Note these three statements which Christ made when He was here on earth.

1. “YE WORSHIP YE KNOW NOT WHAT: WE KNOW WHAT WE WORSHIP: FOR SALVATION IS OF THE JEWS.” JOHN 4:22.

2. “THEN SPAKE JESUS TO THE MULTITUDE, AND TO HIS DISCIPLES, SAYING THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES SIT IN MOSES’ SEAT: ALL THEREFORE WHATSOEVER THEY BID YOU OBSERVE, THAT OBSERVE AND DO; BUT DO NOT YE AFTER THEIR WORKS: FOR THEY SAY, AND DO NOT.” Matthew 23:1 to 3.

3. “SHEW ME A PENNY. WHOSE IMAGE AND SUPERSCRIPTION HATH IT? THEY ANSWERED AND SAID, CAESAR’S. AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, RENDER THEREFORE UNTO CAESAR THE THINGS WHICH BE CAESAR’S, AND UNTO GOD THE THINGS WHICH BE GOD’S.” Luke 20:24 AND 25.

The Jews sat in Moses’ seat. Caesar, the Gentile, sat in Rome. The Jews were under political domination of Rome. Note Luke 2:1, Matthew 17:26 and 27. Jesus of Nazareth grew up to manhood under Caesar’s political government. But note His religious practice: “And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” Luke 4:16.

Caesar was an ungodly heathen. But was he any worse than the corrupt religious rulers who sat in Moses’ seat? They were fools, hypocrites, blind leaders, and inwardly corrupt. Read these charges against them by Jesus Christ. Matthew 23:13 to 32, and the climax, in verse 33, “ye serpents, ye generation of vipers.”

Now the two commands of Jesus Christ:

1. Do what the religious rulers tell you to do.

2. Render unto the political rulers the things that are theirs.

Jesus Christ taught His disciples, “government is of the Gentiles”; “salvation is of the Jews.”

Both government and salvation had once been in the hands of the Jews. God had warned them that they would not be the head if and when they failed to keep His commandments. In their spiritual declension they were to be the tail and the Gentiles the head. Read Deuteronomy 28:36 to 44.

In the last two chapters of Jeremiah and the last two chapters of II Kings we read how government passed from the Jews to the Gentiles. Then and there “the times of the Gentiles” (politically) began. Luke 21:24. After the facts revealed in Romans 11, “the times of the Gentiles” (spiritually) began. But note Daniel’s Divine message to the first Gentile world ruler over the Jews (Nebuchadnezzar).

“Thou, O king, art a king of kings; for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath He given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron; forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things; and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.” Daniel 2:37 to 40.

Then in Daniel 2:44, we are told how “the times of the Gentiles” will end, by the coming of the King from heaven. A stone is to descend from heaven, become a mountain and fill the whole earth.

Jesus Christ was born under the fourth (iron) kingdom. He was tried and sentenced to death by that government after the authorized representative said, “ I find no fault in Him.” After he had washed his hands of his unjust decision, he said, “I am free from the blood of this innocent man.”

From Nebuchadnezzar to the days of Christ, salvation was not only of the Jews, but any Gentile who desired spiritual blessings had to become a Jew. When the Jews were slaves to the Persians the record is, that many of the Persians became Jews. Esther 8:17.

THE GENTILES CAST AWAY

In Romans 1:17 to 32 we learn how God had cast away the Gentiles. In Romans 11:1 to 33 we learn how God, centuries later, cast away the Jews. When God cast away the Gentiles (about 1900 B.C.) He began a new movement; Israel and the Jews. When God cast away Israel (about 60 A.D.) God had begun a new movement with the Gentiles. Note Ephesians 3:1—“For this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.”

Note the condition of the Gentiles at the time God began the new movement mentioned in Romans 11:30, Romans 11:11 and Romans 11:15.

“For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief.”

“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles for to provoke them to jealousy.”

“For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”

The predicament of the Gentiles at the time Paul was sent to them is told in Ephesians 2:11 and 12, Ephesians 2:2 and 3 and Ephesians 4:18. They were aliens. Aliens from Israel. Alienated from God.

Note the words of Christ to an earnest seeking Gentile—“He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me. But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” Matthew 15:24 to 27.

The Jews were lost sheep. The Gentiles were dogs. The Jews who sat in Moses’ seat were serpents. The ruler at Rome was a heathen. We know then that the world religiously and politically was corrupt when the Lord of glory came down from heaven to visit humanity.

THE LORD JESUS AND THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES

Note the testimony of the Apostle Paul.

“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.” Romans 11:13.

“And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; And saw Him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony concerning Me.” “And He said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” Acts 22:17, 18 and 21.

“That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:16.

Paul had orders from heaven to go to the Gentiles. He received his message for Gentiles by revelation.

“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.” Galatians 1:11 and 12.

He wrote to the Gentiles that salvation was of the Jews. “It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.” Romans 15:27.

THE TURNING-POINT

Note the words of Paul in Acts 13:46, Acts 18:6 and Acts 28:28.

“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.”

“And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.”

“Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.”

“Lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Do not fail to mark this in your Bible. This marks a radical change.

Note the good news for Gentiles that followed.

“AND WHEN THEY WERE COME, AND HAD GATHERED THE CHURCH TOGETHER, THEY REHEARSED ALL THAT GOD HAD DONE WITH THEM, AND HOW HE HAD OPENED THE DOOR OF FAITH UNTO THE GENTILES.” Acts 14:27.

Who opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles ? When?

Then followed the good news of Ephesians 2:19, Ephesians 2:17 and Ephesians 3:6.

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”

“And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

“That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same Body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel.”

Paul’s last message was to a man who was half Jew and half Gentile, Timothy. (Acts 16:1 to 5.) Since the death of Paul and Timothy, God’s spiritual affairs have been in the hands of Gentiles; and God’s order has no longer been “to the Jew first.” The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11. “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” Colossians 3:11.

During the ministry of Paul to the Gentiles, Jerusalem and the Jews were under the iron rule of Caesar, and finally the words of the Lord Jesus were fulfilled; Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jews were scattered. Luke 21:20 to 24. Note the Lord’s words: “For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side. And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of my visitation.” Luke 19:43 and 44.

“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.” “For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” “For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Luke 21:20, 22, 23 and 24.

“The times of the Gentiles” await fulfillment in 1941 A.D.

PAUL AND CAESAR

Acts 21:30 to 32

“And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them; and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.”

Acts 22:25 and 26

“And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.”

Acts 25:10 and 11

“Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal to Caesar.”

Romans 13:1 to 7

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained by God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

CAESAR AND THE CHURCH

Note these four statements of Paul: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.” Romans 13:1.

“For this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.” Romans 13:6.

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” I Timothy 3:15.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable, in the sight of God our Saviour.” I Timothy 2:1 to 3.

Here we see the clear demarcation between Church and State, and the Scriptural responsibility of the Christian to both of these powers which are ordained of God. God had put the carnal sword of government in the hands of Caesar. But to those with spiritual authority He said:

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” II Corinthians 10:4.

“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:17.

The Word of the Lord Jesus is still binding: “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s and unto God the things which be God’s.” Luke 20:25.

We are living in “the times of the Gentiles” politically. This began with Nebuchadnezzar about 600 B. C. We are living in “the times of the Gentiles”, spiritually. This began after Saul became Paul.

“KNOWING THAT CHRIST BEING RAISED FROM THE DEAD DIETH NO MORE; DEATH HATH NO MORE DOMINION OVER HIM. FOR IN THAT HE DIED, HE DIED UNTO SIN ONCE: BUT IN THAT HE LIVETH, HE LIVETH UNTO GOD.” ROMANS 6:9 AND 10.

“I AM HE THAT LIVETH, AND WAS DEAD; AND, BEHOLD, I AM ALIVE FOR EVERMORE. AMEN; AND HAVE THE KEYS OF HELL AND OF DEATH.” REVELATION 1:18.

When the Lord Jesus was here on earth He said, “Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father.” John 10:17 and 18.

Then we read in I Corinthians 15:17 and 20 to 23: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order <CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.”

Then let us note in Hebrews 6:19 and 20 that Jesus Christ is called “our Forerunner.” “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither HE FORERUNNER is for us entered, even Jesus, made an High Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Hebrew 6:19 and 20.

The Lord Jesus Christ is in heaven. The glorified Divine-Man. He became the Firstfruits of them that slept. He is the believer’s Forerunner. The Greek word is “Runner-ahead”. Christ ran ahead into death, and then He ran ahead in a resurrected body into heaven.

Note what Christ did by His death and resurrection:

1. He abolished death. “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savour Jesus Christ Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” II Timothy 1:10.

2. He spoiled principalities and powers. “And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15.

3. He destroyed him that had the power of death. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14 and 15.

The Lord Jesus appeared ONCE to put away sin, by ONE offering, and then entered ONCE into heaven having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:26, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 9:12.

In that He died unto sin, Christ died ONCE. He is alive forevermore. Death hath no more dominion over Him.

The Holy Spirit says to the believer, “We thus judge, that if One died for all, then all (believers) have died.” Note also Colossians 2:20, Colossians 3:3 and 4, and Romans 6:7 and 8 and Romans 6:2 and 3. “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances?”

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.”

“For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.”

THE BELIEVER IS DEAD WITH CHRIST

“HOW SHALL WE THAT ARE DEAD TO SIN, LIVE ANY LONGER THEREIN? KNOW YE NOT, THAT SO MANY OF US AS WERE BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST WERE BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH?”

We ask two most important questions:

1—Just when is the believing sinner baptized into the death of Christ?

2—How many times can the believing sinner be baptized into the death of Christ ?

Then we turn to Galatians 3:27 and 28 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” The believer is baptized into Christ once-for-all.

What does baptism into Christ do for believers? It makes them all ONE. Note how this is stated in I Corinthians 12:12 to 14

“For as the Body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one Body, being many are one Body; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the Body is not one member, but many.”

When the believing sinner receives Christ, he is immediately baptized into the death of Christ and into the Body of Christ by one Divine baptism.

ONE BAPTISM—ONE SPIRIT—ONE BODY

Note again Romans 12:4 and 5—“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office So we, being many, are one Body in Christ, and every one members one of another. “

Note again Ephesians 2:14 to 18—“For He is our peace, Who hath made both ONE, and hath broken down the middle-wall of partition between us; Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments, contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain ONE NEW MAN. So making peace; And that He might reconcile both unto God in ONE BODY by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through Him we both have access BY ONE SPIRIT unto the Father.”

Very interesting. Believing Jews and believing Gentiles, with Christ, make up ONE NEW MAN. Both reconciled unto God in ONE BODY by the ONE sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. ONE NEW MAN-ONE BODY-All baptized by ONE SPIRIT into ONE BODY.

ONE FLESH

Then let us compare Genesis 2:23 and 24 with Ephesians 5:31 and 32. “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be ONE FLESH.”

“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they TWO SHALL BE ONE FLESH. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the Church.”

Adam is the Old Man. Eve was one flesh with Adam. Christ is the New Man. The Church, which is the Body, is ONE flesh with Christ.

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13. The Body is called “the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 1:23.

BY ONE MAN

We have quoted I Corinthians 15:22: As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Note also verses forty-seven and forty-five “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the Second Man is the Lord from heaven.” “The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a life-giving spirit.”

We learn here of the first man and the Second Man; the first Adam and the Last Adam. Now note in the fifth chapter of Romans how many times the word ONE occurs. Thirteen times.

“BY ONE MAN (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12.

“Through the offence of one many be dead.” “The judgment was by one to condemnation.” “By one man’s offence death reigned by one.” “By the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation.” “By one man’s disobedience many were made sinners.” Romans 5:15,16,17, 18 and 19.

Yes, in Adam all die. In Adam all are already dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1. All in Adam are under the universal law of sin and death. By Adam judgment and condemnation have passed upon all men. By Adam is the entrance of sin. By Moses and the Law of Sinai sin abounds.

But now the good news of Romans 5:20 and 21:

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Adam was disobedient unto death. Christ was obedient unto death. Adam brought the curse. Christ bore the curse. Adam brought the thorns. Christ wore the thorns.

By Adam came ruin. By Christ came redemption. By Adam came death. By Christ, the resurrection of the dead.

Christ is the one Mediator between God and men. Christ died once. By His one offering believing sinners are sanctified and perfected. Hebrews 10:10 and 14. When the sinner believes in the once-for-all sacrifice of the One Mediator he is baptized by One Spirit into the one and only Bible church, the One Body. There is one Body, one Spirit and one baptism.

The believer is baptized into the death of Christ, and puts on Christ, the very moment he receives Christ. At that same moment he is buried with Christ by baptism, he is raised with Christ to walk in newness of life Romans 6:3 and 4.

“Raised to walk in newness of life.” The believer is a new creation in Christ Jesus. II Corinthians 5:17. The believer is risen with Christ, to seek those things which are above where Christ is seated. Colossians 3:1 and 2. The believer is seated with Christ in the heavenlies and there blessed with all spiritual blessings. Ephesians 2:6 and 1:3.

The believer is complete in Christ. Colossians 2:10. All of this is accomplished by the one Divine baptism of Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:3, Galatians 3:27, 28 and Ephesians 4:5.

Many Christians have been confused and perplexed as to whether or not the Lord’s instructions in Matthew, chapters 5 to 8, are for the obedience and practice of members of the Body of Christ, whether or not the spiritual program outlined in these chapters will fit into “the dispensation of the grace of God for you Gentiles?” Ephesians 3:1 and 2.

Let us first note this important and significant fact: that the Apostle Paul wrote about one half of the Books of the so-called New Testament Scriptures. In all of his messages there is a pronounced silence concerning the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. There must be a meaning to the truth of II Corinthians 5:16 that none of us has fully comprehended: “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.”

Whatever the meaning of this verse, it is a fact that in his oral and written ministry the Apostle Paul said little or nothing in detail about what Christ did on earth during the years He was under the law, a Minister of the circumcision, sent only to the house of Israel. Galatians 4:4—Romans 15:8—Matthew 15:24.

Paul was the only servant of the Lord who wrote of “the Church which is Christ’s Body,” concerning “the dispensation of the grace of God for Gentiles,” who gave specific instructions as to the heavenly position, hope and calling of members of Christ’s Body. Paul never once referred to the Sermon on the Mount, the Golden Rule, The “Our Father” prayer, or to any of the kingdom parables spoken by the Lord Jesus in Matthew, Mark and Luke, the Synoptic Gospels.

However, the Holy Spirit by the mouth and pen of the Apostle Paul, presented to the members of the Body of Christ a spiritual standard as high as that presented by the Lord Jesus to His disciples on earth. The difference between the two programs is the fact that the program which Jesus of Nazareth presented on earth had a “kingdom on earth” legalistic setting, while the program which the Lord Jesus gave to the members of the Body of Christ, through the Apostle Paul, was distinctly a “grace” program for saints in the heavenlies.

By way of contrast, let us note that the word “grace” is not found once in the twentyeight chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. The Lord Jesus displayed much grace in Matthew but His message was concerning “the kingdom of heaven”, an expression found more than thirty times in Matthew. The Epistle to the Ephesians is concerning the Body of Christ, and the fact that believing Gentiles and believing Jews constitute a Joint-Body. (Ephesians 3:6) They are united to the risen Christ by an inseparable and eternal union, seated with Him in the heavenlies, saved by grace through faith, without religious practices, ceremonies, or deeds. Ephesians 2:6 to 16. In Ephesians “grace” is found twelve times.

Let us compare Ephesians 4:32 with Matthew 6:12, 14 and 15:

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you,” Ephesians 4:32.

“And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses:” Matthew 6:12, 14 and 15.

What a difference! By grace believers have been forgiven, for Christ’s sake, in Ephesians 4:32 and they therefore should be gracious and forgive their fellowmen. This is all grace.

But note the contrast: “if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”. What did the Lord say in giving the ten commandments to Israel? “If you do, I will do.” This is the “law” of Divine forgiveness in the “Our Father” prayer.

Now let us compare “thy kingdom come,” in Matthew 6:10, with the believer’s position in Colossians 1:13:

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10. “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.”

Members of Christ’s Body are already in the spiritual kingdom of Colossians 1:13. Note “And Jesus which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.” Colossians 4:11.

Note how believers get into this spiritual kingdom:

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” I Corinthians 12:13.

“And that He might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” Ephesians 2:16.

“That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same Body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel.” Ephesians 3:6.

The Body of Christ is a part of the kingdom of God. But the kingdom of God, in the Bible, is not always the Body of Christ. Note in Matthew 8:12 that the Lord Jesus referred to Jews, saved and unsaved, as “the children of the kingdom.”

In the petition, “thy kingdom come”, the Lord Jesus was not referring to the kingdom to which members of Christ’s Body belong. “The kingdom of heaven,” to which the Lord Jesus referred in His “Our Father” prayer, will be established at the close of the great tribulation, when the Son of man shall come to deliver Israel, in accordance with Luke 21:24 to 33. Should we pray “Thy kingdom come” while we remain on earth; which means, let us go through the great tribulation?

The hope of believers is expressed in Titus 2:13: “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” This blessed hope will be realized by members of the Body of Christ before the great tribulation comes, before the petition is answered, “Thy kingdom come.”

Now let us compare Matthew 5:5 and 9 with Ephesians 2:6 and Colossians 1:20:

“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:5 and 9.

“And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6.

“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:20.

The “meek” of Matthew 5:5 are to inherit the earth. The meek of Ephesians 2:6 are seated in the heavenlies in Christ. In Matthew 5:9 men are peacemakers, and therefore the children of God. In Colossians 1:20 Jesus Christ is the Peacemaker. And note Galatians 3:26:

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Note what believing Gentiles, are by grace; “the children of God.” Note what unbelieving Gentiles are without Christ, “by nature the children of wrath.” Ephesians 2:2 and 3. And yet Christian preachers ask a mixed audience of believers and unbelievers to pray the “Our Father” prayer. These preachers are responsible for the lie of the unbelievers. God is not the Father of those who reject Jesus Christ as Saviour.

GOD’S SPIRITUAL PROGRAM

If we study the spiritual walk and conversation presented to members of the Body of Christ, in Romans 12, 13, 14 and 15, in Galatians, Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians and in Paul’s other Epistles, we shall learn of God’s very high standard for Christians under the dispensation of grace.

We quote several verses from the different Epistles

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1 and 2.

“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12: 20.

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13: 10.

“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block, or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” Romans 14: 13. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15: 1.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:22 to 26.

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one Body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling: One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4: 1 to 6.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:15 to 18.

“That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.” Philippians 1:10.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8.

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” Colossians 1:10 and 11.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1 and 2.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one Body; and be ye thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” Colossians 3:15 to 17.

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:13 and 14.

Every member of the Body knows or should know, that in these Pauline messages are given the Lord’s spiritual instructions for the obedience and practice of such members.

Then the Scriptural and intelligent principle is to interpret, appropriate and apply the kingdom teachings of Jesus of Nazareth in the light of the revelations which He later gave from heaven to the Apostle Paul. Note carefully.

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward: How that by revelation He made known unto me the Mystery; as I wrote afore in few words.” Ephesians 3:1 to 3.

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the Word of God.” Colossians 1:25.

We have seen the dispensational setting of Paul’s instructions to members of the Body of Christ, for what we call, “practical Christianity.”

Now let us see the dispensational setting of the Sermon on the Mount and the kingdom teachings of Jesus of Nazareth in Matthew 5 to 8.

Note the statement in Matthew 4:17 and 23:

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” Matthew 4:17 and 23.

Now again Matthew 10:7 and 8:

“And as ye go preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”

What is the setting? “The kingdom of heaven” at hand and a program of physical healing and miracles. It is in such a setting that we find the Sermon on the Mount. For instance, note Matthew 8:3 and 4:

“And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.”

How can this be applied or appropriated under the present reign of grace? It can not. Must we eliminate it without apology or explanation? No. God has a Divine principle: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” II Timothy 2:15.

Study Matthew and all other messages in the Bible in the light of Pauline truth, that is. Divine Truth, which Christ gave to Paul. Note Paul’s words in II Corinthians 13:3 and If Corinthians 12:4.

“Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me. which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.” II Corinthians 13:3.

“How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” II Corinthians 12:4.

It is so important to compare the truth of Romans 15:8 and Matthew 15:24 with the truth of Romans 11:13, and know that Jesus Christ was the Apostle of Israel and that Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles.

Read carefully Matthew 6:17, and ask yourselves if we obey this by anointing our heads with oil when we fast. If not, why not? Why select a few of the Lord’s instructions and wholly ignore. the others? This hit-and-miss, snatch-grab method must be very displeasing to the Lord. Note the instructions in II Timothy 1:7: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Note again Matthew 5:23 to 25:

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly.”

“And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee.” “And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee.” Matthew 5:29 and 30.

Note again: “And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.” “Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” Matthew 5:40 and 42.

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.

Now again we ask this question: “By whose authority do Christians today select a few instructions that may be included in their church creed and reject others that they may not consider important?”

Moreover, let us never forget that no man can practice the ethics of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount until he goes first to Calvary to get the nature of Christ.

Let us, as members of the Body of Christ, hold fast to every spiritual truth that we can be sure is for the obedience and practice of members of Christ’s Body, because that truth fits into God’s “grace” program.

Let us read Romans 10:21 and Romans 11:21.

“BUT TO ISRAEL HE SAITH: ALL DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED FORTH MY HANDS UNTO A DISOBEDIENT AND GAINSAYING PEOPLE.”

“For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He spare not thee (the Gentiles).”

In answering this most interesting question concerning God’s dealings with Israel, “how long is all day long,” let us note carefully one of the most solemn and significant messages that came from the mouth and heart of the Lord Jesus Christ; namely, “the parable of the vineyard.”

“Then began He to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. And at the season, He sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give Him of the fruit of the vineyard; but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. And again He sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third, and they wounded him also, and cast him out. Then said the Lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send My beloved Son: it may be they will reverence Him when they see Him. But when the husbandmen saw Him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the Heir: come, let us kill Him, that the inheritance may be ours. So they cast Him out of the vineyard, and killed Him. What therefore shall the Lord of the vineyard do unto them? He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it they said, God forbid. And He beheld them and said, What is this then that is written, The Stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the Head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that Stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever It shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” Luke 20:9 to 18.

As we look into the Scriptures to find an answer to the question, “how long was all day long,” we know that that long day of God’s longsuffering toward His disobedient and stiffnecked people, Israel, began after the birth of that nation. Perhaps we should mark the beginning of that day from the month that Israel left Egypt.

CALLED OUT OF EGYPT

About 1500 B.C. the children of Israel were under the tyrannical oppression of Pharaoh in Egypt. God sent Moses to Pharaoh with signs and wonders. Then the Lord commanded Moses to lead His people out of that land: “And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.” Exodus 12:37 and 38.

“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever.” “And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.” “And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.” “And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.” Exodus 14:13 to 31.

Then followed the song of Moses and the children of Israel. Exodus 15:1 to 19. But in that same chapter we read, “. . . and the people murmured,” and we find this same statement in Exodus 16:2 and Exodus 17:3. Then in Exodus 32:7, God had something to say,

“And the Lord said unto Moses, get thee down; for thy people which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.”

The children of Israel were worshipping Aaron’s golden calf. God threatened to destroy them and Moses said, “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom Thou swarest.” Exodus 32:13. God did. God will again remember these men to whom He sware.

But note God’s Word in Exodus 32:9:

“And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people.”

So Israel was a stiffnecked and disobedient people from 1495 B.C. up to the time that Jesus Christ came unto His own, and then what? “His own received Him not.” Read again “the parable of the vineyard” and get the full force and meaning of those words of Christ.

What are we to understand by this statement, “Christ came. unto His own, and His own received Him not?” We read in John’s Gospel several times, “many of the Jews believed on Him,” “many of the people believed on Him.” But this significant question was asked in John 7:48:

“Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on Him?” And then this significant statement in John 12:37. “But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him.”

Then we are told in I Corinthians 2:7 and 8, that the rulers crucified the Lord of glory. Again we read in I Thessalonians 2:14:

“The Jews who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men to fill up their sins alway; for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.”

Let us consider God’s dealings with Israel in three different periods:

First—From Egypt to the coming of John the Baptist.

Second—During Christ’s days on earth.

Third—From the resurrection of Christ until the Divine judgment recorded in the eleventh chapter of Romans.

Let us note one statement of the Lord to Moses about 1495 B. C. and another to Israel by Stephen about 35 A. D.:

Exodus 33:5: “For the Lord had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.”

Acts 7: 51 to 53:

“YE STIFFNECKED AND UNCIRCUMCISED IN HEART AND EARS, YE DO ALWAYS RESIST THE HOLY GHOST: AS YOUR FATHERS DID, SO DO YE. WHICH OF THE PROPHETS HAVE NOT YOUR FATHERS PERSECUTED? AND THEY HAVE SLAIN THEM WHICH SHEWED BEFORE OF THE COMING OF THE JUST ONE; OF WHOM YE HAVE BEEN NOW THE BETRAYERS AND MURDERERS: WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE LAW BY THE DISPOSITION OF ANGELS, AND HAVE NOT KEPT IT.”

Here we note that Israel’s gainsayings and disobedience began in the days of Moses and continued until the days of Stephen. Note what they did to the second messenger: “When they heard these things they were cut to the heart.” Acts 7:58. They rushed on Stephen and stoned him to death. All during those 1530 years God was stretching forth His hands to a gainsaying and disobedient nation. God still stretched forth His hands to that nation for some years after they killed the Prince of Life (Acts 3:14 to 17) and after they killed Stephen. Then note Acts 12:1 to 3, that it pleased the House of Israel when one of Christ’s twelve apostles was murdered.

In Luke 19:41 to 44 we learn that Jesus Christ, weeping, pronounced an awful judgment upon Israel. Then in Luke 23:34 it is recorded that He prayed on the cross that His Father would forgive them. So years after Christ called them “serpents,” He sent Paul to them to warn them: “Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; behold, ye despisers and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.” Acts 13:40 and 41.

ISRAEL’S GREAT SIN

The history of Israel, from Egypt to Isaiah, was one of some glory and honour but more of disgrace and dishonour. Then the history of Israel, from Isaiah until the day they said to Pilate concerning their own Messiah, “let Him be crucified” (Matthew 27:23), was one of sin, disgrace, judgment and sorrow. They asked for the blood of Christ to be upon them; and it has been.

Hear the words which the Lord Jesus spoke to them: “Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Matthew 23:32 and 33. Then He wept over His people and their city. Luke 19:41 to 4:3. His people did not know the time of their visitation, that is, the King’s visit. Note the judgment He pronounced: “But when the King heard thereof He was wroth: and He sent forth His armies and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.” Matthew 22:7. After that they “killed the Prince of Life.” Acts 3:12 to 18.

What a scene! The Lord of Glory hanging on Barabbas’ cross. Hear His words “. . . Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. Christ had said in Matthew 12:30 to 32 that Israel’s sin against the Son of man would be pardonable, but that if they sinned against the Holy Spirit, their sin would be unpardonable. They sinned against. the Son of man when they persuaded Pilate to kill Him. They sinned against the Holy Spirit when they rejected the testimony of Stephen and stoned him to death. Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:55) and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of Clod.” Acts 7:56. Note carefully the words of Acts 5:29 to 32: “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance TO ISRAEL, and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, Whom God hath given to them that obey Him.”

The Holy Spirit here is the witness of Peter’s statement to all the House of Israel in Acts 2:36: “Therefore let all the House of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, Whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Let us not follow the blunder of Christians who teach that Israel was set aside at Calvary and that Paul’s dispensation of grace began on the clay of Pentecost.

On the day of Pentecost twelve men stood up. Acts 2:14. Their audience was made up of devout Jews from every nation under heaven. Acts 2:5. There were some Gentile proselytes in the audience. Acts 2:10. The message was for all the House of Israel, twelve tribes. Acts 2:36. One of the Twelve later addressed a message to the twelve tribes of Israel. James 1:1. We have also read, in Acts 12:1 and 2, that James, the brother of John, was killed, and that reduced those who were apostles before Paul to ELEVEN. When the number ceased to be “TWELVE” the Lord ceased to record, in Acts, the activities of Peter and the Ten except as they had dealings with Paul. In the last sixteen chapters of Acts Paul is mentioned more than 100 times.

We find, in Acts 13:7 to 17, the record of the dispensational miracle, the salvation of a Gentile, because of the blindness of a Jew sent by God. This was the beginning of the turning away from Israel as a nation. This turning away is stated in Acts 13:46. We learned that Peter’s message in Acts 5:29 to 12 was addressed to Israel. In the warning of Acts 13:40 and 41 we learn that God’s judgment upon Israel, as a nation, had not yet taken place. Let us see by studying the Book of Acts that God deferred for nearly 40 years the awful judgment pronounced upon Israel in Luke 21:20 to 24. It is true that Christ, in Matthew 23:30 to 39, called them “serpents” and announced the desolation of Israel. But in Luke 21:20 to 24 we learn that that desolation would be when armies were surrounding Jerusalem.

The Lord deferred His wrath and gave Israel another chance. Christ, on the cross, prayed for their forgiveness. Then note the message of love and mercy delivered to them in Acts 3:12 to 26. Later on Israel committed the unpardonable sin and because of that sin and God’s judgment salvation was sent to the Gentiles.

ISRAEL SET ASIDE

Some Christians teach that God ceased His dealings with “the House of Israel” as a nation, when Christ was crucified and that “the House of God” of I Timothy 3:15 had its historical beginning on the day of Pentecost, or a few weeks before that day. You will observe that “the House of God” in I Timothy 3:15 and 16, is mentioned in connection with a great mystery. Others teach that the Lord dealt with “the House of Israel” as a nation and as an Israelitish church up to the close of Acts and then, “the House of God” of I Timothy 3:15 began. The careful student of the Book of Acts will note that the casting away of Israel and the reconciling of the Gentiles was gradual rather than abrupt.

“The House of God” in Ephesians 3:6, is called the Joint-Body and a Secret not made known to Israel’s prophets (3:5). Certainly it was not made known to the Twelve in their ministry in the first chapters of Acts. The Eleven contended with Peter for preaching to a Gentile. Acts 11:1 to 7. Peter himself said it was unlawful until God gave him the housetop vision. Acts 10:28. Certainly no “mystery” began on the day of Pentecost when everything was in fulfillment of Scriptures. There was not yet the Joint-Body of Ephesians 3:6 when Cornelius was converted. Not one of the Twelve ever used the word “Body” in referring to the Church. The Body is the Church of God. But the Church of God was not necessarily the Body.

THE END OF ISRAEL’S DAY

God’s all day long to the Jews, extended this side of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. In Acts 3:26 Peter said to the Jews, “unto you first.” In Acts 13:46 and Acts 18:5 and 6, Paul said to the Jews, “unto you first.”

Surely Acts 28:25 to 28 marked a crisis in the history of Israel. So did the stoning of Stephen in the seventh chapter of Acts. But Romans 11:15 marked the end of Israel’s day, so far as their priority rights, special privileges and any Kingdom offer were concerned. Israel was cast away and reconciliation was sent to Gentiles.

Today God could truly say, “all day long have I given Gentiles the opportunity to be saved by grace.” Let us remember, “If God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He spare not thee (Gentiles).” When will God’s day of grace end? He knows. We can only say, “it may be today.”

BUT AS TO ISRAEL’S FUTURE

We have looked into Israel’s past. Let us see something of their glorious future. Read carefully Ezekiel 37:22 to 28. We quote a few of God’s promises to and concerning Israel:

“I will save them”—“I will cleanse them”—“So shall they be My people, and I will be their God.”—“David My servant, shall be king over them. “—“They shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob wherever your fathers have dwelt . . . They shall dwell therein, they and their children and their children’s children for ever.”

Read also Ezekiel 36:24 to 38, for some very interesting information concerning Israel’s future. Note the Lord’s statement in Ezekiel 36:37:

“Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.”

In this chapter we read,

“I will take you from among the Gentiles and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you to your own land.” “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.” “And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden . . .”

Here we are reminded of God’s promise in Isaiah 62:1 to 4:

“For Zion’s sake will I not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see Thy righteousness, and all kings Thy glory; and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephizibah, and thy land Beulah; for the Lord delighted in thee, and thy land shall be married.”

In contemplating the wonderful future of Israel and Jerusalem, let us remember the Word of the Lord in Ezekiel 36:22 and Romans 11:26 to 28:

“Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.” Ezekiel 36: 22.

“And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is My Covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.” Romans 11:26 to 28.

Thus we see that the Lord is to do wonderful things for Israel and Jerusalem for His own holy name’s sake and because His gifts and calling are without repentance.

About 1495 B.C. the children of Israel were led out of Egyptian bondage. Why?

“AND GOD HEARD THEIR GROANINGS AND GOD REMEMBERED HIS COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM, WITH ISAAC AND WITH JACOB. AND GOD LOOKED UPON THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND GOD HAD RESPECT UNTO THEM.” Exodus 2:24 and 25.

God remembered His covenant with Abraham. He will do that again and again deliver Israel. Romans 11:26 to 29.

Note again Jeremiah 23:7 and 8: “Therefore behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that they shall no more say, The Lord liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But the Lord liveth, which brought up and led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land. “

Yes, we can surely believe that things are going to happen for Israel and for Jerusalem. But until the coming, and reign of the Messiah and King, Whom they rejected and put to death, the individual unbelieving Jews are headed for an awful judgment. Note God’s Word in Romans 2:6: “. . . God; Who will render to every man according to His deeds.” “Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile.” Romans 2:9.

Here is God’s message for Jews and Gentiles in this day of grace: “For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:11 to 13.

Note carefully II Timothy 1:8:

“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God”

Most Christian preachers and most people are ashamed of Paul and the mystery, and ashamed of the specific testimony of the Lord which Paul here refers to. Only those who suffer for proclaiming the mystery are the partakers of the afflictions of the gospel mentioned in II Timothy 1:8; for in verse nine we are told it refers to that purpose of God which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before Adam was created, but was manifested by the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” II Timothy 1:10 and 11. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us, that denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11 to 13. So this is saving grace. Note II Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” This is enabling grace. Then this is teaching grace. As members of the Body of Christ, saved by grace, we shall not be ashamed and we shall look for the blessed hope. All of this is quite different from the Lord Jesus as the Son of man, on His earthly throne in Matthew 25:31 to 41. Now let us compare

Matthew 10:5 to 8 and 23

“THESE TWELVE JESUS SENT FORTH, AND COMMANDED THEM, SAYING, GO NOT INTO THE WAY OF THE GENTILES, AND INTO ANY CITY OF THE SAMARITANS ENTER YE NOT: BUT GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, AND AS YE GO PREACH, SAYING, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND. HEAL THE SICK, CLEANSE THE LEPERS, RAISE THE DEAD, CAST OUT DEVILS, FREELY YE HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE.” “BUT WHEN THEY PERSECUTE YOU IN THIS CITY, FLEE YE INTO ANOTHER; FOR VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, YE SHALL NOT HAVE GONE OVER THE CITIES OF ISRAEL, TILL THE SON OF MAN BE COME.”

Titus 2:11 to 13

“FOR THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGETH SALVATION HATH APPEARED TO ALL MEN, TEACHING US THAT, DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS, WE SHOULD LIVE SOBERLY, RIGHTEOUSLY, AND GODLY, IN THIS PRESENT WORLD: LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.”

I Timothy 1:11 and 5:23

“ACCORDING TO THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF THE BLESSED GOD, WHICH WAS COMMITTED TO MY TRUST” (PAUL). “USE A LITTLE WINE FOR THEIR OFTEN SICKNESSES.”

As we compare these programs we wonder why any of God’s people are so foolish as to condemn “dispensational” Bible study. There is only one intelligent Divine principle to be employed by members of the Body of Christ for the interpretation, appropriation, and application of Divine Truth recorded before the Lord Jesus Christ gave Paul, by special revelation, the dispensation of the grace of God. This principle is to study all the Old Testament Scriptures, Genesis, the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms in the light of the Pauline “grace” message contained in Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, II Timothy, and other Epistles.

Jesus Christ, on earth, was a Minister of the circumcision, with a message in fulfillment of Scripture (Romans 15:8). The Holy Spirit led Paul to write II Corinthians 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.” Therefore, the earthly ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, and the ministry of the twelve apostles, in the first eleven chapters of Acts, must be studied in the light of the same Pauline Truth concerning Christ and the members of His Body. The dispensation of grace was given to Paul to supplement and supersede Christ’s “confirmation” ministry to Israel concerning the kingdom of heaven. This kingdom is in abeyance during this parenthetical period.

This does not mean that any intelligent, spiritual child of God will be guilty of a wholesale discard of God’s Divine messages given before Christ came, during His earthly ministry, or given to the Twelve thereafter. But we must have some better Divine principle for the appropriation or elimination of the truth of God in other ages than the “hit-and-miss” “snatch-grab” method employed by most Christians.

There is a sense in which all Scripture is to be interpreted and applied as to whether it was given before or after the great event declared in Acts 14:27: “And when they were come and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”

THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL

“Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself.” Ephesians 1:9.

Here we have the fact that God hath made known “the mystery of His will.” In connection with that revealed secret, note the truth of verse eleven: “In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.” Because this particular phase of God’s will was predestinated by God, but not disclosed by Him until it was made known to and by the Apostle Paul, it was called “the mystery of God’s will.”

PROPHESIED AND UNPROPHESIED

God’s will for His people was expressed in the Old Testament Scriptures. In those Scriptures we find God’s prophesied will; but the will of God given to any generation of His people, or prophesied in the Scriptures for some future generation of His people, would not be called “the mystery of His will.” “The mystery of God’s will” refers to “the eternal purpose” of God in Christ Jesus, the purpose given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. Note again Ephesians 1:4: “According as He hath chosen us in Him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” Ephesians 3:11: “According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” II Timothy 1:9: “Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” Also note Romans 8:28 to 30.

From generations and ages God withheld His sacred and glorious secret. Colossians 1:26. But after God made known “the mystery,” His desire was, and is, that His servants make all to see what is “the dispensation of the mystery” which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God. Ephesians 3:9. Note the duty of the Lord’s servants expressed in I Corinthians 4:1 and 2: “Let a man so account of us, as the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Now let us note Paul’s testimony in Ephesians 3:1 to 6: “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same Body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel.”

What method did God employ to make known the mystery of His will? “How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery.” Not unto Peter, or any of his fellow-apostles; but unto Paul. “My knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” When other saints read they were to understand Paul’s knowledge in the mystery of Christ, and then make others see it.

The Apostle Paul wanted to tell many others concerning this glorious truth, hence his request for prayer: “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:19 and 20.

SATAN’S OPPOSITION TO THE MYSTERY

Sometimes we wonder at the power of Satan and what success he has in hindering the servants of the Lord. Note Paul’s words to the Thessalonians, in I Thessalonians 2:18: “Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again, but Satan hindered us.”

Paul wrote the Epistle to the Ephesians from the Roman jail. He was the prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ for the Gentiles. He was in jail for the secret. Satan was determined that the secret should not be told. God wanted all to see the dispensation of the mystery: “To the intent that now unto principalities and powers in the heavenlies might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God.” Ephesians 3:10. In Ephesians 6:12, we learn that Satan had much to do with the principalities and powers in the heavenlies. It was in that connection that Paul instructed saints to put on the whole armour of God to stand against the wiles of the devil; and he closed by urging every saint in the Body of Christ to pray that utterance might be given unto him to open his mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel. If that courageous uncompromising, fearless apostle needed prayer for utterance and boldness, surely ordinary saints like us need much more.

But Satan has the great majority of church leaders so interested in their denominational religious program that they are utterly ignorant of the fact that there is such a truth in the Bible, as “the mystery of God’s will,”—“the dispensation of the mystery”—“the mystery of Christ”— “the mystery of the gospel”. And so they never open their mouths boldly, or any other way, to make known “the mystery.”

Other Fundamentalists, who are looked up to as spiritual leaders, and authority on dispensationalism, are like the lawyers of whom Christ on earth spoke. He said, “Ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” Luke 11:52. These brethren make little or no effort to open their mouths boldly to make known the mystery, but, on the other hand, they help the devil out by opposing the servants of Christ who are seeking to do God’s will in this respect.

Then there are some dear brethren who call themselves “diplomats.” They are like Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night, or like Peter who practiced duplicity at Antioch because he feared them that were of the circumcision. Galatians 2:11 to 15. These brethren keep their mouths closed concerning their knowledge of the mystery to keep peace in the camp, and incidentally to keep themselves in good standing for speaking engagements and financial offerings.

Of course Paul could have been such a diplomat, compromiser, or coward, and kept out of jail; but his motto in Christian service was Galatians 1:10: “For do I now persuade men or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” He fought a good fight. He kept the faith. In I Timothy 1:16, the Holy Spirit presents Paul as the pattern for believers. In the midst of his afflictions and bonds, Paul wrote from the jail, “Brethren be followers together of me.” Philippians 3:17.

But what is the duty of every child of God, every member of the Body of Christ who claims to be the Lord’s servant? His duty, with respect to this profound and glorious truth, is to open his mouth boldly and to make it known. But before that saint endeavors to make known the mystery of His will, he should be taught it in God’s specific way as given in Ephesians 1:17 to 19:

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; The eyes of your understanding being enlightened: that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.” Ephesians 3:16 to 19: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

May we ask you a few questions?

One—Does not God tell us in Ephesians 1:9 that He has made known His secret, and that that secret has to do with His predestinated purpose, which means, that members of Christ’s Body were chosen in Christ before the world began?

Two—Does not the Apostle Paul tell us that he was the Lord’s first human depository of that glorious truth; that he was selected by the Lord to preach this truth, which he calls “the unsearchable riches of Christ”?

Three—Does not God want all members of the Body of Christ to see the dispensation of the mystery which had been hid in God, and hid from generations and ages until made known to Paul by Christ, by revelation?

Four—If you are a saint, does not the Lord want you to know the mystery of God’s will and then to open your mouth boldly and so utter this truth that your fellow-saints may know it? Any intelligent and honest believer, who will carefully read Ephesians, will answer “yes” to these four questions. Then remember God’s Word, “to him that knoweth to do right and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

Of course the young preacher feels a timidity in speaking out boldly concerning this truth when he observes that the older Christian leaders, who are supposed to be big Bible teachers, keep their mouths closed, either because of ignorance or cowardice. What a pity! For this truth is the most wonderful truth in the Bible for saints. The devil does not want it made known; he does not want any to see the mystery of the gospel. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit want every saint to know it, and talk it over with other saints, and tell it to other members of the Body of Christ.

Now carefully consider before answering this question: Do you know a loyal, zealous denominationalist who is endeavouring to make known the mystery? Certainly not. Do you know one zealous immersionist or baptizer who is making the mystery known? Certainly not. For none of them know what the mystery is. The knowledge of just one aspect of the mystery is sufficient to deliver any member of the Body of Christ from sectarianism, or any kind of religious water ceremony. The entire truth concerning the mystery of God’s will, the dispensation of the mystery, is centered around the making of the One New Man of Ephesians 2:15, the revelation of the secret of Ephesians 5:31 and 32, that members of Christ’s Body and Christ are one flesh; that God, under the dispensation of grace, is building one Church, and only one, the Body of Christ, the fulness of Christ, called in Ephesians 3:6, the Joint-Body.

How can any enthusiastic, zealous Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Episcopalian, or Baptist, who is devoting his time to the building up of his denomination, make known the mystery of God’s will, when he himself is going contrary to that will by his sectarian activities?

The mystery includes much more than the “oneness” of believers.

Jews and Gentiles in Christ are in one Body. This is one phase of the mystery. The mystery is the remedy for every ‘ ‘ism’ and ill with which the Church of Christ is afflicted, and the Holy Spirit wants the members of the .Body to be established in this high and blessed truth so that they will be no longer children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. Ephesians 4:14.

Dr. Luke, who wrote the third Gospel and the Book of Acts, was a faithful courageous, uncompromising servant of the Lord. More than thirty years after the Lord Jesus died on the cross Paul wrote to the Colossians, “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.” Colossians 4:4. Some time later Paul wrote to Timothy, “Demas hath forsaken me,” “Only Luke is with me.” Take Mark and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” II Timothy 4: 10 and 11. Mark and Luke were Gospel writers, but not of the twelve apostles. Luke was faithful to Paul until the end of his life. Undoubtedly Dr. Luke outlived Paul. Note Paul’s words in II Timothy 1:15 and 4:16:

“This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.” “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me; I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.”

“All they which are in Asia be turned away from me; all forsook me.”

Then Demas forsook Paul. Paul was deserted. Humanly speaking he must have been lonely. “ONLY LUKE IS WITH ME.” How he appreciated and loved Luke for his faithfulness. Dr. Luke joined the Apostle Paul at the time Paul received his call to go to Macedonia.

“And after he had seen the vision immediately WE endeavoured to go into Macedonia.” Acts 16:10.

That was about 53 A. D. By marking “WE” in the Book of Acts after 16:10 much can be learned concerning Luke’s faithfulness in the Lord’s service and his loyalty to Paul. Luke entered Europe with Paul and was with him when he was arrested at Philippi. Acts 16:16. Note this statement, “these men, being Jews.” Acts 16:20. When Paul went to Jerusalem expecting plenty of trouble and persecution, Luke accompanied him, after Luke had joined with others endeavouring to persuade Paul not to hazard his life in Jerusalem. Acts 21:12. Paul was ready to die for Christ. Acts 21:12. And Luke went with him to face death. Acts 21:14 and 17. Later on, when Paul and many others were shipwrecked on the dark, stormy sea, Luke was with him on part of the wreck that reached shore. Acts 27:19 and 37. Luke was with Paul when he reached Rome. Acts 28:15 and 16.

So we must decide that Dr. Luke was a faithful, courageous and uncompromising servant of the Lord. We cannot understand why the Holy Spirit did not lead some inspired writer to record the virtues and heroic deeds of this remarkable character, but we can understand why he was honored by being himself a chosen inspired servant to write one of the most important Books in the Bible, the Book of Acts, and also the longest message in the New Testament Scriptures, for, although Matthew and Acts each have 28 chapters, yet Luke contains more words than either of those Books. But some man of God said, “Dr. Luke, you got us into plenty of controversy with your Book of Acts.”

LUKE—A JEW OR A GENTILE?

We know that all of the sixty-six Books of the Bible were dictated by the same infallible Divine Spirit. In writing sixty-four of these Books, we are sure that the Holy Spirit used Jewish men. Why make an exception in the case of Luke and Acts? Certainly no one of the Four Gospels is more Jewish than is Luke. Some men believe that Luke was a Gentile because in his Gospel and the Book of Acts he opens with a message to Theophilus. Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1. Others believe that Luke was a proselyte (a Gentile in the Jews’ religion) at the time he became a Christian. Let each carefully study the record and decide for himself.

IS LUKE’S GOSPEL A JEWISH MESSAGE?

Let us carefully note Luke 19:9 and 10:

“And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as HE ALSO IS A SON OF ABRAHAM. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

“And ought not this woman, being A DAUGHTER OF ABRAHAM, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” Luke 13:16.

“And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus he sent unto Him THE ELDERS OF THE JEWS, beseeching Him that He would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought Him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom He should do this: FOR HE LOVETH OUR NATION, AND HE HATH BUILT US A SYNAGOGUE. Then Jesus went with them. And when He was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying unto Him, Lord, trouble not Thyself: for I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I am also a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, He marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed Him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.” Luke 7:2 to 10.

This incident is one of the keys to the Book of Luke. This Gentile man built a synagogue for Israel. He loved Israel. He was of great faith. He was the only Gentile man who received a blessing from the Lord Jesus on earth according to the Record.

In these incidents surely we have the proof that, in the Gospel of Luke, as well as in Matthew and Mark, Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision.

“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” (Romans 15:8.) Note Christ’s words recorded in Matthew 15:24:

“But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Salvation came to Zaccheus because he was “the son of Abraham.” The Son of man came to seek and save the sons of Abraham. Later on the same Christ sent the Apostle Paul to seek and to save all the sons of Adam. Acts 22:17 to 21. Romans 15:16. Jesus Christ was Israel’s promised Shepherd, Messiah and King. This Shepherd was to seek the lost sheep, Israel:

“And I will set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord, have spoken it.” Ezekiel 34: 23 and 24. “And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them.” “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. A new heart also will I give you, and new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” “And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be My people, and I will be your God.” “As the holy flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men. and they shall know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 36:19, 24, 26, 28 and 38. “And David My servant, shall be King over them; and they all shall have one Shepherd. They shall also walk in My judgments, and observe My statutes and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.” Ezekiel 37:24 and 25.

THE EXPECTANCY AND THE REJECTION

It is interesting to read the statement of Luke 3:15:

“AND AS THE PEOPLE (ISRAEL) WERE IN EXPECTATION, AND ALL MEN MUSED IN THEIR HEARTS OF JOHN, WHETHER HE WERE THE MESSIAH, OR NOT.”

Knowing the ninth chapter of Daniel, the Jewish teachers had taught their people that it was about time for their King and Messiah to visit the earth, in fulfillment of Isaiah 34:19. Surely the Lord Jesus was Israel’s Messiah and Shepherd-King. He proved it in every way. He had the Divine right, the human birth-right and the legal right to the throne of David. He was born to take that throne and reign over the house of Jacob forever. Luke 1:27 to 33.

But Israel said, “We will not have this man to reign over us.” Luke 19:14. Then followed those solemn and significant words of Christ to Israel. Let us try to visualize as we hear His words in 19:41 to 45.

“AND WHEN HE (JESUS) WAS COME NEAR, HE BEHELD THE CITY, AND WEPT OVER IT”

“SAYING, IF THOU HADST KNOWN EVEN THOU AT LEAST IN THIS THY DAY, THE THINGS WHICH BELONG UNTO THY PEACE BUT NOW THEY ARE HID FROM THINE EYES.”

Then read the terrible judgment which the Lord Jesus pronounced upon them. Read Luke 19:43 and 44. Then note Luke 21:22 to 24, “These be the days of vengeance,” “There shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.”

“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

Why? Because Israel knew not the time of their visitation. Luke 19:44. But remember the Shepherd of Israel is coming back, and they shall say, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” Luke 19:35.

JESUS CHRIST ISRAEL’S SHEPHERD KING

David was the Lord’s anointed. Saul was rejected. David, the shepherd, was specifically sought out by the Lord and chosen to be the Lord’s king. David’s throne was moved to Jerusalem, according to the Lord’s instructions. – David reigned in Jerusalem over the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

“He chose David also His servant, and took him from the sheep folds.” Psalms 78:70. “I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn unto David My servant.” “I have found David, My servant; with My holy oil have I anointed him.” “Once have I sworn by My holiness that I will not lie unto David.” “Lord, where are Thy former lovingkindnesses, which Thou swarest unto David in Thy Truth?” Psalms 89: 3, 20, 35 and 49.

David was the son of Jesse and descended from Judah, from Israel and from Abraham. David was a Jew by race and by religion. He was born in Bethlehem, afterwards known as “the City of David.” David was Israel’s shepherd-king. Many times in the Scriptures the Israelites are called sheep.

“My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.” “Israel is a scattered sheep: the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him: and last this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.” Jeremiah 50:6 and 17.

Then note Isaiah 53:6.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

“My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.” “As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.” Ezekiel 34:6 and 12.

All Christians love the twenty-third Psalm. All Jews should also love this Psalm. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”

In Luke 1:27 is recorded the fact that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was of the house of David. In Luke 1:69 is recorded the fact that Israel’s Horn of salvation was raised up in the house of David. In Revelation 22:16 Jesus Christ is called the root and offspring of David. Note the prophecy concerning King Jesus in Jeremiah 23:5. In Luke 2:10 to 14 is recorded the fact that Jesus the King was born in David’s city, Bethlehem. David was anointed with oil. I Samuel 16:13. Jesus Christ was anointed with the oil of gladness. Hebrews 1:9. “Christ” means “the Anointed.” In Luke 1:29 to 33 is recorded the fact that Jesus Christ was born to occupy David’s throne.

Note the words of the Shepherd-King in Luke 15:4:

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”

Luke 19:9 and 10: “And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost.”

Matthew 15:24: “But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

John 10:11 and 14: “I am the Good Shepherd: The Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” “I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of mine.”

Hebrews 13:20: “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.”

I Peter 2: 25: “For ye were as sheep going astray: but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

I Peter 5:4: “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

In fulfillment of Ezekiel 34:11 and 12 the Lord Jesus came to be Israel’s seeking Shepherd:

“He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those who are with young.” “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance.” Isaiah 40:11 and 12. “Hear the Word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattereth Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd doth his flock.” Jeremiah 31:10. “And I will set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them, even My servant David; He shall feed them and He shall be their Shepherd.” Ezekiel 34:23. The Israelites were the sheep of His pasture: “So we Thy people and sheep of Thy pasture will give Thee thanks for ever.”

CHRIST IN THE SYNAGOGUE AND TEMPLE

In the Gospel of Luke we find Jesus of Nazareth in the Jewish temple and in the Jewish synagogue time and again. In fact more is said in Luke’s Record about this particular ministry than in any of the other three Records.

It is in Luke’s Gospel that we have the dedication of Jesus by His Jewish mother, His circumcision, His customary attendance in the Nazareth synagogue. Luke 2:17 to 30. Luke 4:16. But Luke is not the Gentile Gospel, as some have stated. It is Jewish or Israelitish. In Luke there is not even the record of Christ’s ministry in Samaria or his conversation with the Syro- Phoenician Gentile woman. In Luke the Shepherd-King is seeking the sons and daughters of Abraham, the lost sheep of Israel.

To those whom He found and saved He said, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give ALMS.”

When you study Luke write over the first verse “Jesus Christ, the Son of David, Israel’s Shepherd-King.”

In recent years Bible teachers have talked much of “dispensationalism”, “studying the Bible dispensationally.” All Bible teachers, who are attempting to teach the Bible dispensationally, are sure that they are instructed to employ their method of teaching in II Timothy 2:15, “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” In this verse, “rightly dividing” is translated from the Greek “orthotomeo”, which means, “to cut right,” “to properly dissect.”

The word “dispensational” is used for the want of a better word. Before we consider the Greek word translated “dispensation” several times in the Bible, let us read concerning.

THIS PRESENT EVIL AGE

“Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from THIS PRESENT EVIL AGE, according to the will of God and our Father.” Galatians 1:3 and 4. Believers are delivered from “this present evil age” by the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the will of God.

In II Timothy 4:10 we read, “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present age.” In II Corinthians 4:4, we read that Satan is, “the god of this age.” Then note II Thessalonians 2:7 to 9. The mystery of lawlessness is working and the culmination of this evil age will be the reign of the lawless one, the man of sin, the servant of the god of this age.

GRACE MORE ABOUNDING

In this present evil age, with the mystery of lawlessness at work, sin is abounding. “But where sin abounded grace did much more over-abound.” Romans 5:20. God’s overabounding grace is sufficient for the salvation of the vilest sinner on the earth.

Certainly then if this age is called “this present evil age”, because of abounding sin and the power of the god of this age, it should also be called “the age of grace”, because of the grace more abounding than the abounding sin. We do know that after God has finished His purpose in this age, the “kingdom age” will follow. Then there will be other ages after the coming “kingdom age.”

“That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:7.

Then note Colossians 1:26:

“Even the mystery which hath been HID FROM AGES and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints.”

Here we learn that the risen Christ revealed Divine truth which God did not make known to the sons of men in other ages. “Which IN OTHER AGES was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs (joint-heirs) and of the same Body (Joint-Body), and partakers (joint-sharers) of His promise in Christ by the gospel.” Ephesians 3:5 and 6.

Noah’s ancestors lived before the flood. We have the right to speak of that period (1656 years) as “the antediluvian age.” “Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.” II Peter 3:6.

We have the Scriptural right to speak of “the dispensation of the law”. “the economy of law”, “the reign of law”, from the day that Moses was on Mount Sinai, about 1500 B.C. until after the death and resurrection of Christ. But we might not speak scripturally correct, if we speak of “the law age.” However, there was a definite period of time when God governed His people, according to the law, under the reign of law. It is not difficult to mark when the “law dispensation” began in Exodus 20, but it is not any simple matter to mark when in the “Acts” period the reign of law ceased. Acts 10:28.

In Matthew 12:32 the Lord Jesus, on earth, spoke of the age in which He lived under the law as, “this age”. Although we say that we are living in 1941 A.D., or 1941 years after the Lord Jesus was born, this present “age of grace” did not begin with the birth of Christ. It began after the resurrection of Christ, after the call of the Apostle Paul.

THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE

“FOR THIS CAUSE I PAUL, THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST FOR YOU GENTILES, IF YE HAVE HEARD OF THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN ME TO YOU-WARD; HOW THAT BY REVELATION HE MADE KNOWN UNTO ME THE MYSTERY; AS I WROTE AFORE IN FEW WORDS.” Ephesians 3:1 to 3.

The Lord Jesus Christ committed unto Paul “the dispensation of the grace of God.” Note Paul’s testimony, in I Corinthians 9:17.

“For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, A DISPENSATION” is committed unto me.” Note again Paul’s testimony, in Colossians 1:25 and 26.

“WHEREOF I AM MADE A MINISTER, ACCORDING TO THE DISPENSATION OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN TO ME FOR YOU, TO FULFIL THE WORD OF GOD; EVEN THE MYSTERY WHICH HATH BEEN HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS, BUT NOW IS MADE MANIFEST TO HIS SAINTS.”

The Greek word translated, “dispensation” is “oikonomia”. This literally means “houselaw”. This word is translated “stewardship”, in Luke 16:2, 3 and 4.

In I Corinthians 4:1 and 2, we are told that ministers of Christ are “stewards” of the mysteries of God,. and that they should be faithful stewards. The word stewards is, “oikonomos” This word, in Galatians 4:2, is translated, “governors”. Our English for “oikonomia” is “economy”.

To Paul was committed a Divine “economy.” Then note Ephesians 1:10 and 3:9: “THAT IN THE DISPENSATION OF THE FULNESS OF TIMES HE MIGHT GATHER TOGETHER IN ONE ALL THINGS IN CHRIST, BOTH WHICH ARE IN HEAVEN, AND WHICH ARE ON EARTH; EVEN IN HIM.”

“AND TO MAKE ALL MEN SEE WHAT IS THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY, WHICH FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD HATH BEEN HID IN GOD, WHO CREATED ALL THINGS BY JESUS CHRIST.”

A DISPENSATION NOT NECESSARILY AN AGE

We see that a dispensation is not necessarily an age. As we might correctly speak of “the law period,” “the dispensation of law,” and mean by either expression, the reign of law for more than 1500 years, we might use either the expression, “this age of grace” or “the present dispensation of grace.” But in I Corinthians 9:17, when Paul said, “a dispensation is committed unto me”, he was not saying, “an age is committed unto me.”

The dispensation, of Colossians 1:24 to 26, committed unto Paul, the faithful steward, was a specific task, “to complete the Word of God with the Mystery.”

God wants all Christians to see “the dispensation of the mystery”; but when the Father of glory has made the truth known to His child, it is no longer a mystery, or a secret, so far as that particular child is concerned. “Having made known the mystery of His will.” Ephesians 1:9. What the Lord really wants the Christian to know is, when and to whom, and by whom, that secret was revealed, what is its breadth, and length, and depth, and height, what is God’s spiritual program for His children who are seated in the heavenlies with Christ. How can the members of Christ’s Body walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called (Ephesians 4:1 and 2), if they know not what their vocation is?

“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God.” Ephesians 3:10.

Think this over seriously and prayerfully.

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY

Dispensational Bible students perhaps become confused at times and fail to clarify their teaching concerning “ages” and “dispensations”. God may have more than one dispensation for one age.

All Christians who have gone very far in obedience to II Timothy 2:15, “rightly dividing the Word of truth”, have learned that in the ministry of the twelve apostles, from the day Jesus of Nazareth called them (Matthew 10:5 to 8 and 10:23) until the day the same Jesus of Nazareth met Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1 to 15), and for some time thereafter, God was carrying on a two-fold program. He was not baptizing believing Jews and Gentiles into the same Body, according to Ephesians 3:6 and I Corinthians 12:13. God was very definitely presenting the Messianic kingdom to Israel and her rulers, while He was offering salvation to individual Israelites. But remember Matthew 10:5, Matthew 15:24 and Acts 10:28, that during those years the Lord’s ministry was not to Gentiles.

We rightly divide the Word of truth, when we speak of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ as “the days of the Son of man.” In preaching to Israel and to Cornelius note the Lord’s message.

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; JESUS OF NAZARETH, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him IN THE MIDST OF YOU, as ye yourselves also know.” Acts 2:22.

“How God anointed JESUS OF NAZARETH with the Holy Spirit and with power; Who went about doing good. and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both IN THE LAND OF THE JEWS, and IN JERUSALEM; Whom they slew and hanged on a tree.” Acts 10:38 and 39.

It was concerning “JESUS OF NAZARETH.” Note Paul’s “henceforth” in II Corinthians 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.”

“The days of the Son of man” are coming again. “As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also “IN THE DAYS OF THE SON OF MAN.” Luke 17:26.

Unto Peter was given the commission of Matthew 10:5, the so-called “great commission” of Matthew 28:19 and 20, “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” of Matthew 16:16 to 19, “the gospel of the circumcision” of Galatians 2:7. And for some reason he even addressed his Epistle to “the dispersed Israelites.” I Peter 1:1 to 3.

But read concerning the Lord’s commissions, revelations and messages given to Paul:

CHRIST AND PAUL

“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Acts 13:2.

“Will send thee far hence to the Gentiles.” Acts 22:21.

“That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:16.

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20: 24.

“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.” Galatians 1:11 and 12.

“But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter.” Galatians 2:7. “Now to Him that is of power to establish 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.” Romans 16:25.

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” II Timothy 1:9.

“Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” II Timothy 1:11.

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holiday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days.” Colossians 2: 16.

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:8.

“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:19 and 20.

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given td me for you, to fulfil the Word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints.” Colossians 1: 25 and 26.

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward.” Ephesians 3: and 2.

God instructs His children to test things that differ. Philippians 1:10. Even the superficial student of the Scriptures claims to know the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament; but even the great majority of these teach that the Old Testament began with Adam instead of with Moses, and that the New Testament began with the birth of Jesus Christ instead of after His death and resurrection. All “grace” preachers contend earnestly for the difference between “the dispensation of law” and “the dispensation of grace”, and they even attempt to show the difference between “the kingdom age” and the dispensation of the grace of God. Most of them have followed the faulty dispensationalism of the Plymouth Brethren, the Scofield Bible, and the outstanding Bible Schools of America by ignoring Paul’s positive statements, in Ephesians 3:1 to 9, and erroneously teaching that God inaugurated “the dispensation of the mystery” on the day of Pentecost, and began on that Jewish feast day to baptize members into the Joint-Body of Ephesians 3:6, “the Church of the Mystery”.

PENTECOST AND THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE

Of course they do not know what to do with the Pentecostal message of Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16, baptism as a washing and for the remission of sins. They do not sell their houses and lots, put their money in the common treasury, as all of the disciples did during that Pentecostal period. Acts 2:44 and 45 and Acts 4:34. Secretly, of, course, many of them are troubled about the signs, of Mark 16:16 to 18, because they know they are twisting and corrupting the Scriptures when they change the order and preach “he that believeth and is saved shall be baptized”, and “forget the signs”. They do not know what to do with those people in Samaria who received water baptism several days before they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:5 to 15. They do not know what has become of the signgifts of I Corinthians 12:8 to 11, but they get such a blessing putting people under the water they just forget them. They know they have no visitations from angels, no miraculous jail deliverances by angels or earthquakes, no blessed handkerchiefs, or aprons, but they have settled down complacently to these inconsistencies, and they are banded together with a grim determination that no fellow-saint shall proclaim Divine truth that will deliver the Church from such confusion. They boycott, persecute, and disfellowship. They cry “Bullingerism” “hyperdispensationalism”, “ultradispensationalism”.

In the meantime, the Pentecostalists are capitalizing on the faulty dispensationalism of the “grace” preachers, and they are possessing much land. The “grace” preachers, who begin this present economy on the day of Pentecost, have no Scriptural answer to the Pentecostalists and other healing fanatics.

One leader among the Fundamentalists has been very bitter against Pauline truth. He slams and slanders any brethren who have tried to straighten out the saints that he has led into confusion by mixing Peter’s kingdom circumcision message with the Pauline gospel and truth concerning the Church of the Mystery. This man of God was formerly pastor of a large denominational church. He chuckled with delight when he led several hundred of those members out of that denominational organization. He had the right to be delighted when he led them from “under the law”. But he led them from “under the law” to “under the water”. He got them partly into the dispensation of grace. But how he did scold, and fuss, and fume, and fight when another servant of the Lord led them from “under the water” into the full sunlight of God’s grace.

Then he joined in the cry against the rebels, “mark them that cause division”, “Bullingerites”, “hyperdispensationalism”. And so goes the battle. Thank God for the victories thus far. Many saints are now obeying Ephesians 3:9 who knew nothing of it a few years or a few months ago. What are you doing about it?

“AND TO MAKE ALL MEN SEE WHAT IS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY, WHICH FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD HATH BEEN HID IN GOO, WHO CREATED ALL THINGS BY JESUS CHRIST.” Ephesians 3: 9.

We read in the Bible of “the end of the age”, “the last days”, “then cometh the end”, and “the last time.”

We quote I John 2:18 and 19.

“LITTLE CHILDREN, IT IS THE LAST TIME; AND AS YE HAVE HEARD THAT ANTICHRIST SHALL COME, EVEN NOW ARE THERE MANY ANTICHRISTS; WHEREBY WE KNOW THAT IT IS THE LAST TIME. THEY WENT OUT FROM US, BUT THEY WERE NOT OF US; FOR IF THEY HAD BEEN OF US, THEY WOULD NO DOUBT HAVE CONTINUED WITH US; BUT THEY WENT OUT, THAT THEY MIGHT BE MADE MANIFEST THAT THEY WERE NOT ALL OF US.”

There were many antichrists in John’s day. There was a falling away. From the time of John, down through the centuries, the Church passed through some perilous times. There were many heretics, false-prophets and corrupt religious leaders in the Church. Even the fundamental doctrine of Christianity was lost to most professing Christians for centuries. But it was recovered when Martin Luther and others proclaimed “justification by faith.” All during that dark period of the history of the Christian Church there was a remnant of spiritual faithful saints who knew that their hope was the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ to take the members of His Body to heaven.

“For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself.” Philippians 3:20 and 21.

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ Who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:3 and 4.

Note what Paul wrote to the saints at Corinth. “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” I Corinthians 1:7 and I Corinthians 15:51 and 52.

Note what was written to the Hebrews “For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Hebrews 10:37.

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28.

The Christians of the first century were instructed to wait for, to look for, to confidently expect the Lord Jesus Christ to appear. They believed in the imminent coming of the Lord Jesus for His Church.

It is interesting to note the Greek word translated “shall come” in II Thessalonians 1:10. This word is “elthe”and should be translated “shall have come.” Note in II Thessalonians 1:7 to 9, that the return of the Lord Jesus Christ was expected in the first century. He would come in wrath and destruction upon the disobedient sinners. “When He shall have come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” II Thessalonians 1:10.

Now remember John’s statement, “it is the last time.” Note what John wrote in connection with this—“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” I John 3:2 and 3.

“And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” I John 2:28.

This hope of the coming of Christ was a vital, blessed, purifying hope. And we remember the words of the Lord Jesus, in Luke 14:14—“And thou shalt be blessed for they cannot recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”

At the time the Lord Jesus spoke these words none of His disciples knew any thing of the mystery of I Corinthians 15:51 and 52, or the blessed hope of Titus 2:13.

But all of the saints of the Lord were instructed by the Lord’s apostles to wait every day, and to look every moment for the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus for His Church. They believed in the imminent coming of the Lord Jesus for His Church. This is called by some Christians “the any-moment theory”. With those Christians it was no theory, but the blessed hope that caused them to be practical Christians., They were not told to wait until Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and the Emperor of Japan entered into a pact and conspiracy against the rest of the world, in 1940 A.D., before they could expect Christ to redeem their bodies. They were waiting for God’s Son from heaven in John’s day.

They knew the difference between the blessed hope of Titus 2:13, that Christ would appear for His Body, and the second coming of the Son of man for Israel’s redemption, and to judge the world, as recorded in Luke 21:27 to 32, and Matthew 25:31.

THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN

“AND THEN SHALL THEY SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. AND WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN TO COME TO PASS, THEN LOOK UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, FOR YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH. AND HE SPAKE TO THEM A PARABLE; BEHOLD THE FIG TREE, AND ALL THE TREES; WHEN THEY NOW SHOOT FORTH, YE SEE AND KNOW OF YOUR OWN SELVES THAT SUMMER IS NOW NIGH AT HAND SO LIKEWISE YE, WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS COME TO PASS, KNOW YE THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NIGH AT HAND. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, TILL ALL BE FULFILLED.” Luke 21:27 to 32.

“ When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.” Matthew 25:31.

This has nothing to do with the redemption of the Church. Members of the Body of Christ are already redeemed.

“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:5 to 7.

“Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:14.

“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30.

The bodies of the members of the Body of Christ will be redeemed by the appearing of Christ for His Church. Christ is not “the Son of man” to His Church.

When Christ comes for His Church He will find more Christians on this earth, and more faith on this earth, than ever before. There are more genuine Christians in Chicago today than ever lived at any one time in Jerusalem, Corinth, Ephesus, Rome, or in any other city. When the Lord Jesus comes for His Church there will be many faithful saints here. But when He comes as the Son of man to the earth, He will not find faith on the earth. Luke 18:8. Christ is not coming to the earth for the Church which is His Body. He is not coming to the earth for His Church. His Church is going to rise to meet Him. Christ is not coming for His Church as “the Son of man.” That is His title to Israel. Note again, Matthew 25:31—“When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.”

THE LAST DAYS OF ACTS

Now let us consider the last days of Acts 2:16 and 17 and Acts 15:16.

“But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.”

“After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.”

These verses should have very serious, diligent, prayerful consideration.

Here we have prophecies of Israel’s Old Testament prophets concerning Israel’s last days. The two prophets are Joel and Amos, Read carefully the second chapter of Joel and the last part of Amos, chapter nine, and you will learn that both of these Israelitish prophets wrote concerning the coming kingdom age of Israel. This present age of grace, during which the Body of Christ is being completed, is not Israel’s kingdom age; and therefore, neither Joel nor Amos was referring to this dispensation. Neither Joel nor Amos said one word about the beginning of this age, or about the course of this age, or about the culmination of this age. They were the sons of men in other ages to whom the Holy Spirit revealed nothing concerning “the Church of the Mystery.”

Note Colossians 1:24 to 26.

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His Body’s sake, which is the Church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints.”

This agrees with Ephesians 3:5 to 8.

“Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. That the Gentiles should be joint-heirs, and of the same (Joint) Body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel; Whereunto I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto Me by the effectual working of His power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.”

Truth concerning the Joint-Body, the Church of the Mystery, is called “the unsearchable (unprophesied) riches of Christ.” This truth was God’s mystery, God’s secret at the time Joel and Amos wrote concerning Israel’s “last days”. They knew nothing and therefore they wrote nothing concerning the Joint-Body of Ephesians 3:6, the Church of the Mystery.

Then surely we know that no member of the Body of Christ is receiving the Holy Spirit or any other spiritual blessing in fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. If members of Christ’s Body are being blessed with all spiritual blessings, in fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, or are becoming members of the Church of the Mystery, in fulfillment of Amos’ prophecy, then Paul was deluded when he wrote Colossians and Ephesians.

No! Paul did not err. He wrote to save us from the faulty dispensationalism of the present day Fundamentalists who teach that “the Church of the Mystery”, “the dispensation of the mystery” (Ephesians 3:9), “the dispensation of the grace of God for Gentiles” (Ephesians 3:1 to 3), “the unsearchable riches of Christ”, began on a Jewish holy day, Pentecost, when Peter used the keys of the kingdom of heaven to devout Jews from every nation under heaven. (Acts 2:5.

Note the clear language of Peter in Acts 2:16—Acts 3:24—Acts 15:15.

“BUT THIS IS THAT WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET JOEL.” “YEA, AND ALL THE PROPHETS FROM SAMUEL AND THOSE THAT FOLLOW AFTER, AS MANY AS HAVE SPOKEN, HAVE LIKEWISE FORETOLD OF THESE DAYS.”

“AND TO THIS AGREE THE WORDS OF THE PROPHETS; AS IT IS WRITTEN.”

All that Peter preached to Israel and concerning the salvation of the household of Cornelius was in fulfillment of, in agreement with, Joel, Amos, Moses, Samuel, David, and all of the other prophets who wrote. They foretold the program of Acts 15:14—“Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.” “To this agree the words of the prophets (Amos).”

Therefore this prophecy has no reference to the Church of the Mystery, concerning which Amos knew nothing.

The doctrine of “the any-moment coming of Christ for His Church” is wholly irreconcilable with the teaching that His coming is imminent because of what the Gentile rulers of Europe and Asia are doing at present.

It is a mistake, yea, a serious dispensational blunder to call “the last days” concerning Israel’s kingdom, the first days of the Church, or Body, of the mystery.

“The dispensation of the mystery” did not begin with Peter, Israel and Pentecost, but with Paul when and because Israel was set aside after the death of one of the twelve apostles. (Acts 12:1 and 2)

As long as the number of apostles remained twelve, (Peter and the eleven), God had a kingdom program for the twelve tribes of Israel. But note Acts 13:2—Acts 13:46 and Acts 14:27. “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

“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.”

“And when they were come, and had gathered the Church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”

A new movement began with Acts 13:46. God has not abandoned His program prophesied by Joel and Amos, concerning Israel’s last days. The kingdom is in abeyance. Israel’s kingdom covenants have been interrupted for a parenthetical “grace” period.

God will fulfill Acts 15:16—“After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.” Yes, He will pour out His Spirit, in fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, after the Church of the Mystery has been completed, “the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:23.

Note again Acts 3:24:

“Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.”

“These days”. What days? Not the days of the dispensation of the grace of God. Israel’s kingdom days.

THE END TIME

In the light of the foregoing we should be very careful to qualify the question, “Are we living in the end time?” What end time? The members of the Body of Christ will not be here during the “time of the end”, mentioned in Daniel. This present period is a parenthesis. Daniel received revelations and answers from the God of heaven, but nothing concerning the revelation of this age which Christ gave to Paul.

Every member of the Body of Christ should know the difference between “the signs of the times” and “the times of the signs,”. This is not the “sign” age. We are looking for the Son and not for signs. Let’s keep busy with God’s program as set forth in II Timothy 1:7 to 10 and Titus 2:11 to 14.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God: Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

We are not told to look to Europe for the coming of Christ. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.” Philippians 3:20 and 21.

In Galatians 3:19 we read, “the law was added.” In this lesson we shall answer the question, “to what was the law added?” Think of this question. Can you answer it? Then in Romans 5:20 we read, “the law entered”. In this lesson we shall answer the question, “when did the law enter ?” Of course you know the answer to this. The law was given by Moses. Moses was 80 years old when he received the tables of stone from Jehovah on Mount Sinai. But now these interesting statements in Romans 5:13 and 14.

WHEN THERE IS NO LAW FROM ADAM TO MOSES

“WHEREFORE, AS BY ONE MAN SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, AND DEATH BY SIN; AND SO DEATH PASSED UPON ALL MEN, FOR THAT ALL HAVE SINNED; (FOR UNTIL THE LAW SIN WAS IN THE WORLD; BUT SIN IS NOT IMPUTED WHEN THERE IS NO LAW. NEVERTHELESS DEATH REIGNED FROM ADAM TO MOSES, EVEN OVER THEM THAT HAD NOT SINNED AFTER THE SIMILITUDE OF ADAM’S TRANSGRESSION, WHO IS THE FIGURE OF HIM THAT WAS TO COME.” ROMANS 5:12 TO 14.

“MOREOVER THE LAW ENTERED, THAT THE OFFENCE MIGHT ABOUND. BUT WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND.” Romans 5:20.

Here we note that God has very definitely marked a period in His dealings with the human race, designated “from Adam to Moses”. This means, from the day that Adam sinned until the day Moses received the ten commandments for Israel at Sinai. How many years between the sin of Adam and the giving of the law? About 2500 years. How many years from the giving of the law until Jesus Christ, on the cross cried “finished”? About 1530 years. How many years from the day Moses received the law at Sinai until Paul wrote to members of the Body of Christ, “ye are not under the law; ye are under grace,” (Romans 6:14)?” About 1557 years. Until he wrote to Gentile believers, in Colossians 2:13, 14 and 16: “And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross. “

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.” About 1562 years.

So we learn that from about 1500 B. C. until after Jesus Christ died on the cross, Israel was under the law.

Note the Holy Spirit’s statement concerning Israel and the law:

“But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a school master.” Galatians 3:23 to 25.

Then Paul wrote—“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:4. “For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14. “Wherefore my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him Who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Romans 7:4.

If the law was added and was taken out of the way more than 1500 years later, then we can truly say that the “law dispensation” was both parenthetical and temporary.

BEFORE FAITH CAME—BEFORE LAW CAME

We read in Galatians 3:23, “before faith came”. We read in Romans 5:13, “when there is no law”, or “before law came”. During the 2500 years, from Adam to Moses, death reigned. The human race was under a universal Divine law, “the law of sin and death”. Romans 8:2. About 1656 years after Adam sinned, Noah was in the ark. About 427 years later, Abram left Chaldea at God’s call. About 430 years still later Moses received the law. Galatians 3:16 and 17.

GOD PREACHED TO ABRAM BEFORE

Note this most interesting and important statement: “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed.” Galatians 3:8.

Read it again. God preached the gospel to Abraham “BEFORE”. Before what? Before He added the law. Note what Abraham did, and what God did. “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Galatians 3:6. When God preached the gospel to Abram (in uncircumcision) the Scripture foresaw that Gentiles would be, saved, from Paul’s time down to the present, without religion or law. Note Galatians 3:17: “And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.” So we see that 430 years before the law was given the gospel of “righteousness by faith without the deeds of the law” was preached to Abram. Then what? Then the question:

“Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hands of a mediator.” Galatians 3:19. To what was the law added? It was added to the gospel which God preached to Abraham, 430 years before. Which covenant abides and which covenant has been done away? The Abrahamic covenant abides: the Mosaic covenant has been done away. The gospel abides. The law has been done away. “For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.” “And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished. “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament; which is done away in Christ.” II Corinthians 3:11, 13 and 14. Note II Corinthians 3:14 – “the Old Testament is done away in Christ.” Note the same truth in Hebrews 8:13. “In that He saith, A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”

Let us change Galatians 3:19 to read the law covenant, which was made old by Christ’s death on the cross, was added to the Abrahamic covenant which God made with Abram 430 years before He made the law covenant with Israel, through the mediator, Moses. It was added till. Till when? Till the Seed promised to Abram and Abraham came. That Seed was Christ.

The word “covenant” is the same as the word “testament”. God entered into “covenants” or “testaments” with the human race before Moses received the law covenant for Israel, about 2500 years after Adam sinned. Moses received the testament, called “the Old Testament”, several centuries after the event recorded in the last verse of Genesis. Note that event; “So Joseph died being an hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.” Genesis 50:26. So Joseph died some years before God made with Israel the covenant now called “the Old Covenant.”

Mark well that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Levi, Joseph, and all of the other sons of Jacob (Israel) had died before God gave the (old) covenant to Israel. Therefore, we greatly err when we call any of these men Old Testament characters, or the Book of Genesis “the Old Testament Scripture.” They lived during that period, “from Adam to Moses”, “when there is no law”.

From about 4000 B.C. until about 1700 B.C., that is, for about 2300 years, there were no Israelites. From about 4000 B.C. until 1500 B.C., “from Adam to Moses”, the Old Testament was not in effect. There were covenants, but not that covenant, which became “Old”.

THE LAW IN CHRIST JESUS

The truth for us is clearly stated in Romans 8:2 to 4: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 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: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Note the three laws—“The law of sin and death”—”the law of Sinai” and “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus”. The law of Sinai could not deliver from the law of sin and death. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus can and does. And the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus delivered believing Israelites from the curse of the law of Moses. Romans 7:1 to 6.

The sum total of man’s spiritual responsibility to God is to:—

1—Appropriate the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.

2—Demonstrate the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.

3—Propagate the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.

We first believe and appropriate the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Note how this law is stated in II Timothy 1:10 and Romans 8:4.

“But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

That law enables the believer to live Christ.

The believer is expected to demonstrate that law by walking daily in newness of life. “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:4.

Then note Galatians 5:22 to 25: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW.

When we have received Christ and have been saved by this Divine law, we are to propagate that law of life by preaching Christ and His redemptive work to others.

Some one has truly said that Christianity is life, love and heaven.

The three general divisions of the Bible which we have seen in this message

1. From Adam to Moses.

2. The law was added till after Christ died on the cross, when the covenant was made old.

3. The reign of the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus from the day Paul preached the grace of God until the Lord comes for His Church.

“The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us— “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11 to 13.

The law was given by Moses. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17. “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:21.

“For this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles. If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward. How that by revelation He (Christ) made known unto me the mystery.” Ephesians 3:1 to 3.

Members of Christ’s Body are not under the law. Romans 6:14.

IN WHAT SENSE IS CHRISTIANITY THE RELIGION OF JESUS CHRIST?

Some time ago a Jewish Rabbi said to a well known Christian preacher, “Dr. Parker, it was not your Jesus Who gave you the Christianity which is generally preached by Christian clergymen. It was the Apostle Paul. Your Jesus was a Jew by birth and by religion.”

While we would not fully agree with that rabbi, we would dogmatically affirm that we cannot intelligently interpret and practice true Christianity without interpreting, appropriating and applying the teachings and doings of Jesus of Nazareth, recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, in the light of the later teachings of Jesus Christ, which He revealed to and by the Apostle Paul.

We learn in Luke 2:21 to 39, that even in infancy, when He was presented for circumcision, Jesus Christ began His early life as a religious Jew: “And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.” Luke 2:39.

When Christ was thirty years of age He attended the services in the Jewish synagogue as had been His custom. Luke 4:16. Then He, said, “we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews.” John 4:22. One of the last acts of Jesus of Nazareth before His death, was His observance of the Jewish Passover. The Divine Record is that God’s Son was made under the law. Galatians 4:4.

After a careful study of the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and a careful comparison of these messages with Paul’s Epistles, many questions will be in the mind of the student:

1. If a person should obey the teachings of Christ, in Matthew, Mark and Luke, would he not be a Jew by religion?

2. Is it possible for a person to faithfully follow the religious program of Jesus of Nazareth and also believe Paul’s message of grace and obey the instructions to believers in Paul’s Epistles?

3. Did not the Lord Jesus Christ give to Paul a spiritual “grace” program that superseded the program He presented to Israel while on earth?

We shall refer again to the religion of Jesus Christ; but let us note several statements which the infallible Holy Spirit directed Paul to write

1. “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. Galatians 1:11 and 12.

2. “Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ.” I Corinthians 11:1.

3. “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” I Corinthians 3:10.

4. “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 life everlasting.” I Timothy 1:16.

5. “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God.” Colossians 1:25.

6. “That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:7 and 8.

7. “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24.

8. “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words).” Ephesians 3:1 to 3.

9. “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:16. “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.” Romans 11:13.

10. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men.” II Timothy 2:2.

From these Scriptures we learn that the Lord Jesus Christ, from heaven, gave to Paul his apostolic authority.

There is a sense in which the Apostle Paul was the Lord’s special apostle. By revelation the Lord Jesus Christ called and commissioned the Apostle Paul. Note Paul’s words in I Timothy 1:12: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.”

Christ Jesus put Paul in the ministry. When Christ Jesus put Paul in the ministry by revelation, Paul said, “Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me.” Galatians 1:17. Paul did not immediately confer with flesh and blood. Galatians 1:16. But later he went do Jerusalem and conferred with those who were apostles before him. But note his testimony: “. . . for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me.” Galatians 2:6. “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, Peter 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.” Galatians 2:7 to 9.

Paul has been truly called “the apostle and preacher of reconciliation.” He said, “I am the apostle to the Gentiles.” The Lord Jesus Christ gave to Paul the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), “the dispensation of the grace of God” for Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1 to 3), “the unsearchable riches of Christ” for the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:8). Christ committed unto Paul “the gospel of the uncircumcision” (Galatians 2:7). The Lord Jesus Christ said to Paul, “I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” Acts 22:21.

Note Paul’s testimony: “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed.” Romans 15:18. Compare this statement with Galatians 2:8: “For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.”

Now compare the statement in Acts 22:21, “I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles,” with Christ’s command to Peter and the Eleven, in Matthew 10:5: “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles.”

Note in Acts 10:28, Peter’s words some eight years after Christ’s orders given in Matthew 10:5. “And he (Peter) said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” Acts 10:28.

Now let us note Christ’s own words in Matthew 15:24: “But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Here we learn that while Christ was on earth no apostle was authorized by Him to be an apostle to the Gentiles, or even to preach to the Gentiles. “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” Romans 15:8.

While Jesus of Nazareth was on earth, neither He nor His apostles preached Romans 11:15.

“For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead. “

Because Israel had not been cast away. The Twelve did not preach the ministry of reconciliation to Gentiles even as late as Acts 5:29 to 32.

Note Acts 5:31:

“Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. “ Israel had not yet been cast away.

We learned in Galatians 2:7, that Christ committed unto Peter the gospel of the circumcision. We read in Matthew 10:6 that Peter and the Eleven were to preach to Israel only, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” These Twelve preached “the gospel of the kingdom.” Matthew 9:35 and Matthew 4:23.

It will help us to note in the Book of Acts that the thousands who became Christians, during the first years after Christ died, were all Jews. Note Acts 2:5 and Act 3:26 and Act 11:19. It will also help us to note that from the beginning of the ministry of John the Baptist, who introduced Jesus of Nazareth into His public ministry at the age of thirty, up to the salvation of Cornelius, only circumcised men were baptized. During these years none of the Twelve asked any Jews to give up the practice of circumcision. Note the advice of the Apostle James as late as 60 A.D. in Acts 21:18 to 25.

In asking the question, “in what sense is Christianity the religion of Jesus Christ,” first of all we must settle in our minds what is meant by “religion.” There is nothing of religion in the Christianity presented in Paul’s last Epistles; Ephesians, Colossians, Titus, Philippians, and II Timothy.

When the Lord gave to Israel the law, He gave to that people with the law a religious system. It is described as meats and drinks, divers baptisms, and carnal ordinances. Note in Hebrews 9:10 that this religious program was imposed upon Israel until the time of reformation. Jesus of Nazareth, on earth, did not take away from Israel their God-given religion, but, on the contrary, He Himself was a religious Jew in their midst. Moreover, Israel was dealt with as a nation for some years after the death and resurrection of their Messiah; and the Lord did not abruptly take away their religion. That was done gradually.

THE END OF RELIGION

A careful study of the Book of Acts and the Epistles of Paul, from his first Epistle to his last Epistle, will teach us how the Lord gradually eliminated Judaism from His “grace” message and program, until finally all religion had disappeared.

Then Paul said, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21. “For we are the circumcision which worship. God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Philippians 3:3.

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.” Colossians 2:16.

Note in the Lord’s message and ministry of grace that the believer is taken out of anything that pertains to earthly blessings, or worship in a worldly sanctuary or the religion of Israel: “And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6. “Blessed’ be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3.

Our sanctuary is in heaven. Our citizenship is in heaven. We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies. We are identified with Christ in His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. We are joined to Christ, one flesh with Christ. We belong to the One New Man of Ephesians 2:15. We are members of Christ’s Body. Christ is our righteousness, our holiness, our redemption, our life, our peace, our hope.

A very important duty assigned to us is stated in Ephesians 3:9: “And to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God.”

There is absolutely nothing left of religion in “the dispensation of the mystery.” This is “according to the eternal purpose which He (God) purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 3:11. This eternal purpose is set forth in II Timothy 1:9 and 10: “Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light. through the gospel.”

Most assuredly, in the eternal purpose of God, the Lord Jesus Christ is not the minister of the circumcision, confirming promises which God made to Israel by the prophets. This grace and purpose was given us in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world; and because it is not mentioned by any of Israel’s prophets, it is called “the mystery” or “the secret.”

Our unmixed message of grace is clearly set forth in these two verses in II Timothy 1:9 to 11.

Let us also read concerning the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus in Romans 8:1 to 4. This law sets us free from the law of sin and death and enables us to walk in the Spirit and fulfil the righteousness of the law. The sum total of our spiritual duty is to appropriate and to demonstrate, and to propagate the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Christianity is life, love and eternal glory.

Our message is not the “Christian religion,” but “eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ”; not a system of religion, but a Divine Person.

Surely no intelligent Christian would say that there is not much of Christianity in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; but the intelligent Christian will rightly divide the Word of Truth and interpret, appropriate and apply the message of Christ in these Gospels in the light of Christ’s clear later revelations, to and through Paul.

In no other way will we ever account for the seeming contradictions and discrepancies between the statements of Jesus of Nazareth and those of the Apostle Paul.

Note carefully:

“NOW AFTER THAT JOHN WAS PUT IN PRISON, JESUS CAME INTO GALILEE, PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. AND SAYING, THE TIME IS FULFILLED, AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND; REPENT YE, AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.” MARK 1:14 AND 13.

“REPENT YE; FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND.” Matthew 3:2.

“FROM THAT TIME JESUS BEGAN TO PREACH, AND TO SAY, REPENT; FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND.” MATTHEW 4:17.

“THESE TWELVE JESUS SENT FORTH, AND COMMANDED THEM, SAYING, GO NOT INTO THE WAY OF THE GENTILES, AND INTO ANY CITY OF THE SAMARITANS ENTER YE NOT; BUT GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL. AND AS YE GO, PREACH, SAYING, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND. HEAL THE SICK, CLEANSE THE LEPERS, RAISE THE DEAD, CAST OUT DEVILS; FREELY YE HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE.” Matthew 10:5 to 8.

“But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another; for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” Matthew 10:23.

Jesus Christ said, in Mark 1:15, “THE TIME IS FULFILLED”; “THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND.”

Then note what Christ did: He healed the sick. Mark 1:34.

Some months later “the Lord appointed other. seventy also.” Luke 10:1. Note His instructions to the Seventy. “Heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” Luke 10:9.

One of the first duties in preaching the gospel of the kingdom was to heal the sick. Note again Matthew 10:7 and 8:

“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give.”

John the Baptist preached, The kingdom of heaven is at hand,

Jesus Christ preached, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The Twelve preached, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

One of the prophecies that was fulfilled when the King announced His kingdom, was Isaiah 35:4 to 6: “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not; behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence ; He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.”

John the Baptist sent his messengers to the Lord Jesus, with the question, “Art Thou He that should come? or look we for another?” Luke 7:20.

Note the Lord’s answer: “Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.” Luke 7:22.

Thus we see that the Lord performed miracles, in fulfillment of prophecy, to prove that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, in fulfillment of prophecy.

We have learned that the kingdom of heaven, of Matthew 4:17, and the kingdom of God, of Mark 1:14 and 15, were identical.

The kingdom of God is not always identical with the kingdom of heaven which was at hand, according to Christ’s statement in Matthew. The term “kingdom of heaven” is found more than 30 times in Matthew. The exact expression is not found in any other Book in the Bible. But of course it is mentioned in Daniel 2:44 and 45, and in many other Scriptures. And it is sometimes called “the kingdom of God” or “the kingdom.”

It is interesting to note the Scriptural setting of the beatitudes, the Sermon on the mount, and the “Our Father” prayer. These are recorded in Matthew, chapters five to eight. Note before and after: Matthew 4:17; “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” for Israel, (Matthew 15:24), with a program of healing and other signs. Matthew 10:5 to 8: the kingdom of heaven is at hand for Israel, (Matthew 10:6) with a program of healing and other signs.

Thus we see that the Sermon and the prayer have decidedly a “kingdom of heaven” setting.

The Book of Matthew was perhaps written before Cornelius received the message from Peter.

For some reason the Holy Spirit restrained John from writing his Gospel until many years after Matthew wrote, perhaps until twenty years after the Apostle Paul had died.

In John’s Gospel there is no statement, “the kingdom of heaven at hand.” There is no Sermon on the Mount, no “Our Father” prayer. No kingdom parables. But we do find these interesting statements in John’s Gospel:

“And I knew Him not; but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.” John 1:31.

“Though Jesus Himself baptized not, but His disciples.” John 4:2.

“And many resorted unto Him, and said, John did no miracle; but all things that John spake of this Man were true.” John 10:41.

John the Baptist baptized, but performed no miracles. Jesus Christ performed miracles, but did not baptize. John baptized and Jesus Christ performed miracles for the same reason. John 10:41 and Acts 2:22.

FROM THAT TIME

Compare and contrast

“FROM THAT TIME Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17.

“FROM THAT TIME forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Matthew 16:21.

“Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Matthew 21:43.

Note how Matthew is divided by the two statements, “from that time”. In Matthew 4:17 the King announced His kingdom at hand. In Matthew 16:21, the King announced His rejection and death at hand Note how He stated it in Matthew 26:45—“Behold the hour is at hand’, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”

Then note the Messiah’s solemn words to His “kingdom” nation, in Matthew 21:43, “the kingdom of God shall be taken from you.” Note how this is stated in Matthew 8:12—“But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Now compare Matthew 8:12 with Colossians 1:13 and 14.

“But the children of the kingdom shall be out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son; In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”

Members of Christ’s Body are children of a different kingdom, and shall never be cast into outer darkness.

Let us compare Luke 16:16 and Luke 13:24 with I Corinthians 12:13—Romans 4:5 and Romans 14:17.

“The law and the prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. “

“For the kingdom of God is not. meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

What a difference between the proclamation of Matthew 10:5 to 8, “the kingdom at hand” for Israel, (go not into the way of the Gentiles), and Titus 2:11, “the grace of God” at hand for all men, including the Gentiles. Healing, miracles and signs accompanied the proclamation of the kingdom of heaven; but these signs had ceased when Paul wrote to Titus. The two programs were quite different.

No member of the Body of Christ has Divine authority to carry on the kingdom program of Matthew 10:5 to 8 in this day of grace.

The Lord Jesus on earth did not say “the Body of Christ is at hand.” Neither did He preach the gospel message of Romans 10:12 and Ephesians 3:6 and Ephesians 2:13.

“There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.”

“That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the Joint-Body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel.”

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

We should study the Book of Matthew in the light of Romans and Ephesians. But as we study the Book of Matthew, let us not forget that the truth of Romans and Ephesians was not made known by Christ and His apostles until some years after His death and resurrection; and that “the kingdom at hand” when Jesus Christ was on earth, differs in many respects from the “kingdom of God” mentioned: in Colossians 4:11. “And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.”

The “kingdom” of Matthew was a prophesied kingdom. The “kingdom” of Ephesians and Colossians was an unprophesied kingdom, the Body of Christ.

Compare the kingdom gospel and healing program of Matthew 10:5 to 8 with I Timothy 1:11 and I Timothy 5:23.

“According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” I Timothy 1:11 and I Timothy 5:23.

The Messianic kingdom of Jesus Christ which He announced “at hand”, when on earth, will surely be “at hand” again.

But during this present economy God is accomplishing a different purpose while the “kingdom of heaven” is in abeyance.

All Premillenarians, who are “grace” preachers, teach the postponement of the kingdom and that this present Church period is a parenthetical period. But they are not all agreed as to when this present “dispensation of the mystery” began. Ephesians 3:9.