Introduction - Which Gospel?
Many believers in Jesus Christ are of the
opinion that there is only one gospel. I have discussed this
with believers and almost all are of that opinion. It may
come as a surprise to bible students to realize that the
gospel that the Apostle Paul preached was not the same one
that the twelve Apostles preached.The Apostle Paul’s unique
calling by God came into effect because of the failure of
the nation of Israel to believe the Kingdom gospel that the
12 Apostles taught. The 12 Apostles preached to the people
of Israel in the land of Judea, but Paul was sent to the
countries outside of Judea with a different gospel.
Before you conclude that there cannot be two gospels, in all
fairness, read these articles. Then you will, in good
conscience, either accept or reject this analysis.
The New Testament consists of 27 books. Paul’s epistles
constitute almost half of the New Testament. Why do the
epistles of Paul make up so much of the New Testament? Most
of us have never been told the entire story that lies behind
the letters written by Paul, as well as Peter James, John,
and Jude. We have been taught chapters and verses, not the
historical context as to how events unfolded. We have been
taught to approach the Bible like a jigsaw puzzle.
Most bible scholars, teachers and preachers make every
effort to integrate and combine what Paul wrote with other
subject matter of the New Testament. Is this valid? This
approach is a copy and paste method of using scripture.
Often used by preachers of the Word, not understanding the
historical context or chronological order.
The first four books of the New Testament are the accounts
of the ministry of Jesus Christ written by Matthew, Mark,
Luke and John. These accounts depict the experiences,
sermons, life and death of Jesus Christ. While in the flesh
He called and taught His disciples who became Apostles. Four
of them, Peter, James, John and Jude wrote books. These are
I Peter, II Peter, James, Jude, I John, II John, III John
and Revelation. Saul, who was later called Paul, never knew
Christ in the flesh.
The New Testament includes many of apostle Paul’s letters.
He penned 13 letters in about a twenty-year time span. Nine
were written to churches in different regions with different
cultures, at different times, experiencing different
problems. Four were written to individuals.
We should realize the commission of Jesus Christ and His
twelve disciples were separate and distinct from the
commission given to apostle Paul. This may seem doubtful at
first thought, but it becomes clear when an overview is
taken of the entire New Testament in its proper
chronological order. And yet most well-known teachers and
preachers force-fit the two commissions into one and the
whole thing becomes jumbled confusion. Paul’s description of
the place and effect of the law was different than that of
the other scriptural writers. Close examination of the
writings of the New Testament will reveal that the gospel of
Jesus and the 12 apostles were intended for the circumcision
whereas the teaching of Paul was for the uncircumcision (the
gentiles). It became more and more evident through the Acts
account that the Jews (circumcised) rejected Jesus Christ as
the Savior and the coming Messiah. This rejection led God to
set them aside for a period of time and raise up Saul (Paul)
to offer salvation in Jesus Christ to non-Jews, the
gentiles.
Thus, during Paul’s ministry, two forces have been at work.
One has dragged Israel down into the dust, the other has
raised the nations to the place of blessing and the
believers among them to the supreme height of power and
glory.
This unique gospel for the nations was to remain in effect
“until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in” (Rom.
11:25).
Romans 11:25 (KJV) For I would not, brethren,
that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should
be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is
happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be
come in.
The gospel that God commissioned Paul to proclaim brings to us glorious revelations of God’s truth that was not known prior to Paul’s calling. It is for us today.