It was so great to get back into the Word with you this morning! We did a brief recap of our study, bringing us up to date in our overview of the book of Acts. We got through the 4th great question, seeing the complete transition from Jew to Gentile, from Jerusalem to Antioch, and from Peter as the spokesman to Paul for this Mystery Period known as the Dispensation of the Grace of God. We watched the message of salvation transition from Repent and be baptized (the gospel of the kingdom) to Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (the gospel of grace).
Romans 16:25-27: Now to him that is of power to stablish 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, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:1-7: 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: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Colossians 1:25-27: 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: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Next week, we will pick up in Paul’s final mission journey, and his confrontation with James, who still focused on Israel, and the Law of Moses being the hope for the salvation of the Jews. The Gentiles have their salvation, but the Jews must still hold to those things that separate them from the rest of the world. James puts Paul to the test concerning his Jewishness, by sending him to the temple to perform a vow in obedience to the Law.