OBS: God's Word is a Progressive Plan (Part.5.1)

This is Part 5 of the Series

Click here for Part 4

TWO interesting points that required
a 'CHANGE IN COMMUNICATION'

Point #1

Even though Peter and John were disciples of Christ and had intimate knowledge of His teachings and life, it's only later, in their epistles that they write about the concepts of grace, the cross, and the redemptive blood, (which was never mentioned in the Gospels or Acts). Where did they get it from? Well, they learned it from the revelations that Paul received from the glorified Christ. 

2 Peter 3:15 and consider that the longsuffering [patience] of our Lord is salvation —as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand,

In the early parts of Acts, Peter and John never mention "grace" and "the blood of Christ", or "that He died as a sacrifice for our sins or that he rose". Why? Because it had not yet been revealed! (1 Cor.2:7-8). It was only after 3-decades later (approx. 62AD >), based on the revelations of Paul and the Jerusalem Council decision, did Peter and John mention the elements of grace, the cross, and the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. This would not have affected the message of the Kingdom gospel, but it certainly did affect the routines of their daily lives. It would have brought about change in regard to sacrifice (now Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, removing the need for sin sacrifices with animals. Jesus became their High Priest mediating to God directly on their behalf. Also, the beginnings of the new covenant (or at least the first taste of the new covenant) was now available through the reception of the Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 8-10)

Lets have a look at some scriptures that confirm this 'CHANGE OF COMMUNICATION'.

• 1 Peter 1:1 To the pilgrims [Jews] of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten [born, birthed] us again* to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
• 1 Peter 1:18 ...knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
• 1 Peter 2:24 ...who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree [the cross], that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness...
• 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

The bolded phrases about are a clear indication of this new communication in their epistles. This language was never spoken in the gospels or in the Jewish assembly in early Acts. Both Peter and John had to change their communication, to adapt their message based on the progression of God's plan. Jesus had died and rose again and this incredibly significant act, and the grace that came from it, had to be proclaimed and the lives of those early believers had to be adapted to this new reality.

So, what do we observe from this first point I raise,

1. As pertaining to the fifth part of our overarching study series, called: God's Word is a progressive plan (for the redemption of humanity and the restoration of creation), its interesting to note how the change in dispensation brought about a change in the message, and how that Peter and John had to bring in the 'language of grace' into their communications with the believing Jews. 
   
   
2. As pertaining to the learning point for this post; Peter and John's epistles were influenced by the revelations given to Paul. They knew nothing of the significance of Jesus death and resurrection until they learned it from Paul, through his epistles and his ministry, including the incredible event of the Jerusalem Council meeting*. It is wonderful to notice how the truth filtered through into their lives and writings and how the element of grace and references to Christ's blood, dead, and resurrection would begin to influence the lives of these Jewish believers during this period.
   
   *God, (through His great wisdom) had to teach Peter that He was bringing a close to the Kingdom message and the dispensation of Law. Through events in Acts 10, God showed Peter that He was moving His attention to the Gentiles, and its because of this that Peter stood up during the infamous Jerusalem Council meeting and blew every Jew away with his jaw-dropping statement that sealed up or locked up the Kingdom program (see Matt.16:19) for a later date,
   
   Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

In our next post, we will look at Point #2 regarding a 'CHANGE IN COMMUNICATION'.

Grace and peace to you.

See the video of this lesson here.