A Rock of Offence Foundational
Bible Study
INTRODUCTION ... LAYING A FOUNDATION
FOR THIS STUDY:
During one of his last sermons, an
old itinerant preacher shocked the
congregation, when he made the
following comment:
"During my lifetime I was invited to
speak in many different churches and
discovered a disturbing truth; A
majority of good Christian folks
believe things about the Bible that
just aren't so..."
After observing modern church life and studying the Scriptures, I've found that this old preacher's words are even more true today -- and the error is caused by many of the traditional (and trusted) methods of Bible interpretation. Many irreconcilable disagreements exist among professing Christians that will never be resolved until Jesus returns to set things straight. By then, it will be too late to change - and some of the spiritual consequences are unthinkable. Many of these irreconcilable issues involve the subject of eternal life and how it is obtained ... and kept.
In Acts Chapter 15 -- God Exposes A
Popular Doctrine That Continues To
Generate A Majority Of False
Christian Teachings ... And Even
Heresies Within Christendom
Starting with some of the earliest writings of Church history, aberrant doctrines and teachings have always existed, causing God's people to go dangerously astray - often without their knowledge. Even Jesus, during His earthly ministry, specifically mentioned one such deceptive doctrine, when He said ...
"...this people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. HOWBEIT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN." (Mark 7:6-7)
As we study church history and compare it with what some churches teach today, we find many popular and widely accepted "Christian teachings and doctrines" that fall under this same description and warning provided by Jesus in this verse.
We believe this is why God used an entire chapter in the book of Acts to expose an error that would ultimately become the source for a majority of false Bible teaching ... and a perverted gospel message that would later dominate a large part of the Christian Church.
Acts chapter 15 describes one doctrinal dispute that brought together the entire Apostolic Leadership (both apostles and elders) of the first century Church, led by James our Lord's half-brother. Their job was to evaluate whether a certain practice and belief should be included in Christ's New Covenant salvation ... as taught by the Apostle Paul.
The meeting took place in Jerusalem, which is why various theologians and Bible scholars generally refer to this historic gathering as "The First Jerusalem Apostolic Council" ... which also alerts us to its importance.
The council decided to meet to address the concerns of a group of Jewish Pharisees who continued to embrace Old Testament Law, but had also believed on Jesus Christ. As a result, they were called "believing Pharisees". They objected to Paul's New Covenant teaching that salvation (eternal life) was fully purchased by Christ's sacrificial blood at the cross and was now given freely as God's gift "By Grace through faith in Christ" ... which no longer required the deeds of the Law or the keeping of its commandments to possess eternal life.
These Jewish teachers were deeply offended that Paul's evangelistic message removed the Law -- specifically its practice of circumcision -- from God's requirements to possess eternal life (salvation).
As a result, they demanded that the council should make "circumcision and keeping the Law" a necessary part of Paul's Grace-based evangelistic message.
IN OTHER WORDS, THEY WANTED PAUL TO
PREACH A GOSPEL THAT MIXED (OR
INTERMINGLED) LAW AND GRACE.
But thankfully, after a lengthy deliberation,
the council denied their request and sent a
letter to all the churches warning them about
this corrupt doctrine.
The following is one reason for their decision:
Adding the works or deeds of "Law-keeping" as an additional requirement to receive eternal life CANCELS GRACE and under the New Covenant ... salvation is received only by Grace through faith in Christ -- apart from the works and deeds of the Law. Why does salvation only come by Grace after the cross? Because Jesus paid the entire price -- using His own blood as payment -- so that He could give eternal life (salvation) to us as God's Gift. When works of any kind are added to Grace IT INVALIDATES GOD'S GIFT AND THE GRACE THAT MAKES HIS GIFT POSSIBLE.
The following New Testament Scriptures from the epistles of Saint Paul to the Church illustrates the reason for the council's decision ...
"AND IF BY GRACE, THEN IT IS NO LONGER OF WORKS; OTHERWISE GRACE IS NO LONGER GRACE. But if it is of works, IT IS NO LONGER GRACE; otherwise work is no longer work." (Romans 11:6)
"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under Grace." (Romans 6:14)
"FOR AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW ARE UNDER THE CURSE; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." BUT THAT NO ONE IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW IN THE SIGHT OF GOD IS EVIDENT, for "the just shall live by faith." YET THE LAW IS NOT OF FAITH..." (Galatians 3:10-12 -- Emphasis Added)
"Therefore BY THE DEEDS (WORKS) OF THE LAW NO FLESH WILL BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT". (Romans 3:20 -- Emphasis Added)
"You have become estranged (separated or cut-off) from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; YOU HAVE FALLEN FROM GRACE." (Galatians 5:4 -- Emphasis Added)
"...BEING JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS, whom God set forth as a propitiation BY HIS BLOOD, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:24-26 -- Emphasis Added)
"FOR GOD'S GIFTS AND HIS CALL ARE IRREVOCABLE. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]" (Romans 11:29 Amplified Bible -- We should know that Eternal Life is given freely as "God's gift" -- see Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Bible contains a number of different provisions that are called "Covenants" (such as the Noahic Covenant in the book of Genesis - established by God after the Great Flood).
HOWEVER, THERE ARE TWO OTHER 'PRIMARY COVENANTS' THAT ACT AS A MAJOR DIVISION IN SCRIPTURE -- BECAUSE GOD RADICALLY CHANGES THE WAY HE TREATS SIN AND THE SINNER AFTER THE 'RED LINE' AT CHRIST'S CRUCIFIXION IS CROSSED.
The Bible translators took great care to make sure that both students and teachers of the Bible understood the existence of this 'dividing line' between these two covenants ... which are also called "Testaments" (as in "The Old Testament and the New Testament").
The Apostle Paul, who wrote over half of The
New Testament referred to these major
divisions as:
"THE FIRST COVENANT AND THE SECOND COVENANT"
(as described in the following Scriptures)
"But now He (Jesus) has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He (Jesus) is also MEDIATOR OF A BETTER COVENANT, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED ON BETTER PROMISES. For if that FIRST COVENANT had been faultless, then no place would have been sought FOR A SECOND." (Hebrews 8:6-7 NKJV)
"IN THAT HE (JESUS CHRIST) SAYS, "A NEW COVENANT," HE HAS MADE THE FIRST OBSOLETE. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away." (Hebrews 8:13 NKJV)
The apostle Paul repeats the same truths to the Galatian church in a more detailed and slightly different way;
In his Epistle to the Galatians,
Saint Paul clearly describes this
Scriptural division.
"Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic.
FOR THESE ARE THE TWO COVENANTS:
The one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar - for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children (speaking of the First Covenant) - but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all...
Paul contines ...
(Paul is making the following statements to the Church or Body of Christ) Now we, Brethren, as Isaac was, are children of Promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman." SO THEN BRETHREN, WE ARE NOT CHILDREN OF THE BONDWOMAN BUT OF THE FREE (SPEAKING OF THE SECOND COVENANT - OR THE NEW COVENANT OF CHRIST)."(Galatians 4:21-31)
PAUL IS DESCRIBING THESE TWO MAJOR
COVENANTS THAT DIVIDE THE BIBLE
INTO TWO UNIQUELY DIFFERENT
PROGRAMS:
- The first covenant is according to Hagar, the bondwoman, who gives birth to children of bondage. It was established at Mount Sinai ... and is known as the Mosaic Covenant of the Law ... and its commandments.
- The second covenant is according to Isaac, the Son of Promise who was born from the "Jerusalem above which is free" ... and called "the freewoman". The second covenant refers to the New Covenant of Christ established on Grace at Mount Calvary. God's Grace is based on freedom and liberty, which is why - after the cross - eternal life is given as; "the free gift of God".
Paul brings these thoughts to a conclusion
in one concise statement that provides an
important key to correct Bible interpretation.
Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman." SO THEN, BRETHREN, WE ARE NOT CHILDREN OF THE BONDWOMAN BUT OF THE FREE.(Galatians 4:30-31)
In the next chapter of this same Epistle,
Paul repeats these same two opposing
characteristics of the first and second
covenants when he said ...
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free (the New Covenant of Christ), and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage (or Old Covenant Law)." (Galatians 5:1)
This is why the Bible translators inserted special title pages (which were not included in the original manuscripts) ... that separates Scripture into its two major components; the Old and New Testaments (or the Old and New Covenants).
"SAINT PAUL'S EPISTLES TO THE CHURCH" REFERS TO THIS PRACTICE OF KEEPING THE HOLY SCRIPTURES SEPARATED (OR TAUGHT AND INTERPRETED ACCORDING TO ITS DIVINE CONTEXT) AS ...
"RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF GOD"
(2 Timothy 2:15).
WHY ALL OF THIS IS IMPORTANT
First of all, only a small section of Christendom accepts and receives the warning recorded in Acts Chapter 15 or the warning Saint Paul provides in the previous Scripture quotations. If there are two major covenants that divide God's Word -- and Christians are under only one of these covenants (the New Covenant of Christ) -- and not under the other (Old Covenant Law - See Romans 6:14) ... then there are many things in the Bible (primarily in the Old Testament) that do not apply to Christians (the Body of Christ). However, this non-binding information should never be 'thrown out or ignored'. It should be studied and understood as part of the Christian believer's spiritual education concerning how God previously acted toward Israel before the cross under Old Covenant Law ... compared with how He now relates with the mostly Gentile Christian Church, under Grace -- after the cross.
CONTRARY TO MANY TRADITIONAL CHRISTIAN TEACHINGS -- GOD DOES NOT TREAT SIN AND THE SINNER THE SAME WAY UNDER NEW COVENANT GRACE ... AS HE DID UNDER OLD COVENANT LAW!
Once again, Paul warns us about this change (repeated here for emphasis) ...
Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman." SO THEN, BRETHREN, WE ARE NOT CHILDREN OF THE BONDWOMAN BUT OF THE FREE.(Galatians 4:30-31 -- Also See Romans 6:14, Galatians 3:10-12, Romans 3:20, Galatians 5:4, Romans 3:24-26)
"STAND FAST THEREFORE IN THE LIBERTY BY WHICH CHRIST HAS MADE US FREE (THE NEW COVENANT OF CHRIST), and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage (or Old Covenant Law)." (Galatians 5:1)
"Therefore BY THE DEEDS (WORKS) OF THE LAW NO FLESH WILL BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT". (Romans 3:20 -- Emphasis Added)
"You have become estranged (separated or cut-off) from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; YOU HAVE FALLEN FROM GRACE." (Galatians 5:4 -- Emphasis Added)
"But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He (Jesus) is also MEDIATOR OF A BETTER COVENANT, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED ON BETTER PROMISES. For if that FIRST COVENANT had been faultless, then no place would have been sought FOR A SECOND." (Hebrews 8:6-7 NKJV)
"IN THAT HE (JESUS CHRIST) SAYS, "A NEW COVENANT," HE HAS MADE THE FIRST OBSOLETE. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away." (Hebrews 8:13 NKJV)
As Paul previously stated -- the bondwoman represents Old Covenant Law (also known as the Mosaic Covenant or Law of Moses) GIVEN EXCLUSIVELY TO ISRAEL AT MOUNT SINAI. AS A RESULT, THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OR BODY OF CHRIST WHICH IS PRIMARILY GENTILE AND CAN NEVER "REPLACE" ISRAEL IS NOT UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THIS JEWISH COVENANT (ALSO CALLED "THE FIRST COVENANT"). However a large part of our Bible (more than two thirds) contain the details and commandments found in Old Covenant Law (the Law of Moses -- or the covenant of the bondwoman).
WE MUST ALSO EMBRACE THE UNPOPULAR AND OFTEN IGNORED FACT; THAT JESUS CHRIST - OPERATING IN THE SPIRITUAL OFFICE OF ISRAEL'S MESSIAH - CONDUCTED NEARLY HIS ENTIRE EARTHLY MINISTRY UNDER THIS COVENANT (THE FIRST COVENANT) THAT APPLIES ONLY TO ISRAEL.
AS WE WILL SEE LATER IN THIS STUDY, JESUS CLEARLY STATED THIS FACT AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS MINISTRY. YET, BECAUSE OF THE EXISTENCE OF A POPULAR YET DISASTROUS FALSE THEOLOGY -- A VAST MAJORITY OF CHRISTENDOM AND ITS SEMINARIES EITHER IGNORES OR EXPLAINS AWAY CHRIST'S WORDS.
JESUS CONDUCTED HIS ENTIRE EARTHLY MINISTRY UNDER OLD COVENANT LAW, WHICH COULD NOT OFFICIALLY END UNTIL AFTER THE SHEDDING OF HIS BLOOD (ALSO KNOWN AS "THE BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT") AT HIS CRUCIFIXION.
"But when the fullness of the time had come, GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON, born of a woman, BORN UNDER THE LAW, to redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4-5 - Emphasis Added)
AS A RESULT, WE CAN NOW CLEARLY SEE THE
DIVISION BETWEEN THE PREVIOUS OLD
TESTAMENT PROGRAM ... AND CHRIST'S NEW
COVENANT PROGRAM FOR HIS CHURCH.
At the Last Supper, Jesus made the
following declaration to both His
disciples ... and the New Testament
Church, which did not yet exist.
"This cup is the New Covenant
in My blood, which is shed
for you." (Luke 22:20 NKJV)
IN ACTS CHAPTER 15, GOD IS WARNING US
ABOUT A DANGEROUSLY DECEPTIVE
HERESY THAT IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL
TODAY
If you are around Christian folks very long you will often hear comments like; "We need to get back to the Bible and obey its teachings". Generally, there's nothing wrong with this saying -- and this writer has made the same statement at various times in the past (but is now much more careful with his words).
DEPENDING ON WHO HEARS IT, THE SAYING CAN GIVE US THE FALSE IDEA, THAT THE BIBLE (AS GOD'S WORD) CONSISTS OF ONLY ONE PROGRAM -- AND WE SHOULD GET BACK TO 'GOD'S BIBLICAL PROGRAM' AND OBEY ALL ITS TEACHINGS.
As an unfortunate result, the way this saying is often applied -- is to combine or mix both the Old Testament and the New Testament Scriptures together, resulting in what some might call 'a unified theology'. As a result, Israel's Old Covenant Law (The First Covenant) and the Church's Grace-based New Covenant of Christ (The Second Covenant) are wrongly thought (or assumed to be) interchangeable. Even worse, many believe (or assume) that the Grace-based New Covenant of Christ is just an extention or continuation of Israel's Old Covenant program. It makes the supporters of this theology believe (or assume) -- that when God is speaking to Israel under the Old Covenant program (The First Covenant) ... that He is saying the same thing (or giving the same command or making the same promise) to the Church under New Covenant Grace (or The Second Covenant).
Regardless of the popularity of this way of interpreting the Bible -- whole church congregations are are led astray without being aware of the danger. This can cause some to miss heaven as a result. This warning comes from what I consider to be one of the most frightening verses in the New Testament:
"You have become estranged (separated or cut-off) from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; YOU HAVE FALLEN FROM GRACE." (Galatians 5:4 -- Emphasis Added)
According to Christ's New Covenant, the deeds (or works) of the Law -- AND GRACE -- ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE AND CANNOT BE MIXED TOGETHER OR INTERMINGLED (See Romans 11:6). The ministers and denominations within Christendom that support 'mixing Scripture together' (or 'failing to rightly divide God's Word') insist they are teaching God's Word, simply because their sermons and teachings use verses from the Bible.
But, what they are not telling you -- is that these verses are being used 'out-of-context' (or what Paul refers to as 'a failure to rightly divide God's Word'). It occurs when Scripture is inserted into a false 'man-made context' based on personal religious beliefs and traditional religious teachings. Unfortunately, most church-goers cannot discern when this error is present in a sermon or Bible teaching.
CONTRARY TO POPULAR OPINION, CHRISTENDOM
IS DOMINATED BY THIS WAY OF INTERPRETING
THE BIBLE.
IT CREATES A DANGEROUS HERESY THAT GOD
WARNS THE CHURCH ABOUT IN ACTS CHAPTER 15
ALONG WITH THE WARNINGS GIVEN BY SAINT
PAUL IN HIS EPISTLES ... SPECIFICALLY
HIS EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS AND HIS
WRITINGS IN THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.
LAW-BASED ISRAEL AND THE GRACE-BASED
NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN CHURCH ARE TWO
SEPARATE AND UNIQUE ENTITIES -- THAT
GOD TREATS DIFFERENTLY IN SCRIPTURE
Tragically, this writer knows of few Christian ministries/denominations/churches or individual Christians -- who actually embrace the Divine context of Scripture ... also known as "rightly dividing God's Word". Once again, this is a spiritual disaster that carries unthinkable consequences. I've been watching (with previous personal and painful experience) this worsening situation for over 50 years. Much of the error comes from several dominant religious doctrines ... one of which is "Replacement Theology" (also known as "Supersessionism"), which is discussed again (for emphasis) later in this study.
Replacement theology teaches -- that because Israel crucified Jesus their Messiah, God's Son -- He (God) eternally rejects them (Israel -- or the Jews) ... and "permanently replaces them (Israel -- or the Jews)" with the Christian Church. Yet, this is a lie straight from the pit of hell. It's a lie because God made no such declaration ... but instead promised that He would save and restore Israel in the future ... shortly before Christ's Second Coming (See Romans 11:1-26).
As a result of this religious lie -- and being convinced it's the truth -- the many supporters of Replacement Theology (actually a dangerous heresy) claim that the Christian Church has now become "THE NEW ISRAEL", where everything pertaining to 'old Israel' is transferred (and becomes 'binding') upon the Christian Church -- INCLUDING ITS LAWS AND COMMANDMENTS.
MANY OF THEM ALSO NOW CLAIM -- THAT WHEN YOU SEE THE WORD 'ISRAEL' IN SCRIPTURE ... GOD REALLY MEANT TO SAY "CHURCH". AS A RESULT, THE FOLLOWERS OF REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY INSIST THAT THE WORD "ISRAEL" SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH THE WORD 'CHURCH' THROUGHOUT ALL OF THE BIBLE. THIS PROMINENT, YET FALSE RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE CAUSES THE FIRST AND SECOND COVENANT (OR LAW AND GRACE) TO BE ILLEGALLY MIXED TOGETHER INTO WHAT SAINT PAUL REFERS TO AS "A PERVERTED GOSPEL" THAT CARRIES A CURSE (SEE GALATIANS 1:6-8). HOWEVER, THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN RE-WRITING SCRIPTURE, WHICH MAKES GOD SAY SOMETHING -- THAT HE DOES NOT SAY, WHICH CARRIES SERIOUS ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES.
Since Replacement Theology and its countless off-shoots and variants now considers Israel to be 'cursed and rejected by God', it is directly responsible for the resurgence of anti-Semitism (or Jew hatred) within the modern-day Christian Church. However, if the Apostle Paul were living today -- he would label Replacement theology and its perverted gospel -- along with all of its variants; "A DOCTRINE OF DEMONS".
This theology, along with its countless off-shoots and variants is not part of some "fringe segment of Christendom". It is the predominant view of the majority (but thankfully not all) ... of an estimated 8 out of 10 churches on both the Protestant and Roman Catholic sides of the isle. As we (along with other concerned Bible teachers) watched and grieved over the progress of this error and the disastrous eternal consequences connected to it ... we decided to address this popular religious error in our own dedicated Bible study, which you are now reading.
THE NEW AND LIVING WAY OF CHRIST
Most church-goers avoid talking about it ... but a 'false Christian Church' does exist and embraces such doctrines as the previously mentioned 'Replacement Theology'. This is why we must never assume that just because a church labels itself as "Christian" means that it represents Jesus Christ or our Heavenly Father. It may represent someone they call "Christ", but is actually an imposter that looks similar to the one in the New Testament ... BUT IS NOT THE SAME. Saint Paul called this imposter; "another Jesus" and referred to the imposter's salvation message as "a perverted gospel". Paul called it "a perverted gospel" because it claims to provide salvation, BUT FAILS TO DO SO. One of the first steps we must take to "walk in truth" is to understand this very uncomfortable and unpopular truth.
We conclude this introduction with a simple way to identify the true Gospel of Christ that provides eternal life. The Apostle Paul, who wrote over half of the New Testament refers to eternal life as "God's Gift", which also means that it cannot be earned through any regiment of works or behavior. Unfortunately, many Christian ministers (but thankfully not all) cannot accept the fact (or think it was a misconception or a mistake) for salvation to be provided as God's unmerited gift. This is why they will often subtly (and illegally) inject some required behavioral regiment, such as keeping the Ten Commandments, within their evangelistic message.
But, the Hallmark of the authentic Gospel found in "The New and Living Way of Christ" is its status as "God's Gift". Yet, when any regiment of works or behavior are added -- THE GRACE BY WHICH WE ARE SAVED IS CANCELED AND THE "GIFT" BECOMES INVALID. This is a time-tested way of discerning the difference between the true Gospel of Christ -- and the counterfeit.
Avoiding sin, righteous works, Godly behavior and evidence of a "changed and transformed life" are certainly things that the New Testament instructs all Christians to possess and practice (after they are saved) ... FOR THE RIGHT REASONS. But, to initially receive -- and keep -- God's gift of eternal life (salvation) these characteristics, which all involve some kind of "work" are not included in His requirements.
TWO GOSPEL MESSAGES THAT CAME
FROM THE SAME JESUS CHRIST
The following question has divided the Christian Church for hundreds of years:
"Why is the gospel taught by the Apostle Paul in his "Epistles to the Church" different than the gospel taught by Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry."
Several years ago I watched a highly promoted 'television network documentary', where various prominent and educated Christian theologians (from different denominations) were invited to answer this question -- on camera. I was shocked to hear the majority claim that 'the difference in messages' was because Paul was "a rogue apostle" whose writings should have never been included in the New Testament. Since that time I've heard this same outrageous statement made by a number of ministers and those who profess to be Christian. We address this seemingly popular belief -- simply because it represents a direct attack on the New Testament redemption of Jesus Christ -- and here's why ...
As recorded in Scripture (previously quoted in this section) ... the earthly ministry of Christ occurred under the authority of Old Testament Law. As a result, Jesus preached the gospel that was authorized by the Law (also known as "The Gospel of the Kingdom"), which required "keeping the commandments" in order to be saved. We see this primarily in Christ's encounter with the "rich young ruler" -- covered in more detail later in this study. Legally speaking, CHRIST'S EARTHLY MINISTRY THAT TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE CROSS COULD NOT PREACH A GOSPEL ESTABLISHED ON "PAYMENTS AND SACRIFICES" THAT HAD NOT YET TAKEN PLACE. Jesus alluded to this limitation while speaking to His disciples on the night He was betrayed:
"I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU, BUT YOU CANNOT BEAR THEM NOW. HOWEVER, WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, HAS COME, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. THEREFORE I SAID THAT HE WILL TAKE OF MINE AND DECLARE IT TO YOU. A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father." (See John 16:4-16 NKJV -- Emphasis Added)
Jesus was crucified, buried, resurrected from the dead, and ascended back to Heaven ... but the Bible suggests that Jesus didn't personally reveal the "many things He had to say" before He left. The next extraordinary miracle we hear about is when Jesus personally appeared to a man named Saul (later to be Saint Paul) on the road to Damascus, who was chosen to be "The Apostle to the Gentiles" -- and was later 'caught up' to God's throne where Jesus spoke "words that were unlawful for a man to speak".
We find it interesting that most Christians are impressed with the Apostle John who was also 'caught up' to God's throne and given the information found in "The Book of Revelation" concerning Israel and the Tribulation. However, following the ascension of Christ -- THERE WERE TWO MEN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CAUGHT UP TO GOD'S THRONE; PAUL WAS THE FIRST -- AND JOHN WAS THE SECOND. Yet, almost no one seems to pay much attention to Paul's trip to Heaven, where He was given detailed information about the New Covenant (also known as "The New and Living Way of Christ") by Jesus Christ Himself.
It's likely that many Christians are misled by this deceptive theological lie about Paul being some kind of illegitimate "rogue apostle", which causes them to ignore Paul's trip to the throne of God ... also referred to by Bible scholars as "The Pauline Revelation". Yet, Jesus gave the full revelation of His Grace-based New Covenant salvation -- only to Paul, who reveals the "New and Living Way of Christ", which is the only way salvation is received today.
[Important Note: We do not discuss The Pauline Revelation in detail here because it is covered more fully later in this study]
THE GOSPEL PAUL PREACHED DID NOT ORIGINATE WITH HIM -- BUT WAS PERSONALLY GIVEN TO HIM BY JESUS CHRIST IN HEAVEN DURING "THE PAULINE REVELATION."
THIS MEANS THAT THE GOSPEL JESUS PREACHED DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY -- AND THE GOSPEL PAUL PREACHED AFTER HIS TRIP TO GOD'S THRONE -- BOTH CAME FROM THE SAME JESUS CHRIST. CHRIST'S SHED BLOOD AT THE CROSS COMPLETELY PAID OUR SIN DEBT ... WHICH CHANGED ALL THE CONDITIONS AND RULES FROM THE WAY THEY EXISTED UNDER OLD TESTAMENT LAW -- WHICH ALSO CHANGED THE WAY GOD DEALS WITH SIN AND THE SINNER. IT WAS THESE CHANGES THAT WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY REVEALED BY CHRIST DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY, BUT WERE INCLUDED IN PAUL'S GOSPEL, WHICH IS WHAT MADE THE TWO GOSPEL MESSAGES DIFFERENT. AS A RESULT, THE NEW COVENANT GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST THAT CAME THROUGH SAINT PAUL IS THE ONLY WAY THE CHURCH (OR "BODY OF CHRIST") IS SAVED TODAY.
We often hear preachers say; "I'm going to preach salvation the same way Jesus preached it (by keeping the commandments) ... because I believe Jesus -- rather than Paul. Yet, this kind of misguided thinking misses the fact that Paul's Gospel message came directly from the words of the ascended Jesus Christ now in Heaven.
Statements from ministers, such as the one above, reveals why a vast majority of modern-day Christendom has gone dangerously astray from the truth, while thinking they are being obedient to God's Word. Yet, these unbiblical teachings actually come from Satan, whose job it is to misdirect falsely religious people (and even professing Chrisitans) into believing heretical doctrines that take them away from the truth that provides authentic salvation. As a result, it should not be a surprise to discover that one of Satan's primary objectives is to discredit The Apostle Paul and his "Epistles to the Church".
Many within Christendom refuse to address subjects such as the one in this study ... because it causes division. But, what they fail to realize is that God approves and supports certain kinds of division, when it occurs on subjects that threaten our eternal destiny and the authentic Gospel of Jesus Christ. This study represents such a subject.
Except for the Free Gift Of Eternal
Life Provided By Jesus Christ, This
Is One Of The Most Important Truths
I've Learned In My Entire Christian
Life
I was saved (born-again) on December 21st, 1969 -- which immediately began my spiritual education from God's Word. However, I received one of the most important truths more than 30 years later, that caused me to rethink many things I had just assumed to be true -- but wasn't true. The title of this study is: "The Two Administrations of Jesus Christ", which exposes an error that carries frightening spiritual consequences ... that will cause many who think they are going to heaven TO ACTUALLY MISS HEAVEN BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO EMBRACE CHRIST'S "NEW AND LIVING WAY". The New Testament reveals that CHRIST'S earthly ministry WAS CONDUCTED AS ISRAEL'S MESSIAH, WITH THE ISRAELITES AS HIS MAIN TARGET AUDIENCE. How do we know this? Because Jesus tells us clearly (at the beginning of His ministry) that this was His purpose for coming -- AND IT'S RECORDED IN SCRIPTURE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE.
IMPORTANT FACT: In the New Testament, the term (and spiritual office) of "Messiah" applies only to the nation of Israel and the Jewish people. Contrary to some erroneous church teaching, "Messiah" is not a term assigned to the Christian Church ... simply because Israel and the Church are two separate and unique entities, governed by two radically different sets of covenant laws that must never be mixed together. This important truth is what reveals and defines "the two administrations of Jesus Christ". HIS FIRST ADMINISTRATION (OR SPIRITUAL OFFICE) IS DESCRIBED BY THE TERM "MESSIAH" ... where He operated in His "Messianic Office To Israel" during His earthly ministry covered in "the Gospel accounts" of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
DURING HIS FIRST ADMINISTRATION (OR HIS EARTHLY
MESSIANIC MINISTRY) JESUS CLEARLY STATED THAT
HE WAS ONLY SENT TO "THE LOST SHEEP OF THE
HOUSE OF ISRAEL". (See Matthew 15:24)
IMPORTANT NOTE: CONTRARY TO VARIOUS (AND EVEN
FOUNDATIONAL) MAINLINE DENOMINATIONAL TEACHINGS,
CHRIST'S EARTHLY MINISTRY WAS NOT PRIMARILY
DIRECTED AT THE MOSTLY GENTILE CHURCH, WHICH
WAS A SPECIAL 'BLOOD-BOUGHT AND GRACE-BASED
GROUP OF BELIEVERS', THAT SCRIPTURE ALSO REFERS
TO AS "THE BODY OF CHRIST"...THAT DID NOT EXIST
BEFORE THE CROSS.
IN CHRIST'S SECOND ADMINISTRATION (OR SPIRITUAL OFFICE) -- which could only begin after His crucifixion, resurrection, ascension -- and the arrival of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 ...
EVERYTHING CHANGES ...
WHEN THE AUTHORITY OF "THE NEW COVENANT
IN CHRIST'S BLOOD" BEGINS TO GOVERN AND
RADICALLY CHANGES ALL OF GOD'S PREVIOUS
RULES CONCERNING HOW HE NOW DEALS WITH SIN...
AND THE SINNER.
In His second administration (or spiritual office) Jesus is described as "The Lord and Saviour of the Christian Church" -- also known as "The Body of Christ" ... that will become "The Bride of Christ" when she arrives in Heaven following the soon-to-occur Rapture. Most of this information can be found in Saint Paul's Epistles to the Church, WHICH IS OFTEN IGNORED BY MANY CHURCHES THAT EMBRACE ONE OF THE COUNTLESS VARIANTS OF REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY.
It's important to remember that since the Day of Pentecost in Acts Chapter 2 ... Jesus excercises His authority as "Lord and Saviour of the Church" FROM HIS CURRENT POSITION IN HEAVEN -- NOT THE EARTH. CHRIST'S HEAVENLY RULE IS NOW EXCERCISED THROUGH THE INDWELLING "HOLY SPIRIT (OR SPIRIT OF CHRIST)" THAT NOW LIVES INSIDE THE BODY OF ALL AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS.
AS A RESULT, CHRIST'S AUTHORITY IS NOW EXCERCISED DIRECTLY THROUGH THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT RATHER THAN AN EXTERNAL RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION OR PERSONAGE ... THAT EXISTED UNDER THE OLD TESTAMENT PROGRAM. A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH BOTH ROMAN CATHOLICISM AND NOW MANY PROTESTANT CHURCHES -- IS THAT THEY DISMISS OR SET ASIDE THE HOLY SPIRIT'S DIRECT RULE AND CONTINUE TO USE THE OLD TESTAMENT MODEL.
WHEN WE CONFESS "JESUS IS LORD" WE ARE AGREEING THAT ONLY JESUS -- THROUGH THE INDWELLING "SPIRIT OF CHRIST" WILL BE ALLOWED TO HAVE TOTAL CONTROL OF OUR LIFE. CHRIST'S KINGLY AUTHORITY WILL BE DIRECTLY TRANSFERRED FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH AT HIS "SECOND COMING", WHICH BEGINS HIS 1000 YEAR KINGDOM REIGN.
THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURE PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO THIS IMPORTANT TRUTH:
"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. NOW IF ANYONE DOES NOT HAVE THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST, HE IS NOT HIS (OR DOES NOT BELONG TO GOD)." (Romans 8:9)
The problem continues to be false systems of theology, deceived ministers -- and their followers who secretly disagree with what Jesus said, seeking to change His words and their context to validate their false teachings and traditions. And, yes, Christian ministers can and do commit this grievous sin, which will tragically cause many good people to miss Heaven.
One example is Christ's "Sermon on the Mount", which was directed -- not at the Church (which did not exist at the time) -- BUT AT BELIEVING JEWS LIVING UNDER THE LAW. Jesus certainly taught some universal and prophetic truths that should be embraced by the Church that He would build in the future (following the cross).
YET, A VAST MAJORITY OF HIS TEACHINGS WERE ONLY DIRECTED AT LAW-ABIDING JEWS AND "THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL". Once again -- how do we know? BECAUSE JESUS CLEARLY SAID SO AND HIS WORDS ARE RECORDED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT FOR ALL TO SEE (Matthew 15:24).
Yet, Sunday after Sunday and around the world Christian congregations are trained to think that the "Sermon on the Mount" was spoken by Christ as instructions to the Church, which according to the misleading and heretical teachings of Replacement Theology -- has permanently replaced Israel.
This doesn't mean that Jesus didn't say anything pertaining to His future Church, where He stated earlier in Matthew 16:18-19 ... that the Church was something 'I will build' (future-tense - See Matthew 16:18-19). It means that the vast majority of Christ's teachings (and especially the Commandment-based Gospel He preached) were primarily directed at 'Law-observing Israel' as her promised Messiah.
AS A RESULT AND CONTRARY TO POPULAR OPINION,
THIS MEANS ... CHRIST'S DISCIPLES WERE
NOT 'THE FIRST CHRISTIANS'. THEY WOULD
EVENTUALLY BE CALLED "MESSIANIC JEWS"...
AND MIGHT ONLY BE CONSIDERED "CHRISTIAN"
AFTER THEY RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT ON
THE DAY OF PENTECOST IN ACTS CHAPTER 2.
THE TERM "CHRISTIAN" WAS ONLY ASSIGNED TO
BELIEVERS IN CHRIST WHO WERE MEMBERS OF
THE FUTURE NEW COVENANT CHURCH THAT JESUS
SAID "HE WILL BUILD", BUT DID NOT YET EXIST
DURING THE TIME OF CHRIST'S EARTHLY
MINISTRY. IT WAS A TERM ONLY ASSIGNED TO
THOSE WHO WERE INDWELLED BY GOD'S HOLY
SPIRIT.
One prime example of how most churches go astray by ignoring or abusing the context of Scripture is found in Matthew chapter 24 concerning Christ's "Sermon on the Mount". Jesus warned ...
"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another." (Matthew 24:9-11)
Many churches insist that this verse is warning about a soon-to-occur time of intense 'Christian persecution', where 'Christians' are hated and openly killed. It is true that Christian persecution and martyrdom has existed in some measure since the first century. Yet, Jesus is not speaking about the Christian Church in these verses. Jesus, as their Messiah, is warning His countrymen -- The Jews -- about intense Jewish persecution that will occur in the last days during the Tribulation period shortly before His return ... and even uses the word "Tribulation" as a time-reference in His statement.
The same is true of Christ's encounter with "the rich young ruler", who was a Law-abiding Jew (See Luke 18:18-23). Remember that Jesus said that His earthly ministry (which included His twelve disciples) was directed exclusively to Jews as "The lost sheep of the House of Israel". Jesus correctly told this young man that he could possess salvation "by keeping the Law's commandments". However, this directive was for Jews living under the Law -- AND NOT FOR THE BLOOD-BOUGHT CHURCH, WHICH SAINT PAUL STERNLY WARNED ... "IS NOT UNDER THE LAW BUT UNDER GRACE" (Romans 6:14, Romans 7:1-4 - also see Galatians 5:4).
Yet, Sunday after Sunday and around the world congregations are taught that "keeping the commandments of the Law" is how New Testament Christians are saved ... and they get angry if you share Paul's New Testament warning that their doctrine is wrong and carries a curse. Once again, this tragic misconception will cause many good church-goers to miss Heaven.
When you see the magnitude of the error
and the eternal consequences involved...
there are plenty of reasons to be
concerned.
Due to the many religious misconceptions and hostility toward the subject of this Bible study, we do not expect it to change the minds of many readers; despite the fact that a growing number of ministers are now starting to warn the Church about the same problems. But, after much prayer, we wanted to make it available to those who will consider a major Scriptural 'key' that unlocks the mystery and liberty found in "The New And Living Way Of Christ".
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