Why Paul? Are Paul’s teachings any different from what the 12 Apostles taught? PART FOUR

Answers to Bible Questions
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PART FOUR

(Q)  Why Paul? Are Paul’s teachings any different from what the 12 Apostles taught?

(A)  At the end of Part Three, we were talking about the two different gospels found in Galatians 2:6-9: ⁶ But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:  ⁷ But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me (Paul), 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” (GENTILES), and they unto the “circumcision”, (THE JEWS).

There are at least two distinct Gospels in the Bible. One is the Gospel of the CIRCUMCISION given to Peter, and the Twelve Apostles, and the second one is the Gospel of the UNCIRCUMCISION given ONLY to the Apostle Paul.

Most teach that there is only one gospel throughout the entire Bible, but as you can see from Galatians 2:6-9 quoted above, there are two distinct gospels. Let’s look at a few more verses from the book of Romans to back up this position.

Romans 1:1-2:  ¹ Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, ² (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,). The word “afore” in verse 2 means “before” in our English Language today. The gospel that was preached here was before the time of the apostle Paul, and it can be found in the Holy Scriptures as recorded “by the prophets.” This gospel of God is “concerning His Son Jesus Christ” as it say’s in verses 3-4 of Romans 1: ³ Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; ⁴ And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

The gospel of God spoke about here in Romans 1:1-2, was recorded by the prophets in the scriptures from the time the world began, so it was not kept a secret. Anyone reading the scriptures in the Old Testament could learn about this gospel, because it was recorded there, RIGHT? Ok, so now let’s look at Romans 16:25 which say’s: 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.

The Bible itself refutes the claim that there is only one gospel! How can you have one gospel which was recorded in the scriptures by the prophets, from the beginning of the world, and another gospel given to the Apostle Paul, which was kept secret since the world began, and then say these gospels are the same?

These are definitely two different gospels. The one recorded in the scriptures by the prophets from the beginning of the world, was about grace plus law keeping for salvation, and the one given to Paul that was kept secret since the world began, was about grace plus nothing for salvation.

In Galatians 1:6-8, Paul makes it clear that those who reject his gospel are to be avoided lest we be drawn away to another (different) gospel: ⁶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: ⁷ Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

The reason I have been stressing the issue about there being two different gospels, is because today, and the last two thousand years, salvation can only come through the gospel given to Paul. This is the gospel given in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: ¹ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; ² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. ³ For I delivered unto you first  of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. This is the one and only gospel for us today!

As a follow up to the gospels, all true Christian believers today have been given a different Commission than that given to the disciples by Christ in Matthew 28:16-20 which say’s: ¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. ¹⁷ And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:16-20 “is not” our Commission today!! This Commission was given to the disciples while Christ was on the earth. It was directed toward a Jewish audience or the Jewish nation of Israel. This Commission was intended to go to all nations of the world, but the disciples could not even get their own people to accept, believe, or follow this Commission. Because of Israel’s unbelief in Jesus Christ as their Messiah, the Son of God; God stopped this program and temporarily set the nation of Israel aside, and would now go to the Gentiles as it tells us in Romans 11:11: ⁸ (According as it is written, God hath given them (the Jews), the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. ⁹ And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: ¹⁰ Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. ¹¹ I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy, (the Jews).

Now let’s go to 11 Corinthians 5:17-21: ¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ¹⁸ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. ²¹ For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

11 Corinthians 5:17-21 quoted above supersedes the Commission given to the disciples by Christ while He was on earth. This Commission was given to the Apostle Paul by Christ Himself from His glory in heaven. This is all part of our gospel for today. We are not under the gospel of the Kingdom given to the disciples. The gospel of the Kingdom was stopped two thousand years ago when Israel was set aside by God, and He said because of Israel’s fall, salvation is come unto the Gentiles.

All true Christian believers today have been given the MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION. WHY? Because God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Even though Christ has already paid the price for all sin, past, present, and future; forgiveness of sin is not automatically applied to anyone until they become believers. The unbeliever must admit they are sinners; they are dead in their sins, and will end up in the lake of fire if those sins are not paid for by the shed blood of Christ Jesus at Calvary. If an unbeliever wants to be reconciled back to God after hearing the true gospel of their salvation, all they need to do is sincerely BELIEVE what Christ accomplished for them at His Cross when He paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: ¹ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; ² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. ³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. This is the gospel of our salvation for today.

THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION has been given to all true believers. We must teach the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 given by God to our Apostle Paul, who gives it to us to teach to all unbelievers, so they can be reconciled back to God Just by faith or belief, Ephesians 2:8-9: ⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Along with our Commission in II Corinthians 5 God tells us though Paul in verse 20: Now then we are ambassadors for Christ. Do we realize what an important position we have been placed in by God Himself? God is not asking us if we want to be an ambassador for Christ, but He is telling us as true believers, WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST. So what kind of an ambassador are we going to be for Christ? A bad one, a weak one, or will we become one of the best we can be. Remember, we are representing Christ, because He is in heaven, and He is leaving us here to be His ambassadors until He returns at the time of the Rapture. What a privilege it is to be Christ’s ambassador!

This will conclude PART FOUR. Hope to see you back here as I follow up with PART FIVE about Paul.

Have a good day,
Maranatha (Lord Come)
John