Gospels and Raptures (Christ - Part 17): Message

The Gospels and their Raptures (Christ - Part 17)

Message

What better way to inform you of the message of the gospel of Christ than to have Paul tell it to you directly!

Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. 16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. 17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. ... 20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. ... 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. 23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: 24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. ... 27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. 28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. ... 30 But God raised him from the dead: 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. ... 35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: 37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. 38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; 41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. 42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

In the passage above we learn a few important things, 

1. Paul went into the synagogues to reach his audience. 
   Acts 14:14-17
   Paul did not stand on the street corners preaching to the 'whosoever'. Gentiles in these foreign cities would not relate to the message he would preach about the Jewish God and the man Jesus Christ. No! Paul went to the people who knew the scriptures and who could relate to the message he was preaching.
   
   
2. Paul's audience were predominantly Jews, but there were Gentiles (Greeks) in attendance too.
   Acts 14:16
   ...ye that fear God...
   
   
3. The gospel of Christ, though distinct, was based on the gospel of God.
   Acts 14:17:39
   The base message of the gospel of God was that Christ was declared the Son of God by the resurrection. David saw corruption in death (v.36), but God's Son, Jesus Christ did not see corruption (v.37) because God raised Him from [out of] the dead. Paul reveals that it is because of Christ's resurrection that God has justified them who believe. This is the entry into the gospel of Christ. This is new doctrine that was hid, not in scripture, but in God, now revealed through the revelation given to Paul.
   
   
4. The gospel of God was hid in the scriptures (it could be proved from the scriptures)
   Acts 14:33, 35
   Paul used the Old Testament scriptures quoting the history of Israel, through the Judges and the Psalms. Psalm 2 is directly referenced in his teaching to validate the gospel of God concerning Christs resurrection. Once Paul had laid this message as foundation, he would start to present to them the gospel of Christ, saying things that were NOT in scripture, —things that were a mystery to which God would have to open their hearts to receive. See v.38-41
   
   
5. Paul separated out those who received the gospel of God and persuaded them to continue into the gospel of Christ.
   Acts 14:43
   To those who believed this message, Paul would encourage to separate from the synagogue and meet in a different location (like a house or a school) and here Paul would preach the details of the gospel of Christ and the doctrine of grace, content that was hid in God. The people who believed in this message were joined to the fledgling Body of Christ.

Part 18 will continue with the 'conditions' of the Gospel of Christ.