The casual student of the Bible should be able to follow the actions of the apostles and elders who received these instructions from Jesus Christ and understand they followed them exactly. For the first seven years of church building, and after Pentecost, when the nation was immersed by the Spirit of God, they preached to only Jerusalem and Judah, the seat of government for this nation. The government gave a clear and unmistakable answer to the preaching of Jesus Christ after seven years by killing a preacher, Stephen, who called upon them in their temple to be saved.

It was then that the third phase of the descendants of Abraham became the target of God through the preachers, Samaria. These gave a token salute to the gospel of Christ but quickly fade away from the historical narrative. Now Paul, who had three years to preach before a gentile (at least one who was not a Jewish proselyte) was saved, would write a letter to the church in the province of Asia in Asia Minor in the year 60 AD from his Roman prison house, and say these words.

Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel (the epistle to the Hebrews indicates they did move away), which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

I remind you what the apostolic commission is; And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mr 16:15.
These people in this region at this time are the people of the dispersed Northern nation of Israel, who were displaced by the Assyrians in BC 722, as well as many from Judah (Paul, a Benjamite was born in Cilicia). These are the people who, because of their grievous sins, were called "not my people" in Hosea and to whom he said he would show no mercy. He did show no national mercy but he shows mercy individually by the gospel of Christ and would receive any who would believe in Christ and forgive their sins. Paul claimed that every creature to whom the apostles were charged to preach the gospel had heard it. Mission accomplished, proving that God will not give anyone a job that cannot be accomplished. The Jewish Law Keepers here are the greatest and most violent opponents of the Christian gospel.

So far, Paul's preaching companion has been Barnabas through his fist missionary journey, but Paul alone has the commission as apostle to the gentiles. It is a sure thing that Barnabas was God's choice to fill the office of apostle left vacant by Judas. He is called an apostle by Luke in Acts 14:14 after receiving a commission with Paul in Acts 13:1-3 to be sent. The definition of apostle is "one who is sent." However, in the providence of God Barnabas was separated from Paul for the second missionary campaign, which, unknowing to Paul or Barnabas, will take the efforts to where the gentiles live, the West. Barnabas was not commissioned as apostle to them.

Ac 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Our understanding of God cannot be separated from his providential prosecution of his purpose on earth as it unfolds through history. It is he that has created the ages and dispensations for his purpose and has many times made adjustments for those purposes because there are physical and spiritual adversaries to his will. He has made promises and prophecies all through history and has written them down so we can know what his purpose is and by comparing his bible can see his great wisdom of bringing everything he has determined to pass in spite of the adversaries.

Next, the definition of the gospel of God from the scriptures.

 

[JD731]

God's own definition of the "gospel of God" is in Romans. The gospel of God could never have been preached without a gospel of Christ. More on the comparison of the two gospels later. First, God speaks about his gospel;

Ro 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which (the mystery) was kept secret since the world (chronos = time) began, 26 But now (the mystery) is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations (by the lone apostle to the nations, Paul) for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Paul wrote this gospel as I have said in 58 AD from Corinth. This means all the history of the New Testament had already occurred from the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ through the events recorded through Acts 17. Paul met Aquila and Pricilla, lately from Rome, a Christian man and his wife, who were in Corinth because the Roman Caesar had issued a decree that all Jews must leave Rome. They no doubt informed Paul about the church in Rome. The gentiles world rule was in Rome during those days and when Paul wrote to Rome he wrote to all gentile nations and people. This is the idea that should manifest itself to us.

Let's do some reason and logic now. God says, "come, and let us reason together." If the apostle Paul was not saved until the gospel of Jesus Christ had already been preached for more than seven years to the Jews only, and the gospel of God is defined as he defines it in Romans 16 above as his good news, glad tidings, to the nations, it should not be argued that this gospel of God had been preached already by the other apostles. And, if the gospel of God is by special revelation to one man, Paul, then we should note that and begin to seek out the meaning of this gospel and how we should process what the scriptures are telling us.

What does Paul say about the gospel of God?
Paul says it is a "mystery" that is NOW (by him) revealed to the nations.
He says that it had been kept secret since time began
He is charged to be the revelator of the mystery and the task of preaching it is given to him only, but by extension to all believers, apostles and others after he has revealed it.
The mystery is not that it is God's intention of providing salvation to gentiles.
How do I know this from the text of Romans?
I know it because Paul actually quotes OT passages that says he is going to do it.
If it is prophesied that he will save gentiles beforehand, it is not a mystery.

Consider these verses from Romans 15;

Ro 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision (this means his ministry was not to gentiles)for the truth of God, (WHY) to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (the fathers are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - this is the Abrahamic covenant which promised That God would raise up a nation to himself through them and save them).
9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy (contrast mercy for gentiles with promises to the fathers because the gentiles had no promises); as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people, Israel.(The promise to the fathers of Israel is the reason he is confessing to the gentiles - he promised them that he would)
11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people (Israel).

So, the mystery of the faith cannot be that God intends to bless the gentiles with salvation because that is not something that is revealed by the apostle Paul. It was already known before him.

The theme of Ephesians is "the mystery of Christ." It was written in 60 AD from prison in Rome.

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see (the purpose of revelation is to make men see) what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world (aion = the age began at the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ) hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

HERE IT IS - THE MYSTERY.
Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Eph 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

The Jews and gentiles believers in the good news, glad tidings, the gospel of Christ, that he died in our place and rose again from the dead and God will accept all who come to him through 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;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

The gospel of God is for the gentiles in this age that God would receive us to complete the purpose the Jews refused to do and only a remnant did during the first ten years of this age.

Spoken after the generational unpardonable sin of the Jewish rulers and after they planned to kill him;
Lu 14:15 ¶ And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

Read John 6 here. He offered himself as the bread.

18 And they all with one consent (a national rejection) began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind (Samaria).
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in (gentiles), that my house (Read He 3 here) may be filled.
24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

This parable should be compared to truths in Ro 7-11.

This post is already too long and I will continue later.

 

[JD731]

Concerning the gospel of God being the good news of God that he had opened the door of faith to gentiles and has poured out his promise on them, making them partakers with the Jews of his salvation through Christ. To the Jews his salvation was a promise kept, but to the gentiles it is a matter of grace and mercy and the kindness and goodness of God.

Here is how Paul described it.

Eph 3:1 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 (C) The Action of distributing or supplying something) which is given me to you-ward (gentile -ward):
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me 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;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs (with the Jews), and of the same body (as the Jews), and partakers of his (God the Father's) promise (the Holy Ghost indwelling) in Christ (the body of Christ, the church) by the gospel of Christ)

The next verses are particularly powerful and instructive after what Paul said in Romans about his ministry..

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men (Jews & gentiles) see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

I will now quote all the instances where Paul used the phase "gospel of God" and they will all be in the churches in the West.

Ro 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Ro 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
2Co 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
1Th 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
1Th 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
1Th 2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

He does not use that terminology to the churches in the East.

Ro 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Ro 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
2Ti 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
1Th 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
2Th 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peter uses the term "kingdom of God" in the context of them as compared to us.

The following is after the first missionary campaign of Paul to the gentiles;

Ga 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles):
9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Now we know that the gospel of God given to Paul is also called the apostleship of the uncircumcision and the gospel of the grace of God.

Next, the open door and when it was opened, and by whom.

 

[Alan Dale Gross]

Now we know that the gospel of God given to Paul is also called the apostleship of the uncircumcision and the gospel of the grace of God.

Jesus Taught Paul the Gospel.

"Paul systematically went from town to town over half his life as a missionary converting both Jews and Greco-Roman Gentiles to the teachings of Christ.

"Everywhere Paul went he was able to establish a community of followers of Jesus.

"During Jesus’ ministry, Jesus would preach the gospel and not be concerned with gaining large amounts of followers.

"In Matthew Jesus gives a roundabout answer when asked to explain the parable of the sower, Jesus claims that not everyone is meant to go to heaven. God “will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil” (Matthew 13: 41).

"Jesus’ ministry was primarily a message to the Jewish people then he is the fulfillment of their Messianic hopes because “Jesus the Messiah” is “the son of David, the son of Abraham” and as such is the fulfillment of God’s covenant to the Jewish people that the house of David will never end (Matthew 1: 1).

"Whereas, Paul targeted all people thought the Greco-Roman empire that were Jewish and those outside of the Jewish community with promises of salvation for all.

"In Paul’s letters to the Romans, Paul makes a claim that “through [Jesus] we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake” and even the early Roman Christians “are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ” (Romans 1: 5-6).

"Paul’s teachings included all people in salvation, and this teaching appealed to the people of the extensive Greco-Roman empire that Jesus did not personally visit.

"Paul’s interpretation of the gospels was a significant factor that influenced people into converting. Those on the fringes of society that are unhappy with their society are those who are most likely to convert, and the ones Paul was able to convert. Paul’s interpretation of Jesus’ teachings is what made Christianity appealing to the Greco-Roman Gentiles.

"Paul interprets Christ’s teachings of salvation to include everyone including the Gentiles. In Paul’s letter to the Romans Paul claims that God sent him out to save the Gentiles.

"Paul writes “the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God” (Romans 15: 15-16).

"Paul is essentially promising to improve the lives of Gentiles if they convert and follow the teachings of Jesus. Paul makes conversion as simple as possible to get new converts.

"The only thing that he makes a requirement to become a follower of Jesus is that they must believe that Jesus is the messiah. All of this led to Paul writing letters to the new Christian communities to clarify Jesus’ teachings.

Unlike Jesus, Paul answers direct questions about the gospel and the teachings of Christ. For example, during Jesus’ ministry, he is asked to clarify his authority to teach by the chief priests and elders of the Jewish community. Instead of giving a straightforward answer Jesus responds by asking them a question in return. Jesus asks, “John’s baptism – where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” (Matthew 21: 25). Jesus purposefully responds in parables and questions as to not give his detractors the satisfaction of being right.

"All of Paul’s letters to the first Christian communities mainly focused on explaining the teachings and parables of Jesus.

"In Paul’s letters, Paul quotes and explains the teachings of Christ and how it affects the early Christians.

"For example, in Paul’s letter to the Galatians Paul writes, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’

"He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit” (Galatians 3: 13-14).

"In this letter, Paul explains how Jesus redeemed his people and how the Gentiles are a part of the new ministry.

"Then in Paul’s letters to the Romans he explains Jewish scripture and how it affects the new Christians.

"In Paul’s letter, he explains that “Scripture says to Pharaoh: ‘I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’

"Therefore, God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden” (Romans 9: 17-18).

"In this letter, Paul paraphrases passages from Exodus and then explains how the new congregation is to interpret it.

"Paul’s interpretation of Christ teachings creates practices for Christians that are different from the Jewish community.

"Paul outright denies the necessity of Jewish traditions now that Jesus has established a new covenant with God’s people. This tradition he creates predates the gospel accounts and become the foundation for which some of the anti-Jewish language in the gospel stems from.

"Paul declares “that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all” (Galatians 5: 2).

"Paul’s rejection of the established Jewish traditions is what sets him apart from Jesus. Jesus observed and performed all of the Jewish traditions. By rejecting Jewish traditions, Paul created a new separate religion based off of Judaism.

"By changing the traditions of the Jewish community to fit the newly established congregation. Paul was able to create a new religion with different traditions that formed the foundation of Christianity.

"Without Paul Christianity as an organized religion would have never been realized. Christianity would not have been able to have consistent ubiquitous practices and traditions without Paul.

"The questions of the early Christians that were answered by Paul became adopted as a component of Christianity. Due to the universal nature of Paul’s interpretation of the gospels, gentiles and Jews converted to early Christianity."

Apostles of Jesus

human.libretexts.org

 

[Alan Dale Gross]

"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed." Galatians 3:8.

So, seven times Paul calls this gospel "the gospel of God." Three times he calls it "my gospel." And three times he calls it "our gospel" for a total of thirteen times, which is significant, instructive, and doctrinal.

I know something about the subject I have brought up because God has taught it to me. It is exciting study.

It is this gospel that I believe all Reformed religious people reject and denies and is what takes them out of the categorie of fundamental, bible believing Christian faith.

The gospels of the NT is pointed and specific and is powerful but they have different applications. Can we talk about this gospel awhile, anyone?

Did Paul ​

Preach a Different Gospel than Jesus?​

"In any conversation around these questions, building common ground can make navigating disagreements easier.

"Let’s be honest: evangelicals can unintentionally place a greater focus on Paul than on Jesus. The apostle’s letters usually make more direct, literal, and logical claims than what you find in narrative passages. We all have genres of Scripture that appeal to us and tempt us to develop a personal “canon within the canon.”

What Did Paul Mean by ‘Gospel’?​

"The “two gospels” claim asserts Paul was preaching a gospel story about Jesus that came to him secondhand. Jesus, meanwhile, preached about a new way of life associated with the arrival of the kingdom.

We all have genres of Scripture that appeal to us and tempt us to develop a personal ‘canon within the canon.’

"Such a message certainly corresponds with Mark’s summary of Jesus’s preaching (Mark 1:14–15). (Ironically, this passage is likely Mark’s summary of eyewitness accounts passed along to him—not unlike the experience of Paul.)

"But did Jesus define his “social and ethical” gospel as turning to a new way of life that would lead to justice and generosity for all?

"To answer this question, we must return to the beginning of Mark. Mark uses “the gospel” in his title to the book in 1:1 (“the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”). In this title, he defines “gospel” as an account of Jesus that depicts him as the the Christ (or Messiah) and the Son of God (Jewish and Roman titles for a king).

"How did Mark come to do this?

"In the first-century Roman world, the term “gospel” (euangelion) didn’t describe a biographical narrative about someone’s life; it described victories given by the gods on the battlefield as well as the birth, rise to power, and decrees of the divine ruler (e.g., the Priene calendar inscription about Augustus Caesar).

"The verb euangelizō (“I proclaim the good news”) was used in the Septuagint, particularly in Isaiah (e.g., Isa. 40:9–10; 52:7–10), to announce that God was acting to save his people from exile, overthrowing the idolatrous rulers of the world and establishing his reign.

"By citing Isaiah 40:3 in his introduction, Mark is using the title “gospel” to document how Jesus’s death on the cross functions as his entrance into his kingly reign.

"This gospel from the Gospels doesn’t contradict Paul’s gospel. In 1 Corinthians 15:3–11, Paul emphasizes how the proclamation of the cross and resurrection fulfills the Old Testament story. He affirms the historicity of the resurrection by recounting that Jesus appeared to Peter and James—men the “two gospel” advocates claim were Paul’s enemies.

"In Romans 11:1–7, Paul explains that the gospel he preached was a fulfillment of the prophets’ promises: God would rescue his people through Jesus’s death and resurrection, resulting in his enthronement as king.

Why Did Paul Refer to ‘My Gospel’?​

"If Paul and Jesus agree, why does the apostle use the phrase “my gospel”?

"It’s worth observing that he only adds the modifier in “my/our” six of the 60 times he used the term “gospel.”

"He highlights how his gospel includes a judgment performed by King Jesus (Rom. 2:16), enables the obedience that comes from faith (Rom. 16:26), and empowers endurance as believers are persecuted because of Christ (2 Cor. 4:3; 1 Thess. 1:5).

"These examples demonstrate that rather than differentiating his message from Jesus’s, Paul is aligning it.

"By comparison, Paul uses “the gospel” without any qualifier 27 times. This most common designation reflects his understanding that the gospel he preached was the same one preached by the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:22–30).

"Additionally, Paul uses “gospel of Christ” (e.g., Rom. 15:19) and “gospel of God” (e.g., 1 Thess. 2:2) in ways that parallel Mark 1:1 and 1:14. The gospel revealed to Paul (Gal. 1:11–12) aligns with Jesus’s plan—that the Gentiles would hear the good news of Jesus’s kingship, which enables people to be saved (Matt. 24:14; 26:13; Mark 13:10; 14:9; Luke 24:44–49).

The gospel Paul preached was a fulfillment of the prophets’ promises: God would rescue his people through Jesus’s death and resurrection, resulting in his enthronement as king.

"How should the unified gospel of Jesus and Paul affect the church today?

"First, we should consider whether we do favor Paul, elevating him in a way that pits him against Jesus. We should learn to appreciate the entire Bible, not just our favorite testaments, genres, or authors.

"Second, we should have confidence that Paul articulated “the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” faithfully. His concepts and language have roots deep within the Old Testament and in the ministry and message of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels.

"Last, we should be bolstered in our belief that the entirety of the Scriptures perfectly reveals God to his people. He entrusted his church with 66 books, and the early church placed these books alongside each other as Christian Scripture.

"We mustn’t elevate our own reasoning to unhitch portions of what God has revealed to his church.

"If we manipulate what’s left
into a supposedly biblical argument, we fall into representing our sensibilities rather than God’s truth."

 

[JD731]

Now we know that the gospel of God given to Paul is also called the apostleship of the uncircumcision and the gospel of the grace of God.

Next, the open door and when it was opened, and by whom.

In my last comments on this thread I presented scriptural evidence that the good news, the glad tidings for the people of God with whom he had maintained a two thousand year relationship, Israel, making several eternal and immutable covenants, one of which is the Davidic covenant that promised that the greater seed of Abraham who would be the seed of David would arise to rule over all them in perfect righteousness and by extension the whole earth, was not the same glad tidings and good news that was preached after he was slain and raised from the dead. I encourage anyone who has not read post number 5 to do it now.

I have quoted from Isa 55 where God said plainly that he does not think like men think and that his ways are much higher than our ways. He tells us this so we will by his Spirit seek to think like he does and to learn his ways. In the case of Israel, God sees them as the door into our understanding about his ways and his people, family, and nation were on display for two thousand years and we are now here at the end of six (6) thousand years to study his revelation of himself and Israel and to make some reasonable and logical and doctrinal conclusions about him.

In the New testament scriptures we learn through Jesus Christ something that was not so well known through the OT scriptures, and that is that Jehovah is the Father of Israel and that corporately and collectively Israel is his firstborn son, a son who was born in the world (Egypt is a type of the world) of the flesh and the history of this people shows us they are a rebellious son who is in need of being brought by the Father to a place of repentance and salvation. Israel is the epitome of a worldly and unsaved son without the Spirit of God in him. So, in the mind and economy of God Israel must be considered as an individual made up of many individuals but one son of God. If he will be saved he must be saved as one with every one of them being saved before God's covenants to them are fully realized. I will quote a couple of verses to affirm this command of God to them, though I could quote many, and where these quotes appear in human history is very instructive if the logic is followed.

#1
Ac 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

A man who receives the Holy Ghost is a saved man by virtue of his presence in them. This is a call for the salvation of his collective son to be saved because the perfect son of God in the flesh as died as their substitute and will forgive their sins because the penalty has been paid for them, which is death that he suffered and then rose again and can give them life. (the Spirit is his life. (John 1)

#2
Ac 3:22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. 24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

When Jesus Christ was speaking to Nicodemus in Jerusalem in John 3 he made these statements;

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

This man, Israel could not see it and they could not enter into it unless and until he (collectively) was born again.

Is this proven anywhere in the scriptures? The answer is yes, it is. It is proven by the actions of every disciple and apostle and countryman and believer in Jesus during his time in the flesh on the earth and I showed that in post #5. None of them were able to perceive of or enter into the kingdom, which requires the new birth of this man Israel, and this man said plainly and conclusively that they would not have this man to rule over them and all Israel was not saved during the first few chapters of the Acts after Jesus rose from the dead, but only a small remnant. Thirteen (13) thousand at the festival of the Feast of Weeks, Pentecost, out of over a million attendees. Not much of a harvest.

But I showed from the scriptures that not one single soul understood his words about dying and rising from the dead though they had been preaching the same things he was, which was not that. It was the good news that the kingdom was at hand.

This is not a defeat of Jesus Christ and God the Father because he cannot fail to accomplish his purpose and he is going to bring them to the marriage supper once again in the very near future and all of Israel who will not be saved will perish in the great fires of the great tribulation and there will be few of them left to save.

12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom....... (also the marriage supper)

24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.


I encourage reading the context of these scriptures I have given. The above is during the last week of his life on earth, at the end of which his enemies put him to death.

The gospel that Jesus preached until they plotted to put him to death is the gospel of the kingdom is at hand, but the message is that it will not be entered without a new birth that could have soon happened for the firstborn son of God and everyone having the Spirit had they believed in him. A remnant of them being saved would not do. So, while he was in heaven with the Father, he took the remnant that were saved, small as it was, and fashioned a new man, from them and since it was a new man different rules would apply. He would allow the gentiles, who had been his enemies for 4000 years, to partake of the spiritual blessings that this remnant is receiving and he would present this new man to Christ when it was complete as his bride and there would be a marriage supper at the time of the wedding. That is in the future. Israel, every one of them who are left at that time will have been saved and will be there as guests at the table.

Romans (7) through Romans (11), five (5) chapters, God's number for grace defines this age when God is dealing with the remnant of Israel, who is called the remnant according to the election of grace, the sons of God and not Abraham filling the scene with the gentiles being added to fill up his house (family) during this age as he prepares the world for his coming kingdom on the earth on his sabbath rest day of one thousand years.

Rom 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles,........(he had been speaking to the remnant of Israel)

24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?
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.

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, (the second coming of Christ to the earth) and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Sorry, We will speak of the door later.

Excuse any bad spelling or punctuation. I don't have time for that.