Understanding the New Testament Gospel Differences (Part 1 --- Introduction)
Preface
This multi-part study continues from the previous study where we discussed how Paul, during the first half of his ministry, —that is, his missionary ministry represented in ACTS, —preached two gospels. The general trend that Paul would follow is;
He would preach the gospel of God to those Jews and Gentiles (friends of the Jews) who came together, typically, but not exclusively, in the Jewish synagogues. The gospel of God in summary was,
- believe in Jesus' resurrection and 2nd coming, repent, be water baptized, receive the Holy Spirit, obey the law, prove your faith with works, and endure to the end.
- that Jesus died for their sins and that they could trust in nothing else but the all-sufficient cross-work of Christ (death , burial, resurrection) for salvation.
Introduction
Before I get into the full extent of this study, it will help to provide context if I reveal the primary messages of each of the four gospels that we encounter in the New Testament. This will be elaborated on in the study, but as a brief overview, memorize the following:
The Gospel of the Kingdom
This gospel was preached by John the Baptist and Jesus. The primary message of this gospel was to repent, for the kingdom of God was at hand. In order to be saved by this gospel, one had to identify and confess that Jesus was the Christ and Messiah. In addition, it required water baptism, obedience to the Mosaic laws and works of faith to prove one's allegiance to the kingdom. The gospel taught that recipients should look forward in time to a resurrection from the dead for redemption and passage into the kingdom. The gospel was prophetically revealed in the scriptures and could be proved from the Old Testament that the Messiah was coming. The gospel was proclaimed to Jews only.
The Gospel of God
This gospel was preached in the beginning of the ACTS period by the 12-Apostles. The primary message of this gospel was to repent, for the kingdom of God was at hand. In order to be saved by this gospel, one had to identify and confess that Jesus was the Christ and Messiah. In addition, it required water baptism for the forgiveness of sins in order to then be able to receive the Holy Spirit Who would then endow the recipient with validating giftings, including speaking in tongues. Also, it was necessary to obey to the Mosaic laws and produce works of faith to prove one's allegiance to the kingdom. The gospel taught that recipients should look forward in time to a resurrection from the dead for redemption and passage into the kingdom. The 12-Apostles and Paul referred to this gospel as OUR Gospel. The gospel was prophetically revealed in the scriptures and could be proved from the Old Testament that Christ was declared the Son of God by the resurrection. The gospel was proclaimed to Jews only, but due to this transitional period, Gentiles who befriended and supported Israel, and were adopting the Jewish faith were also included in this gospel, ie: Cornelius for example, Acts 10.
The Gospel of Christ
This gospel was preached during the ACTS period by Paul and his helpers. The primary message of this gospel was that Christ was declared the Son of God by the resurrection. David saw corruption in death (Acts 13:36), but God's Son, Jesus Christ did not see corruption (Acts 13:37) because God raised Him from [out of] the dead. Paul reveals that it is because of Christ's death and resurrection that God has forgiven and justified them who believe. This gospel was a new doctrine that was hid in scripture, now revealed through the revelation given to Paul. Water baptism was no longer required as forgiveness of sins was found in the cross. Also, since salvation was offered by absolute grace through Christ's cross, no works of faith was required to prove one's faith. The gospel taught that recipients should look backwards to the cross for redemption. Paul referred to this gospel as MY Gospel. The gospel was a mystery, hid in the scriptures and in the prophets and could be proved from the Old Testament that the Christ would suffer and sacrificially die as an offering for sin. The gospel was proclaimed to Jews and Gentiles in an increasingly mixed church audience due to this transitional period. It's important to note that Jews were still first and had not yet been cast away (blinded). The kingdom was still available if Israel could be turned in faith.
The Gospel of the Grace of God
This gospel was preached after the ACTS period by Paul and his helpers. The primary message of this gospel was exactly the same as the gospel of Christ, however the difference was to whom it was preached. The Gospel of Grace is typically associated with the 'far hence' Gentiles (Acts 22:21) who did not fellowship in the synagogue and did not know about the Gospel of God. They were not under the promises of Abraham and could not associate with the message as they knew nothing about it. The truth they would eventually believe in was not hid in the scriptures, but rather, it was a mystery that was hid in God until Paul revealed it. They did not know the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and had absolutely no insights into the prophetic scriptures to believe in a Messiah. In short, they were without hope and without God in this world, Eph.2:11-12. Without Paul's message this group of people would be utterly lost and doomed to the lake of fire. Paul reveals that it is because of Christ's death and resurrection that God has forgiven and justified them who believe. This is new doctrine that was hid, not in scripture, but in God, now revealed through the revelation given to Paul. Water baptism was no longer required as forgiveness of sins was found in the cross. Also, since salvation was offered by absolute grace through Christ's cross, no works of faith was required to prove one's faith. The gospel taught that recipients should look backwards to the cross for redemption. Paul referred to this gospel as YOUR Gospel. The gospel was a mystery, hid not in the scriptures and in the prophets but in God and could not be proved from the Old Testament. The gospel was proclaimed to all humanity since there was no more division between Jews and Gentiles. All men were equal in the eyes of God. All were saved in the same standing by the same message. It's important to note that Jews were no longer first and had now been cast away (blinded). The kingdom was no longer available as a new destination and citizenship was in view, the inheritance of the heavenlies.
The gospel breakdown above should provide you with sufficient context to begin this study. We will delve deeper into these gospels and provide scriptural proof of the message and transitions of these gospels as they changed throughout Acts and the ministry of Paul.
Conclusion
It is important that we understand that the ACTS period was a very unique time, as a transition was taking place. By Gods design, we have a short period of time where two programs were intersecting. It was a mix of Jews and Gentiles, law and grace, prophecy and mystery, and of course, the phasing out of one gospel message into another. We should never think that the intricacies of this time should reflect on, or influence us in this age of grace. Our gospel of grace and the relationship we have with God, in Christ, is settled and uncomplicated because of what we learn and can extrapolate from the transition period.
The purpose of this study is to provide insights into the transition and therefore clarify what we have today in the grace gospel and spiritual relationship with God in Christ. The purpose is not to challenge our faith, but to clarify, and celebrate what we have because of Christ.
Having said all this, let's now get into some key points that will help us understand the differences between the gospel of God and the gospel of Christ. To know how these gospels fit together, have a quick look at this simple illustration,
--- Kingdom Gospel >>> Gospel of God <<< ||| >>> Gospel of Christ >>> Gospel of Grace ---
The Kingdom gospel became the gospel of God due to one significant reason, the
resurrection of Christ and the hope therefore that the Kingdom program was not
lost, but still in effect. Everything stayed the same with these two gospels,
except that the good news of Christ's resurrection and the hope of His return could now be added to it and proclaimed. In other
words, the Kingdom gospel and the gospel of God have similarities, however,
both these are very different to the gospel of Christ and the gospel of Grace
which are the same message for two different people groups, (which I'll elaborate on in more detail later). For now, just keep the above in mind as we work through the comparisons and show the differences, and nuances, between the gospel of God and the
gospel of Christ through the transition period.
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