Did you ever wonder why there is so much confusion in religion today? Why is it that you can hear so many people teaching contradicting doctrines when they all use the Bible? There is an answer.

Most of the confusion and contradicting doctrine that you hear today is a result of failing to obey God’s command in II Timothy 2:15, to “Rightly Divide the Word of truth”. Most people do not distinguish between the KINGDOM MESSAGE of Christ and his apostles found in Matthew through John and Hebrews through Revelation and that of THE MESSAGE OF GRACE given to and through the apostle Paul in ROMANS through PHILEMON.

We are told to RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH, and to follow PAUL, and failure to do so results in confusion.

WE ASK THAT YOU EXAMINE PRAYERFULLY SOME SCRIPTURAL FACTS KEEPING IN MIND WHAT PAUL SAID IN 1 Corinthians 14:37:

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

ALL REFERENCES ARE FROM THE KING JAMES BIBLE.

1. PAUL IS THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES.

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

Romans 15:16 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.

2. PAUL RECEIVED HIS MESSAGE BY DIRECT REVELATION AND HIS WORDS ARE THE WORDS OF CHRIST FOR TODAY.

Gal 1:11-12 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.

3. PAUL LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR THE CHURCH, CHRIST’S BODY.

1 Cor 3:10 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 there upon.

4. PAUL WAS THE FIRST MAN EVER SAVED TOTALLY BY GRACE.

1 Tim 1:16 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.

5. PAUL WAS GIVEN THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD.

Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

6. PAUL’S MESSAGE WAS A MYSTERY N0T MADE KNOWN UNTIL REVEALED TO HIM.

Eph 3:3-5 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;

7. PAUL PREACHED A DIFFERENT GOSPEL FROM PETER AND WAS SENT TO A DIFFERENT PEOPLE. THE APOSTLES ACKNOWLEGED PAUL’S MINISRTY AND WERE IN AGREEMENT WITH IT.

Gal 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

Gal 2:9 And when James, Cephas, 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.

WHILE WE DO NOT WORSHIP PAUL, WE DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE WAS GOD’S CHOSEN VESSEL TO MAKE THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION BY GRACE KNOWN IN THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE AND WE ARE TOLD TO FOLLOW HIM. (1 COR 11:1)

Source : http://www.av-1611.com/Confusion.htm

Paul wrote to Timothy how to restore saved ones who are opposing themselves, living contrary to who God has made them to be in Christ. The way to recover such a person is to instruct them in meekness the sound doctrine that we learned from the Apostle Paul. Sound doctrine is what God will use to grant them repentance, a changing of the mind, to recover themselves out of the snare of the devil.

Satan has a will for your life: to hold you captive so your life will not reflect the godliness that you have in Christ.

Satan wants to be like the most High, the possessor of heaven and earth. God has a plan for the heaven and earth (Eph 1:10 ; Col 1:16-18). Satan wants to take over what God has planned.

In Isaiah 14:13-14 we learn of Satan?s plan and in Ezekiel 28 what he does with the plan.

(Ezekiel 28:1-6 KJV) The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, {2} Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: {3} Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: {4} With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures: {5} By thy great wisdom and by thy traffic hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches: {6} Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God;

(Ezekiel 28:14-15 KJV) Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. {15} Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

Satan was the wisest, most beautiful creature God created. God gave him creativity and beauty in order to lead creation into the worship of God. However, instead of appreciation toward God, Satan turned his focus on himself; he becomes lifted up by pride and thinks that creation ought to worship him not God. He devises a plan to take over.

(Ezekiel 28:16-19 KJV) By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. {17} Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. {18} Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. {19} All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.

Then Satan took his plan and went out to the other angels and began to sell the idea that he can do it better than God. He convinces them to take over and undermine God?s authority. Rev 12 says that a third of the angels joined Satan in his plan.

God created hell to stop the rebellion (Matthew 25:41). He created a judgment of wrath that was so terrifying that it brought the rebellion to a screeching halt. He covered the universe in darkness (Gen 1:2). Then He creates light so they can see what He is going to do. He sets the earth up there and gets it functioning again. Then He puts somebody on the earth, something like the angels never seen before.

(Genesis 1:26-27 KJV) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. {27} So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Those angels watched what God was doing; they never saw anything like it before

(Genesis 1:28 KJV) And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

God?s response to what Satan did was to create man on the earth in the midst of the Satanic realm to be used by God in the thwarting and defeating of Satan?s plan. God put man on the planet for the purpose of restoring the earth back under His dominion, to take back the authority that Satan usurped.

The first thing Satan did was go and enlist man over to his side. (Genesis 3) Satan sold his plan to man and immediately man sided with Satan.

(Genesis 3:4-6 KJV) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: {5} For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. {6} And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

All of the heavenly host was watching. Satan sold Adam and Eve the same bill of goods that he sold to the angels: you can be as gods.

(Romans 1:21-23 KJV) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. {22} Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, {23} And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Man believed the lie that they can becomes as gods. Satan thought he outsmarted God; when Adam and Eve believed the lie, Satan became the undisputed king and ruler.

(Luke 4:5-7 KJV) And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. {6} And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. {7} If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

Satan tempted Christ by saying, ?If you will make me God then I will give you the planet.” Satan understood Christ came to reclaim the earth. Satan said, “I will give it to you, if you will worship me.” The Lord Jesus Christ does not dispute that it was given to Satan. Why not? Because the fact that Satan had the crown on his head was true.

(Ephesians 2:2 KJV) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Paul calls Satan the prince of the power of the air: chief ruler of the air, the invisible realm. Satan is prince of the heavenly realm just as he is prince of the earthly realm. These two titles describe him in relation of his usurpation of the territory.

In Genesis 3, when Satan took the crown from Adam for the earth God made a promise in response to what Adam did:

(Genesis 3:15 KJV) And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

This promise tells us that God had a plan in response to Satan’s usurpation of authority. We see God?s wisdom working here.

Bruising of the head = 1st coming of Christ
Crushing of the head – 2nd coming of Christ

God gives the promise of the seed of woman; it is through this seed that God will set up a kingdom to restore His rule over the earth. This seed line is vested in the nation Israel. The seed of the woman becomes the seed of Abraham, which becomes the seed of David, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. It is through the Lord Jesus Christ that Israel will reign and establish that kingdom.

In prophecy, the purpose is the restoration of God’s authority over this planet earth through the instrumentality of a kingdom given to the nation Israel. This kingdom and God?s use of Israel with Christ as their Messiah is how God will restore his headship over the planet and destroy all other kingdoms and have just His kingdom reign. This is the goal of prophecy.

(Daniel 2:44 KJV) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

God of heaven will set up a kingdom, a.k.a. as the kingdom of heaven. It can also be called the kingdom of God because the God of heaven set it up. Now, this in not talking about a kingdom in heaven but the kingdom of heaven that God sets up down here on the earth and it will stand forever. One day God is going to establish His kingdom and dominion on the earth over this planet and He will use the nation Israel to do that.

(Zechariah 14:9 KJV) And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

The issue of the kingdom is man?s purpose to restore the earth and subdue it. However, man failed and joined the satanic rebellion and turned over the planet to Satan.

Since man failed to do what God intended for him to do God gives a promise the He will do it for man. God will accomplish plan to restore the earth through the nation Israel. This is why Satan opposes Israel so intensely.

Why would Satan have offered the kingdom to Jesus Christ? If Christ came to get the planet, then why would Satan give it to Him? The reason is if the kingdoms were taken away from Satan then Satan would lose his stronghold in the heavens also. The goal of prophecy is to restore the earth.

(Ephesians 1:9 KJV) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

God made known to us the mystery of His will. His revealed will was to restore the earth. However, His will also had a secret. God had a secret purpose from before the foundation of the world. Not only was God?s purpose in prophecy revealed but now He has made known to us a secret, something that He had always planned to do.

(Ephesians 1:10 KJV) 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:

God?s plan is to gather all things in heaven and earth in one in Christ. Satan?s plan was to take the heaven and the earth. From Genesis until Paul, it was only God?s revealed will to restore earth through Israel. But now we know that He will restore the heavens also.

We, as members of the body of Christ, are a heavenly people. It is through the members of the body of Christ that God will restore the heavens.

(Colossians 1:16-20 KJV) 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: {17} And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. {18} And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. {19} For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; {20} 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.

Here we see what the “all things” are: thrones, dominions, principalities, powers. These are governmental authorities, all created in Christ and for Him. The blood of the cross is the means in which He will restore these things unto Himself.

In verse 18, we read that Christ is the head of the body. Why is this important? The Lord Jesus Christ is head of Israel: King of kings and Lord of lords over all the earth. He is made the head of the body so He might have preeminence in all things. If He were to be just head of things on the earth, He would not be head of all, all positions of rank and authority.

God will use Israel to restore the earth and the church, the body of Christ, to restore the heavenly places. God has a two-fold purpose that is really one purpose: to make the Lord Jesus Christ restore His headship over all things.

(Ephesians 3:9-10 KJV) And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: {10} To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Notice this is all being done to the intent those in heaven would know the manifold wisdom of God. You know what Satan wants to do with this? 2 Corinthians 4: 3 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” Satan cannot overcome so he will try to hide what God has done.

Satan’s will for your life is to keep you from understanding God’s purpose is for you to restore God’s rule and authority in the heavenly places. He is most successful in doing this by selling you the lie that all of God’s promises and blessings to Israel (things pertaining to the earth) belong to you. His goal is to get you to follow the wrong set of instruction so that the manifold wisdom of God will not be known unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places.

Source: http://www.av-1611.com/The_Will_of_the_Devil_For_You.htm

There are two great revelators, or unfolders of Divine Truth in the Bible—Moses in the Old Testament, and Paul in the New.

Someone may say, “Is not Christ the Great Teacher?” In a sense this is true; but in a real sense Christ is the Person taught about, rather than teaching, in the Gospels. The law and the prophets pointed forward to Christ; the Epistles point back to Him; and the Book of Revelation points to His second coming, and those things connected with it. The Four Gospels tell the story how He was revealed to men, and rejected by them. Christ, Himself, therefore is the theme of the Bible. Moses in the Law reveals God’s holiness, and thus by means of the Law reveals human sin, and the utter hopelessness and helplessness of man. Paul in his great Epistles reveals Christ as our Righteousness, Sanctification, Redemption, and All in All.

The twelve Apostles (Matthias by Divine appointment taking the place of Judas) were to be the “witnesses” (Acts 1:22) of Christ’s resurrection—that is, of the fact of it. They were not to unfold fully the doctrine of it, as Paul was. The twelve were with Jesus personally, and knew Him as a man; and when He died they saw it. When He was buried, they knew it personally, as eye-witnesses. And when He was raised, they found it out experimentally, visiting His actual tomb, and seeing that it was empty. They were also to see and handle the physical, risen body of our Lord. And it was with them that our Lord abode on earth forty days after His resurrection, “showing Himself alive (physically, in a body) by many “infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3).

This great fact—that is, that the Person that the Jews themselves well knew they had crucified and buried, was risen from the dead and ascended to heaven—this tremendous fact the twelve Apostles witnessed to Israel at Jerusalem, and everywhere else. Thus we find the opening chapters of the Book of Acts filled with the single testimony that Jesus of Nazareth had risen from the dead; and that remission of sins was through Him.

But unto none of these twelve Apostles did God reveal the great body of doctrine for this age. Just as God chose Moses to be the revelator of Israel for the Ten Commandments, and all connected with the Law dispensation; so God chose Saul of Tarsus to be the revelator and unfolder of those mighty truths connected with our Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection, and His ascended Person. And all the “mysteries” or “secrets” revealed to God’s people in this dispensation by the Holy Spirit are revealed by Paul. Finally, Paul is the unfolder of the great company of God’s elect, called the Church, the Body of Christ, the individuals of which body are called members of the Body of Christ—members of Christ Himself.

No other Apostle speaks of these things. Peter himself had to learn them from Paul (2 Pet 3:15-16). When Paul finishes his thirteen great Epistles (Romans to Philemon) those which belong to the Church, God indeed permits him to give a message then to the Hebrews. This is not part of the Church’s doctrine, but is simply explaining to Hebrew Christians the character, the real application, the typical meaning, of their Levitical system—that is, how it pointed forward to Christ.

James addresses his Epistle to “the twelve tribes”—that is, his Epistle has special reference to the Jewish Christians in the early days, and to such throughout the dispensation, for that matter. Peter writes to “the strangers who are sojourners of the Dispersion,” that is, to the dispersed Jews who acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah.

In Galatians 2, we are distinctly told by Paul, that James, Cephas and John were to go to the circumcision, while Paul tells us that his message was to the Gentiles. Since then the testimony by the Jewish Apostles to the Jews was duly given, there is now no distinction between Jews and Gentiles; and Paul’s message holds good for the world, both Jews and Gentiles. So that we find Paul finally sets the Jewish nation aside in the last chapter of the Book of Acts, and opens his great Epistle to the Galatians at the center of the world with the statement that “there is no difference” between men; for “all have sinned;” and that there is again “no difference,” for “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved;” since the same Lord is “Lord of all” (Rom 3:22-23 and Rom 10:12).

God does as He pleases, and it pleased Him to choose—first to save people in this dispensation through “the foolishness of preaching,” or the “preached thing”—that is, through the message about the Cross, and what was done there (See 1 Cor 1:21). And second, it pleased Him to choose Paul to be the great proclaimer and revealer of just what the Gospel is for this dispensation.

You can judge any man’s preaching or teaching by this rule—Is he Pauline? Does his doctrine start and finish according to those statements of Christian doctrine uttered by the Apostle Paul?

No matter how wonderful a man may seem in his gifts and apparent consecration— if his Gospel is not Pauline, it is not the Gospel; and we might as well get our minds settled at once as to that. Paul calls down the anathema—that is the curse of God Himself—upon anyone who preaches any other Gospel than that which he declared (Galatians 1).

Not for one moment are we to believe that James, Peter and John were at variance with Paul—not in the least. They were given certain things by the Spirit, to say to certain classes of people. They do not conflict with Paul. And their words are included in the statement that “All Scripture is profitable” (2 Tim 3:16).

But, nevertheless, Paul is the declarer and revealer of the Gospel to us. Take Romans to Philemon out of the Bible and you are bereft of Christian doctrine. For instance, if you were to take Paul’s Epistles out of the Bible, you cannot find anything about the Church, the Body of Christ, for no other Apostle mentions the Body of Christ. You cannot find one of the great mysteries, such as the Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4; 1 Corinthians 15) or the mystery of the present hardening of Israel (Romans 11). No other Apostle speaks of any of those mysteries. Paul alone reveals them—the great doctrines such as Justification, Redemption, Sanctification. And what is perhaps the most tremendous fact of every real Christian’s life, that of his personal union to the Lord in glory. Paul is the great divinely–chosen opener to us of truth for this age.

The great doctrines that Paul reveals may be outlined as follows—

1. The unrighteousness before God of all men.

2. The impossibility of justification by works before God—that is, of any man’s attaining a standing of righteousness before God, by anything done by him. Do what a man may, he is a condemned sinner still.

3. The fact and the scripturalness of righteousness on the free gift principle—that is, of a Divine righteousness, separate from all man’s doings, conferred upon man as a free gift from God.

4. Propitiation. That satisfaction of God’s Holy nature and law for man’s sins rendered by Christ’s blood.

5. Reconciliation. The removal, by Christ’s death for man, of that obstacle to righteousness which man’s sin had set up between God and man.

6. The plan of the actual conferring of the gift of righteousness upon all who believe, without any distinction. This change of a sinner’s standing before God, from one of condemnation to one of righteousness, is called Justification. Negatively, it is deliverance from guilt on account of Christ’s shed blood, and deliverance out of the old creation, by identification in death with Christ on the Cross. Positively, it is a new standing in the risen Christ before God.

7. Redemption. The buying back of the soul through the blood of Christ from sin; from the curse of the law—even death, involving exclusion from God, under penalty; from the “power of death,” which involves the hand of the enemy; and from all iniquity.

8. Forgiveness. The going forth of Divine tenderness in remitting penalty for sin, in view of the blood of Christ trusted in; and in complacency and fellowship, to creatures who before were necessarily under Divine judgment.

9. Remission of sins. That is, the actual removing of transgressions or trespasses from the sinner, so that for all time and eternity his sins shall not again be upon him.

10. Identification (see above, Justification). The great fact that those who are in Christ were united with Him at the Cross, by God’s sovereign inscrutable act; were crucified with Christ and buried with Him; so that their history is now ended before God; and when Christ was raised up as the First-born of the new creation, they also were raised up with Him, and their history began as new creatures in God’s sight, in Christ, the Last Adam.

Of course, in the experience of the Christian, there comes a time when he is actually made partaker of this new life—that point of time when he is, as we say, saved, or converted, or born again, etc. Nevertheless, the life that is in every Christian came up out of the tomb, and it is in Christ Jesus that a man is created anew.

11. Incorporation. This tremendous doctrine Paul alone mentions, and he makes it practically the foundation of all his exhortations to the saints with regard to their conduct and life. By “incorporation” we mean the fact that all those who are really saved and are new creatures in Christ Jesus become members of one organism, which is more real than the very earth we tread upon, called “the Body of Christ”—Christ Himself in heaven being the Head of this Body, and every real Christian a member of it. So that believers are thus members of Christ in heaven, and also members one of another here on earth. No wonder Paul is able to exhort the saints to love one another when they are members one of another! (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4).

12. Inhabitation. The wonderful fact that the Body of Christ and each member of it individually is inhabited, indwelt, by the Holy Spirit Himself, and not only so, but that the Church is being “built together” as a great temple of God so that in the future God’s actual eternal dwelling place will be this wonderful, mysterious company built into a building called “a holy habitation of God in the Spirit.”

This mystery is a great and marvelous one, the fact that we are saved, are partakers now of the life of the Lord in glory, that the Holy Spirit indwells us.

13. Divine Exhibition. That is, that through the Church, in the ages to come, is to be made known that which God counts His “riches,” even His Grace (Eph 2:7; 3:10).

The failure or refusal to discern the Pauline Gospel as a separate and new revelation and not a “development from Judaism,” accounts for two-thirds of the confusion in many people’s minds today as regards just what the Gospel is. Paul’s Gospel will suffer no admixture with works on the one hand or religious pretensions and performances on the other. It is as simple and clear as the sunlight from heaven. The end of man is where God begins in Romans 3, at what might be called the opening of the Pauline Revelation. Most unsaved people today believe in their hearts that the reason they are not saved is because of something they have not yet done, some step that remains for them to take before God will accept them. But this is absolutely untrue.*** When Christ said, “It is finished,” He meant that He had, then and there, paid the debt for the whole human race. “He gave Himself a ransom for all” (1 Tim 2:6).

Now Paul in his wonderful revelation declares that God has reconciled the world to Himself; that God was in Christ (at the Cross) reconciling the world to Himself;

(2 Cor 5:19). Men do not know this, but they conceive that something stands between them and God, before God will accept or forgive them. If you tell a man that God is demanding no good works of him whatsoever, no religious observances or church ordinances, that God is not asking him to undertake any duties at all, but that God invites him to believe a glad message that his sins have already been dealt with at the Cross, and that God expects him to believe this good news and be exceedingly happy about it—if you tell an unsaved man such a story as this, he is astonished and overwhelmed—yet this is the Gospel!

Would that we had grace just as vigorously to defend his great message today, whether from its enemies or its real friends who do not see it clearly as yet; or who, like Peter (Galatians 2), through fear of others, are ready to compromise and tone down the Gospel of God.

“Faith Alone in Christ Alone”

Believing Christ died, that’s HISTORY.

Believing Christ died for YOUR sins and rose again, that’s SALVATION.

Read: Acts 16:31 and 1. Cor. 15:1-4

Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one ….”

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God ….”

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

The remedy:

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth ….”

Believe what?

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel … that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures ….”

How does this gospel save us?

Romans 5:8-9 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

Romans 3:22-26 “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (appeasing sacrifice) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For 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.”

We cannot be saved by our own righteousness. Salvation cannot be earned. Once we believe the gospel, we are sealed with God’s Holy Spirit.

A. Christian Liberty Is Not About Personal Freedom and One’s Rights!
B. Absolute Liberty without Limitations Results in Slavery and Addictions

11. WHAT LIBERTY IS ACCORDING TO PAUL

A. Paul uses the word “Liberty” nine times in his writings or ten if he authored Hebrews.
B. Three different Greek words are translated into our English language as “Liberty” or four if Paul authored Hebrews; they are:
1. “eleutheros” meaning “free” One is at Liberty upon the Death of his/her Spouse to Remarry (1Cor. 7:39)
2. “exousia” meaning “authority or privilege” Christian Liberty has limitations; for example, if one’s liberty becomes a stumbling block to fellow Grace Believers or hurts their conscience (1Cor. 8:9)
3. “apoluo” meaning “to loose away” Timothy has been set at Liberty from prison (Heb. 13:23)
4. “eleutheria” meaning “freedom or liberty” (Rom. 8:21; 1Cor. 10:29; 2Cor. 3:17; Gal. 2:4; 5:2, 13)

111.SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES ON HOW TO HAVE AND MAINTAIN LIBERTY IN CHRIST

A. By understanding the Law is not for the Body of Christ (Ac. 15:1-41)
B. By knowing the Security we have in Christ (Rom.8:1-39 (5-6)
C. By fulfilling all of the moral law through love (Rom.13:13)
D. By Receiving the “weaker” saint as Christ received you. (Rom. 14:1-23 (5, 21, 23)
E. By Refusing to participate in or overlooking sinful actions (1Cor. 5:1)
F. By Realizing “such were some” but now “washed, sanctified and justified” remembering Who’s you are and the potential loss of rewards (1Cor. 6:9-11)
G. By Restraining Liberty to avoid “bondage” and “sorrow” (1Cor. 6:12-20)
H. By the Prioritizing Love over Personal Liberty (1Cor. 8:1-13 (1, 12-13)
I. By Doing all for the Glory (Manifestation of God) -Show off God (1Cor. 10:31)
J. By Walking, Being Led and Living by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:1-26 (1, 13)
K. By Giving Thanks for all things (Eph. 5:20)
L. By Rejecting the “yoke of bondage” (Col. 2:8, 16)
M. By Recognizing God’s ownership with thanksgiving (1Tim. 4:4)
N. By Properly Understanding the purpose and place of material goods1Tim. 6:17)
O. By Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth (2Tim. 2:15)
Note: Notice all of the action verbs required on the part of the Grace Believer!

IV. WHAT CHRISTIAN LIBERTY IS ALL ABOUT

A. Christian Liberty is About Manifesting Christ in a Positive Way (1Cor. 10:31)
(1Cor. 10:31)
B. Christian Liberty is About Magnifying Christ (Name) (Col.3:17)
C. Christian Liberty is About Markers (Boundaries) (1Cor. 8:6-13)
D. Christian Liberty is About Ministry (1Cor. 9:3-6; 12.18-23)
E. Christian Liberty is About Motivation (1Cor. 9:24-27)
F. Christian Liberty is About Meaning

V. WHAT CHRISTIAN LIBERTY IS

A. Christian Liberty is Freedom from Sin – “eleutheria”
1. When all believers are resurrected then commences the New Creation (Rom. 8:21)
2. Without the Spirit one is lost and still in bondage to sin ( 2Cor. 3:17- (cf. Rom. 8:9)
3. Christian Liberty does not give one the right to a lifestyle of licentiousness (Gal. 5:13)
B. Christian Liberty is Freedom from the Law- “eleutheria”
1. False, ignorant or misled brethren seek to bring Grace Believers back under the Law (Gal. 2:4)
2. Paul presents the “Liberty Coin”; engraved on one side of the “Liberty Coin” are the words “Christian Liberty” and on the other side are engraved the words “Carnal Licentiousness”. Christian Liberty means one has been set free from the Law, Legalism and Licentiousness. Both Freedom from the Law and Sin provides Grace Believes acceptance and approval from and before God. (Gal. 5:1-2, 13)

V1. LIBERTY AND LAW IN GALATIANS

A. Liberty and Law in Galatians 5:1-12
1. The Law Enslaves the Believer (5:1-2)
2. The Law Obligates the Believer (5:3)
3. The Law Alienates Christ (5:4-6)
4. The Law Hinders Growth (5:7-10)
5. The Law Removes the Offense of the Cross (5:11-12)
B. Liberty and Licentiousness (Gal. 5:13-26)
1. The Root of Licentiousness (5:13-21)
2. The Fruit of the Spirit (5:22-26)
C. Liberty and Liability (Gal. 6:1-10)
1. Liability toward the Weak and Sinful (6:1-5)
2. Liability toward the Workers and Servant (6:6-9)
3. Liability toward World and Saints (6:10)

V11. OUTLINE ANALYSIS OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY IN GALATIANS

A. Galatians- A Major Book on Law, Legalism and Liberty
1. The Churches of Galatia regressed back to Judaic legalism under the influence of the Messianic Jewish Brethren (Gal. 1:6-9; 3:1-5)
2. The Churches of Galatia reverted back to being “under sin” (Gal. 3:22) and “under law” (Gal.3:23) and consequently they had “fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4)
3. The Churches of Galatia went back to observing the Jewish calendar by observing the “days, and months, and times, and years” (Gal. 4:9-11)
4. The Churches of Galatia under the teachings of the “false brethren” (Gal. 2:4) began to view Paul their enemy (Gal. 4:16)
5. The Churches of Galatia spiritual growth had become stagnant under legalism (Gal. 2:16-20; 3:1-5; 5:11-26; 6:12-15)
6. The Churches of Galatia were made to see the antithesis between Legalism and Liberty (Gal. 2:4; 2:19; 3:2; 4:1-4, 9-10; 28-31; 5:1, 13-26; 6:12-15)
7. Legalism prevented the Churches of Galatia from having “Christ formed in you” hindering their spiritual growth and maturity (Gal. 4: 19 (cp.15-31)
B. Galatians-Lessons Learned From Legalism
1. Legalism is the result of making a decision to depart from the Gospel of Grace (Gal. 1:6)
2. The Churches of Galatia had accepted the Gospel of Grace and Liberty found in Christ; however, many returned to their previously held legalistic traditions and way of life promoted within the Messianic Church as do many members of the Mystery Church (Body of Christ) do today (Gal. 1:13-14; 2:4-10; 2:12-19; 3: 1-5; 4:28- 5:1; 6:12-16)
3. Legalism always contains false gospel content (Gal. 1:6)
4. Legalism creates an atmosphere of suspicion of another’s motives, methods and message (Gal. 1:1012)
5. Legalism is easily detected by a Grace Believer who was once in a legalistic religious system (Gal. 1:13-14)
6. Legalism uses various techniques of infiltration (spying) to gather information and to build up a trust among unsuspecting Grace Believers until the legalist considers his time has arrived to openly act out his purpose of bringing others back into the “yoke of bondage” thereby stealing their “liberty in Christ” (Gal. 2:1-4; 5:1-4).
7. Legalism, when exposed to the Grace of God and the Dispensation of the Grace, disintegrates before the truth of the Gospel of Grace preventing the spread its vicious message of bondage (Gal. 2:5-9)
8. Legalism is a reality and is frequently detected among the leadership (Gal. 2: 11-19)
9. Legalism is a failure to rightly divide the Word of Truth or distortion of the truth. For example:
a. Legalism uses the Law for the wrong purpose (Gal. 3:19-25 w/ 1Tim. 1:7-11)
b. Legalism is the extreme enforcement of the Doctrine of Separation and teaches it is a mark of true spirituality (Gal. 3:1-5 w/2Cor. 6:14-17)
c. Legalism advocates water baptism as the entrance or “door” into church whereas Paul teaches Spirit Baptism places the Grace Believer “in Christ” (Gal. 3:27-29) and “into one body” (1Cor. 12:13)
10. Legalists are incapable of learning from human experience and failure; legalists are always looking for something “bigger, brighter and better” without ever finding lasting and personal satisfaction and are incapable of satisfying others. (Gal.3:3-4)
11. Legalism eventually enslaves the legalist to a life of frustration and failure for the law is a “ministration of death” (2Cor. 3:7) and a “ministration of condemnation” (2Cor. 3:9) (Gal. 2:4; 2:14, 18; 3:10-13; 4:9-10, 22-31; 5:1-6; 6:14-16)
12. Legalism’s Lexicon
a. “Bondage” – definition is “”the slavery to the principles and ways of regular human living.” (Gal. 2:4; 4:22-26; 5:1)
b. “Bewitched” – definition is “to have evil brought upon you by vain praise” or “appeals to a person’s lust for approbation and tries to drag him into legalism to satisfy it” (Gal. 3:1-3)
c. “Brainless” i.e. “Foolish” –definition is “not understanding” (Gal. 3:3)
d. “Blessing”- neither this word nor its definition is found in Legalism’s Lexicon; the word “curse” is found (Gal. 3:6-14) /DRC

http://midactsdispensationalbibleinstitute.com/LIBERTYANOUTLINESTUDY.html

Dr. M. R. DeHann’s remarkable book, Law or Grace, defines three errors that arose in early on in Christendom which he identified as Legalism, Antinomianism, and Galatianism. His definition of each term is:
Legalism – teaches that men must be saved by keeping the law,
Antinomianism – teaches that it makes no difference how we live, for salvation is all of grace,
Galatianism – teaches that we are saved by faith alone, but our ultimate salvation depends on our works.

Dr. DeHann’s definition of Legalism and Antinomianism fall short of the total meaning of the words. I would define, as do the Scriptures, the meaning of both words in the following way:

Legalism – teaches that one is saved by keeping the Mosaic Law or by living by any law based principle- human or divine
Antinomianism – is composed of two Greek words – anti -“against or in place of” and “nomos” – law”; therefore it teaches that it makes no difference how we live since salvation is all of grace; grace is against any and all law for the believer.

The Dispensation of Grace Believer has two laws to live by- the “law of the Spirit of life” and the “law of love” so we are not lawless but we are free from all principles of performance laws for acceptance before God either in Justification (Salvation) or Sanctification (Service).

There are five aspects of Legalism covered in the Scriptures. They are:

A. THE SINS OF LEGALISM

1. Promotes self-centeredness and introversion. It says, “Look what I have done.” (Luke. 18:9-14); not Christ-centered which says, “Not I but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians. 2:20)

2. Emphasizes the externals and majors in the minors. (Mt. 23:5-6, 24-25)

3. Makes things other than God Absolute. (Mark. 7:5-9)

4. Blurs a clear view of God. (Matthew. 23:13, 15)

5. Is inhumane and insensitive to human need. (Mark. 3:1-2; Luke. 10:25-37)

6. Ignores the personal make up of each person or individuality. (Matthew. 23:4; l1:29-30)

7. Acts like lawyers and religious experts – elite scholars. (Matthew. 15:3-6; 18:1-4; 23:3)

8. Judgmental and divisive. (Mark. 11:15-18; Lu. 20:19-20)

9. Needs more interpretation. (Matthew. 23:16-23)

10. Denies freedom to make decisions based on one’s personal relationship with God. (Mark. 2:23-28; 3:1-7)

B. THE SYMPTOMS OF LEGALISM

1. Self- inflicted punishment – Legalists vow not to sin; however, when the vow is broken guilt and shame overwhelms them. This guilt leads to a form of “penance” meaning to “pay for their sin and shortcoming.” A vicious cycle begins with either rationalizing their sins away or concluding they are hopeless. (Luke. 18:13; 23:34)

2. Service oriented- Service to God and others becomes a sense of duty or obligation as “this thing is expected” to maintain fellowship. (Matthew. 18:16-23; 23:2-12, 23; Mark. 7:1-13)

3. Sensitivity Judgmental-ism – Legalists due to their sensitivity can see the speck in another’s eye; however, failing to see log in their own eye! Judging others gives one a sense of superiority, though false, by putting others down. (Matthew. 7:1-6; 9:2-7)

4. Satisfaction (Performance) oriented – Legalists want to appease God by conforming in outward appearance. (Matthew. 7:21-23)

C. THE “SALVATIONS” OF LEGALISM –
“Salvation by works or a mixture of faith and works, .i.e., one enters into partnership with God for salvation.”

1. Believe + keep the Law of Moses (Acts. 15:1; 21:20-21, 24-30)
2. Believe + be circumcised (Acts. 15:1, 5; Galatians. 2:3-4; 5:1-12)
3. Believe + water baptism (Matthew. 3:6; Mark. 16:16; Acts. 2:38)
4. Believe + confess your sins (Matthew. 3:6, 10: 32-33; John. 9:22; 1John. 1:9)
5. Believe + repent experimentally (clean up your act or give up your bad habits and fully surrender (Matthew. 7:16-23; 19:16-26; Luke. 3:7-18)
6. Believe + repent emotionally (make a public display or have great sorrow by a show of tears) (Matthew. 6:1-7, 16-18; Luke. 7:40-50; 10:10-14)
7. Believe + church membership (Acts. 2:47)

Note: The Gospel of Grace is Believe + Nothing! In Christ Alone, By Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone!

D. THE “SANCTIFICATIONS” OF LEGALISM

1. Taboos- spirituality is dependent on “do’s” and “don’ts” (Colossians. 2:20-23)
2. Imitations- spirituality is dependent on living in conformity to external in areas of dress, mannerisms, activities, speech, etc. (Romans. 12:1-2)
3. Comparisons- spirituality determined by comparing one’s sins against others (Romans. 12:3,10; Galatians. 6:3)
4. Emotions- spirituality happens by speaking in tongues, groans, slain by (in) the Spirit, fainting, ecstasy, etc. (1Corinthians. 13:1-4)
5. Sacrifices- spirituality is accomplished by self-sacrifice, self-denial by giving up normal human activities to impress God or others (1Corinthians. 13:1-4)
6. Rituals- spirituality is channeled through various religious ceremonies such as water baptism, confirmation, penance, church membership, etc.
7. Results- spirituality is brought about when one is faithful in religious duties such as praying, giving, evangelizing, attending church. These activities would indicate one’s growth or maturity in Christ. (Galatians. 3:1-5)

E. THE SIGNS OF LEGALISM

1. Seeks self-glory (Galatians. 5:26) KJV “vain”= empty + “glory” “an empty shell of a person”
2. Straightens others out by making them look bad so one can look better (Gal. 6:1)
3. Shows weariness in doctrinal spiritual production (Galatians. 2:9)
4. Shows off to impress others (Galatians. 6:11-13)
5. Sovereignty of God rejected and human “free will” is exalted which is the opposite of Grace (Galatians. 6:14-15)

Source: Grace Notes, Legalism, by Warren Doud. Grace Notes website is: http://www.gracenotes.infor/topics/legalism.html

I have taken liberty to modify Bro. Doud’s work. DRC
http://midactsdispensationalbibleinstitute.com/LEGALISMANOUTLINESTUDY.html

The Judaizers of Paul’s time deceived the Galatians by telling them they needed to keep the mosaic law as part of their salvation (verse 9). But any heir of God through Christ (verse 7) is free of the law. We have nothing in common with the weak and beggarly elements of works based salvation – in any form whatsoever.

These false teachers taught that observing the mosaic law would add to the believer’s standing before God (verse 10). Yet the Body of Christ is regenerated by FAITH ALONE in Jesus Christ, and we are sons of God (verse 7). Our standing is perfect before God because we stand in the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

No works can keep any person saved or improve their prospects of going to heaven. Those who trust their works for salvation are NOT trusting Christ. <— and that’s a period.

This is the reason why Paul feared whether these people had in fact been saved in the first instance (verse 11). His efforts in Galatia were vain to those who trusted their works, rather than Christ’s perfect work on the cross.

“The Scripture hath concluded All under sin.” Galatians 3:2

“The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23

Is there any way to escape this sentence of death? Read, and believe, the last statement of Rom. 6:23: “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The salvation of your soul would be worth a lifetime of striving, and working, to obtain: but it cannot be obtained in that way. That would nullify the grace of God, and the work of Jesus Christ.

God gave His only begotten Son that we might have everlasting life. John 3:16. And God’s Son “gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world.” Gal. 1:4. “We (believers) have redemption through (Christ’s) blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7.

Salvation by grace excludes human work and merit, and depends entirely upon the free gift of God’s love and mercy, which is received through faith in the work of of our Jesus Christ. Romans 4:24-25.

The fact of salvation by grace excludes the law, ceremonies and good works as factors in salvation during this dispensation. Galatians 2:21

“For 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.” Ephesians 2:8-9

We are living in the “dispensation of the grace of God.” Ephesians 3:2 and Colossians 1:25. “We are not under the law, but under grace. “Romans 6:14.

God has displayed His grace in every dispensation but the dispensation in which we live is unique in that no work or ceremony is required or accepted for salvation. It is all of grace, God’s grace. Salvation is bestowed freely by grace, without works, on all those who receive and trust in the crucified, risen, glorified Christ as Savior and Lord. Romans 4:5 and Titus 3:5.

“Believe on (have FAITH in-rely upon) THE LORD JESUS CHRIST and thou shalt be saved .” Acts 16:31.

When I compared these versions, I did notice how these other Bibles lined up with the Roman Catholic Bible. No wonder I was still in confusion! In these modern Bibles, salvation is shown as a “process” which requires good works. All this is brought out by the straining of the tenses in the modern Bibles. Let me show you exactly what I mean.

When you read the following, please notice the straining
of the tenses:

Luke 13:23 (new versions), “Are there few who are being saved?”
KJV, “…be saved.”

II Cor. 2:15 (new versions), “are being saved.”
KJV, “are saved.”

I Cor. 1:18 (new versions), “those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved”
KJV, …are saved.”

Acts 15:19 (new versions) “are turning to God.”
KJV, “turned.”

Luke 15:32 (new versions), “your brother was dead and has begun to live.”
KJV, “is alive.”

Acts 2:47 (new versions), “were being saved.”
KJV, “should be saved.”

2 Cor. 4:3 (new versions), “are perishing.”
KJV, “are lost.”

http://www.1timothy4-13.com/files/bible/salvation.html

You may wonder how we can say that our gospel is the true gospel. We know it is, because it works. Many other “gospels” are being preached, but they fall short of meeting the needs of the sinner’s heart. Other gospels always call upon man to do something, or be something, that is impossible for them by nature.

Do this and live, the law demands,
But gives me neither feet nor hands.
A better word the gospel brings,
It bids me fly and gives me wings.

Believing the true gospel, the record God has given of His Son, results in God justifying the ungodly sinner. God declares us righteous and the debt of our sin which is spiritual separation from Him is canceled, and we are acquitted from all guilt. Our conscience is purged by the blood of Jesus Christ and we have peace facing God. We may now come boldly to the throne of grace as sons, not servants. We have the witness of the Holy Spirit in our hearts as to our right relationship to God. This same Spirit prays in us constantly according to the will of God. As He prays in us, we are filled with hope and joy. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts and this love pours out of our hearts completely. Each moment, His love flows and continues to flood our hearts. The result is an unshakable conviction that Jesus Loves Me, as we are. This is truly good news!!

The Secret Key to the Bible

In order to understand the true gospel, we must have a proper view of the Bible; we must rightly divide the Word of God. We all know that the Bible is divided by separating the Old Testament from the New. In both sections we have the history of different peoples, in other times, in various covenant relationships with God. Because of this, distinct laws, practices and rituals appear to be in conflict. We must be sure when we read scripture we are reading the parts addressed to us, for this time period. Otherwise, we will find ourselves reading another’s mail and we will be confused. In the Old Testament, as God spoke through holy prophets of old, He promised to visit man on earth. Israel looked for the Messiah–Immanuel, or “God with us.”

The promised arrival of Immanuel was announced by angels, when Jesus (Jehovah’s salvation) was born at Bethlehem. When he began his ministry Israel was under the law God had given to Moses. Jesus announced the good news that He was the promised Christ and would end the Law and establish the Kingdom of God on earth. All Jesus’ promises, preaching and commandments were to be in effect if His Kingdom was established. His disciples were told to preach, practice and pray for the kingdom to come. Isaiah the prophet foresaw the kingdom age and that all things on earth would change. Men would build houses, inhabit them and eat the fruit of their own vineyards. Weeping, crying and trouble would no longer be experienced. A wolf and a lamb would feed together and the lion would eat straw like a bullock. There would be no more war, a child would die 300 years old, and there would be no hurt or destruction in all the holy kingdom of God. Unlimited power in prayer was to be a part of the kingdom reign: And it shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking I will hear. This was to be the long promised times of refreshing, from the presence of the LORD. (Isa.65:17-25)

Calvary’s cross was Israel’s answer to the offer of their Messiah, Jesus the Christ. God gave Israel a second chance to receive His King after the resurrection. Peter cried to the nation after Jesus ascended, Repent . . . . and the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ which before was preached unto you. (Acts 3:19-20) Stephen not only believed Peter’s message, his zeal caused his arrest. Before the ruling council he delivered a stinging rebuke to the nation. They responded by stoning Stephen and the day of Israel’s visitation came to a close. Turning away from a blinded people Jesus Christ chose a proud Pharisee and blasphemer, Saul of Tarsus, to be His special ambassador.

When Jesus met Saul on the Damascus road, Saul fell before Him and knew He was God, and the promised Messiah. Saul went into the synagogues to proclaim that Israel had crucified their King. His message fell on deaf ears and Jesus announced to Saul that a new age, or dispensation, had begun. Israel’s rejection would now make it possible to offer salvation to the Gentiles. Israel nailed more than their Messiah to the cross; they also nailed the Mosaic Law with all its rituals and sacrifices. The law, a schoolmaster given to Israel to bring them to Christ, ended at that time. The immediate hope of the Kingdom was set aside. The Great Day of Atonement had been fulfilled and left their Law dead, as a hope of righteousness. The true Lamb of God had been sacrificed for the whole human race. Israel sewed up the great veil in the Temple, and continued their search for righteousness. Meanwhile, deep in the Arabian desert, Jesus unfolded a new gospel to Saul. He would return to Jerusalem as the Apostle Paul. His distinctive message would be salvation by grace through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In the first chapter of Galatians, Paul writes that his unique gospel, was the only gospel of God. So emphatic was he, that he declared anyone preaching another gospel was under the curse of God. This terrible curse even included angels from heaven. Let the implications of this statement reach your heart–there was another gospel being preached in Paul’s day. Paul said this gospel was proclaimed as the true gospel, yet was opposed to the gospel of grace, revealed to him by Jesus Christ.

Paul says the gospel he preached was not of human nature (Gal.1:11). It was not passed on to him from another man (verse 12). He was not taught (the emphasis being on systematic teaching) this gospel (verse 12). According to Paul, his gospel was received by direct revelation (to take the lid off, implying a previous hiding) by the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul states that he did not learn his gospel from the apostles, nor was it confirmed by them. The Jewish apostles opposed the preaching of Paul’s gospel. For fourteen years they rejected his gospel and refused to accept him as a true Apostle.

Do not miss this key to the scriptures: Rightly Dividing The Word. Paul’s gospel was not the gospel preached by the eleven Jewish apostles. His gospel was uncovered, or revealed to his heart. The lid had been taken off this new gospel and he was enabled to see it, by the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel Paul saw, announced salvation by the grace of God, not by Kingdom rules. Paul saw the mystery of salvation for all mankind, not Jewish exaltation to earthly power. It had nothing to do with water baptism, but with the baptism of the Spirit into the body of Jesus Christ, not the baptism of Jesus Christ into the Spirit, as at Pentecost. Paul’s gospel introduced the dispensation of the age of grace and ended the dispensation of the Mosaic Law and the offer of the Kingdom. It announced the blessed hope of the soon coming of Jesus our Bridegroom, not the Messianic hope of Israel’s King.

View the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke as though you had never read any other portion of the Bible. Get the viewpoint of the writer and the times: the only gospel the eleven knew, was the gospel of the Kingdom. Though they watched Jesus die, they did not comprehend the true meaning of the cross. After His resurrection they still did not know the mystery of the cross, for they asked the Lord if He would at that time restore the Kingdom to Israel. The baptism of the Holy Ghost by Jesus at Pentecost, filled His witnesses with power. They went forth at Pentecost to testify to the fact of the resurrection of Christ, not to the meaning of His death, burial and resurrection. Their preaching was witnessed by the gift of speaking in other languages and by miracles and signs. As new understanding was given to Paul, he experienced a transition period in his ministry. He passed from the preaching of the kingdom message to the gospel of grace, and ceased the many things he once practiced. Paul told the Corinthians that he was not sent to baptize in water, but to preach the gospel. Paul’s gospel had nothing to do with water baptism, an Old Testament and Kingdom ritual. This is why he could thank God that he had baptized no more.

The Mystery Of The Cross

The distinctive message of Paul’s gospel is the key that unlocks the Scriptures. Paul’s gospel is as misunderstood and rejected today as he was in the first century. His gospel alone is the gospel of the good news of the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ. It reveals how that Christ died for (in the stead of, in the place of, because of) our sins according to the scriptures. It tells us that he was buried and rose again, according to the scriptures.

When Paul preached his gospel the only scriptures in existence, were what we know as the Old Testament. Paul, as a master of the scriptures, saw the only true interpretation of the Cross of Calvary is in the Old Testament passages that deal with atonement. The meaning of Calvary focused and he saw the crimson thread of the substitutionary atonement, from Genesis through Malachi. From Eden’s gate to the Temple sacrifices, the drama of Calvary was foreshadowed. The great expositions of Paul on the meaning of Calvary came from Leviticus 16, Exodus 12, Genesis 22, Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, and other key passages. Jesus had given Israel clues to His true mission. He told them to read the story of Jonah and know what would happen at His death. He told them Abraham rejoiced to see His (Jesus’) day, when the ram of God was caught in the thicket by his horns. Jesus told them to meditate on the brazen serpent lifted up to a dying people, and they would know what Calvary would mean. It is the Old Testament scriptures that tell the story of how God, in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, stepped into the sinner’s place and stead and bore the wrath that was due him. Because he was a true substitute, He tasted the death that belonged to the sinner and descended into the darkness that awaited him. Jesus Christ satisfied God for all that was charged to the sinner, and was raised to be accepted in glory in the sinner’s stead. This is the true gospel that saves the sinner from his sins and seperation from God. This gospel alone places him in Jesus Christ at the right hand of God! This is the true gospel that gives peace with God and absolute assurance of salvation. This is the gospel that fixes our eyes on Christ our righteousness, not our filthy rags of dead works.

Religion talks about Calvary, but few preachers have any comprehension of what really happened there. They prattle on about Good Friday, Palm Sunday, Easter morning and the rest of the religious rags of tradition. Few know of Wednesday’s crucifixion or the fulfillment of Passover and its Lamb. The churches never speak of the three days and nights Jesus spent in the heart of the earth. Paul said he descended to the lower parts of the earth, or as in Romans 10:7, the “abussos” or bottomless pit. He did not spend three days and nights in the pit, but in the lower parts of the earth, known as Hades. His visit to the pit was only to leave the sins of the world that He bore away at the Cross of Calvary. This is where He took them and from which they will never return to doom and damn the believing sinner. Before the day of His death had ended, Jesus crossed the great gulf that seperated the rich man and Abraham, and met the believing thief in Paradise.

At His resurrection He emptied Paradise of the Old Testament saints, and took them with Him as proof of His victory over sin, death and Hell. There is so little preaching of Jesus’ ascension to His Father and our Father, His God and our God. It is Paul who tells us that Jesus, as the High Priest of heaven, sprinkled His eternal and incorruptible blood on the mercy seat of heaven for the eternal redemption of all who would believe. (See: John 20 and Hebrews 9:11-14) No wonder Paul was the most hated man of his time. Paul’s true gospel ends man’s pride and his pitiful efforts to establish his own righteousness in the sight of God. Righteousness cannot be obtained by obeying the golden rule, practicing the beatitudes, reciting the Lord’s prayer or the Apostle’s creed. Man cannot be saved by doing penance at the command of some earthly priest or preacher, or repeating meaningless creeds and learning dead dogmas. Paul’s gospel rends the veil between man and God from top to bottom. It leaves nothing between the sinner and God but the torn veil of Jesus’ body and the altar of heaven sprinkled with a better blood than Abel’s. There, God the Father welcomes all who will, to enter boldly!

Make sure you are rightly dividing the word of God. Make sure you are hearing the true gospel. Believe in your heart the record God gave of His Son. Here it is: God made Jesus Christ a substitute in judgment for you and in return, gives you the riches of His grace. This is a free translation of this blessed gospel as found in II Cor.5:21:

Thou Lord Jesus art my righteousness
And I am thy sin;
Thou hast taken what was mine
And given me what was Thine;
What Thou wast not, Thou didst become,
That I might become what I was not.

The godly One substituted for the ungodly and God is satisfied for eternity with the finished work of His Son Jesus Christ! God will freely impute His own righteousness, to the believing sinner. This is the only true gospel and it is the good news we are spreading by the Jesus Loves Me Ministry. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth and check out what we offer. Our heart’s desire is that in all things, Jesus Christ shall have the preeminence. May you see no man, save Jesus only–the proof of God’s love and incredible grace!

http://www.jesuslovesme.org/newWeb/pages/oneTrue.html