Gospels and Raptures (Grace - Part 24): Message

The Gospels and their Raptures (Grace - Part 24)

Message

The message of the gospel of grace is the same as the message of the gospel of Christ; the fact that Christ's death and burial was for the forgiveness of sins and His resurrection was the justifying result of that cross-work. Faith in the cross alone was sufficient enough to save. The primary difference was the audience and a few smaller details that distinguish it. Paul preached the gospel of Christ to Jews and Gentiles who came out of the synagogues, having believed the gospel of God. This message of salvation, which Paul called, "MY gospel", was hid in the prophetic scriptures, as confirmed by the following verses,

Rom.16:25 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, 26 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:

 As for the gospel of the grace of God, this message went out to the 'far hence' Gentiles (Acts 22:21) who had no connections with the Jews and their God. These Gentiles were pagan worshippers and were not bound by the laws that set Israel apart as a holy nation. It is interesting that in the following verse below, Paul refers to the gospel using the pronoun, "your", as opposed to "my". It might not be a huge revelation, but it holds some significance, alluding to the gospel reaching out further than he could travel, going to the far reaches of the world.

Eph.1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

In addition, the gospel of grace was a mystery hid in God. These Gentiles were lost souls and without God and His Word. This gospel was not hidden in scripture, but hidden in Christ. One would not have faith in the words of prophecy, but rather in the grace of Christ Himself. The gospel of grace requires no works and is utterly based on unmerited grace. God chooses to save one because of the work of His Son imputed to them by His choice. By the year 70AD, at the fall of the temple in Jerusalem, Israel was no more a nation and Gentiles could not be saved by blessing the Jews; something that the Greeks were still doing even under the gospel of Christ. Befriending the Jews and maintaining peace with them based on mutual works (Acts 15:28-31) were completely redundant.

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Colossians 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

Titus 3:5 He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

The message of grace did not concern itself with Israel customs and ordinances. This message was going out to the whosoever, whether they knew about the Jews or not. By this time there was no more Jew, but both Jew and Gentile were equal in God's sight. There was no more favour on the Jews and they were no longer first in line regarding salvation and blessing.

Eph.2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Part 25 will continue with the 'conditions' of the Gospel of Grace.