FOR HE IS A BABE—BE NO MORE CHILDREN

Let us carefully study the three Scriptures from which we have selected this three-fold heading,

First . . . I Corinthians 13:11: “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

Second . . . Hebrews 5:13 and 14: “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the Word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age (perfect).”

Third . . . Ephesians 4:14: “That we henceforth be no mare children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.”

In the Scriptures which we leave quoted the same Greek word is translated “child,” “babe” and “children.” The word is “nepios.” All three scriptures have to do with progressive revelation of God’s truth; and the believer’s growth in the knowledge of God’s revealed Word. All three Scriptures exhort the believer to recognize a progress from “babyhood” truth to “manhood truth, and to the understanding, appropriation and application of that perfect truth; which not only supplements “babyhood” truth, but in some cases supersedes it. “When I became a man, I put away childish things.” I Corinthians 13:11. “The knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man.” Ephesians 4:13. “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age . . . . Let us go on onto perfection.” Hebrews 5:14 and 6:1.

In exhorting the Hebrews to go on unto perfection, the holy Spirit also instructed the believer in this language, “therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ.” Hebrews 6:1. This translation is not as clear as it might be. The better translation would be, “therefore leaving the word of beginning, or the first word of Christ.” In writing to the Corinthians, urging them to “manhood” progress in God’s revealed truth, the Holy Spirit declared that certain gifts would pass away, “prophecies,” “knowledge” and “tongues”; and that certain things would abide, “faith,” “hope” and “love.” I Corinthians 13:8 and 13. The writer referred to this transition in this language: “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” I Corinthians 13:10. “That which is in part” is referred to as “childish”; that which is perfect as man.” Going on unto perfection is going on to that which is perfect, to that revelation from God that is for those of full age. Much of the truth that the risen Lord revealed through Paul, after the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, as to time, is truly, strong meat. But most believers, for some reason, either have no appetite for the strong meat, preferring to continue with the milk-diet, or they are unable to digest that which is perfect, the strong meat for those of full age.

CHRIST’S WORD OF BEGINNING

In considering the first words spoken by Christ, it is well to read the statement of His chief apostle in the land of the Jews. Peter declared to a Gentile, several years after Christ had died, concerning the first words of Christ: “The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel.” Acts 10:36. At that time the Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. Ephesians 2:11 and 12. It was about fifteen years after the death of Christ that Paul returned to Antioch, front his first missionary journey, and the church heard what “God had done with them (Saul and Barnabas), and how He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” Acts 14:27. Christ on earth was sent only to Israel. Matthew 15:24. While Christ was on earth He selected twelve Israelites to be His messengers to Israel. Matthew 10:5. These twelve understood some of the things spoken by Christ: very many of them they understood not Luke 18:33 and 34. For the things which they did understand Christ gave thanks to His Father in these words: “I thank Thee O Father . . . . Hast revealed them unto babes.” Luke 10:21. The Lord wants His children to ever have the spirit of a “babe”; but most assuredly he does not desire that they would continue to be “babes” in knowledge. As newborn babes they are to desire the sincere milk of the Word that they may grow thereby. I Peter 2:1. But when the believer remains a “babe” either because of conduct or lack of knowledge, it is anything but pleasing to the Father. Many of the Corinthian saints were carnal and years after they had been saved they had to be fed on milk. “as unto babes in Christ.” I Corinthians 3:1 to 3. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, Paul knew many things that the twelve apostles had never been taught by Christ when He was on earth. Likewise the twelve apostles knew many things at the time Paul wrote to the Corinthians that they did not know when they were on earth with Jesus of Nazareth, the man approved by God in the midst of Israel. Acts 2:22. Many righteous men and prophets had desired to see and hear what the twelve saw and heard, but they did not have that blessed privilege. Matthew 13:17. Jesus was in their midst to fulfil (complete) the law and the prophets. Matthew 5:17. Shortly before His death on the cross he said to His apostles: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. However when He the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:12 and 13. Beginning with the day of Pentecost the twelve apostles gradually and continuously received new light from the Lord in the development of His program. They rejoiced some seven years after Pentecost because repentance unto life was granted unto the household of Cornelius. But their rejoicing did not exceed their astonishment. This added light came to Peter by means of his house-top vision. Acts 11:18. Then new revelation came from the risen Christ to Paul. Hear His testimony: Paul said the Lord spoke to him in these words: “I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a Minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee.” Acts 26:16. The words that Christ spoke to and through Paul differed from His word of beginning, although the Lord appeared first to Saul, for his salvation as Jesus of Nazareth with a Kingdom message.

JESUS NOT COME TO DESTROY THE LAW OR THE PROPHETS BUT TO FULFIL

PAUL WAS GIVEN A DISPENSATION FOR GENTILES TO FULFIL THE WORD OF GOD

Hear the testimony of Jesus Christ: “‘Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Matthew 5:17. Hear the testimony of the Apostle Paul: “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 (Gentiles) to fulfil the Word of God.” Colossians 1:24 and 25. The word “fulfil” should be translated “complete” or “consummate” or “finish,” that is, it was to “bring to an end.” It was one thing for Jesus Christ to complete the law and the prophets by or in Himself: it was quite a different thing for the risen Christ to complete the Word of God by or in Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. Jesus Christ was made under the law, and as a minister of the circumcision He came from heaven with God’s Word to Israel, the Word of confirmation, Romans 15:8, Galatians 4:4, Acts 16:36, Acts 3:26, Acts 5:31. Concerning Christ’s earthly ministry, the writer of Acts began his message with these words: “Of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which He was taken up.” Acts 1:1 and 2. In the Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, is recorded what Jesus began to teach until He was taken up. Paul’s ministry was to give forth that which Christ continued to teach after that He was taken up. The Grace of Christ Gospel and the Mystery among the Gentiles came to Paul by revelation. Galatians 1:11 and 12. Ephesians 3:1 to 5 and Colossians 1:24 to 27. Paul wrote about one-half of the Books of the New Testament Scriptures. He did not write the first of these until after God had closed the record of the ministry of the twelve apostles to Israel in their land. Peter’s name does not appear in the Book of Acts after the fifteenth chapter, or about 45 A. D. About nine years later Paul wrote his first Epistle to the Thessalonians, then his second Epistle to the Thessalonians, then to Galatians, then two Epistles to the Corinthians, then his Epistle to the Romans. He wrote these six Epistles between 52 A.D. and 60 A.D. He reached Rome, as the prisoner of Jesus Christ, about 63 A.D. Between 64 A.D. and 67 A.D. he wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Titus, Philemon, I Timothy and II Timothy. In Paul’s six Epistles written before he reached Rome the Lord revealed His “that which is in part” program. In these closing Epistles the Lord revealed His “that which is perfect” program. In these closing Epistles Paul was the Lord’s instrument to complete the Word of God. The workman who needeth not to be ashamed will diligently seek the mind of the Spirit, in going on unto perfection, learning how to eliminate from the program of the Body of Christ and retain for the Body of Christ all of the first words spoken by Christ and all of the order of the “Pre-Prison” epistles of Paul that should be eliminated or retained.

Any Bible teacher who claims that he, as a member of the Body of Christ, saved by pure grace, accepts and practices all of the program of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, stating that the program of Jesus of Nazareth is the program of Paul’s Dispensation of the Grace of God, is either ignorant or dishonest. A spiritual, Spirit-taught student of the Word of God will neither eliminate one sentence of truth taught by Jesus on earth, from the program of the Church, that will fit into the Body truth of Paul’s closing Epistles, nor carry over into that Body truth any of the program of Jesus of Nazareth which ceased with His death and resurrection. Likewise a spiritual, Spirit-filled student of the Word of God will observe the same principle of “rightly dividing the word of truth” in eliminating or carrying over truth from God’s program as set forth in Paul’s “Pre-Prison” Epistles. Much of the truth of Paul’s first six Epistles fit perfectly into the Body truth of his “Prison Epistles”, and therefore is carried over into that which is perfect. Likewise, much must be eliminated; remembering that that which is perfect has superseded that which is in part, and some things have passed away. We give this one definite example; all during the Four Gospels and during Paul’s first six Epistles God’s Nation Israel had either exclusive or prior rights; and, as the Jews required a sign, the Lord’s Sign Age was from the proclamation of the Kingdom by Jesus in the year 29 A.D. until God set Israel aside, with the close of Acts, about 63 A.D. The close of Acts divides Paul’s “Pre-Prison” and “Prison” Epistles. When Paul uttered the words recorded in Acts 28:25 to 28 the Sign age ceased. So signs do not belong to that which is perfect. The believer who includes signs in his program is not going on unto perfection: he has not put away “babyish” things and become a man. Most assuredly advancing with the Word from His truth in Corinthians to His truth in Ephesians is going on to perfection, from that which is in part to that which is perfect.

NO MORE CHILDREN TOSSED TO AND FRO; EPHESIANS 4:14

As to doctrine, the great majority of Christians are children, or babes. What a spectacle we behold today in Christendom, with the mixture of Ritualism, Modernism, and Fanaticism, to say nothing of the Satanic cults! The slogan of the Modernist is “back to Jesus.” They prefer the religious program of Jesus among the Jews to the Dispensation of the Grace of God which the risen Christ committed to Paul for the Gentiles. Ephesians 3:1. The Ritualist knows nothing of Paul’s Gospel and Body truth. Then there are multitudes of saved people, who love the Lord and His Book, who are following the traditions of men instead of rightly dividing the Word of truth. Their rule is to practice what the church organizations have been practicing for centuries instead of searching the Scriptures to see whether these things be true. Then there are many genuine Christians who, with courage and zeal, are trying to recover for the Church of today the miraculous healings, tongues and other signs, with their slogan “Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today and forever.” Their program is one of disorder, discord and delusion. But they have at least dared to disregard the traditions of the elders in their earnest endeavor to bring back to the Church the signs and gifts of the Four Gospels, of the Book of Acts, of the Epistle of James, and of the first six Epistles of Paul. Because they have failed to obey the Word of the Lord, in going on to perfection, from that which is in part to that which is perfect, they are “babes” tossed to and fro. They have not put away “babyish” things.

And how sad and deplorable it is that our outstanding Fundamental Bible teachers look on helplessly, having no Scriptural corrective, because they not only refuse to recognize the transition from the Four Gospels, through the Book of Acts, with the great change and new revelation in Paul’s final Epistles, but bitterly oppose the servants of the Lord who do. God will surely teach them their lesson with the rod of Fanaticism. Final Pauline truth is the curative for almost every heresy and delusion with which the Church today is troubled.

FIRST—CHRIST’S MESSAGE TO ISRAEL

“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” Matthew 12:31 and 32.

SECOND—STEPHEN’S MESSAGE TO ISRAEL

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye.” Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:51 and 56. Stephen, “full of the Holy Spirit”: “Jesus standing.” Verse 55.

THIRD—PAUL’S MESSAGE TO ISRAEL (20 years later)

“Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed (resisted) 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.” Acts 18:5 and 6.

At the time Jesus spoke to Israel concerning their sin against the Son of man, as well as later on when Stephen and Paul spoke to the same Nation, the Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, alienated from the life of God, dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:11 and 12, Ephesians 4:18 and 2:1. All of their sins at that time were unpardoned. They had not sinned against the Son of man. They were far off, and by grace, they were brought nigh by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:7 to 16. A convicted Gentile might resist the Holy Spirit and refuse to be saved by grace through faith; but at the time Jesus warned Israel not to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 15:24 and Matthew 10:5. The messages of Jesus, Stephen and Paul, quoted above, had no application to Gentiles; only to God’s Nation.

However, it is quite interesting to observe that Jesus’ warning to Israel, recorded in Matthew 12:31 and 32, was spoken in between His messages to two Gentiles; the centurion of the eighth chapter of Matthew and the Greek of the fifteenth chapter. To the centurion Jesus said, “Great Faith”; “The CHILDREN of the Kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness.” Matthew 8:11 and 12. To the Greek Jesus said, “Great Faith”; “Let the CHILDREN first he filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.” Matthew 15:26 to 28. Mark 7:27.

So as we follow Israel’s history from the message of Christ, to the messages of Stephen and Paul, we shall learn that the CHILDREN (Israel) were first filled; then the CHILDREN were cast out; then the dogs received the CHILDREN’S bread. In the eleventh chapter of Romans, written about thirty years after Jesus warned Israel (Matthew 12:31 and 32), is recorded the “casting away” of Israel. Romans 11:15. Outer darkness is pictured in verse eight; “God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear” . . . . “Let their eyes he darkened.” (Romans 11:10) . . . . “Blindness in part is happened to Israel.” (Romans 11:25). “Through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles.” (Romans 11:11) “Gentiles have now obtained mercy through their (Israel’s) unbelief.” (Romans 11:30) Let us also observe that following Jesus’ warning (Matthew 12:31 and 32) He spoke of Israel’s outer darkness and casting away in Matthew 13:14 and 15, quoting Isaiah 6:9 and 10: “Hearing, not understand; Seeing, not perceived . . . Their eyes they have closed.” Let us follow Israel’s history from Jesus’ warning in Matthew 12:31 and 32, to Paul’s “HENCEFORTH” of Acts 18:6, keeping in mind Matthew 13:14 and 15 (Quotation from Isaiah 6:9 and 10) and Paul’s final message to Israel in Acts 28:25 to 28 (Quotation from Isaiah 6:9 and 10). Acts 7:51, Acts 13:36, Acts 18:6, Romans 11:8 and 25 are very closely related to Acts 28:25 to 28 and to Isaiah 6:9 and 10.

After Jesus warned Israel in Matthew 12:31 and 32, and after He told the Gentile, “the CHILDREN must first be filled,” it seemed as though Israel, as a nation, had sinned away their last offer or privilege from God, and the time of their casting-away had arrived; for Jesus said in Matthew 16:20, to His disciples, “that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ (Messiah).” But something happened, for Paul, more than twenty years later, was doing that very thing when he gave forth his “HENCEFORTH”; that is, he was testifying to Israel that Jesus was Christ (Messiah). Acts 18:5 and 6. What happened to cause the Lord to change His mind and the message of His disciples? Surely this is a very interesting question. In seeking for the answer it is interesting and instructive to go from the “HENCEFORTH” of Luke 12:50 to 52, and “FROM THAT TIME FORTH,” Matthew 16:20 and 21, to the “HENCEFORTH” of Acts 18:6 and the “HENCEFORTH” of II Corinthians 5:16; reading Acts 18:6 in connection with Romans 11:8 and 25 and Acts 28:25 to 28. The changes indicated by these “HENCEFORTHS are very suggestive.

Read first Matthew 16:20 and 21: “From that time forth.” What? The death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Hitherto, the disciples had been testifying that Jesus was Messiah. But no more. Matthew 16:20. Hitherto, “peace on earth”. Luke 2:14. Henceforth, “no peace on earth.” Luke 12:50 to 52. Peace on earth is in connection with Jesus as Israel’s Messiah, on the throne of David. Luke 1:31 and 32. Isaiah 9:6 and 7. But “HENCEFORTH”. What? “I have a baptism to be baptized with.” Luke 12:50 and 51. What baptism? The death baptism of Christ. Then in the last twelve chapters of Luke no more waterbaptism. Why? The answer is John 1:31 and Matthew 16:20. “That Jesus might be manifested unto Israel, came I with water baptism.” “That they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.” If they are to resume that message, then they are to resume water baptism; but not before. “John (Baptist) did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mark 1:4. That message was for Israel. Acts 13:24. It was to Israel that Christ was to be manifested. And He was manifested to Israel up to Matthew 16:20 and Luke 12:50 to 52. “From that time forth” the Son of Man must be delivered and be crucified. Matthew 17:12 . . . Matthew 20:18 and 28. Jesus spoke of His approaching death as His baptism.

Israel was going to sin against the Son of man. They were going to put Him to death, or have Him put to death. But Jesus had said that sin against the Son of Man would be forgiven. After He said that, He said, “The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Matthew 21:43. When was that Kingdom taken away from Israel and to what nation has it been given? There are more than five hundred nations represented in the Body of Christ. Jesus had said, “Let the CHILDREN first be filled.” Now, that the Kingdom was to be taken away from them, had they been filled? Some months after the death of the Son of man, Peter, in the Name of the Lord, said to Israel, “Unto you first.” Acts 3:26. Some years later, Paul, in the Name of the Lord, said, “it was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you.” Acts 13:46. If the Kingdom of God was taken away from Israel, how are we to account for the fact that all of the three thousand of Acts 2:41, and the five thousand of Acts 4:4, received into the Kingdom of God, were Israelites? If the Kingdom of God was taken away from Israel, why did the disciples of Jesus preach to none but Jews only for seven or eight years after the baptism of Christ into death? Acts 11:19. Why did Paul say, in the year 60 A.D., “to the Jew first?” Romans 1:16.

The Nation Israel did sin against the Son of Man, and that great sin was forgiven them: and the Kingdom of God was not taken away until after they had for years sinned against the Holy Spirit resisting, opposing, and blaspheming Him. “A blindness judgment was then pronounced upon that nation. And is still there. But Israel will be saved.” Romans 11:26. Ezekiel 36:21 to 31 will be fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God will be given to a nation, bringing forth the fruits thereof. The Lord used very plain language in Matthew 21:43, “The Kingdom of God shall be taken away from you (Israel).” What an unmerciful judgment He pronounced upon Israel in Matthew 23:33 to 38! But in Acts 3:17 what a message of mercy in the words of Peter, “And now brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it (killed the Prince of life), as did also your rulers.” What brought about such a change? And then what? A new offer to Israel. The Kingdom of God was offered them. Acts 3:19 to 21. “Repent Israel, and Jesus will be sent back for the restitution of all things.” That is the purpose for which He was born and for which He was raised Read Luke 1:31 and 32, 67 to 77, and Acts 2:25 to 31. Luke 1:70. Again, the question, what changed the Lord’s mind, or caused Him to extend His offer of the Kingdom this side of Jesus’ death baptism? Surely it was the prayer of the Son of man in the hour of death; “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. The father forgave. Now the disciples could again testify to Israel that Jesus was Christ (Messiah); the Kingdom could again be offered to that Nation. So, the Twelve apostles, on the day of Pentecost, reminded Israel of the Prophecy of Joel concerning their Kingdom, and the Prophecy of David concerning their King, and closed by saying “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:36. And then what? Water baptism unto repentance. For what? That Christ might be made manifest unto Israel, baptizing with water. John 1:31. And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38. Jesus had been exalted to be Israel’s Prince and Saviour; the Holy Spirit was the witness. Acts 5:32. Now, as long as the disciples were to testify to Israel that Jesus is the Christ, water-baptism was in order. Twenty years later Paul so testified. Acts 18:5. Then many Corinthians believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8.

Israel began their unpardonable sin, resisting, opposing. blaspheming the Holy Spirit, who was witnessing that God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ, had exalted Him to be Israel’s Prince and Saviour, shortly after the day of Pentecost. Stephen addressed that Nation and told them that Jesus was standing in heaven. How significant! Stephen saw the Son of man. How significant! While he saw that Son of man, against whom Israel had sinned, and had been forgiven, he said, “ye do always resist the Holy Spirit.” They had sinned against the Son of man; it had been forgiven them. Now, they were sinning against the Holy Spirit: it would not be forgiven them. Israel murdered the Holy Spirit messenger, Stephen, as they had murdered the Son of man. But he prayed very much the same prayer for God’s continued mercy, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” Acts 7:60. The Lord again heard, and extended His offer of the Kingdom, instructing all of His servants to observe the order, “to the Jew first.” Why? The CHILDREN must first be filled. Then the CHILDREN would be cast into outer darkness. And many would come from the cast and the west and sit down in the Kingdom with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Matthew 8:10 to 12. When were the CHILDREN filled? When were the CHILDREN cast out? As one turning-point came with Matthew 16:20 and 21, Luke 12:50 to 52, another with Stephen’s message in Acts 7:51 to 60, so another came with Paul’s ministry in the thirteenth chapter of Acts, which opens with a judgment upon Bar-jesus (child of Jehovah), blindness for a season; the change of Saul’s name to Paul; and the words of Acts 13:46: “lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Undoubtedly you have compared Stephen’s message, in the seventh chapter of Acts, with Paul’s, in the thirteenth chapter, to that company of Israelites in Asia. There’s a close connection. Then compare all of these turning-points with Paul’s “HENCEFORTH” in Europe, recorded in Acts 18:6. Israel blasphemed. According to Matthew 12:31 and 32, they were not to be forgiven. According to Matthew 8:10 to 12, they were to be cast out into outer darkness. According to Mark 7:27, Israel was to be filled. They had been filled; that is, “the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” Romans 11:7.

At the time Paul wrote this message of Israel’s rejection, he said, “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. What a difference! Paul had been testifying that Jesus was Christ (Messiah) But note after the significant “HENCEFORTH” of Acts 18:6, he was not “HENCEFORTH” to know Christ after the flesh. II Corinthians 5:16. He was now to testify of the Gospel of the Grace of God. Here we have most decidedly and most definitely the parallel of Matthew 16:20 and Luke 12:50 to 52, when Jesus was not to be made manifest to Israel any longer. Then they were sinning against the Son of man, and He announced His death baptism. The definite turning-point came with Acts 18:5 and 6 and Acts 20:24. The Nation Israel had sinned against the Holy Spirit. It was not forgiven them. They have been set aside as a nation; until the Son of man shall come, according to Luke 21:28 to 32. Then Israel shall be saved and restored to national life. Romans 11:26 and Ezekiel 37:21 to 31. That final setting-aside of the Nation was not announced until Acts 28:25 to 28. But the Epistle to the Romans is the Divine message of rejection and setting-aside. That Epistle is likewise the message of the Grace Gospel. And as there were no water-baptisms between the twelfth and twenty-fourth chapters of Luke, after the Lord had announced His death baptism, until Pentecost and Jesus was not to be manifested to Israel as Christ, so the baptism of the Grace Gospel is death baptism; the believer’s death baptism with or into Jesus Christ. Romans 6:3. After that death baptism is announced, there were no more water-baptisms mentioned. Only the one, holy Spirit baptism, of Ephesians 4:4 to 6: for surely no one but Christ, by the Holy Spirit, could baptize any one into His death. By water baptism no one could be baptized into the death of Christ, or put on Christ, or be baptized into the one body. Galatians 3:27, I Corinthians 12:13. The only death baptisms in the Scriptures are the baptisms of Christ on the cross, Luke 12:51 (Matthew 20:22 and Mark 10:38 refer to same death baptism of Christ), and the baptism of the believer into the death of Christ. Romans 6:3. As Christ’s death baptism was by the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 9:14), so is also the believer’s. Water-baptism passed with the manifestation of Christ to Israel. Believers now arc in the upper-heavenlies with Christ, as members of His Body. Perhaps, water baptism shall he in order when Christ in the next age is manifested to Israel.

What sin today is unpardonable? Grace is greater than any or all of the sins of any Sinner, and any sinner, regardless of the quantity or duality of his sins, may be saved by grace on the condition of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His redemptive work. His death and resurrection.

It is generally believed by all students of the Word of God that Paul’s Second Epistle to Timothy was his last written message. In our dated Bibles the year of that final message was 66 A.D. It is believed by some that Paul was in prison in Rome the second time, having been once freed. However, all Christians are not certain as to this fact. But all Christians do believe that Paul reached Rome before 63 A.D., or about four or five years before he died. Paul was taken to Rome as a prisoner, having been delivered to the Roman Government by the Jews who caught him in the temple in Jerusalem, about the year 60 A. D. Acts 21:27. He had just written his Epistle to the Romans. Romans 16:24 and 25. Acts 19:21. Before Paul wrote to the Romans he had written to the Thessalonians, to the Corinthians, and to the Galatians

After his arrest in Jerusalem he did not write again until after he had reached Rome. Then, according to our dated Bibles, in the year 64 A.D., he wrote to the Ephesians; in the year 64 A.D., he wrote to the Philippians; in the year 64 A.D., he wrote to the Colossians; in the year 64 A.D., he wrote to Philemon; in the year 65 A.D., he wrote to Titus; in the year 64 A.D., he wrote to Hebrews (neither date nor authorship fully established); in the year 65 A.D., he wrote to Timothy (his First Epistle); and finally in the year 66 A.D., he wrote his Second Epistle to Timothy.

According to Acts 19:22, Timothy ministered unto Paul and was with him, when “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus both Jews and Greeks.” Acts 19:10. Paul’s mighty work, by the Holy Spirit, “was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus.” Acts 19:17. So it will prove profitable to read together Paul’s Epistles to Timothy with his Epistle to Ephesus. Timothy, who made his headquarters at Ephesus, could well understand the words of Paul, recorded in II Timothy 1:15, “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me.” Timothy knew why they had turned away from Paul.

The Galatians had turned away from Paul. To them he said, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth,” Galatians 4:16. The Corinthians, who had received such rich blessings through Paul’s ministry afterward questioned his apostleship. They could not understand his twofold ministry. This he explained in the ninth chapter of his First Epistle to the Corinthians. And then he wrote to them, “be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” I Corinthians 11:1.

In Paul’s last message he is instructing his son Timothy concerning the things which Timothy has heard of him. “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of (by) me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” II Timothy 2:1 and 2.

After we have diligently studied all of this Epistle, we can better understand this commission of Paul to Timothy. In the Epistle we learn that Paul used the words “I,” “me” and “my” more than fifty times. Does he speak with Divine authority? Were his orders to Timothy the Lord’s orders; or was he simply expressing some of his own ideas and opinions? If Paul’s mind in that farewell message was not the mind of the Lord, he was more than egotistical or presumptuous. He was deluded.

When Christ was on earth, God was speaking in His Son. Hebrews 1:2. Therefore, the Father said, “Hear ye Him.” Matthew 17:5. Why did not Paul say to Timothy “the things that thou has heard of the Lord?” Many Christians delight to give special emphasis to the words spoken by Jesus of Nazareth on earth; so they purchase a “Red-letter” New Testament. And they join in the song, “I would like to have been here when He was here among men.” But they perhaps have forgotten to read several of the Saviour’s “Red-lettered” statements: “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 to cast it to dogs”; “Go not in the way of the Gentiles.” Matthew 15:24 and 26 and 10:5.

Would it not he better to turn to the Lord’s messages through Paul? It seems as though Gentiles would prefer to turn to Paul’s Epistles and in none of them is the Lord’s messages to the Gentiles more clearly stated than in Paul’s Epistles to Timothy, wherein we read: “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher and an apostle, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity”; and again “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”

The first reference is I Timothy 2:7, and immediately follows the statement, concerning Christ, “Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” The due time for the Gentiles was not while God was speaking in His Son, but after the Son went back to heaven. And even then the Gentiles had to wait. It was when Paul went out from Antioch of Syria and after some months returned that we read: “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. As Gentiles, we should not place our “due time” back in the days of Jesus of Nazareth or in the early ministry of the twelve apostles in the Book of Acts.

And concerning the second reference, II Timothy 1:11, let us carefully study the verses immediately preceding: “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.” For his faithful, uncompromising, proclamation of that message to the Gentiles Paul was the prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ. II Timothy 1:8 and Ephesians 3:1.

While Jesus was on earth, with Israel under the Old Covenant, His message was concerning the Abrahamic Covenant, the Davidic Covenant, the New Covenant, in which Covenants God had guaranteed to Israel a King, a Kingdom and a Land. That ministry and message was confirmed to Israel by the twelve apostles, after the Lord Jesus had shed His precious blood that sinners might be saved. Hebrews 2:2 to 4. The Apostle Paul, in his early ministry, joined with the Twelve in the confirmation of that message. But Paul came to the “place where he had to say to that Nation, “your blood be upon your own heads: I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.” Acts 18:6. That was about 20 years after the death of Christ. Shortly, thereafter the Lord, through Paul, pronounced his judgment upon that Nation; blindness. Israel was temporarily set aside. Acts 28:25 to 28. Romans 11:11 . . . Romans 11:25 to 30. Gentiles then obtained mercy through Israel’s unbelief. Romans 11:28 to 31.

After this pronouncement Paul’s ministry and message was concerning the Dispensation of the Grace of God. Ephesians 3:2. He then preached the unsearchable (untraceable) riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8. To whom? Among the Gentiles. He then proclaimed the mystery among the Gentiles, Christ within, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27. “That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs of the same Body.” Ephesians 3:6. This Mystery differed in some respects from the message and blessings of the Covenants. Paul’s new message was received from the risen Christ by revelation. The Gospel that he preached was received by revelation. Galatians 1:11 and 12. The Mystery that he proclaimed, the unsearchable riches of Christ, was by revelation. This had been hid in God, not made known before to the sons of men. It was hid in God from the beginning of the world. Ephesians 3:9. Colossians 1:26. In connection with this new message Paul wrote that the members of the Body were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:3.

In writing to his son Timothy, Paul referred to the Mystery, preached unto the Gentiles. I Timothy 3:16. In Ephesians 3:3, Paul stated that the Mystery was made known “to me:” In Ephesians 3:5, Paul stated. “it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” In II Timothy 1:14, Paul thus instructed Timothy; “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us.”

By reading two or three verses of Scripture one might be led to believe that Paul was not the only apostle or prophet to whom the Mystery was made known by revelation. But after reading Paul’s final message, II Timothy, and noting the more than fifty times he used “I,” “Me” and “My,” we must come to the conclusion that the revelation of the Mystery to others must have been through Paul. Others certainly learned by communication of Paul’s Gospel. Galatians 2:1 to 5. We cannot think of Paul as having been proud, or egotistical, even though he had the right to be exalted above measure because of the abundance of the revelations from Christ. II Corinthians 12:1 to 12. His thorn was there to keep him humble; but it did not keep him from referring to “my doctrine,” “my gospel,” “my hands” in connection with “my chains,” in writing to “my son.” II Timothy 3:10 . . . II Timothy 2:8 . . . II Timothy 1:6 . . . II Timothy 1:16. “My chain” was because of “my doctrine.” Colossians 4:3. Ephesians 6:19 and 20. Paul was in bonds. But God’s Word, by Paul, was not bound. II Timothy 2:9.

Note the closing words of the Apostle, who was born out of due season, who magnified his office as Apostle to the Gentiles: “The Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully, known, and all the Gentiles might hear.” II Timothy 4:17. I Corinthians 15:8 . . . Romans 11:13. Nearly twenty years before Paul wrote these closing words he went up to Jerusalem, by revelation, Galatians 2:1 to 6. He went up, by revelation, to communicate unto the apostles and teachers to the Jews at Jerusalem the Gospel that he had received from Christ, by revelation. Galatians 1:11 and 12. As the result of that conference, Peter and his associates agreed to confine their ministry, their gospel-preaching, to the circumcision; and leave with Paul the responsibility of evangelizing the Gentiles. Galatians 2:7 and 9. Acts 22:17 to 22. After that conference Peter’s name was not again mentioned in the Book of Acts. After the fifteenth chapter of Acts, Paul was the chief human actor in that Book But strange to say the Book of Acts closed before Paul’s ministry closed, the close of the Book of Acts dividing his ministry. And for this reason Paul instructed Timothy to rightly divide the Word of truth. Paul’s divided ministry divided brethren in his day; and it will continue to divide them in this day, even more and more as the Lord shall endeavor to recover for the members of His Body that truth revealed through His prisoner for the Gentile, the Mystery and the glorious Gospel of the blessed God. I Timothy 1:11.

It is significant that it was in this farewell message that Paul’s son was told to rightly divide the Word of truth. In the light of the context we may be sure that Paul meant that the student of the Word of God who did not know the difference between the Mystery and all other truth would be a workman that needeth to be ashamed. And how many such Christians there are today!

“From a child,” Timothy had known the Scriptures. II Timothy 3:15. Those Scriptures were able to make Timothy wise unto salvation. But they were not able to make him wise unto the Mystery, which was not once named in the Scriptures with which Timothy was familiar, to which he had had access Timothy’s knowledge of the Word and will of God was from two different sources; namely, “The Scriptures,” and “the things that thou hast heard of me.” II Timothy 2:2. Timothy had not received the things by inspiration or by revelation or by Bible study. He had heard “the things” from Paul. He could not have heard them from Peter and the Eleven, for although they were commissioned by Christ, with Divine authority, with the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, they were not the custodians of Body truth. Timothy was instructed to commit Paul’s “my doctrine” and “my gospel” to faithful men, “who shall be able to teach others also.” II Timothy 2:2.

This brings us to this question, “are teachers of the Word of God today to recognize the authority of Peter, and his keys, and perpetuate the message given forth by the Twelve during the Book of Acts period; or should they not recognize the boundary-line of the Dispensation of the Grace of God and the Mystery revealed through the Apostle to the Gentiles and labour under the final commission of Paul to Timothy?” Sorely there is a difference between discipling all nations, teaching them to observe that which God spoke in His Son, and making a New Man out of Jew and Gentile, according to the Mystery of Ephesians. Ephesians 2:11 to 19.

However there is no higher standard of “Christ” living than in Paul’s prison Epistles. Surely there is a difference between the declaration of Peter and James, taking believers out of the Gentiles, according to the Prophet Amos, as recorded in Acts 15:14 to 17, and the Gentiles being made fellowheirs of the same Body, about which Amos knew nothing.” Ephesians 3:3 to 3:9.

Unless we divide Paul’s ministry before and after the revelation of the Mystery, we might not understand why Paul, in writing to Timothy, instructed him to use wine for his sickness, when Timothy knew full well that Paul had healed men, who had far less faith than he, without the use of wine or medicine. Timothy was with Paul in Ephesus. II Timothy 1:18. Compare I Timothy 5:23 and Acts 19:11 and 12. Timothy, if he was the bishop of the Assembly at Ephesus, would have been most inconsistent, had he instructed the members of the Assembly to trust the Lord for healing, while he was taking wine. And we are not to be surprised that Paul did not include baptism in his commission to Timothy, be cause “Christ sent Paul not to baptize.” I Corinthians 1:17. Moreover, with the revelation of the Mystery came the revelation of one baptism. This fact was written by Paul to Timothy’s Assembly, if he was bishop of the Church at Ephesus. Ephesians 3:3 to 9. Ephesians 4:1 to 7.

The Lord’s purpose in giving to Paul that marvelous revelation, that message wholly unknown to all apostles and prophets before him, was “to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God.” Ephesians 3:9. If it had been hid in God, all men could not have seen it before God’s appointed time. Paul was the first to see it. Now God wants every believer, including you, to see it. This Mystery has reference to the Christ and the Church in the heavenlies, to be made known by the Church, and is “according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 3:10 and 11. That this glorious truth might be known the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “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.” Ephesians 1:17 and 18. Have the eyes of your understanding been enlightened? You are one of the all whom the Lord would have to see the fellowship of the Mystery; that is, if you are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. Have you been redeemed by God’s grace; by Christ’s blood? Any man who has not been born from above, cannot see the Kingdom of God, to say nothing of this Mystery. Surely the Lord would have every member of the Body of Christ know the difference between the Kingdom promised since the world began and the Grace and purpose given us in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world, long before God made covenants with men.

Established creeds and doctrinal platforms have been largely responsible for the comparatively few Christians who have seen that glorious truth which God has wanted His children to see all down through the years since the risen Christ revealed it to Paul. Denominational leaders will excommunicate Christians for seeing it. Religion was responsible for the terrible persecution which Paul endured for proclaiming the Mystery in his days. Religious leaders today will scoff at this truth; will antagonize, boycott and persecute those who endeavor to recover this blessed and glorious truth. The Lord could truly say to them, “having eyes ye see not.” Sad to say, the most determined and aggressive opponents of this truth, which the Lord would have all men to see, are the leaders and teachers of Fundamental Church-organizations and Bible-Schools, where men and women are preparing to be preachers and teachers. They are such persecutors that many members of the Body of Christ who see the Mystery, or Secret, keep the fact a secret, instead of remembering the words of Paul expressed in Galatians 2:5 and 6. Read those words, and if you see, lead some other brother out of his blindness, suffering the persecution with Paul, for the sake of Christ and His truth.

“THIS IS THAT”

The Book of Acts covers a period of about thirty years; from the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, about 33 A.D., until after Paul’s arrival in Rome as the prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ on earth, was a minister of the circumcision; sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Romans 15:8, Matthew 15:24. Paul was the prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ for Gentiles. Ephesians 3:1. He was the Apostle to the Gentiles, sent to them by Christ, with the Gospel of the glory of the blessed God? Galatians 1:11 to 13, I Timothy 1:11, I Timothy 2:7, II Timothy 1:11, Romans 11:13.

The Book of Acts is the “Book Between” the earthly ministry of the Son of God, which closed about 33 A. D., and those Epistles of the Apostle Paul, written after he had reached Rome; Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I Timothy, Philemon, Titus and II Timothy. Inasmuch as “The Mystery “ is mentioned twelve times in those Epistles, we could refer to them as “The Mystery Epistles”, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians were written about 64 A.D. or about thirty-one years after the Lord Jesus had gone back to heaven.

Let us then study the Book of Acts as the “Book Between” Matthew, Mark and Luke, on the one side, and Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, on the other side. It is interesting to note that the Book of Matthew has twenty-eight chapters; and that the Book of Acts has twenty-eight chapters. That the Book of Matthew is decidedly Jewish, no student of the Word of God will deny; but many students of the Word of God will be surprised to know that the following words are found only 86 times in the Book of Matthew and just 250 times in the Book of Acts: Jews, Jerusalem, Sabbath, Moses, Law, Temple, Synagogue, Israel. How Jewish, then, is the Book of Acts?

In Matthew, Mark and Luke, the Son of God was on earth. He was born King of the Jews; He entered Jerusalem on the ass, as the King of Israel; He was crucified as King of the Jews. In Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, the Son of God is seated in the upper-heavenlies, as Head over all things to the Church, which is His Body. Ephesians 1:19 to 22. Now the question, if the Lord Jesus is the King of Israel in the first three Books and is the Head of the Body in the last three Books, just which of the two is He in the “Book Between”? Is He both?

That the Lord Jesus Christ, when an earth, offered to Israel a Kingdom which was different from the Body of Christ described in Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, no intelligent student of the Word of God will deny. The character of that Kingdom offered to Israel is described in the first chapter of Luke. Christ was born to take David’s throne. Luke 1:28 to 33. Christ was coming to deliver the Nation Israel. Luke 1:67 to 77. In His offer to establish His Kingdom in the midst of Israel, Christ was fulfilling the Word which God had spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Luke 1:70. Luke was also the human author of the “Book Between”. Is it not significant that in the Book of Acts, Christ was raised from the dead to take David’s throne? Acts 2:25 to 31. Was there not also in the Book of Acts God’s offer to Israel, upon the condition of repentance, to establish the same Kingdom, promised by all of the holy prophets since the world began? Acts 3:21. Note the language of Luke 1:70 and Acts 3:21, and you must conclude that the same Israelitish Kingdom is referred to in both Scriptures.

Let us note three verses in the first three Books referred to; that is, one verse from Mark, one from Matthew and one from Luke; all concerning the Kingdom of God, or Kingdom of Heaven.

MARK 1:15

Jesus said; “THE TIME IS FULFILLED”; “THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND”.

MATTHEW 21:43

Jesus said; “THE KINGDOM OF GOD SHALL BE TAKEN FROM YOU”.

LUKE 21:31

Jesus said; “THE KINGDOM OF GOD WILL BE AT HAND”. (When the Son of man shall return in the clouds) Luke 21:27.

The Kingdom was at hand; in fulfillment of the Scriptures. The Kingdom was taken away; in fulfillment of the Scriptures. Matthew 21:42. The Kingdom of God will be at hand; in fulfillment of the Scriptures. The Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross, died and was raised the third day; in fulfillment of the Scriptures. Luke 24:25 and Luke 24:46.

When Peter and the Eleven preached concerning the two great events, on the day of Pentecost, the resurrection of Christ and the advent of the Holy Spirit, they said that both events were in fulfillment of the Scriptures; in fulfillment of prophecies that God had made concerning Israel’s Kingdom, by Joel and David. Neither of these prophets had any word about the “The Mystery” of Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. But both of them had much to say about the Kingdom of Acts which was the Kingdom of Matthew, Mark and Luke. So did Amos: Acts 15:13 to 18—Amos 9:11 to 15.

Concerning the advent of the Holy Spirit, on the day of Pentecost, Peter and the Eleven said, “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.” Acts 2:16. We can know the character of Joel’s message, if we will read just one verse: Joel 2:18. Joel referred to the same Kingdom of God that Christ announced at hand; the same kingdom that Christ said would be taken away from Israel and that would be given back to Israel when the Son of man shall return. Joel’s prophecy awaits complete fulfillment. Joel had not one word to say about the Body of Christ. Neither did any one of the holy prophets, who had spoken since the world began, refer to the Body of Christ. Concerning the “Body” message of Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, it could not be said, “this is that” which was spoken by Joel, Isaiah, Daniel, David, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Malachi, Jeremiah, Amos, Micah, or any other Old Testament prophet. We are so instructed in Ephesians 3:5 to 9 and Colossians 1:24 to 27. But all of them spoke of the Kingdom of Matthew, Mark and Luke and of the same Kingdom referred to in Acts 3:19 to 21. Read carefully Acts 3:24 concerning “these days”. “These days” of Acts 3:19 to 25 differ from “these days” of Ephesians 2:11 to 17.

When the Lord Jesus proclaimed His Kingdom in Mark 1:15, “the Kingdom of God is at hand,” He said, “the time is fulfilled.” He could have well said; “This is That” which was spoken by the prophet Joel.” Joel 2:15 to 18. He could have said, “this is that” which was spoken by Isaiah; in Isaiah 62:1 to 4, or in Isaiah 35:3 to 6. He could have said; “this is that” which was spoken by Zechariah, Daniel, David, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Micah, Amos, and so on. When the Son of man shall return in power and great glory to restore again the Kingdom to Israel, He can and will say: “this is that” which was spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began; for the same Kingdom that Christ proclaimed at hand shall then be at hand. This includes the prophets to whom Peter referred in the Book of Acts; Joel, David, Amos, (Acts 15:14 to 18), Moses, Samuel and all the prophets (Acts 3:22 and 3:24 and Acts 10:43).

It is of interest to note that there are about thirty-five quotations from Israel’s Scriptures in the Book of Matthew, and about twenty-five quotations from Israel’s Scriptures in the Book of Acts. The Old Testament prophecies are quoted in both Matthew and Acts. Surely they were Kingdom messages and not messages referring to the Body of Christ, which was “The Mystery” not made known to the sons of men in other ages. Ephesians 3:5. Colossians 1:25 and 26. Ephesians 3:9.

According to Matthew 4:17, the Lord said; “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” In Mark 1:15, we read; “the Kingdom of God is at hand.” The Kingdom of Heaven of Matthew at hand and the Kingdom of God of Mark and Luke at hand were identical. The Kingdom of Heaven, or the Kingdom of God, foretold by Israel’s prophets, was at hand, because the King was at hand. Every where the Kingdom message was for the Nation Israel, and the message was accompanied by Kingdom signs. When John the Baptist sent word to know if Jesus was the One to come, the Lord sent word to John, that the healing miracles of Isaiah 35:4 and 5 were being performed by Him; therefore, He was Israel’s God, Messiah and King, promised in Isaiah 35:1 to 4. When the Lord Jesus sent forth His twelve apostles to preach saying, “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”, He said; “Heal the sick, Cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, etc.” Matthew 10:7 and 8. They went preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere. Luke 9:6. What Gospel were they preaching? The Gospel of the Kingdom. Matthew 4:23—Matthew 9:35—Matthew 24:14 and Mark 1:14.

Included in the Lord’s Kingdom program was not only the Kingdom signs, but the Kingdom parables, the Kingdom prayer, given to the Kingdom Nation. The instructions of the Lord to His apostles were: “Go not into the way of the Gentiles; go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 10:5 and 6, Matthew 15:24. When the Lord shall come as the Son of man and establish His Kingdom on earth, the Twelve are to sit on twelve thrones and judge the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Matthew 19:28. For some reason, God instructed the Twelve to limit their ministry to the circumcision, after the conversion of Cornelius. Galatians 2:7 to 9.

All Premillennialists are agreed that the Kingdom of God was offered to Israel; that the Kingdom of God was taken away from Israel; and that the Kingdom of God shall yet be given to Israel. They are agreed that while the Kingdom is in abeyance the Body of Christ is being completed. They are agreed that, “All Israel shall be saved”. Romans 11:25 and 26. They are agreed that the redeemed Nation shall yet have peaceful possession of their land under the reign of the true King David, in fulfillment of the Abrahamic, Davidic and the New Covenants; because the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Romans 11:25 to 31. But the Premillennialists are by no means agreed as to just when the Kingdom of God was taken away from the Nation Israel. But they are agreed that the Body of Christ began historically after the death of Christ. Some say that the Kingdom of God was taken away from Israel, when the Lord Jesus pronounced that awful judgment upon that Nation, as recorded in Matthew 23:31 to 39: “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers”, “Your house is left unto you desolate”. Others say that the Kingdom offer was not withdrawn until after Stephen saw the Son of man standing at the right hand of God and Peter was sent to Cornelius: Acts 7:54 to 56, Acts 10:34 to 46. Others say that the Kingdom of God was not taken from Israel until that Nation was set aside by the Lord after the words of rejection and judgment pronounced by the Apostle Paul, in Acts 28:25 to 28.

It is because of this division of opinion that we ask the question; is the Lord Jesus Christ, in the Book of Acts, in the “Book Between”, the King of Israel or is He, in that Book, the Head of the Church, which is His Body? Of course, this is equivalent to asking, “Is the Church of God to which the three thousand were added on the day of Pentecost the same Church mentioned in Ephesians, the Body of Christ?” Or again this question; “Did the Church, which is His Body, begin historically on the day of Pentecost?” We know that we have no Scripture stating specifically that the Body of Christ did begin on the day of Pentecost; neither is there any Scripture stating that that Body did not begin on the day of Pentecost. We must study the scriptures diligently, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to answer this question, rather than follow some man’s interpretation or accept the creeds of Historic Christianity. We seem to be agreed that Israel’s seventh-day Sabbath is no longer binding on members of the Body of Christ. We learn that truth by the study of several Scriptures, in not one of which is the definite statement made that the member of the Body of Christ should regard the first day of the week, as a sanctified day, instead of the seventh day, which was given to Israel. Surely Sabbath-keeping, anointing with oil, signs and ceremonies continued to be practiced by Israelitish believers during the Acts period; and then for some reason they ceased to be God’s order for the members of the Body of Christ. We should be able to give an intelligent Scriptural explanation for their cessation, in accordance with II Timothy 2:15. We should be able to give an intelligent Scriptural explanation as to why the Body of Christ did or did not begin on the day of Pentecost. We should not believe it, simply because some leading Bible teacher has so declared. If it is not stated in any chapter of the Book of Acts that the risen Lord is the King of Israel and if it is not stated in that Book, that He is the Head of that Church which is His Body, how can we answer the question?

In Mark 16:14 to 18 we find recorded the instructions given to Peter and the other apostles by the risen Lord. They were to go preach the Gospel. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Certain signs were to follow them that believe. The Eleven went out preaching the Gospel that was given to them; and “signs following.” Mark 16:20. Kingdom signs continued. Were they preaching the Gospel of the glory of the blessed God. to which Paul referred in I Timothy 1:11? In I Timothy 5:23, the Apostle Paul told that faithful saint to take a physical remedy for his physical disease. Therefore, Kingdom signs were not following the Gospel message which Timothy was preaching. The signs of Mark 16:17 and 18 followed Paul up to Acts 28:28. The signs of Mark 16:17 and 18 are not following the preaching of the Gospel by anyone today. Neither do Grace preachers preach, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” A radical change has taken place since the days of Mark 16:14 to 18. Is the change only in the signs, or in the Message?

Should the servant of the Lord today preach what Peter and the Eleven preached to Israel on the day of Pentecost, or what Peter preached eight years later to Cornelius? What messenger of the Grace of God is today preaching, with the approval of God, “repent and be baptized for the remission of sins?” What such messenger is preaching to individual Gentiles today what Peter preached to the Nation Israel, in Acts 3:19 to 26? Peter preached to Israel and to Cornelius concerning Jesus of Nazareth in the land of Israel. Acts 2:22. Acts 10:36 to 40 To be sure, in all of these messages there was the element of grace; but Israel’s Kingdom was in view and saved Israelites continued with an Israelitish religious program throughout the “Acts” period. The “Book Between” is a book of signs, miracles and supernatural visitations. Should we, or should we not, earnestly endeavor to recover for the church today the signs, ceremonies and visions of the “Book Between”?

Does the “Sign” program of the Book of Acts correspond with the “Sign” program of Matthew, Mark and Luke, or with the “Signless” message of Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians?

After God has accomplished His purpose in this age. “to make of the twain One New Man,” (Ephesians 2:15), the Son of man will return in the clouds in power and great glory, and then, for Israel, the Kingdom of God will be at hand. Luke 21:27 to 31. Then the Son of man will sit as a King on the throne of His glory. Matthew 25:31 to 35. He will be Wonderful, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, on David’s throne. Isaiah 9:6 and 7. In the meantime the Lord Jesus is seated in the upper-heavenlies far above principality and power; and the members of the Church which is His Body are seated with Him in the upper-heavenlies; not blessed with millennium Kingdom blessings, but with all spiritual blessings in the upper-heavenlies. Ephesians 2:5 and 6. Ephesians 1:3.

In Acts 7:54 to 58, the Lord Jesus is seen as the “standing” Son of man. He is not the Son of man to the Church which is His Body, but in His Kingdom dealings with Israel, that Nation Stephen was addressing in the seventh chapter of Acts. Then the question; “In Acts 7:54 to 58, was the Lord Jesus seated in the upper-heavenlies as Head of the Church which is His Body, as He was in Ephesians 1:19 to 22, and as He is now?

In Matthew, Mark and Luke there was one baptism, baptism for Israel unto repentance for the remission of sins; water baptism that Christ might be made manifest unto Israel. John 1:31. In Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians there was one baptism; that baptism by which the believer is identified with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection and heavenly seat. That is not water. In the “Book Between” there were two baptisms, water and Holy Spirit.

Why is it that true messengers of the Grace of God prefer to turn to the messages of Paul for the Gospel rather than go to Matthew, Mark and Luke? Because in those three Books we do not find the clear, unmixed Gospel of Grace for Gentiles, but rather Grace mixed with the Gospel of the Kingdom. We prefer to leave the “strive to enter in”, or “he that endureth to the end shall be saved”, or “bring forth fruit meet for repentance”, or “they take the kingdom by violence”, or “if thy right hand offend you cut it off” (all of which were the Lord’s messages to Israel) and go on to the unmixed messages of Grace in Romans 3:24 to 28, or in Ephesians 2:8 and 9, or in Titus 3:5 and 6: “Being justified (declared righteous) without a cause by God’s Grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”; “By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast”; “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us”.

As the Gospel of the Kingdom was a message different from Paul’s unmixed Gospel of Grace, so did the messages of Peter and his associates, in the Book of Acts, differ from these pure Grace messages The message of Peter on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:38, differed very much from Paul’s Grace of Christ Message to the Gentiles. What Gospel preacher today would preach to Gentiles the Message of Repentance and Restitution that Peter preached to Israel, according to Acts 3:19 to 21? There was much grace in that message. but it was not the Message of Reconciliation which the risen Lord later committed to Paul. Peter preached to Cornelius, “In every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted of Him”. Acts 10:35 and 36. Compare this with Titus 3:5 and 6; Ephesians 2:8 and 9. What Gospel preacher of today would follow the order of Philip’s ministry in the City of Samaria, recorded in Acts 8:5 to 15? Not one. It is agreed by all dispensational students of the Word of God, who preach the Gospel of Grace, that the order of Acts 19:3 to 12, in the year 54 A.D., is not God’s order for today among the members of the Body of Christ.

Paul declared that he persecuted the Church of God. Galatians 1:13. There is no Scriptural proof that that Church of God began on the day of Pentecost. It was the Pentecost Church of God that he persecuted, and it either began on that day or before that day. There were no Gentiles in the Church of God which Paul persecuted, except the proselytes referred to in Acts 2:10. The first company of Gentiles to be brought in was the household of Cornelius. Acts 11:18. Up to that year, about 41 A.D., it was unlawful for the Jewish apostles to go to a Gentile. Acts 10:28.

Concerning this company of Gentiles, who were granted repentance unto life, Peter afterward said, “God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel and believe.” Acts 15:17. The Lord’s permission for Peter to preach to the Gentiles came with the vision of the sheet let down three times. Acts 10:8 to 18. In the light of the so-called Great Commission given to the Eleven, in which they were to disciple all nations, it is difficult to understand several facts; first, why was the housetop vision necessary to authorize Peter to preach to one family of religious, Godfearing Gentiles; second, why was it that it was by Peter’s mouth, rather than by the mouths of all of the Eleven commissioned in Matthew 28:19 and 20, that the Gentiles were to hear the word of the gospel; third, why was it that after Peter’s declaration in Acts 15:7 he was instructed to confine his ministry to the circumcision. then his name dropped from the Book of Acts and the responsibility of evangelizing the Gentiles was given exclusively to Paul and his associates? Galatians 2:7 to 9. This also leads us to ask why Paul declared that the Gentiles received mercy because of Israel’s unbelief (Romans 11:30 and Romans 11:11 and Acts 13:46) instead of because of the terms of the so-called Great Commission?

When Peter declared that God had made choice that by his mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe, James added these words: “Simeon hath declared how for the first time God did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His Name.” Acts 15:13. And the next verse: “To this agree the words of the prophets.” Or, “this is that which was spoken by Amos.” Acts 15:14 to 17. Amos 9:11 to 15. And even in his Epistle to the Romans Paul declared Gentile salvation, during the Acts period, was in fulfillment of Isaiah’s Kingdom prophecy. Read carefully Romans 15:10 to 14.

Now it is of interest to study the declaration of Simeon and James, concerning the Gentile salvation, the outgathering from the nations, in fulfillment of Amos’ prophecy, and the Gentile salvation, in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, in the light of Ephesians 3:5 and 6 and Ephesians 3:9. In Ephesians 3:9, the Apostle Paul declared that the risen Lord instructed him to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ among the Gentiles. The word “unsearchable” means “untraceable”, or “not to be tracked”. That message to which Paul was referring in Ephesians 3:9 was somewhat different from the message to which he referred in Romans 15:10 to 14, because that “Romans” message was traceable; it could be tracked through Isaiah. In Ephesians 3:6 the Apostle Paul mentioned Gentile salvation in a joint-Body; the Gentile jointheirs. He declared, in Ephesians 3:5, that this particular Gentile salvation and Position in the Body of Christ was not made known to the sons of men in other ages; in other words, “this is not that” to which Peter referred in Acts 2:16, in Acts 3:19 to 26. in Acts 10:43 and in Acts 15:13 to 17. The mystery among the Gentiles, “Christ in you the hope of glory,” was not made known to other generations. Colossians 1:25 to 27. The “Ephesians” and “Colossians” Body truth was unknown to all of Israel’s Prophets and was not the message of the Twelve to Israel before the death of Christ, or during the “Acts” period. For this reason it is called “The Mystery” or “The Secret.” Paul received it by revelation. Ephesians 3:3. If the Church of God, which Paul persecuted, was the subject of prophecy and the Ephesians “Church which is His Body” was not the subject of prophecy, were they not different Churches? Ephesians 1:19 to 22 and Ephesians 2:5 and 6.

If Pentecost was the birthday of the Church which is His Body, surely that was the ideal Church for this age. Then the message and program of that Church must be considered the ideal message and program for the present-day Church; and we should join with the modern Pentecostal Church in their determination to recover for twentieth-century saints and sinners the message, program and order of Acts 2:38— Acts 3:19 to 26—Acts 8:5 to 15 and Acts 19:3 to 12. But the fact is that most Fundamentalist Grace preachers know that that first message and program of the Twelve is not God’s order for today. Ask one of them why he does not preach Mark 16:16 or Acts 2:38? The Pentecost Church must not be the Body of Christ.

Let us summarize, in closing: “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” Mark 1:15, “This is that”. “The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you.” Matthew 21:43. “This is that”. “The Kingdom of God shall be at hand.” Luke 21:31. “This is that.” This Kingdom was promised by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began. Luke 1:70. Matthew 25:31 to 35: “When the day of Pentecost was fully come,” “This is that” which was spoken by “Joel.” Acts 2:1 and Acts 2:16. “Repent (Israel) and God will send Jesus Christ.” “This is that spoken by Moses, Samuel and all the prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19 to 25. Send Jesus Christ to bring about the restitution of all things. “ . . God at the first did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name:” Acts 15:14. “This is that” which was spoken by Amos and others.

Then Ephesians 3:1 to 11: “This is not that”. In Colossians 1:24 to 27, “this is not that”.

Is Christ the Head of the Church which is His Body in the “Book Between”? If so, with what chapter did this Headship begin? Why did God permit Israel’s Jerusalem temple to stand and let them continue their religious activities and ceremonies in that temple during the years covered by the “Book Between”? Why did He instruct Paul to become a Jew to the Jews during those years? Why in the “Book Between” was God’s order “to the Jew first”? Acts 3:26—Acts 13:46—Acts 18:6. Was Israel’s house left desolate with Matthew 23:31 to 39 or thirty years later with Acts 28:25 to 28? The Nation was not set aside until Romans 11:25 and Acts 28:28.