In the Dispensation of the Grace of God, salvation is based 100% on Grace through Faith plus nothing. When I say plus nothing, I am referring to the various aspects of the Gospel of the Kingdom, which included Faith plus Works.
It is imperative that you understand the difference between that which Paul preached according to the revelation of the Mystery, (which was kept secret since the world began) as opposed to that which the 12 apostles preached concerning the Kingdom, (which was spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began).
In short, the Jews were saved by believing in their Messiah/Savior, which was and still is Jesus. They were not saved simply by believing in the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ as we’re today. This is why and Peter could rebuke Jesus Christ from going to the Cross and yet still be saved himself; Question, if Peter knew that the cross was a part of the Kingdom Gospel, why would he try and stop Jesus from going to the cross. It’s because he had no knowledge of the death burial and resurrection.
And yet, Paul says, to the church at Corinthian, Christ sent me not to baptize. That statement is only significant in light of the fact that when the Jews ask Peter what they needed to do in order to be saved, Peter said, “repent and be baptized.” Why the contrary information? Because Paul was made the apostle of the Gentiles and not the Jews; as it is written, “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:” as a result of Israels fall (see Romans 11:7-11). A huge aspect as to why God does this is to provoke Israel to jealousy.
How is the Jealousy accomplished?
By allowing all nations to be saved 100% by grace, apart from the works of the Law. As it is written,” For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Notice how it says, “NOT OF WORKS” This is drastically different from what James said in James 2:24 “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” Nevertheless, Paul says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
In the dispensation of the Grace of God, we’re justified by faith and faith alone. The Jews had to be baptized, circumcised, obey the Sabbath and more. And yet when talking to the gentiles, Paul said, “Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.” again he said, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”
How is this made possible?
Simply put. God made covenants with Israel, not with Gentiles. Therefore, God can legally and justifiably deal with the gentiles a part from the covenants he made with Israel; because they’re not Israelites and the covenants do not pertain to them.
Look at the distinction made between the following verses.
Concerning Israel
Romans 9:4-5 – 4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Notice what these verses teach us about Israel and their relationship with God.
- Israelites
- To whom pertaineth the adoption
- The glory
- The covenants
- The giving of the law
- The service of God
- And the promises
- Whose are the fathers
- Concerning the flesh Christ came
Concerning the Gentiles
Ephesians 2:11-12 – 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Notice what these verses teach us about the Gentiles and their relationship with God.
- Gentiles in the flesh
- Who are called Uncircumcision
- Without Christ
- Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel
- Strangers from the covenants of promise
- Having no hope
- Without God in the world
Do you see how Israel and not the Gentiles received the Covenants and Law and so forth, and yet the Gentiles were strangers from the covenants of promise and without hope as a result. And yet, the scriptures teach that salvation came unto the Gentiles to provoke Israel to Jealousy.
Do you see how God is accomplishing this now. In Acts 15:1 the Jews from Judea said, “Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas disagreed. In Galatians 5:2 Paul writes this, “if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.” There is no way any man or woman can fulfill both of these scriptures. How can you be circumcised for salvation if in Christ circumcision doesn’t profit anyone?
The only way to bridge this gap is by reading and applying 2 Timothy 2:15 to your method of Bible study.
To Be Continued…