Conditional Grace Vs Unconditional Grace and Heb 6:1-6 Explained.
Conditional Grace:
Through the Gospel of the Kingdom
John 15:1 - Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Acts 2:38 Now Peter said unto them, repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8:36-37 ...what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Unconditional Grace:
Through the Gospel of the Grace of God
1Co 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand.
By which also ye are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
2Co 5:19 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.
2Co 5:20 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.
2Cor 5:21 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.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh
Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (For those that Believe have the Holy Spirit indwelt in them)
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
The difference and the lesson
The Gospel of the Kingdom (Matt 4:23, 9:35, 24:14, Mark 1:14, 1:15) of the 4 Gospels and Jesus earthly ministry was for the Jew only (Matt 10:5, Ehp 2:11-12) as Jesus' earthly ministry was completely purposed to fulfill the Covenants of the Patriarchs (Rom 15:8, Gal 4:4). The Gospels are precious as God Himself is among His own creation and the people he separated from the rest of the world through the Patriarch, Abraham, is truly wonderful. Watching God react to humankind as He heals them and teaches them is fascinating. But, He came to fulfill the things He told Israel He would do in the Psalms and the Prophets for Israel. As intended, therefore, the Gospels are 100% Jewish ground and there is no ministry to the Gentile world in the Gospels although there are a couple of exceptions which I cover later. But, Jesus said he came to fulfill the Law (Matt 5:17) and not destroy it. You'll note that at no time even after Jesus rose, he never instructed anyone to not practice Mosaic Law. Although this controversy came to a head in Acts 15 with further resolution in Gal 2:9 confirming that the 12 had no ministry to the Gentiles. However, Peter embraces Paul's Gospel in 2Peter 3:15-16.
I am not saying that the four Gospels are not precious. I am saying that these portions of Scriptures like the Old Testament were written for our learning Romans 15:4. They were written for us. They were not written to us. The portion of the Bible that was written to us is found from the book of Romans to Philemon. Please see Babes to Maturity for more insight regarding the Pauline Scriptures.
The Old Testament proclaims several times that the ministration to the Gentiles was to be accomplished by Israel as a kingdom of Priests (Ex 19:5-6) during and after the Tribulation Period (Zech 8:23). Granted there were a couple of Gentile exceptions. Such as the Roman Centurion and the Canaanite woman but there was no ministry to Gentiles during Jesus earthly ministry. Also, a deeper study of Samaria will also reveal to you that the woman at the well represented Samaritans which were not Gentile but half-breed Jews from the Northern Kingdom as a result of the Syrian invasion of 700 BC. The woman at the well was a planned meeting by the Lord to fulfill the Prophecy of Ezekial 37:22. This is where the Lord mends the two Kingdoms ahead of the Kingdom to come, as they are one nation just as they are today.
The woman at the well is such a tremendous witness to fulfilled Biblical prophecy.
So, Jesus never suggested to Israel or the twelve to ever stop practicing Mosaic Law during his earthly ministry or even after his resurrection and his 40 days of visitations of the Apostles and Disciples (Acts 11:19, Acts 21:20-21). However, mainstream Christendom seems to be under the impression that this was the case. But, there is just no evidence. After Jesus opened the Apostles minds so they could understand the Scriptures regarding himself (Luke 24:45), the Apostles rightly so inquired as to when the Kingdom as prophesied (Is 9:7) would be established (Acts 1:6). Jesus had no rebuke for the Apostles for the question but only said that when it would occur could not be revealed. (For we can read as to when it was to occur was still sealed; Dan 12:4).
Note also that eleven years after Pentecost, the apostles were still ministering to Jew only (Acts 11:19) even after Peter's experience with the salvation of Cornelius. Also, you'll note that the Jerusalem Church was still practicing Mosaic Law and Temple Worship 20 years after Pentecost (Acts 21:20-21). It is not unreasonable to believe that the Jerusalem Church was practicing all the way up to the destruction of the City and the Temple by the Roman Emperor, Titus, in 70 AD, a fulfilled prophecy of the Lord.
In addition, and in full expectations, after Jesus revealed the understanding of the Scriptures of himself and the Kingdom to the Apostles, they understood that a terrible Tribulation time of 7 years, as Jesus referred to the "Daniel the prophet," was soon coming and it was the very next event on God's prophetic timeline (Ps 2) which Peter also rehearses in Acts 4:25-26. In response, the believing Jews sold all they had and gave all their money to the Apostles for communal distribution to best weather the coming Tribulation (Acts 2:44-45). For it was clear that there was no longer a reason for continued commerce or land production since this Tribulation Period was a coming certainty and soon!
Therefore, it is clear that God continued to give Israel every opportunity to believe as a Nation that Jesus was the prophesied coming King and Messiah. However, God's offer was postponed with the stoning of Stephan (Acts 7). The Stoning of Stephen was clearly the blaspheming of the Holy Ghost as in reference to Stephen the Holy Ghost is mentioned three times. This stoning is the culmination of Israel's rejection of the Trinity complete. 1st the Father is blasphemed by the killing of the prophets. Then the Son is blasphemed by crucifixion. Then the Holy Spirit is blasphemed through Stephen. At this point God's timetable for the coming earthly Kingdom is changed. But this never took God by surprise! This is the Great Divide; the greatest secret ever kept. The purpose of the Tree of Good and Evil revealed and the revealed secret of Romans 11:32. That God binds all men to sin so he can have mercy on them all!! Even the Gentiles. As revealed by the Apostle Paul: Romans 16:25.
See Below
After the Stoning of Stephan (Acts 7) which culminated the Lord's proclamation to the Jews regarding the blaspheming of the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29); the participating unbelieving individuals (including Saul of Tarsus, St. Paul) that blasphemed the Holy Spirit coupled with the wasting of the Saints, were in danger of eternal damnation. However, since the stoning of Stephan was conducted by Israel's Levitical leadership in ignorance (Acts 3:17) Israel was put into a temporary time-out, Rom 11:25. God postponed the entire program of the Gospel of the Kingdom, the offer to Israel to be a kingdom of priests and the Tribulation period (Dan 9:26-27, Jer 30:7 Jacob's trouble). For the Lord transitioned to the Gentiles with the Jews to fulfill other prophecy (Hos 6:1-2, Acts 15:14) to bring to Himself a people for His name in the Body of Christ (1Cor 12:12, Rom 11:25). And in doing so purposed Saul of Tarsus or aka Paul (Acts 8-9) to bring the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24, 1Tim 1:15-16) to the then known world.
Side note: Dan 9:26-27 describes that the city, Jerusalem, and the Temple were to be destroyed by the prince. Please note that this occurred in 70AD and per Daniel's Scripture the Anti-Christ would have at that time negotiated a 7-year peace treaty with Israel that would have signified the beginning of the Tribulation Period. However, per God's design, His prophetic timeline i.e. Ps 2 as well as Dan 9:27 and other Scripture was postponed after the stoning of Stephan and the blaspheming of the Holy Spirit until He acquired "a people for His name" the Body of Christ which has been filling up for the last 2,000 years. However, as a result more Scripture can and now has been fulfilled (ie, Ez 37:12, Jer 29:14 and Jer 31:10, Duet 30:1-2) as Israel has been gathered from every nation under Heaven and is once again a Nation since May 15, 1948.
The Gospel of the Grace of God was in the mind of God all the way from Adam's fall but was kept secret until the conversion of Saul of Tarsus on his way to Damascus (Acts 9). Please read Romans 16:25 three times. "which was kept secret since the world began" Although this verse is rarely, if ever, a subject of a homily or a sermon, please realize that it is Scripture. For now, the true secret that God is going to the Gentile through the 'Apostle of the Gentiles' with the Gospel of the Grace of God with all His revealed mysteries was in the mind of the God Head from before the beginning of the world.
Although most Churches love to spend 90% of your time on the four Gospels, please know that this verse is crucial to unveiling the Pauline letters to the Gentile world. Should a Pastor ever brush this verse off please have him or her read 2Peter 3:15-16. Peter refers to all of Paul's letters to the believing Jew as Scripture and wisdom directly from God although hard to understand. It was and still is very difficult for the Jew to comprehend that salvation is possible without Mosaic Law. Therefore, if Peter felt Paul's letters are Scripture so should we all. Please note that most Pastors will inquire as to what is Paul's Gospel. Please refer them to Paul's Gospel, 1Cor 15:1-4 and then to Rom 2:16.
Also note that the Lord chose not to give the revelations regarding the Gospel of the Grace of God to any of the 12 Apostles, it is clear that the Lord knew that mixing the Gospel of the Kingdom with the Gospel of the Grace of God would be an utter disaster. Therefore, God arranged to have Saul alone with him at Mt. Sinai for a period of time after he barely escaped with his life from Damascus and ran to Arabia seeking answers directly from the Lord while bypassing the twelve in Jerusalem. (Acts 9:23-25, Gal 1:16-17 and Gal 4:25). Therefore, the Pauline Revelations cannot be mixed with the four Gospels. (Rom 8:2) For it is crucial that the Gospels proclaim and prove who Jesus was and God's sacrifice that fulfilled the Abrahamic covenant while the Gospel of the Grace of God explains what God's sacrifice accomplished for the world. The book of Acts is The Gospel of the Kingdom transitioning to the Gospel of the Grace of God, Acts 20:24.
For, now, it is only through this separation of Law from Grace can freedom through salvation ever be experienced by the individual. Your salvation IS NOT DEPENDANT ON ANYTHING YOU CAN DO! IT HAS BEEN COMPLETED BY AN ACT OF GOD!! Therefore, the "if you do" conditional statements that you find in the Gospels HAS NO BEARING ON YOU OR YOUR SALVATION. Your salvation is dependent on your belief of what God has already accomplished for you. As a result of your belief in Paul's Gospel of the Grace of God the Holy Spirit enters your inner most being, 1Cor 6:19, and begins your transition from being a slave of the natural man obeying the sinful nature to becoming a slave to righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in you.
It was an act of God that forgave the sins of the world once for all (Heb 10:10, Rom 8:3). You'll observe perhaps in your own life you have said to yourself, "I'll never be able to live up to the expectations of the Lord." or, "My prayer is that I have done enough." How many millions of people on their death bed have revealed that prayer out loud!! What an absolute crime and a life shackled with the shackles of Religion just as Satan has influenced. This thinking is common among even the most religious. But please understand that this thinking is purely and completely the responsibility of mixing the 4 Gospels with Pauline Scripture. Know for certainty that God did not choose Paul for the purpose of clarifying Jesus' earthly ministry! (a glaring seminary error) The Bible will never open up to you until you recognize the difference of the Gospel of the Kingdom that was prophesied throughout the Psalms / Prophets and the Gospel of the Grace of God that was kept secret in the mind of God since the beginning of the world. (See Gal 2 which is a reference to Acts 15) The Jerusalem church realized that the Gospel that Peter preached to the Jews was not compatible with the Gospel that Paul preached to the Gentiles. It was so much so that they shook hands in agreement that the Apostles would preach only to Jews and Paul would preach only to Gentiles. Galatians 2:7-8. But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was committed unto Peter; For he (God) that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same (God) was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.
Galatians 2:9 - And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. NOTE: The apostles and their disciples had no ministry to the Gentiles. Even as Acts 11:19 states...Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto Jews only.
Once you separate, you'll see for the first time how through the Pauline Scriptures that everything has already been accomplished for you. There is never any reason to wonder if you have ever done enough. Simply accept the free gift (Eph 2:8) and live in freedom with the indwelling Holy Spirit (Gal 5:1) with Joy (Phil 2:2) for ever and ever!
See these subtle differences between the Gospel of the Grace of God and the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Note that under the Gospel of the Kingdom the Jew was saved by believing who the one they killed was Jesus Christ, their Messiah as prophesied. They then had to repent and then be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins...still under mosaic Law as washing of the Priesthood (Lev Ex 29:4+) was necessary as becoming a Nation of Priests was Prophesied (Ex 19:6).
Acts 10:44-47; Under the Gospel of the Grace of God, transitioning after the stoning of Stephan, even unknowingly by Peter, the Gentile individuals not under law or any legality obtained the promise of eternal life, forgiveness, Ambassadorship, rescued from the coming tribulation, etc. simply by believing Jesus the Christ was raised from the dead. (1Cor 15:1-4. Eph 2:8 God's gift to you...unconditionally) In total surprise that the Holy Spirit had come upon them without repenting or baptism, Peter commanded them to be baptized as if God made a mistake and got things out of sequence!
Are there instances were Paul baptized people? Yes. But he also said, 1Cor 1:17. "Christ did not send me to baptize but, to preach the Gospel." Did Paul preach in the Synagogues, yes. As Paul always had a heart for the Jew (Rom 1:16). But, take heed of Tim 1:15-16... I know preachers love to make this claim that Paul was the worst of sinners. But, read the Scripture again. 1Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Note that the word chief in the NT is always translated as Head Man, or First Man or Man with Authority. Note that Vs 16, the next verse, tells you why! Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, THAT IN ME FIRST JESUS CHRIST MIGHT SHEW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFERING, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO EVERLASTING LIFE. Now it is clear that Paul was baptized by a 'law-abiding Jew, Ananias.' However, that was clearly before the revelations were reveled to the Apostle. However, Jesus directs this Apostle to the Gentiles first, then kings and THEN to the children of Israel. (Acts 9:15)
But, the point here is that Saul of Tarsus was the first one ever saved by the Gospel of the Grace of God. His salvation was never dependent on anything he did and was hence forth a pattern by which all after were to be saved. Note Saul deserved death for killing the Saints. But, he was not killed. He was saved.
Simply by no works but believing 1Cor 15:1-4...that Christ has already accomplished your salvation for you! There is now nothing you have to do to retain this Gift from God. There is only the Joy that you revel every day and then tell everyone who inquires why you have such inner peace no matter what!! 2Cor 5:20 You are now an Ambassador for Christ. Christ will show you what that Joyous work he planned from the foundation of the world for you is all about. (Eph 2:10)
Now equipped with the Revelations of (Gal 1:11-12) the Gospel of the Grace of God, Paul preached to the then known world with the understanding that...
2Cor 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
Clarification of Hebrews Ch 6:1-6 One of the most miss-interpreted Scriptures
If you are part of or raised in the mainstream Christian Church, you may have been taught that you could possibly lose your salvation through these verses in Hebrews. Please note that although the book wasn't signed, I think it was written by the Apostle Paul as he was anything but a popular figure in the Jewish believing Church and the Jewish community however harboring a tremendous love for Israel. Therefore, signing the letter may have prompted a potential reader to discard it. Also, it is indeed of a different style than Paul's other letters. However, in those days, when you wrote to an educated Jew vs an uneducated Gentile you might adjust the style. In addition, 2Peter 3:15, cites the subject by which Paul wrote his letter to saved Jews, as was Peter's audience referencing, I believe, the letter of Hebrews. Plus, the writer speaks of Timothy in that he had been released from prison or liberated, written in the 2nd person, therefore, it is clear Timothy was not the author as some have determined. In addition, the writer speaks of the audience as people that sacrificed their material blessings so Paul could survive prison (Heb 10:34) So, let's get to the meat of Heb 6:1-6 and the parallel verse Heb 10:25-27.
Paul has just completed Heb chapters 3-5 which discusses the consequences surrounding Israel's unbelief at Cadesh Barnea when they refused in unbelief to take the Canaanite land as God directed and by which spent the next 40 years in the desert as a result. He then discusses the relevance of Melchisedec and is about to get into the deeper things but must first shake the saved Hebrew reader up from his religious ways of the remnants of Judaism that have followed into the religion of the saved Jew through the Gospel of the Kingdom to prepare them for the man of faith, Abraham. In how Faith and Faith alone and how Jesus' sacrifice was mirrored in Levitical Law, the Psalms and the Profits. And how through Jesus' sacrifice all the demands of the Law for them were met in a way that no man could ever have accomplished. This meant that they had to strip themselves of ALL ritual and Judaist rite.
Therefore, Paul at first brings up what the Christ-Saved Jew depended on for salvation which (1) merely proclaimed who the Christ was (Acts 2) vs what he accomplished (1Cor 15:1-4), (2) Repentance, (3) Baptism for the remission of sins, (4) the laying on of hands, (5) the resurrection of the coming King, (6) Eternal Judgement of law breakers. For by the Pauline revelations the Gospel of the Grace of God was paramount for the saved Hebrew to understand in this new Age of Grace. However, the difficulty of this understanding was very evident as the Apostle Peter admits in 2Peter 3:16 "in which some things are hard to be understood..." The most difficult for the saved Hebrew was salvation without Mosaic Law as portrayed in Acts 15. Although the Jewish Church leadership (the 12) acknowledged this the majority could not accept this new dispensing of God's Grace as Mosaic Law was precious and parcel of the Jew's 'DNA', however, their Salvation was no longer dependent on it. (Acts 22:20-21).
For these are what the saved Jews of the time were depending on for their salvation which was perfect per the Gospel of the Kingdom as even Peter and the Holy Spirit described in Acts 2. However, per the Gospel of the Kingdom you could lose your salvation as in remembrance of Ananias and Sapphira. So, to prepare them for the transition from what was good in the Mosaic Law to something that is now better (the Gospel of the Grace of God). Paul goes on to explain that if they continued to depend on such ritual and legal rite, that if they should fall away there was nothing left to save them again. For as result they would be requiring Christ to die again for them. Paul then, summarily puts an end to such practices as of no-good affect. Note that Paul repeats this aspect of the Jew that would reverse his newfound freedom and go back under law would experience Heb 10:25-27. Please note that when Paul says "do not forsake the assembly" it does not apply to the grace-aged believer who chooses not to attend a church that is not a Biblically and Pauline-based church. Here Paul is referencing the believer that turns back to being under the law verses being a part of the freed grace-age assembly of Heb 10:25. As a result, his sin is no longer of no affect.
Paul must be harsh to break their dependence on religion and begin to show them their security in simply believing without any work, ritual or legal rite the completed Finished Work of the Cross (lCor 15:1-4) by which there is no cancellation. For what God accomplished for the one who believes cannot be unwashed, he cannot be unsaved, and salvation cannot be reversed. It was accomplished by an act of God and therefore, we cannot be lost again by anything we do. For merely knowing who Jesus was "I believe that Jesus is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37) is not enough to purge one from dead works of rite and ritual (Heb 9:14). For under the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24) even if we are Faithless, He remains Faithful because he cannot deny (disown) himself (2Tim 2:13). However, Paul excuses the religious-law-abiding Jewish believer recognizing that their rites and rituals were motivated by their love of God's name (in who he was vs what he accomplished. (Heb 6:9-10)
Please note and please do not forget that it has been through the Mosaic Law and its traditions that God has kept his chosen earthly Nation together throughout history since 70 AD and the great dispersion into "every nation under heaven." It has also been the glue that by which He has called His chosen back to Israel. For as to this day we acknowledge, cherish and Love the Nation of Israel as it is (hardened in part Rom 11:25-28) and remains the foundation of Bible Prophecy, the Tribulation, and the Millenium Kingdom to come with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ as fully confirmed and explained by the Apostle Paul as we as Grace Age Believers escape the coming wrath.
Please see the 40+ Promises upon Faith + Nothing = Salvation. As Faith and Faith alone in the Finished Work of the Cross is the only thing that saves us from the coming wrath and by which will be with God forever, Amen.
Conditional Grace:
Through the Gospel of the Kingdom
John 15:1 - Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Acts 2:38 Now Peter said unto them, repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8:36-37 ...what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Unconditional Grace:
Through the Gospel of the Grace of God
1Co 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand.
By which also ye are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
2Co 5:19 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.
2Co 5:20 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.
2Cor 5:21 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.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh
Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (For those that Believe have the Holy Spirit indwelt in them)
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
The difference and the lesson
The Gospel of the Kingdom (Matt 4:23, 9:35, 24:14, Mark 1:14, 1:15) of the 4 Gospels and Jesus earthly ministry was for the Jew only (Matt 10:5, Ehp 2:11-12) as Jesus' earthly ministry was completely purposed to fulfill the Covenants of the Patriarchs (Rom 15:8, Gal 4:4). The Gospels are precious as God Himself is among His own creation and the people he separated from the rest of the world through the Patriarch, Abraham, is truly wonderful. Watching God react to humankind as He heals them and teaches them is fascinating. But, He came to fulfill the things He told Israel He would do in the Psalms and the Prophets for Israel. As intended, therefore, the Gospels are 100% Jewish ground and there is no ministry to the Gentile world in the Gospels although there are a couple of exceptions which I cover later. But, Jesus said he came to fulfill the Law (Matt 5:17) and not destroy it. You'll note that at no time even after Jesus rose, he never instructed anyone to not practice Mosaic Law. Although this controversy came to a head in Acts 15 with further resolution in Gal 2:9 confirming that the 12 had no ministry to the Gentiles. However, Peter embraces Paul's Gospel in 2Peter 3:15-16.
I am not saying that the four Gospels are not precious. I am saying that these portions of Scriptures like the Old Testament were written for our learning Romans 15:4. They were written for us. They were not written to us. The portion of the Bible that was written to us is found from the book of Romans to Philemon. Please see Babes to Maturity for more insight regarding the Pauline Scriptures.
The Old Testament proclaims several times that the ministration to the Gentiles was to be accomplished by Israel as a kingdom of Priests (Ex 19:5-6) during and after the Tribulation Period (Zech 8:23). Granted there were a couple of Gentile exceptions. Such as the Roman Centurion and the Canaanite woman but there was no ministry to Gentiles during Jesus earthly ministry. Also, a deeper study of Samaria will also reveal to you that the woman at the well represented Samaritans which were not Gentile but half-breed Jews from the Northern Kingdom as a result of the Syrian invasion of 700 BC. The woman at the well was a planned meeting by the Lord to fulfill the Prophecy of Ezekial 37:22. This is where the Lord mends the two Kingdoms ahead of the Kingdom to come, as they are one nation just as they are today.
The woman at the well is such a tremendous witness to fulfilled Biblical prophecy.
So, Jesus never suggested to Israel or the twelve to ever stop practicing Mosaic Law during his earthly ministry or even after his resurrection and his 40 days of visitations of the Apostles and Disciples (Acts 11:19, Acts 21:20-21). However, mainstream Christendom seems to be under the impression that this was the case. But, there is just no evidence. After Jesus opened the Apostles minds so they could understand the Scriptures regarding himself (Luke 24:45), the Apostles rightly so inquired as to when the Kingdom as prophesied (Is 9:7) would be established (Acts 1:6). Jesus had no rebuke for the Apostles for the question but only said that when it would occur could not be revealed. (For we can read as to when it was to occur was still sealed; Dan 12:4).
Note also that eleven years after Pentecost, the apostles were still ministering to Jew only (Acts 11:19) even after Peter's experience with the salvation of Cornelius. Also, you'll note that the Jerusalem Church was still practicing Mosaic Law and Temple Worship 20 years after Pentecost (Acts 21:20-21). It is not unreasonable to believe that the Jerusalem Church was practicing all the way up to the destruction of the City and the Temple by the Roman Emperor, Titus, in 70 AD, a fulfilled prophecy of the Lord.
In addition, and in full expectations, after Jesus revealed the understanding of the Scriptures of himself and the Kingdom to the Apostles, they understood that a terrible Tribulation time of 7 years, as Jesus referred to the "Daniel the prophet," was soon coming and it was the very next event on God's prophetic timeline (Ps 2) which Peter also rehearses in Acts 4:25-26. In response, the believing Jews sold all they had and gave all their money to the Apostles for communal distribution to best weather the coming Tribulation (Acts 2:44-45). For it was clear that there was no longer a reason for continued commerce or land production since this Tribulation Period was a coming certainty and soon!
Therefore, it is clear that God continued to give Israel every opportunity to believe as a Nation that Jesus was the prophesied coming King and Messiah. However, God's offer was postponed with the stoning of Stephan (Acts 7). The Stoning of Stephen was clearly the blaspheming of the Holy Ghost as in reference to Stephen the Holy Ghost is mentioned three times. This stoning is the culmination of Israel's rejection of the Trinity complete. 1st the Father is blasphemed by the killing of the prophets. Then the Son is blasphemed by crucifixion. Then the Holy Spirit is blasphemed through Stephen. At this point God's timetable for the coming earthly Kingdom is changed. But this never took God by surprise! This is the Great Divide; the greatest secret ever kept. The purpose of the Tree of Good and Evil revealed and the revealed secret of Romans 11:32. That God binds all men to sin so he can have mercy on them all!! Even the Gentiles. As revealed by the Apostle Paul: Romans 16:25.
See Below
After the Stoning of Stephan (Acts 7) which culminated the Lord's proclamation to the Jews regarding the blaspheming of the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29); the participating unbelieving individuals (including Saul of Tarsus, St. Paul) that blasphemed the Holy Spirit coupled with the wasting of the Saints, were in danger of eternal damnation. However, since the stoning of Stephan was conducted by Israel's Levitical leadership in ignorance (Acts 3:17) Israel was put into a temporary time-out, Rom 11:25. God postponed the entire program of the Gospel of the Kingdom, the offer to Israel to be a kingdom of priests and the Tribulation period (Dan 9:26-27, Jer 30:7 Jacob's trouble). For the Lord transitioned to the Gentiles with the Jews to fulfill other prophecy (Hos 6:1-2, Acts 15:14) to bring to Himself a people for His name in the Body of Christ (1Cor 12:12, Rom 11:25). And in doing so purposed Saul of Tarsus or aka Paul (Acts 8-9) to bring the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24, 1Tim 1:15-16) to the then known world.
Side note: Dan 9:26-27 describes that the city, Jerusalem, and the Temple were to be destroyed by the prince. Please note that this occurred in 70AD and per Daniel's Scripture the Anti-Christ would have at that time negotiated a 7-year peace treaty with Israel that would have signified the beginning of the Tribulation Period. However, per God's design, His prophetic timeline i.e. Ps 2 as well as Dan 9:27 and other Scripture was postponed after the stoning of Stephan and the blaspheming of the Holy Spirit until He acquired "a people for His name" the Body of Christ which has been filling up for the last 2,000 years. However, as a result more Scripture can and now has been fulfilled (ie, Ez 37:12, Jer 29:14 and Jer 31:10, Duet 30:1-2) as Israel has been gathered from every nation under Heaven and is once again a Nation since May 15, 1948.
The Gospel of the Grace of God was in the mind of God all the way from Adam's fall but was kept secret until the conversion of Saul of Tarsus on his way to Damascus (Acts 9). Please read Romans 16:25 three times. "which was kept secret since the world began" Although this verse is rarely, if ever, a subject of a homily or a sermon, please realize that it is Scripture. For now, the true secret that God is going to the Gentile through the 'Apostle of the Gentiles' with the Gospel of the Grace of God with all His revealed mysteries was in the mind of the God Head from before the beginning of the world.
Although most Churches love to spend 90% of your time on the four Gospels, please know that this verse is crucial to unveiling the Pauline letters to the Gentile world. Should a Pastor ever brush this verse off please have him or her read 2Peter 3:15-16. Peter refers to all of Paul's letters to the believing Jew as Scripture and wisdom directly from God although hard to understand. It was and still is very difficult for the Jew to comprehend that salvation is possible without Mosaic Law. Therefore, if Peter felt Paul's letters are Scripture so should we all. Please note that most Pastors will inquire as to what is Paul's Gospel. Please refer them to Paul's Gospel, 1Cor 15:1-4 and then to Rom 2:16.
Also note that the Lord chose not to give the revelations regarding the Gospel of the Grace of God to any of the 12 Apostles, it is clear that the Lord knew that mixing the Gospel of the Kingdom with the Gospel of the Grace of God would be an utter disaster. Therefore, God arranged to have Saul alone with him at Mt. Sinai for a period of time after he barely escaped with his life from Damascus and ran to Arabia seeking answers directly from the Lord while bypassing the twelve in Jerusalem. (Acts 9:23-25, Gal 1:16-17 and Gal 4:25). Therefore, the Pauline Revelations cannot be mixed with the four Gospels. (Rom 8:2) For it is crucial that the Gospels proclaim and prove who Jesus was and God's sacrifice that fulfilled the Abrahamic covenant while the Gospel of the Grace of God explains what God's sacrifice accomplished for the world. The book of Acts is The Gospel of the Kingdom transitioning to the Gospel of the Grace of God, Acts 20:24.
For, now, it is only through this separation of Law from Grace can freedom through salvation ever be experienced by the individual. Your salvation IS NOT DEPENDANT ON ANYTHING YOU CAN DO! IT HAS BEEN COMPLETED BY AN ACT OF GOD!! Therefore, the "if you do" conditional statements that you find in the Gospels HAS NO BEARING ON YOU OR YOUR SALVATION. Your salvation is dependent on your belief of what God has already accomplished for you. As a result of your belief in Paul's Gospel of the Grace of God the Holy Spirit enters your inner most being, 1Cor 6:19, and begins your transition from being a slave of the natural man obeying the sinful nature to becoming a slave to righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in you.
It was an act of God that forgave the sins of the world once for all (Heb 10:10, Rom 8:3). You'll observe perhaps in your own life you have said to yourself, "I'll never be able to live up to the expectations of the Lord." or, "My prayer is that I have done enough." How many millions of people on their death bed have revealed that prayer out loud!! What an absolute crime and a life shackled with the shackles of Religion just as Satan has influenced. This thinking is common among even the most religious. But please understand that this thinking is purely and completely the responsibility of mixing the 4 Gospels with Pauline Scripture. Know for certainty that God did not choose Paul for the purpose of clarifying Jesus' earthly ministry! (a glaring seminary error) The Bible will never open up to you until you recognize the difference of the Gospel of the Kingdom that was prophesied throughout the Psalms / Prophets and the Gospel of the Grace of God that was kept secret in the mind of God since the beginning of the world. (See Gal 2 which is a reference to Acts 15) The Jerusalem church realized that the Gospel that Peter preached to the Jews was not compatible with the Gospel that Paul preached to the Gentiles. It was so much so that they shook hands in agreement that the Apostles would preach only to Jews and Paul would preach only to Gentiles. Galatians 2:7-8. But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was committed unto Peter; For he (God) that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same (God) was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.
Galatians 2:9 - And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. NOTE: The apostles and their disciples had no ministry to the Gentiles. Even as Acts 11:19 states...Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto Jews only.
Once you separate, you'll see for the first time how through the Pauline Scriptures that everything has already been accomplished for you. There is never any reason to wonder if you have ever done enough. Simply accept the free gift (Eph 2:8) and live in freedom with the indwelling Holy Spirit (Gal 5:1) with Joy (Phil 2:2) for ever and ever!
See these subtle differences between the Gospel of the Grace of God and the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Note that under the Gospel of the Kingdom the Jew was saved by believing who the one they killed was Jesus Christ, their Messiah as prophesied. They then had to repent and then be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins...still under mosaic Law as washing of the Priesthood (Lev Ex 29:4+) was necessary as becoming a Nation of Priests was Prophesied (Ex 19:6).
Acts 10:44-47; Under the Gospel of the Grace of God, transitioning after the stoning of Stephan, even unknowingly by Peter, the Gentile individuals not under law or any legality obtained the promise of eternal life, forgiveness, Ambassadorship, rescued from the coming tribulation, etc. simply by believing Jesus the Christ was raised from the dead. (1Cor 15:1-4. Eph 2:8 God's gift to you...unconditionally) In total surprise that the Holy Spirit had come upon them without repenting or baptism, Peter commanded them to be baptized as if God made a mistake and got things out of sequence!
Are there instances were Paul baptized people? Yes. But he also said, 1Cor 1:17. "Christ did not send me to baptize but, to preach the Gospel." Did Paul preach in the Synagogues, yes. As Paul always had a heart for the Jew (Rom 1:16). But, take heed of Tim 1:15-16... I know preachers love to make this claim that Paul was the worst of sinners. But, read the Scripture again. 1Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Note that the word chief in the NT is always translated as Head Man, or First Man or Man with Authority. Note that Vs 16, the next verse, tells you why! Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, THAT IN ME FIRST JESUS CHRIST MIGHT SHEW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFERING, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO EVERLASTING LIFE. Now it is clear that Paul was baptized by a 'law-abiding Jew, Ananias.' However, that was clearly before the revelations were reveled to the Apostle. However, Jesus directs this Apostle to the Gentiles first, then kings and THEN to the children of Israel. (Acts 9:15)
But, the point here is that Saul of Tarsus was the first one ever saved by the Gospel of the Grace of God. His salvation was never dependent on anything he did and was hence forth a pattern by which all after were to be saved. Note Saul deserved death for killing the Saints. But, he was not killed. He was saved.
Simply by no works but believing 1Cor 15:1-4...that Christ has already accomplished your salvation for you! There is now nothing you have to do to retain this Gift from God. There is only the Joy that you revel every day and then tell everyone who inquires why you have such inner peace no matter what!! 2Cor 5:20 You are now an Ambassador for Christ. Christ will show you what that Joyous work he planned from the foundation of the world for you is all about. (Eph 2:10)
Now equipped with the Revelations of (Gal 1:11-12) the Gospel of the Grace of God, Paul preached to the then known world with the understanding that...
2Cor 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
Clarification of Hebrews Ch 6:1-6 One of the most miss-interpreted Scriptures
If you are part of or raised in the mainstream Christian Church, you may have been taught that you could possibly lose your salvation through these verses in Hebrews. Please note that although the book wasn't signed, I think it was written by the Apostle Paul as he was anything but a popular figure in the Jewish believing Church and the Jewish community however harboring a tremendous love for Israel. Therefore, signing the letter may have prompted a potential reader to discard it. Also, it is indeed of a different style than Paul's other letters. However, in those days, when you wrote to an educated Jew vs an uneducated Gentile you might adjust the style. In addition, 2Peter 3:15, cites the subject by which Paul wrote his letter to saved Jews, as was Peter's audience referencing, I believe, the letter of Hebrews. Plus, the writer speaks of Timothy in that he had been released from prison or liberated, written in the 2nd person, therefore, it is clear Timothy was not the author as some have determined. In addition, the writer speaks of the audience as people that sacrificed their material blessings so Paul could survive prison (Heb 10:34) So, let's get to the meat of Heb 6:1-6 and the parallel verse Heb 10:25-27.
Paul has just completed Heb chapters 3-5 which discusses the consequences surrounding Israel's unbelief at Cadesh Barnea when they refused in unbelief to take the Canaanite land as God directed and by which spent the next 40 years in the desert as a result. He then discusses the relevance of Melchisedec and is about to get into the deeper things but must first shake the saved Hebrew reader up from his religious ways of the remnants of Judaism that have followed into the religion of the saved Jew through the Gospel of the Kingdom to prepare them for the man of faith, Abraham. In how Faith and Faith alone and how Jesus' sacrifice was mirrored in Levitical Law, the Psalms and the Profits. And how through Jesus' sacrifice all the demands of the Law for them were met in a way that no man could ever have accomplished. This meant that they had to strip themselves of ALL ritual and Judaist rite.
Therefore, Paul at first brings up what the Christ-Saved Jew depended on for salvation which (1) merely proclaimed who the Christ was (Acts 2) vs what he accomplished (1Cor 15:1-4), (2) Repentance, (3) Baptism for the remission of sins, (4) the laying on of hands, (5) the resurrection of the coming King, (6) Eternal Judgement of law breakers. For by the Pauline revelations the Gospel of the Grace of God was paramount for the saved Hebrew to understand in this new Age of Grace. However, the difficulty of this understanding was very evident as the Apostle Peter admits in 2Peter 3:16 "in which some things are hard to be understood..." The most difficult for the saved Hebrew was salvation without Mosaic Law as portrayed in Acts 15. Although the Jewish Church leadership (the 12) acknowledged this the majority could not accept this new dispensing of God's Grace as Mosaic Law was precious and parcel of the Jew's 'DNA', however, their Salvation was no longer dependent on it. (Acts 22:20-21).
For these are what the saved Jews of the time were depending on for their salvation which was perfect per the Gospel of the Kingdom as even Peter and the Holy Spirit described in Acts 2. However, per the Gospel of the Kingdom you could lose your salvation as in remembrance of Ananias and Sapphira. So, to prepare them for the transition from what was good in the Mosaic Law to something that is now better (the Gospel of the Grace of God). Paul goes on to explain that if they continued to depend on such ritual and legal rite, that if they should fall away there was nothing left to save them again. For as result they would be requiring Christ to die again for them. Paul then, summarily puts an end to such practices as of no-good affect. Note that Paul repeats this aspect of the Jew that would reverse his newfound freedom and go back under law would experience Heb 10:25-27. Please note that when Paul says "do not forsake the assembly" it does not apply to the grace-aged believer who chooses not to attend a church that is not a Biblically and Pauline-based church. Here Paul is referencing the believer that turns back to being under the law verses being a part of the freed grace-age assembly of Heb 10:25. As a result, his sin is no longer of no affect.
Paul must be harsh to break their dependence on religion and begin to show them their security in simply believing without any work, ritual or legal rite the completed Finished Work of the Cross (lCor 15:1-4) by which there is no cancellation. For what God accomplished for the one who believes cannot be unwashed, he cannot be unsaved, and salvation cannot be reversed. It was accomplished by an act of God and therefore, we cannot be lost again by anything we do. For merely knowing who Jesus was "I believe that Jesus is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37) is not enough to purge one from dead works of rite and ritual (Heb 9:14). For under the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24) even if we are Faithless, He remains Faithful because he cannot deny (disown) himself (2Tim 2:13). However, Paul excuses the religious-law-abiding Jewish believer recognizing that their rites and rituals were motivated by their love of God's name (in who he was vs what he accomplished. (Heb 6:9-10)
Please note and please do not forget that it has been through the Mosaic Law and its traditions that God has kept his chosen earthly Nation together throughout history since 70 AD and the great dispersion into "every nation under heaven." It has also been the glue that by which He has called His chosen back to Israel. For as to this day we acknowledge, cherish and Love the Nation of Israel as it is (hardened in part Rom 11:25-28) and remains the foundation of Bible Prophecy, the Tribulation, and the Millenium Kingdom to come with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ as fully confirmed and explained by the Apostle Paul as we as Grace Age Believers escape the coming wrath.
Please see the 40+ Promises upon Faith + Nothing = Salvation. As Faith and Faith alone in the Finished Work of the Cross is the only thing that saves us from the coming wrath and by which will be with God forever, Amen.