Do You Believe The Right Gospel? (Pt. 2)

Do You Believe The Right Gospel?

(Part 2)

By Fred Handschumacher

Jesus "Re-commissions" the Jewish Apostles

In Matthew 10:5-6 we discovered that Jesus limited the authority of his apostles to Israel during his earthly ministry. This limitation continued during the entire account of the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John up to the point where Jesus reveals himself to the apostles after his crucifixion and resurrection. At this time, Jesus removes the limitation. Nearly all-modern day ministries refer to this as the Church's "Great Commission". I believe it has application to the Church, but it was originally only given to the Jewish apostles.

"Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:14-16 KJV)
At this point in our discussion it is necessary to consolidate some facts. Several events happen that cause God to "freeze" his plans for Israel and the Jewish apostles. God's original plan for Israel is that (nationally) they would accept Jesus Christ as their Messiah. This allows the Kingdom of Israel to be established with Jesus as the king. From that position, God would use them to preach the gospel of salvation to all of the remaining Gentile nations. Before he ascended to heaven, Jesus is asked this question:

"When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." (Acts 1:6-7 KJV)
Again, we see the whole series of events revolving around Christ's life, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension as being focused on the Jews. The Gentiles are not included at this point at all. The Jewish gospel and its connection to the Law discouraged any "corruption" from Gentile involvement. The restoration of the kingdom of Israel was constantly on the minds of the Jewish believers. Yet, Jesus indicated that the kingdom of Israel was "not yet" and that the timing of that event (now future) was in the power of the Father. The "kingdom of Israel" was God's original plan. However, Israel crucified their Messiah (Acts 2:36-37 Acts 7:51-52). If this isn't bad enough, Israel refused to nationally repent for this grievous sin and continued to persecute the messengers God sent them. If you follow the ministry of the Jewish apostles, headquartered in Jerusalem, you'll notice that with only a few exceptions they never fulfilled the commission that Jesus gave to them. Except for John they were all martyred. They didn't "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature". In the year 70 AD the nation of Israel and the temple ceased to exist when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem. Many Jews were killed and the rest went into slavery. This lasted until 1948 when Israel returned to the world scene.

Some say that the Jewish apostles began their ministry to the Gentiles when Philip preached at the city of Samaria and later during his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch as reported in Acts chapter 8. However, I believe none of these earlier contacts were "Gentile" events. I believe Peter's encounter with Cornelius' household was the first valid encounter where a Jewish believer preached the gospel to the Gentiles. If the Jewish apostles had routinely preached to Gentiles then Peter (being the chief Jewish apostle) would not respond the way he did when God commanded him to preach at a Gentile household in Acts chapter 10. Peter would just say, "yes sir" and immediately leave on his mission. But, that's not what happened. God, through a series of visions, corrected Peter's "theology" about seeing the Gentiles as "unclean". He told Peter not to call that which He has declared "clean" as being unclean. This was clearly uncharted territory for any Jewish apostle or believer. Peter paid dearly for his obedience to God's voice on that day.

The "last straw" for Israel occurs when Saint Paul speaks to a group of Jews in a synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts chapter 13). After the service ended a group of Gentiles asked Paul to preach to them the next Sabbath. On the Sabbath the whole city came out to hear God's Word. But, when the Jews saw the multitude they were filled with envy and spoke against Paul. They contradicted his words and blasphemed. Paul made this public statement to the Jews:

"Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." (Acts 13:46-48 KJV)
What Paul said is exactly what God did. Some Jews received the gospel and were saved. Yet, national Israel did not repent of their rejection of Jesus Christ their Messiah. God considered them "unworthy" of eternal life and turned his full attention toward the Gentiles. The hidden mystery of Grace was revealed through the apostle Paul. Jesus called Israel to go into "all the world and preach the gospel to every creature". Yet, because of unbelief God temporarily broke off the natural branches (Israel) and grafted in the Gentiles (Rom. Chapter 11). After 70 AD and the destruction of Jerusalem, Israel's gospel and Godly calling disappears from world-view. After this event the world solidly enters God's "Age of Grace" and the "Time of the Gentiles". Paul's gospel is the only valid gospel until God brings it to a close. The departure of the New Testament Church (known as the rapture) is the event that closes this age. After the rapture (when the prominently Gentile Church leaves the scene), Israel returns to God's center stage for the events of the Tribulation period also known as "Jacob's Trouble".

Understanding the Transition

In the days of the early church, disharmony existed between Jewish and Gentile believers. Some theologians believe that James (author of the book of James) had a difficult time accepting Paul's gospel that removed "the works of the Law" from the requirements of salvation. Some say that James "had reservations" that the Gentiles were authentically saved for this reason. We may never know what he personally believed. We do know that "friction" existed between Jewish believers that followed James and Gentile believers under Paul's authority. In Galatians chapter 2, we see Peter at a dinner where both Jewish and Gentile believers were present. Peter, fearing the "circumcision" (in this case "the circumcision" are the brethren from James), decided to shun the Gentile believers because it was a sin according to the Law (and under the Jewish gospel) to eat with Gentiles. Why did Peter fear the circumcision? We fail to see that the Law's authority in Jewish salvation is the central issue at this event several years after the cross and the day of Pentecost. Saint Paul publicly rebuked Peter for his "hypocrisy". Paul declared that the preservation of "the truth of the gospel" justified his action against Peter. Can you see this confusing "gray area" these believers were caught in? This may explain some of the statements of James where he emphasized being "justified by works" in his epistle to Israel (James 2:24). Remember that this epistle is addressed to the twelve tribes of Israel--not to Gentile believers. Most of us have been wrongly trained by tradition to believe that the distinction between Israel (as the circumcision) and Gentiles (as the uncircumcision) is not important because God intended this letter to apply to both groups. Yet, in those days it made a big difference and it still matters today. Due to the importance of apostolic authority it matters greatly who an epistle is addressed to, especially during these transitional times. That is one reason God included salutations in the letters--to make sure we understood the intended recipient. That doesn't mean that Church Age believers should throw everything James says out the door. There is universal truth in his epistle for both Jew and Gentile. Yet, we must be discerning when reading James because there are principles of the Jewish gospel and the Law in his writings. If this epistle is kept in context, we won't get confused thinking that James and Paul are saying contradicting things to Christians. They are speaking to different audiences under different gospels. God's justification is still freely given without works to those of us under grace (Rom. 3:24).

Principles of the Grace Gospel

Christ's crucifixion, burial, resurrection, ascension...and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost lay the legal groundwork for the Grace Gospel. All these events occurred within a 50-day period of time. Yet, a modified form of the Jewish gospel continued to be preached until Saint Paul came on the scene. The modification included "receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit", which was not available until the day of Pentecost. This mandated a change in the message of the Jewish gospel.

Remember that the Jewish gospel generally deals with salvation before Christ's sacrifice at Calvary. Yet, remnants of this gospel (esp. tenants of the Law) continued to propagate among Jewish believers during the transition to grace (following Christ's sacrifice and after the beginning of Saint Paul's ministry) for many years. If we fail to understand this fact, we'll be confused about the events of the New Testament. In Saint Paul's epistle to the Galatians, he warned about "another gospel" (Gal. 1:6). This warning is directed at the Jewish gospel with its commitment to the Law. This "other gospel" looked like the gospel of Christ that Paul taught--but it wasn't. I find Saint Paul's comments to the Galatian church (the uncircumcision) very upsetting because it applies to the church today. He warned them, "who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth." (Gal. 3:1-2 also Gal. 1:8-9) Paul taught that applying the Jewish gospel to believers under the authority of grace is a demonic practice involving a "bewitching" spirit. This shows the stark contrast between Law and Grace. We should soberly consider the warning Paul gives in this epistle. There is a popular movement among modern day Christians to return to the practices of Judaism and the principles of the Torah. While I share the fascination associated with our historic roots within Judaism, I see dangerous unintended consequences in this growing trend because of Paul's warning. The modern church is still dealing with the issues of Law and Grace because of the error of replacement theology. I believe that a demonic "spirit of witchcraft" continues to be at the root of this controversy, just as Saint Paul warned.

Important Note: Because of its relationship to Grace (known as God's unmerited favor) and the removal of the works of the Law from the requirements of salvation the Grace Gospel is "righteousness-centric"--meaning that it is focused on the believer's imputed righteousness in Christ. Under Grace, righteousness is imputed as a free gift and is never associated with doing certain works or Christian service. Yet, works and Christian service normally develop as fruits in a Christian's life under Grace--they just have nothing to do with our initial salvation. This is designed to cause a "righteousness-consciousness" in the believer. Unlike the Jewish gospel empowered by the Law...Grace recognizes that sin is totally eradicated and removed by the blood of Christ that satisfied the Law's requirements (sin's death sentence) for us (Rom. 6:23 Rom. 7:2-4). Therefore, the Grace Gospel does not focus on the sinfulness of the believer, which is fully removed by the blood Christ, but rather on the believer's righteousness given as a free gift made possible by Christ's sacrifice (2 Cor. 5:21). For this reason, the clarion call of the Grace Gospel is...

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!" (Acts 16:30-31)
And...

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Rom 10:13 KJV)
Sanctification (the state of being separated from sin) is both immediately imputed, and also experientially a life-long process after salvation is received when the believer is empowered by the Holy Spirit. When sin occurs in a believer's life, it is never credited against his or her account, meaning that the state of being righteous never changes (Rom. 4:7-8). Sin is not credited to a believer's account because they are "legally dead" in God's eyes. Dead people have no charge accounts--financial or spiritual. Our "spiritual" account with God was "paid in full" and closed upon Christ's death. Under Grace, the believer does not move in and out of righteousness depending on their conduct. Sin, when it occurs, is immediately credited to Christ's account, which has funds sufficient to cover all sin (Rom. 4:6-8). God always treats you as freely justified..."Just - As - If - I - Never - Sinned" (Rom. 3:24). Some Bible teachers malign the grace message saying that it promotes a license to sin. Sadly, this accusation is the result of serious flaws in the teacher's Scriptural foundation. Saint Paul never taught "a license to sin" and made it clear that God still expects the believer under grace to stop the practice of sin (Rom. 6:1-2) and to "crucify the flesh" with its affections and lusts (Galatians 5:24). Yet, this admonition does not cancel or limit the believer's permanent blood-bought position in God's righteousness.

Again, nowhere in the Jewish gospel is salvation called "the gift of God". Nowhere in the Jewish gospel is righteousness called "the free gift". Nowhere in the Jewish gospel is justification (just - as - if - I - had - never - sinned) said to be "freely given". The free nature of salvation is a characteristic of the Grace Gospel. Its principles are found only in the epistles of Saint Paul. It is one reason that the gospel to the circumcision (the Jews) and the gospel to the uncircumcision (Gospel of Grace) are different gospels. They are not the same.

The core of the Grace Gospel is found in Paul's epistle to the Romans. Again, providing salvation through faith alone without the works of the Law is the unique characteristic of the Gospel of Grace. Under Grace, the believer's faith is expressed through the confession of the mouth. (Rom. 10:10) A spiritual law governs the Grace Gospel. This law is called "the law of faith". This law is not to be confused with the Mosaic Law. The salvation message that accompanies the law of faith is called "the word of faith".

"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (Rom 3:27-28 KJV)

"But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Rom 10:8-10 KJV)

Eternal life and salvation are both called "the gift of God" and granted to the believer on the basis of grace through faith only. Ephesians 2:8 Romans 6:23

The believer is commanded to believe on Jesus Christ. Salvation is conditional upon the believer's confession and faith. Acts 16:31 Romans 10:10 Hebrews 10:23

Unlike the Jewish gospel, the blood of Jesus Christ rather than water baptism accomplishes the remission of sin. Yet, the blood of Jesus doesn't just remit sin, it permanently cleanses all sin. For this reason, water baptism is not required to obtain salvation. Yet, baptism is commonly performed as a demonstration of the believer's identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ their Lord. Baptism under the authority of Grace publicly depicts a burial. When someone believes on Jesus Christ, God considers him or her "crucified with Christ". Their old "self" is dead (executed by capitol punishment), yet they live being also "raised from the dead with Christ". This death in Christ is a central truth of the Grace Gospel because sin and the Law that empowers it terminate upon our death. This is why the believer under Grace is "dead to the Law by the body of Christ". The requirements and judgments of the Law have no authority over such a person. This cancels sin's power to condemn (judge) and punish the believer (Rom. 8:1). The punishment associated with the crucifixion of Christ is credited to your account as "paid in full" for all sin (past, present and future) in your life. God has no other opinion of you. God sees you as perfectly righteous--not a sinner as under the Jewish gospel. Under Grace, water baptism is the burial service for the old life that died with Christ and the resurrection of Christ that also raises us to new life. Romans 6:4-5 Romans 6:8-11 Romans 6:14 Romans 7:4 Colossians 2:12 Colossians 2:19-22 Colossians 3:3

Faith (also called "believing") and repentance are terms used interchangeably. Under Grace, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ is considered an act of repentance in and of itself just as believing that Jesus is the Son of God was considered an act of repentance under the Jewish gospel. It's an act of repentance because it involves "turning away" from the sin of unbelief and placing our faith (belief) in Jesus Christ as Lord. Believing that Jesus is Lord is believing that he is God. This is why the gospel message under Grace is "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" rather than "Repent from sin" as it was under the Jewish gospel. The Grace Gospel considers our sin "permanently dealt with" by Christ's blood and is, therefore, a non-issue related to our initial salvation. Unfortunately, this violates a lot of popular teaching in the modern church. Acts 11:18 Acts 16:31 Acts 20:20-21 2 Timothy 2:24-25

Salvation is immediately received upon believing on Christ and is secured through being "sealed by the Holy Spirit".

Even though it is a popular teaching in many places, there is no evidence that a person can lose his or her salvation once it is received by becoming "unsealed by the Holy Spirit." The sealing was specifically intended by God to be permanent. God considers this sealing, "the earnest (guarantee) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession" (Eph. 1:14). If salvation can be lost through sin, it would be necessary to get saved again after certain sins are committed. Worse, it says that God's guarantee is actually worthless--making Him a liar. This way of thinking is unbiblical. It is a subtle atttempt to undermine the sufficiency of Christ's blood and an effort to suggest that Jesus didn't really die for all sin. The foundation for this attack comes from mixing the Jewish gospel with the Gospel of Grace. This reveals one of the most wicked aspect of replacement theology. Those who practice this popular belief wrongly think they are on a firm Scriptural foundation. Galatians 3:1-3 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Ephesians 1:13-14 Ephesians 4:30

Salvation (related to righteousness) is given as a "free gift" to many rather than limited to "the few" under the Jewish gospel. Because of the obedience of the one (Jesus Christ), many can now enter in because the restrictions of the Law (known as the "straight gate" and the "narrow way") are removed. Romans 5:17-21

Under the Grace Gospel, the Holy Spirit dwells inside the believer rather than "with" the believer as under the Jewish gospel before Pentecost.

We need to recognize an overlap on this topic. The Jewish gospel continued to be preached after the day of Pentecost and after the beginning of Paul's ministry. Following the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit dwells in all believers saved under both the Jewish gospel and the Grace Gospel. However, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost caused a change to take place in the Jewish gospel to include "the gift of the Holy Spirit". Peter made this change in his Pentecost message (Acts 2:38) when he said, " 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." We must remember that when Peter preached this message to the Jews assembled in Jerusalem, Saint Paul's gospel to the uncircumcised (Gentiles) is still a mystery. John 14:16-17 Romans 8:9-11 1 Corinthians 3:16 1 Corinthians 6:19 2 Corinthians 13:5 Colossians 1:27

Righteousness is imputed to the believer in Christ as a "free gift".

The righteousness of the believer under Grace is not the result of or subject to his or her righteous deeds. The righteousness of the believer under Grace is God's very own righteousness. It is the righteousness of God--not yours. Unlike the Jewish gospel, the believer can never be "a sinner" because God's righteousness imputed to the believer can never be canceled by sin. It places the believer under Grace on an "equal level" of fellowship with God because He will never reject his own righteousness. Romans 3:22 Romans 5:17-21 2 Corinthians 5:21

Justification is freely given. Romans 3:24

God's forgiveness is unconditional and granted to the believer for Christ's sake. As Christians under Grace we should always forgive others. Yet, God's forgiveness is not dependent on this act as it is under the Jewish gospel. Ephesians 4:32 Colossians 2:13

Answers to prayer are freely given. Romans 8:32

The Jewish Gospel And The Grace Gospel Are Different

The Gospel of Grace is a mystery until God reveals it to the apostle Paul (Rom. 16:25). This event is called "the Pauline revelation". That means that no one knew (except the Lord Jesus) the principles that governed this gospel until God revealed it to Saint Paul. Just about everyone misses this important fact. The Grace Gospel was birthed by supernatural revelation. It didn't exist (it was still a mystery) during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, Israel's Messiah. It wasn't taught in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the early years after the cross before God called Saint Paul. Paul tells us that if Satan had known the mystery connected with his gospel he would have never crucified Christ. That's why God kept it a secret. It was a Divine trap for Satan!

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (1 Cor 2:7-8 KJV)
If the Gospel of Grace existed before Paul, it makes no sense to call it "a mystery". God would just send Paul to the twelve Jewish apostles in Jerusalem for training. Yet, Paul pointed out that he didn't receive his gospel in that way (Gal. 1:11-22). Why didn't Paul preach the same message that Peter and the rest of the Jewish apostles were preaching? Because the gospel messages are different. It was spiritually illegal for Paul to preach the Jewish gospel to the Gentiles (uncircumcised races).

Paul drew a distinction between the two gospels (gospel to the circumcision vs. the gospel to the uncircumcision ) preached in the New Testament:

"But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 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." (Gal. 2:7-9)

Paul's gospel was declared to be "a mystery" that was unknown until God revealed it to him by the revelation of Jesus Christ when he was taken up to the "third heaven". This fact alone tells us that Paul's gospel could never be the same as the one Peter and the other Jewish apostles were preaching.

"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Gal. 1:11-12)

"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, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith" (Rom. 16:25-27)

"I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." (2 Cor. 12:2-4)

Paul gives us more evidence that his gospel is different. He goes out of his way to point out that after God called him he "conferred not with flesh and blood" and "did not go to Jerusalem to them which were apostles"; but went to Arabia and returned to Damascus. In other words, if Paul was to preach the same gospel that Peter and the twelve were preaching--he would have simply gone to Jerusalem to be instructed by them. Yet, Paul went into Arabia where God gave him the "revelation of Jesus Christ" for the Gentiles. We know this doctrine as "the Pauline Revelation" that contains the unique principles for the salvation of the uncircumcised races.

"But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother." (Gal. 1:15-22)

It is interesting that after 14 years Paul went to Jerusalem "and communicated unto them the gospel he preached to the Gentiles". Rather than being trained by the Jewish apostles, Saint Paul trained them in his gospel. Why would Paul need to go to Jerusalem to "communicate his gospel" unless it was different than the one Peter and the Jewish brethren were preaching?

Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. (Gal. 2:1-2)

Saint Paul makes an important comment about his trip to the "third heaven" that many of us miss. In Heaven, Paul said that he heard words that were "not lawful" for a man to speak. Those are interesting words. Yet, they seem to perfectly describe the characteristics of the Gospel of Grace, Paul's gospel. To someone under the Mosaic Law, Saint Paul's salvation message is "not lawful". Remember that it is God who is uttering these "not lawful" words that Paul heard. This explains the bitter fight that continues in the church today. Those "of the Law" continue to insist that a pure Grace Gospel is "not lawful". Yet, they can't just dismiss Paul's epistles in the canon of Scripture. They conclude that the correct solution is to merge both gospels together (replacement theology). They subtly replace Israel with the New Testament Church and then proceed to claim that Peter and Paul's gospels are the same. I consider this a criminal act against God's Word. Saint Paul calls this practice, "perverting the gospel". Those of us who preach the Grace Gospel have to endure accusations like "he's a member of that greasy-grace cult", or "he preaches a license to sin". Sadly, none of these accusations are true, yet result in some dangerous unintended eternal consequences for their audience.

As we examine the life of Saint Paul, we find that he was probably the most persecuted apostle in the Bible. Apostate Jews who rejected Jesus Christ hated him, and believing Jews who disliked his message persecuted him. Fighting and riots followed his ministry (Acts 19:22-41 and Acts 22). In one instance, Paul's message caused his enemies to stir up a riot resulting in his arrest. He was whipped, beat with rods, stoned and shipwrecked for the cause of the gospel he preached. The focus of Saint Paul's ministry was to preach the Grace Gospel to the uncircumcised and to keep it from being mixed with the Jewish gospel and the practices of the Law. Paul makes an interesting statement:

"But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets" (Acts 24:14)

Does The Bride of Christ Divide The Church?

We've already discovered that replacement theology leads to serious forms of legalism. Legalism is simply the illegal application of the Mosaic Law to the salvation of the Church-Age Christian. In the modern church, there are many variations of this practice. Earlier, we mentioned the popular practice among Christians today of identifying themselves with Judaism and obedience to the Torah. Again, this is repeating the sin that Saint Paul condemned in Galatians chapter 3. Yet, the excitement of rediscovering the Jewish roots of Christianity seems to fuel this dangerous movement.

Sometimes it's easy to over-react to false doctrine. People have a way of making you think that belief in their doctrine is the "majority belief" or that it's a "secret or hidden truth" for only a few "true believers". The "false brethren" that constantly plagued Saint Paul's ministry were skilled in the Mosaic Law. The false teachers used "fair speeches" to deceive their target audience (Rom. 16:18). They were skilled in the art of persuasion like many Bible teachers are today. When Paul left, they came in to persuade Gentile believers that their salvation wasn't real unless they obeyed the Jewish Law. The Gentiles were unskilled in matters of the Law and this made them vulnerable to these teachings. It's still happening today, but now it's moving into the Christian "mainstream". I see a lot of this happening in end-time prophecy circles. There are people who "believe on Jesus Christ", yet choose to express their belief in Christ as the Jewish Messiah under the principles of Judaism rather than the Lord of the New Testament Church under Grace. These well-meaning, yet misguided people are doing lots of spiritual damage.

Recently, I've noticed a doctrine that's becoming popular. I'd like to think that it's still confined to some Judeo-Christian sects. Yet, I've heard some prominent end-time prophecy teachers declare its principles. It poses a clear and present danger to uninformed Christians. The Bible tells us that the Church is the Bride of Christ. The end-time departure of Christ's Church from the earth (the rapture) is also described as the "catching away" of the Bride to meet her Husband (Jesus Christ) in the clouds when he returns. It's an imminent event. Yet, some are teaching that the Bride of Christ is a "special" group of believers who have demonstrated their intense devotion to Jesus through some unspecified level of commitment (Christian service and spiritual works). No one is able to explain what works we all need to do to be part of this "exclusive" group--so confusion and fear can dominate the listeners. Christ's parable of the 10 virgins seem to be a favorite text of these teachers in order to make us believe that Jesus is only returning for those who are the most committed and who "keep oil in their lamps" by performing the right kind of spiritual "works". Unsuspecting Christians do not discern that the parable of the 10 virgins is aimed at Israel. Anxiety and fear is generated in Church-Age Christians who are wrongly told that this parable applies to them. It's taught that only this "exclusive" group of believers is the "Bride of Christ" and will leave with Jesus when he returns. The other "nominal" true believers who didn't "measure up" are left to suffer the judgments of the Tribulation period. I've covered this false teaching in other articles and won't go into it here for lack of space. This "exclusive" group of believers falsely called the Bride of Christ is another expression of replacement theology. It divides Christ's body into two classes: Nominal Christians and the "High Achievers". This teaching destroys the oneness of Christ's body, the gift of God's righteousness and the sufficiency of Christ's blood.

Replacement theology mixes Law and Grace. It divides the Church through deception, fear and intimidation. Saint Paul called it "a bewitching spirit". Under Grace, the believer's righteousness is God's righteousness and given as a free gift that is purchased by Christ. A works or a performance-based righteousness is the mark of the Jewish gospel and is not binding on the Church-Age Christian. The believer's righteousness is what determines whether they are qualified to leave on the day that Christ returns for His Bride. Under Grace all believers possess God's righteousness as a gift--all true believers (the Church--the Bride of Christ) will leave when Christ returns. Jesus never rejects His own righteousness. When you understand the truths behind the Pauline Revelation this "exclusive bride" doctrine is exposed as a false teaching. Saint Paul teaches us about the difference between the works-based righteousness of the Jewish gospel with the faith-based righteousness that belongs to God found under Grace:

"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." (Rom 10:1-4 KJV)

"But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." (Rom 9:31-33 KJV)

"Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." (Rom 4:6-8 KJV)

"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." (2 Cor 5:21 KJV)

Interpretation Basics

The Bible teaches that:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Tim 3:16-17 KJV)
It's important to know that God gives all Scripture for our instruction. Yet, it is also important to understand that all Scripture is not necessarily binding on the New Testament Christian. Saint Paul instructs one of his disciples, Timothy, to use discernment when handling the Scriptures...

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim 2:15 KJV)
Many do not take Paul's instruction to Timothy to heart. Yet, we need to learn to "rightly divide" Scripture as Paul instructs. This means "dividing" the Scripture for our instruction from the Scripture that directly applies to Christ's Church. This is not an easy or a popular task because few in the church support the effort. Critics say that we're "throwing out" sections of Scripture. Yet, this is nothing more than just a "knee-jerk reaction" against those who defend the practice of maintaining context when studying the Bible. Violating context is the number one cause of false doctrine in the modern church. Some believers will not be able to accept this statement, but there are many things in the Bible that don't apply to the New Testament Church. The requirements and administration of the Mosaic Law is one such subject. Yet, every Christian should understand the law, its history and its purpose to better understand our position in God's Grace. Grace cost Jesus Christ everything He had. The cross of Christ perfectly fulfilled the Mosaic Law and made every authentic Christian today, "dead to the Law by the body of Christ" (Rom. 7:4). Yet, to fully understand the purpose of the cross we need to understand the Law and why it demanded Christ's execution on our behalf.

Scripture tells us about the Mosaic Law in the Old Testament. There are important "types and shadows" that reveal (in part) the salvation we enjoy today as Christians. God commands that the Law be obeyed in all points. Old Testament directives about the Law were specifically given to Israel and her priesthood. It was never entrusted or assigned to races of people outside of Israel (the Gentiles). Israel was predominantly the subject of the Old Testament with some notable exceptions. The Old Testament is in the canon of Scripture for our instruction in the Church age. However, it's gross error to take the principles and requirements of the Law as taught by the Old Testament and make it binding on the New Testament Church (made up mostly of Gentiles) by using the defense, "Well, it's in the Bible and that means Christians are suppose to obey it". If you throw discernment and Scriptural context to the wind by thinking this way you're in danger of shipwrecking your faith (1 Timothy 1:18-19).

One way a Church age Christian can avoid mixing Israel's gospel and the Grace Gospel together is to follow some simple guidelines of New Testament interpretation. Tradition teaches us that the entire Bible was written to us. This general statement fails to maintain the distinction between Israel and the Church. It is more correct to know that the entire Bible is given for our instruction, but only the parts that God assigns to the Church is binding upon Christians today. If this is true, then there's a level of discernment we need to apply. Paul called it "rightly dividing the Word".

When reading Scripture we must consider the following 7 issues:

Is the author an apostle to Israel?

Is the author an apostle to the Gentiles?

Is the book or epistle written primarily to Israel?

Is the book or epistle written primarily to the Church-Age Christian?

New Testament truths and principles fall into three categories:

Truths that apply only to Israel

Truths that apply only to the Church

Truths that are universal and apply to all believers

If the author is an apostle to Israel then the book or epistle will likely contain some truths connected with The Jewish gospel. This is especially true if the book or epistle is specifically addressed to Israel in the salutation or if the writings were authored by one of the Jewish apostles.

Conclusion

Many religious people among the Jews that had a desire to please and serve God whole-heartedly believed that Paul's Grace Gospel was heresy (like some do today). They were wrong. It is a mistake to think that this article will have any impact on the current controversy between Law and Grace in the Church. Religious people are not always interested in truth, but in defending traditions they believe to be the truth. This has not changed since the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ and His many conflicts with the Scribes and Pharisees. In my opinion, the struggle has existed for too long, gone too far and there's too much at stake for things to change. Whole denominations would collapse if they suddenly turned and embraced Biblical truth rather than religious tradition. Both sides of the struggle use the same Bible to prove their positions. Yet, the "Law side" (also known as legalism) refuses to discern that the Bible contain these two dispensations (and corresponding gospels) involving Israel on one side and the Gentile nations on the other. Replacement theology makes them the same by mixing them together...and that's the real cause of the conflict.

I'm convinced that the bitter struggle will not end until Jesus returns to straighten out our thinking. I pray that the confusion in the Church over Law and Grace does not cause the loss of anyone's salvation. Yet, this tragedy has surely already happened to many generations before us. If this article has helped you gain a clear understanding of your salvation under Grace--that's exciting. However, if you continue to have disagreements about this topic, maybe, your answer lies somewhere else. You can't imagine the complexity of this subject until you begin to address it. Traditions connected with the Mosaic Law are part of the Jewish culture thousands of years old and are interwoven throughout the Old and New Testaments and are deeply embedded in our religious society. Problems like this are not just solved by writing an article or a book. Religious traditions last a long time and refuse to die even when God says its over. When looking objectively at Saint Paul's ministry I understand that he had an impossible task. Paul preached a gospel that was contrary to thousands of years of Jewish tradition. No wonder God said to Ananias concerning Paul, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." ( Acts 9:15-16) For some, the suffering continues.

For more information on the controversy surronding God's Grace click on the links below.

The Battle for God's Grace
Mystery of the Few vs. the Many
Understanding the Rapture
Should Christians Obey Jewish Law?

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