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.

“AND WHEN ABRAM WAS NINETY YEARS OLD AND NINE, THE LORD APPEARED TO ABRAM, AND SAID UNTO HIM, I AM THE ALMIGHTY GOD, WALK BEFORE ME, AND BE THOU PERFECT.” GENESIS 17:1.

WHEN GOD APPEARED TO MOSES, GOD SAID TO MOSES: “AND I APPEARED UNTO ABRAHAM, UNTO ISAAC, AND UNTO JACOB, BY THE NAME OF GOD ALMIGHTY, BUT BY MY NAME JEHOVAH WAS I NOT KNOWN TO THEM.” EXODUS 6:3.

“AND GOD SAID UNTO MOSES, I AM THAT I AM: AND HE SAID, THUS SHALT THOU SAY UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, I AM HATH SENT ME UNTO YOU:” EXODUS 3:14.

More than 400 years after God appeared to Abraham as “God Almighty,” He appeared to Moses as “JEHOVAH, the I AM.”

Now note the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 1:8: “I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Note again the words of Christ in John 8:24 and 8:58 and 59:

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.” “Jesus saith unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”

Most interesting and significant. statements. They should be studied with John 10:30 to 33. In those verses we learn that the Jews sought to kill Jesus, because He said, “I and Father are one.”

Jesus Christ, the Man, was accused of making Himself God. He called Himself, the I AM. He said, “if ye believe not that I AM, ye shall die in your sins.” Then how are we to be saved from our sins? “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9.

Note also I John 5:5—“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.”

Note again the consequences and penalty of denying the Deity of Jesus Christ.

“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself; he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because be believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” I John 5:10 to 12.

There have been many arguments “pro” and “con” as to whether the Jehovah of the Old Testament was the Christ of the Four Gospels. We are sure that Christ was God manifest in the flesh. John 1:14, John 14:9 and John 20:28.

THE DEITY OF CHRIST

“IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS GOD.” “HE WAS IN THE WORLD, AND THE WORLD WAS MADE BY HIM, AND THE WORLD KNEW HIM NOT.” John 1:1— John 1:10 and John 1:14.

“But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom.” Hebrews 1:8.

“And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and My God.” John 20:28.

“In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by Him, and for Him; And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:14 to 17.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” Philippians 2:5 and 6. “And now, O Father, glorify thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.” “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father.” John 17:5 and 14:9.

“Which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” I Corinthians 2:8.

Speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ John wrote, “that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us!” I John 1:2.

Then again in I John 5:20, “We know that the Son of God is come. This is the true God and eternal life.”

JESUS CHRIST – THE I AM

I AM the Bread of Life. John 6:35.

I AM the Light of the World. John 8:12.

I AM the Messiah. John 4:26.

I AM the Door. John 10:9.

I AM the Good Shepherd. John 10:14.

I AM the True Vine. John 15:1.

I AM the Resurrection. John 11:25.

I AM the Way. John 14:6.

I AM the Truth. John 14:6.

I AM the Life. John 14:6.

“Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I AM, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things.” John 8:28.

“ I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I AM, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the “I AM” more than twenty times in the Gospel of John.

Thus we see that the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ was God before He became flesh. He was in the form of God and in the bosom of the Father. John 1:18. We also see that the Bible clearly teaches that faith in the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ is essential for salvation.

Note Christ’s own words in John 5:22 and 23: “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him.”

Again John 6:47: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.”

Again Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The one and only way to God, salvation, heaven and eternal life, is Jesus Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot; Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” I Peter 1:18 to 20.

“And without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22.

“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 1:6 and 7.

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13.

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” II John 9.

The Lord Jesus Christ is “the Second Man from heaven”; “the Lord of Glory” and “the Prince of Life.” I Corinthians 15:47— I Corinthians 2:7 and 8 and Acts 3:15.

GOD AND CHRIST IN SALVATION

“And all things are of God, Who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” II Corinthians 5:18 to 20.

“For, God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but hath everlasting life.” God gave His Son. God spared not His own Son, but offered Him up for us all. John 3:15—Romans 8:32.

“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” I Timothy 1:15.

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus: Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” I Timothy 2:4 to 6.

“But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9.

“`For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” I Peter 3:18.

Why should any person be ignorant of God’s way to God’s heaven? It is clearly, simply, and dogmatically stated in God’s Book. “Ye which were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13.

THE RESURRECTED CHRIST AND SALVATION

“Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25.

“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:12.

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:12.

“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it.” Acts 2:23 and 24.

“And when they had fulfilled all that was written of Him, they took Him down from the tree, and laid Him in a sepulchre. But God raised Him from the dead.” Acts 13:29 and 30.

“And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the Church, Which is His Body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:19 to 23.

“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. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1 to 3.

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.” I John 2:1.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:1 to 3.

The same wonderful, supernatural story is woven into every part of the Divine message, from Matthew to Revelation:

1. The incarnation of God in Christ for the specific purpose of dying for sinners.

2. The sinless perfect life of the God-man, Christ.

3. His supernatural miracles to prove His eternal Deity, His unity, and equality with God the Father.

4. His once-for-all sacrifice in fulfillment of prophecy and God’s foreordained redemption for sinners.

5. His triumphant bodily resurrection and ascension into the highest heavens.

6. His work of intercession, forgiveness, keeping, cleansing, for saints as He appears in heaven itself, in the presence of God, as the believer’s Advocate. Hebrews 9:24.

7. The promise that He will come for His redeemed ones and take them in glorified bodies to see and share His glory.

God was with Christ on earth. Acts 10:38. God was in Christ. II Corinthians 5:19. Christ was with God before He became a man. John 1:1 to 3. Christ was in the form of God. Philippians 2:6. Christ was God.

The Holy Spirit caused Isaiah to write concerning the Virgin’s Son. Emmanuel, meaning God with us. Isaiah 7:14. Christ was Emmanuel. Matthew 1:23. Mary, the Virgin was a Jew. So Emmanuel was Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus of Nazareth was a Jew. He worshipped as a Jew. Luke 4:16. He said, “We know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.” John 4:22.Do not forget those solemn words of the Lord Jesus, “if ye believe not that I AM, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24.

Note the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in the tenth chapter of John

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD: THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVETH HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.” “MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, AND I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME.” “AND OTHER SHEEP I HAVE, WHICH ARE NOT OF THIS FOLD: THEM ALSO I MUST BRING, AND THEY SHALL HEAR MY VOICE; AND THERE SHALL BE ONE FOLD, AND ONE SHEPHERD.” John 10:11, 27 and 16.

In John 10:14, Christ again calls Himself “the Good Shepherd”. In Hebrews 13:20 and 21, Christ is called “the Great Shepherd” of the sheep.

In I Peter 2:25, Christ is called “the Shepherd of your souls”. In I Peter 5:4, Christ is called “the Chief Shepherd”.

We know that while Christ was on earth He was talking to Israel. We know that Hebrews was written to Israel. We know that I Peter was addressed to the dispersed twelve tribes of Israel. I Peter 1:2.

But now this question: “to whom did Christ refer as “the other sheep?” Read carefully the conversation between Christ and the Gentile woman, recorded in Matthew 15:24 and 26: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and cast it to dogs.” “Sheep” and “dogs.” Who were the sheep? Israel. Who were the dogs? Gentiles. Did some of these Gentile dogs later on become sheep?,

PETER’S VISION

One of the most interesting studies in the Bible is Peter’s housetop vision, at the time the Lord sent him to preach to .the household of Cornelius. Cornelius worshipped Israel’s God and prayed to Israel’s God. Cornelius was a devout upright man and loved Israel. Acts 10:2 and 22.

But note Peter’s vision. He saw a sheet let down from heaven. “And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things; and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord: for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.” Acts 10:11 to 14.

Note what was in that sheet. Then note what followed. “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Acts 11:18.

Those fourfooted animals and wild beasts were all unclean, according to Israel’s law, and symbolized Gentiles who were unclean in God’s sight. Gentiles were aliens from Israel, alienated from the life of God, no people and a foolish nation. Ephesians 2:11 and 12— Ephesians 4:18 and Romans 10:19. Even the respectable, religious, God-fearing, Jew-loving Cornelius was represented by an unclean fourfooted beast. There were no sheep in that sheet, not even one. A sheep was clean to Israel. Unclean animals typified the Gentiles. God called the Gentiles, “dogs.”

So we see that dogs and unclean beasts spoke of Gentiles. Israelites were sheep. The gods which the Gentiles worshipped were images made like to corruptible man, and to birds and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Romans 1:23.

Note God’s statement concerning Israel at the time that people left Egypt. “But made His own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.” Psalms 78:52.

Note also Psalms 79:13 and Psalms 95:7. “So we Thy people and sheep of Thy pasture will give Thee thanks for ever; we will shew forth Thy praise to all generations.” “For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and he sheep of His hand. Today if ye will hear His voice.”

God has much to say about His sheep in, Israel’s Scriptures. “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 50:17.

“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.” Jeremiah 50:6.

“Say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God.” “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 that are with young.” Isaiah 40:9 and 11. “I the Lord have spoken it. And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land; and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.” “And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. 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.”

The sheep are going back to the land of Israel. Note carefully Ezekiel 37:24, 25 and 26.

“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. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.”

Now note Hebrews 13:20 and 21. “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, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.”

ISRAEL NEAR AND FAR OFF

The sheep of Israel are divided, in Daniel 9:7, into the two classes, “all Israel, near” and “far off.”

On the day of Pentecost Peter said, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:39. This message concerned “all the house of Israel”. Acts 2:36.

Peter later wrote to the twelve tribes dispersed. I Peter 1:1. Note John 7:34 and 35: “Ye shall seek Me, and shall not find Me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will He go, that we shall not find Him? will He go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?”

Note James 1:1—“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. “

James and Peter went to Israel. Galatians 2:9. The Lord Jesus said to Peter, “feed My sheep and lambs.” John 21:15 to 17.

Note again Galatians 2:9—“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.”

After the sheep finally rejected the Shepherd, an Israelite was chosen to go to the Gentiles. He wrote: “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.” “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.” “For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief.” Romans 1:14— Romans 11:13— Romans 11:30.

Note Paul’s words to the lost sheep of Israel: “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.” Acts 13:46.

Then later on, the Apostle to the Gentiles wrote—“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world; But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 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.” Ephesians 2:12 to 15.

Note Jeremiah 13:17 and 23:1 to 3. “But if ye will not hear it, My soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive.” “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture! saith the Lord. Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed My people; Ye have scattered My flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord. And I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.”

It was about this time that Isaiah wrote—“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.” Isaiah 53:6.

The Gentiles were not sheep that strayed from the Shepherd’s flock or fold. They had not been in the fold. They were alienated from the life of God. God had given them up before He even chose Israel, and cut them completely off with the covenant of circumcision. Romans 1:18 to 30 and Genesis 17:8 to 18. Certainly lost Gentiles are not called sheep. Israelites saved or unsaved are called “sheep” in the Bible.

DAVID – CHRIST – THE SHEPHERD KING

David was a shepherd, and became a king. David was Israel’s shepherd-king. Jesus Christ came to earth to be Israel’s Shepherd-King. He was born in the city of David. This was the message to Israel’s shepherds. Luke 2:6 to 14. Christ was born in the house of David, to take the throne of David and be King of Israel. This was Gabriel’s message. Luke 1:26 to 33.

In Luke is recorded the parable of the lost sheep. “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 15:4. All of the hundred sheep were in the fold. The one sheep here represents the publican. He was a Jew. The only Gentiles who were in the fold were proselytes. This chapter tells of “the lost sheep”, “the lost coin”, “the lost boy”, “the prodigal son”. The older son was the Pharisee; the younger son was the publican. If we say that the publican was an unsaved Gentile, we support the teaching of the Universalists, that all are the sons of God. That prodigal spake of his father’s house when he was with the hogs in sin.

But note again the words of the Lord Jesus, in Matthew 15:24.

“I AM NOT SENT BUT UNTO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.”

Now note His words in 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 is lost. “

Whom did the Good Shepherd come to seek and to save? The lost sons of Abraham.

Note the prophecy of Ezekiel.

“FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; BEHOLD, I, EVEN I, WILL BOTH SEARCH MY SHEEP, AND SEEK THEM OUT.” “I WILL SEEK THAT WHICH WAS LOST.” Ezekiel 34:11 and 16. “My sheep,” “My people”; Israel.

Now read the story in Ezekiel 34:12 to 14—Ezekiel 34:22 to 25 and Ezekiel 34:5 and 6.

“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. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the river, and in all the inhabited places of the country, I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be; there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.” “Therefore will I save My flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. 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.

The Bible does not refer to unsaved Gentiles as “sheep”. The Shepherd said “I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish.” There are many Christians who believe that when the Gentiles receive Christ they become sheep—They do become joint-sharers with the saved Jews in the Joint-Body of Ephesians 3:6. All believing Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ. Galatians 3:28. They are altogether with Christ, one flesh. Ephesians 5:31 and 32. They are altogether “One New Man.” Ephesians 2:15.

Now the question, “Is the one flock of John 10:16 the One New Man of Ephesians 2:15?”

The One New Man of Ephesians 2:15 is called “the Joint-Body” of Ephesians 3:6. Ezekiel did not know anything or say anything concerning that Joint-Body (Colossians 1:24 to 27) (Ephesians 3:3 to 5); but Ezekiel did prophecy concerning the one flock and one shepherd.

Some Christians are dogmatically opposed to calling saved Gentiles “spiritual Israel”; but they are not opposed to calling them “spiritual sheep”, because of Acts 20:28—“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.” Undoubtedly the Lord Jesus was not speaking of “the Church of the Mystery” when He spoke of the one flock or fold in the tenth chapter of John.

The Holy Spirit chose Luke, the beloved physician, to write one of the four Records of the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ; and also the Book of Acts, the Acts of the Holy Spirit and the apostles.

The Christian who really desires to know the Bible should diligently study Luke’s Gospel and Luke’s Acts together, continuing out of the Gospel into the Book of Acts.

Note Luke 1:3 and 4 and Acts 1:1 and 2. “It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus; That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. “

“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which He-was taken up, after that He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. “

Here we learn that Luke expected Theophilus to know the truth of the third Gospel before he could understand the Book of Acts. It is significant that Luke is the only one of the four writers who recorded the prayer of the Lord Jesus on the cross. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” This prayer, in Israel’s behalf, brought to that nation a continuation of God’s favor and mercy and another offer of national blessing.

Note the pronouncements of Christ, in Luke 13:35 and 21:20. “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate; and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see Me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.”

The Lord Jesus pronounced that terrible judgment upon Israel and Jerusalem about 32 A.D. But the Divine judgment did not fall upon “the land and wrath upon this people” (Luke 21:23) until 69 to 70 A.D., several years after the Apostle Paul had died. Perhaps Luke was still alive.

The Book of Acts covered a period of about 30 years, and never was Rome more gracious to Israel, never did Rome give more liberties to the Jews in their land, than during those years covered by the Book of Acts. The desolation was postponed. The temple stood. Israel’s high-priest continued to minister to the people in their religious program. Acts 23:3 to 6.

In another message, we have referred to the contrast between Matthew 23:33 and 38 and Acts 3:25 and 26.

BEFORE CALVARY

“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.”

AFTER CALVARY

“Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”

What a change in God’s attitude towards Israel! “Serpents” and “vipers” become “the children of the covenant,” tenderly and affectionately addressed with great compassion: “And now brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.” In the shadow of the cross the Lord Jesus declared, “your house is left unto you desolate.” Then His prayer on the cross, “Father, forgive them”, and then Acts 3:26—“Unto you first God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”

Then Acts 5:30 and 31:

“THE GOD OF OUR FATHER’S 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.”

If Israel was “a generation of vipers” and their house was left desolate, why should the resurrected Christ send to them such a message? God hath exalted Christ to be a Prince and a Saviour for Israel. To Israel first is the message of forgiveness sent.

Many Christians have followed the erroneous teachings of their leaders without “searching the Scriptures daily to see if these things be true”, and have assumed or presumed that “the dispensation of the grace of God”, for Gentiles, began with the message of Peter and the Eleven on the day of Pentecost.

They seem to know the truth of Romans 11:15, that reconciliation was sent to Gentiles when and because Israel was set aside in blindness by God; but they have accepted the statements of others that Israel was set aside when Christ spoke, in Matthew 23:31 to 39, and that on the day of Pentecost God ushered in this present “grace” economy, which is called, in Ephesians 3:9, “the dispensation (economy) of the mystery.”

It is a blessed thing to know the truth of Romans 11:15 concerning the why and when of reconciliation for and to Gentiles, and the truth of Titus 2:11, Romans 10:12 and Ephesians 2:17.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.”

“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.”

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

But no one knew this truth during the first years after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Study these messages of grace for Gentiles in the light of Acts 2:5 and 36—Galatians 2:8—Acts 10:28—Acts 11:1 to 3 and Acts 11:19.

“And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.”

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, Whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

“For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.”

“And he 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.”

“And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.”

“Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word to none but UNTO THE JEWS ONLY.”

Thus we see that there was no dispensation of grace for Gentiles during the first years after Christ’s resurrection.

GOD OPENED THE DOOR

But later on something else happened.

“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.

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

Then remember the turning-point in Asia, marked by the words of Acts 13:46, “Lo, we turn to the Gentiles”. Note the turning-point in Europe, marked by Acts 18:5 and 6. “And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 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.”

Then carefully note that every message of Peter and the Eleven, and of their fellowlabourers, recorded in the first nine chapters of Acts, was addressed to “ye men of Judaea”, and “ye men of Israel”; that is, to the Jews. It was not lawful for them to go to the Gentiles. Acts 10:28. When Peter did go to Cornelius, the other apostles contended with him. Acts 11:1 to 5. In the light of Acts 10:28 and Acts 11:19, we must decide that the people to whom Philip preached in the city of Samaria, and also the eunuch, in the same eighth chapter of Acts, were all Jews. Some of the Jews of Acts 2:5 were called in Acts 2:10, proselytes. The eunuch had been up to Jerusalem to worship, and was doubtless a proselyte, a Jew by religion. The Grecians of Acts 6 were Greek-speaking Jews.

Again all of the messages proclaimed by the apostles, during the first eleven chapters of Acts, were in fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures. By way of contrast note Ephesians 3:8:

“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.”

The word “unsearchable” means “untraceable”; that is, “unprophesied”. In the ministry of Paul we find much truth to both Jews and Gentiles that was in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy; but there is a very distinctive message in some of his writings designated“the Mystery” or “the Secret” which was not prophesied. It is called “God’s eternal purpose”. It is truth concerning the Church of the Mystery, the Joint-Body of Christ. The members of that JointBody were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. They are seated in the heavenlies in Christ. Ephesians 3:11—Ephesians 1:3 and 4. All of this is included in the “UNSEARCHABLE” riches of Christ.

We shall study these profound truths in some of our last messages, but let us note in passing, Ephesians 1:5— Ephesians 1:11 and Ephesians 1:9. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” “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.” “Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself.”

Also 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.”

In Ephesians 1:19 to 23 we learn that the Lord Jesus Christ is far above in the heavenlies and there He is Head of the Church, which is His Body, the fulness of Him. In Christ Jesus there is neither Jew nor Gentile. All, with Christ, constitute the One New Man of Ephesians 2:15, the Joint-Body of Ephesians 3:6.

All of this is so different from the message of Acts 5:29 to 32 concerning the exalted Christ as Israel’s Prince and Saviour.

LUKE AND ACTS

Now let us note several verses in Luke and compare them with several statements in Acts.

Luke 1:32 and 33

“He shall he great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.”

CONCERNING JOHN THE BAPTIST

Luke 1:16 “And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.”

Luke 1:80

“And the child grew, and waxed strong m spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.”

Luke 3:3

“And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

Luke 3:16

“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of Whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

Luke 3:11

“He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.”

THE KINGDOM

Luke 9:3

“And He said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.”

Luke 10:9

“And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.”

Luke 12:32 and 33

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.”

NOTE CAREFULLY

Luke 1:68 to 70

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people; And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David; As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began.”

Acts 1:5

“For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”

Acts 2:5

“And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout man, out of every nation under heaven.”

Acts 2:28 to 32

“Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of joy with Thy countenance.

“Men and brethren. let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

“Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses.”

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.”

Acts 2:38

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”

Acts 2:45

“And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”

Acts 4:32

“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul; neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”

Acts 3:19 to 22

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And He shall send Jesus Christ Which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto Me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you.”

Acts 5:30 and 31

“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.”

What an interesting comparison! Both John the Baptist and Peter preached to Israel “baptism unto repentance for the remission of sins” to precede Holy Spirit baptism. In Luke, we learn that Jesus Christ was born of David to sit on David’s throne. In Acts, we learn that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead to sit on David’s throne. The kingdom messengers, in Luke, healed all manner of diseases. The kingdom converts, in Luke, sold their property and gave their money away. The kingdom converts, in Acts, did likewise. It was the Father’s good pleasure to give them the kingdom, in Luke 12:32. It was the Father’s good pleasure to give them the kingdom, in Acts 3:19 to 21.

Note the same language in Luke 1:70 and 71 and Acts 3:21, concerning the restitution, Israel’s kingdom. “As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began.” Luke 1:70.

Now let us note that in the first three chapters of Luke we find angels visiting Israelites, John the Baptist appearing to Israel and preaching to Israel. About 33 years later we read, “And in the day time He (Christ) was teaching in the temple; and at night He went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.” Luke 21:37. Then after the death and resurrection of Christ we find Him (Christ) in Luke 24, appearing to Israelites.

Then we turn to the first chapters of Acts and we find 120 Jews in an upper room after the Lord had appeared to more than 500 of His disciples. Acts 1 and I Corinthians 15:6. Then we find twelve Jews speaking to devout Jews from all over the world. Note again carefully Galatians 2:7 and 8:

“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. “

Then Peter, by the authority of the risen Christ, again presented the kingdom to Israel. In the seventh chapter of Acts, Stephen addressed the nation Israel.

And as we come to the close of Acts we read Acts 28:17 and Acts 28:23 to 28. “And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together.” Yes, Acts begins with a company of Jews in Jerusalem. In the last chapter we find a company of Jews in Rome.

“And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, saying, Go unto this people, and say; Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known, therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it” Acts 28:25 to 31.

It was several years after this radical change, stated in Acts 28:25 to 28, that the judgment of Luke 21:20 and Matthew 22:7 fell on Jerusalem and the Jews.

“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.”

“But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth; and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.”

Let us learn from this study the all important lesson, in obedience to II Timothy 2:15, that Israel was not set aside during the recorded ministry of Peter and the Eleven, in the Book of Acts. And never forget the changes in God’s program mentioned in Acts 13:46—Acts 18:6

Romans 11:9— Romans 11:11— Romans 11:30—and in Acts 28:28. All of these changes took place during the “Acts” period.

“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.”

“And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them.”

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

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

When we have learned this lesson we shall not follow the blunder of many who believe that the “dispensation of the grace of God” and the “dispensation. of the mystery” began on a Jewish Pentecost.

What an interesting story in Luke 2:25 to 32, the story of an aged Jew by the name of Simeon, who took the Child Jesus in his arms.

Simeon was just and devout, and he was waiting for the consolation of Israel. Luke 2:25.

The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would live to see the birth of Israel’s Messiah and Deliverer. With the Messiah in his arms, the Holy Spirit was upon him and he said, “A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.”

Here we see the great difference between the Gentiles and God’s people. At that time the Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. Ephesians 2:12.

Note that Simeon took Jesus in his arms right after He was circumcised; and Mary had observed the religious purification ceremonies required by the law of Moses. Luke 2:21 to 24.

Let us note carefully the fact of Luke 2:24—“And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, and two young pigeons.”

This was an Old Testament sacrifice. Jesus Christ was born under the law. “When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Galatians 4:4.

It is most interesting and significant to carefully study the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to learn how He lived as a circumcised Jew under the law. When He was thirty years of age we learn that He had regularly attended the Jewish religious services in the Jewish synagogue at Nazareth. Luke 4:16. Jesus had just been baptized, with water, by John the Baptist. Luke 3:21.

Note why John baptized with water, “And I knew Him not; but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.” John 1:31. John the Baptist was God’s messenger to the nation Israel. Luke 1:16 and 1:80.

So we see that Jesus Christ was both circumcised and baptized. We see that Jesus Christ regularly attended Jewish services in the Jewish synagogue, on the Jewish sabbath. So when we say that a Christian is one who follows Jesus Christ, we must qualify our statement. Some speak of following Christ in baptism, who do not follow Him in circumcision or in His sabbath synagogue worship. But we are circumcised with the circumcision of Christ. Colossians 2:11. Some Christians dedicate their children, following Lake 2:21 to 25, but no turtledoves or pigeons are offered for the mothers. When sprinkled, children are not always eight days old. Neither are they circumcised according to the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. The public dedication of children may be a sweet religious ceremony, permitted under grace, but is not mentioned in God’s message and program of grace.

Some Christians use water on the head instead of circumcision in the flesh, persuading themselves that they must have some religious ceremony for the children. So their teaching is, sprinkling to take the place of circumcision. But with such teaching, no baby girls should be sprinkled, because no baby girls were circumcised. Moreover, we will learn by the study of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, that no one was baptized who had not first been circumcised. Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel, 1940 years ago.

STILL WAITING FOR ISRAEL’S CONSOLATION

Eighteen million Jews are today scattered among all the Gentile nations, and there Israel will remain “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Luke 21:24. When that time comes the consolation of Israel will be at hand. The consolation of Israel will be realized when Israel’s rejected Messiah and King returns to take David’s throne, and “He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever.” Luke 1:30 to 33. The consolation of Israel is thus stated in Luke 1:69 to 71 and 1:74 and 75.

“And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David; As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began; That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us.”

“That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.”

But something went wrong. Israel was not delivered from the hands of their enemies (Gentiles). Instead, note Luke 19:42 and 43.

“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. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side.”

No consolation for Israel here.

“Behold, your house is left unto you desolate; and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see Me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Luke 13:35.

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

“So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Luke 21:27 and 31.

The consolation of Israel, stated in Luke 1:69 to 71, was by Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit, right after the message of one angel to the Virgin Mary, and right before the message of another angel to the shepherds. Note the two messages “And behold, thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David; and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:31 to 33.

“And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid’.” “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:9, Luke 2:11, Luke 2:14.

THE KINGDOM AND THE BODY

Jesus Christ was born to occupy David’s throne, in fulfillment of Isaiah 9:6 and 7. Instead of taking David’s throne, note where He is and what He is now doing.

“And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the Church, Which is His Body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:19 to 23.

Christ is not where He now is and is not doing what He is now doing, in fulfillment of prophecy. But note II Peter 1:19—“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.”

The clock of prophecy has stopped during this parenthetical “grace” dispensation, but Jesus Christ is coming back to take David’s throne to reign over the house of Jacob, and to bring about the restitution of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets of Israel. “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which Good hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:21.

So THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL has been postponed.

Peace on earth will not be realized until Jesus Christ returns as Prince of Peace to occupy David’s throne. Then the government will be upon His shoulder, and of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end. Isaiah 9:6 and 7 will be fulfilled. That will be the consolation of Israel.

NO PEACE—ANOTHER BAPTISM

Note the plain words of the Lord Jesus, in Luke 12:49 to 52:

“I AM COME TO SEND FIRE ON THE EARTH; AND WHAT WILL I, IF IT BE ALREADY KINDLED? BUT I HAVE A BAPTISM TO BE BAPTIZED WITH; AND HOW AM I STRAITENED TILL IT BE ACCOMPLISHED SUPPOSE YE THAT I AM COME TO GIVE PEACE ON EARTH? I TELL YOU, NAY; BUT RATHER DIVISION; FOR FROM HENCEFORTH THERE SHALL BE FIVE IN ONE HOUSE DIVIDED, THREE AGAINST TWO, AND TWO AGAINST THREE.”

What a contrast and seeming contradiction as we compare these words with the message of the angels, in Luke 2:9 to 15. In Luke 2:14, “Peace on earth.”

Now, “No peace on earth.” Note how the Lord Jesus stated it in Matthew 10:34 to 36. Note when the Lord announced “no peace on earth,” He spoke of another baptism, His death on the cross of Calvary. His death baptism. Jesus, the Anointed King, would not go to David’s throne for “peace on earth,” but to Calvary’s tree, to make peace for individual believing sinners. Note what Jesus Christ did. “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.

Christ made peace for believers by His baptism on the cross. Christ’s baptism brought peace. When the sinner believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and accepts His death baptism, note what happens to that believing sinner. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3 and 4. Christ was both circumcised and baptized, so with every member of the Body of Christ—”In Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead, And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” Colossians 2:11 to 13.

“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.

ANOTHER JEW WAITING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD

As we saw that the Book of Luke began with a devout Jew, waiting for the consolation of Israel, with Jesus in his arms, so we see that the Book of Luke closed with a devout Jew “waiting for the kingdom of God,” with Jesus in his arms.

“And, behold there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just; (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews; who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.” Luke 23:50 to 54.

Not only were Simeon and Joseph waiting for the kingdom of God, the consolation of Israel, but so also were all of the Lord’s most intimate and faithful apostles. Note the request of the mother of two of Christ’s apostles

“Then came to Him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping Him, and desiring a certain thing of Him. And He said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto Him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on Thy right hand, and the other on the left, in Thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask, Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto Him, We are able.” Matthew 20:20 to 22.

Note the expectation and desire of all the waiting Jews:

“BUT WE TRUSTED THAT IT HAD BEEN HE WHICH SHOULD HAVE REDEEMED ISRAEL; AND BESIDE ALL THIS, TODAY IS THE THIRD DAY SINCE THESE THINGS WERE DONE.” Luke 24:21. “WHEN THEY THEREFORE WERE COME TOGETHER, THEY ASKED OF HIM, SAYING, LORD, WILT THOU AT THIS TIME RESTORE AGAIN THE KINGDOM TO ISRAEL?” Acts 1:6.

THE KINGDOM REWARD FOR THE TWELVE

“Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:27 and 28.

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

Note very carefully the words of the Lord Jesus, in Matthew 10:23. “Ye shall not (may not) have gone over the cities of Israel till the Son of man be come.” Note in Acts 8:1 that the twelve apostles remained in Jerusalem. They trusted it had been Christ Who should have redeemed Israel. They were promised twelve thrones when Israel was redeemed. Matthew 19:28. They didn’t know one single thing about “the dispensation of grace” of Ephesians 3:1 to 3, or “the eternal purpose of God” of Ephesians 3:11; that is, what Christ revealed to Paul.

Even during the first chapters of Acts Peter and the Eleven knew nothing and preached nothing concerning the truth of Ephesians 3:6.

“That the Gentiles should be jointheirs, and of the same (joint-) Body, and jointpartakers, of His promise in Christ by the gospel.” Ephesians 3:6.

Hence their question: Wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? The kingdom will be restored to Israel. But this is quite different from the “Joint-Body” of Ephesians 3:6, which is God’s purpose and program, while Israel’s Messianic kingdom is in abeyance.

That kingdom will be established when the King comes, and then the prophesied CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL will be realized.

Let us not confuse the Consolation of Israel with the blessed hope of the Church which is Christ’s Body. Titus 2:13.

“AND HE (JESUS) SAID UNTO THEM, THAT THE SON OF MAN IS LORD ALSO OF THE SABBATH.” Luke 6:5.

We find in the Four Gospels that Jesus Christ calls Himself “the Son of man” about eighty times.

Very solemn words were spoken by the Lord, in John 5:25 to 27—“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man.”

Note also His statement, in Luke 5:24 “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins (he said unto the sick of the palsy), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.”

Again, note John 1:51, Luke 22:69 and Matthew 25:31. “And He saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. “

“Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand, of the power of God.”

“When shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory”

Here we learn something of the power, authority and Divine glory of the Son of man.

Note this strange question of the Lord Jesus—“What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before?”

Then in John 8:58, Christ said, “Before Abraham was I AM.” Where was the Son of man before? Before what and when? Not only before His incarnation but before Adam was created. Hear His own words: “And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the word was.” John 17:5.

Yes, the Lord Jesus had glory with the Father before the world was. If Jesus Christ was the Jehovah of Israel, He Himself wrote the ten commandments on the two tables of stone. One of those commandments was, remember the sabbath day.

In God’s message of grace we read: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:4.

In writing concerning Old Testament Israel, the Holy Spirit said:—“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 3:14.

“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 HOLYDAY, OR OF THE NEW MOON, OR OF THE SABBATH DAYS.” Colossians 2:14 and 16.

Christ is the end of the law. Christ abolished the law. Christians are not under the law. “For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14.

THE LAW A YOKE

“Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we: were able to bear?” Acts 15:10.

Concerning the law given at Sinai, note:

“For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart.” Hebrews 12:20.

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10.

By carefully studying the history of Israel under the law we learn that they had a sabbath but no rest; but the spirit of bondage unto fear. Romans 8:15. They were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:15. They could not endure that which was written on those two stones. The Psalmist cried out, “it is time for Thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void Thy law.” Psalms 119:126. “They have broken thy law.” Since the law was given no man, saint or sinner, with the single exception of Jesus Christ, the Righteous, has ever perfectly kept God’s perfect law. “Therefore the law made nothing perfect.” Hebrews 7:19. Note condemned Israel under the law.

“But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.” Galatians 3:23.

Note carefully these words, “under the law the people of God were shut up.” Then note Galatians 3:24 and 25: “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 schoolmaster.”

The law was Israel’s schoolmaster. Justified Israelites were not under the schoolmaster after they believed Paul’s gospel of grace.

Why did God give the law? “That sin might abound.” Romans 5:20. The law was added because of transgressions till Christ should come. Galatians 3:19. The law was given that every mouth might be stopped and all the world become guilty before God. Romans 3:19. The law worketh wrath. Romans 4:15.

Jesus Christ made peace by the blood of His cross. Colossians 1:20.

“I do not frustrate the grace of God for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21.

It is a spiritual crime to preach grace and law mixed for salvation.

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:28.

When the zealous religious legalists insisted on giving Israel’s law to the Gentile Christians, an important conference was called. Read about it in Acts 15:1 to 23. Note the results: “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our, fathers nor we were able to bear?” Acts 15:10.

THE DECISION AT JERUSALEM

“FORASMUCH AS WE HAVE HEARD, THAT CERTAIN WHICH WENT OUT FROM US HAVE TROUBLED YOU WITH WORDS, SUBVERTING YOUR SOULS, SAYING, YE MUST BE CIRCUMCISED, AND KEEP THE LAW; TO WHOM WE GAVE NO SUCH COMMANDMENT.” Acts 15:24.

It was not the ceremonial law that Israel could not endure. What were the commandments against us and contrary to us that God blotted out on the cross? Colossians 2:14. The ceremonial law was taken away, but the commandments that were against Israel were “thou shalt” and “thou shalt not”. Note Galatians 4:7—“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

Under the law the Jews were servants.

They received the spirit of bondage unto fear. Christians are in the Household of the Father. We are a race of sons.

Under grace the sinners have a new law that just fits the sinner’s needs; namely, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:2. This law does for the believer what the ten commandments could never do. Romans 8:3. Why? Because of the sinner’s weakness, his inability to perfectly keep God’s perfect law. That same Divine law enables the justified believer to fulfill the righteousness of the law by walking- in the Spirit. Romans 8:4.

THE LAW WAS ADDED

Note Galatians 3:19. “The law was added.” “The Old Covenant was added.” “Then the Old Covenant was done away.” II Corinthians 3:14. To what was the law added? When the law was added, Israel’s sabbath was added. When the promised Seed came, the law was taken out of the way. So also was Israel’s sabbath. The law was added that sin might abound. Romans 5:20. The law was added to the gospel which God preached to uncircumcised Abram. Galatians 3:8 and Romans 4:7 to 11. The law was added to the promise which God made to Abraham more than 400 years before the law and the sabbath were added. Galatians 3:16 and 17.

“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 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.”

The law economy was a parenthetical and temporary economy.

Abram believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:1 to 6, Galatians 3:6 to 8. Abraham was not an Old Testament character. The old Testament was added when Moses was 80 years old. That was several centuries after Abraham had died. Abram was not under the law. Abram was not given a sabbath or any holy days to keep. Those holy days belonged to Israel, and “were imposed on them until the time of reformation.” Hebrews 9:10. Members of Christ’s Body are not under the law. They are not to be judged by sabbaths.

“Sabbath” is “cessation or rest.” God rested on the seventh day. Genesis 2:2. God had accomplished a perfect work of creation; and “sabbathed.” Now note Hebrews 10:12

“But this man (Christ), after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.”

Christ sat down. He rested in a perfect work of redemption. Christ “sabbathed”. God, at Sinai, gave Israel a perfect work to do, and with that perfect work a sabbath to keep. What did they do? Note Christ’s words, in John 7:19—“Did. not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill Me?”

The religious sabbath-keepers had their own King, Messiah and Lord nailed to the cross. They were sabbath-keeping murderers. Sabbath-keepers are always religious, but never spiritual.

Note the words of the Saviour: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. Those who accepted Christ found rest. Note “He that hath entered into his rest hath ceased from his own works as God did from His.” Read Hebrews 4.

Christ is the believer’s peace, hope and life. Ephesians 2:16 to 18. I Timothy 1:1, Colossians 3:4.

The believer is seated with Christ far above in the heavenlies, and is blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies: Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 1:19 to 23, Ephesians 1:3.

Note again Colossians 2:16 and Galatians 5:1. These are plain instructions. God intends that members of the Body of Christ should obey them. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath set you free.

NO UNIVERSAL SABBATH

Note God’s Word to Israel. “Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. IT IS A SIGN BETWEEN ME AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL for ever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed.”

Exodus 31:16 and 17.

Members of the Body of Christ are seated in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus and are not living in Canaan. The Sabbath was a sign between Jehovah and Israel. It was kept from what we now call, Friday sun-down until Saturday sun-down. At this present time when it is night here it is day in the orient. Therefore we cannot have a universal sabbath. None but an ignorant Christian would confuse Israel’s religious program with the God-given spiritual program for the Body of Christ. In the dispensation of the grace of God there is no religion.

Note what God says in Galatians 4:10 and 11 and Galatians 5:3 and 4: “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”

God warns His children against religious days under His reign of grace. Every man who makes the Sabbath binding makes himself debtor to the whole law. No sinner or saint perfectly keeps the whole law without offending in one point; for no man ever lived on this earth, except Jesus Christ, who could honestly say, “I do always the things that please My Father,” “I love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and my neighbor as myself.”

There is no Christian sabbath. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. He is the believer’s Sabbath.

Note the following verses in which we read of the first day of the week. Luke 24:1, John 20:1, John 20:19, Acts 20:17, I Corinthians 16:2.

There was nothing legalistic or obligatory about the gathering of saints on the first day of the week. It was a day of privilege for the saints who gathered in the name of the Lord. It was neither the Christian sabbath nor the Lord’s day of Revelation 1:10. It is a great blunder to call Sunday “the Lord’s day.”

We leave with you Romans 14:5 and half of verse 6 and I Corinthians 8:13. “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.”

THE SIN OF OFFENSE

“Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”

So many religious members of the Body of Christ know very little about the Divine program of grace, and toward them others who have knowledge have to obey Romans 14 and I Corinthians 8, and be careful because of the ignorance and weaknesses of other members of the Body of Christ. In closing we quote, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” Romans 6:15.

“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.

“But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” Romans 7:6.

“That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:4.

Love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 13:8 to 11. Love is the fruit of the Spirit. “Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:21 to 26.

Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Christ is the believers’ righteousness. Romans 10:4, I Corinthians 1:30.