Gospels and Raptures (Grace - Part 29) Summary

The Gospels and their Raptures (Grace - Part 29)

Summary

Below is a summary of the details discussed in the preceding lesson parts of this gospel (the gospel of Grace), as well as additional points that highlight its unique standing in relation to the other gospels in this study. The table will also be a useful means to run comparisons with the other gospels to really get a grasp on the differences and transitions that occurred within each.

Gospel	Gospel of GRACE of God (To all men) AKA: The Gospel of the Uncircumcision, Your Gospel Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Ephesians 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,
Message	The salvation message was not found in scripture. It was a mystery hid in God. 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. Unlike the message of the gospel of Christ which Paul could prove to the Jews and Greeks from their scriptures, the gospel of grace was not linked to the Jewish prophetic scriptures. Paul's message to the far off Gentiles could not use the Jewish scriptures as these Gentiles knew nothing of the Jewish God and prophecy. Instead the gospel was the simple message that one was justified by the cross-work of Jesus Christ alone. It was a message of faith, being without proof from the Word.
Revelation	Mystery
Main Messengers	Paul
System	Grace
Bible Scope	Philippians, Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy
Conditions	Believe in the Gospel; the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Eph.2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 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.
Works	There are no works needed to add to this gospel. The work of Christ was all sufficient. 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. 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.2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Participants	Far hence Gentiles Acts 22:21And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 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: 1 Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Paul wrote to these participants who had been cut off from Israel and the Jews. These were the people who were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise. They were not associated with Israel, unlike the Greeks who had chosen to adopt the faith of the Jews and who would gather in the synagogues to hear the reading of the scriptures. The Gentiles being referred to here had NO hope and, if it were not for the grace gospel delivered by Paul, were eternally lost and unsalvageable, being without God in this world.
Signs	Although God could still work miracles in this time based on His judgement and purposes, signs basically disappeared as signs were for the Jews. Paul writes that in this time, we walk by faith and not by sight, 2 Cor.5:7. Signs and miracles had no purpose if one had to walk in faith. Paul was instructed by God that His grace was sufficient for Paul, (and us).  As the transition in the book of Acts progressed, we see a diminishing in Paul's capacity to heal. Where God did great signs and miracles by the hand of Paul during his missionary journeys, we see this diminish progressively with scriptures that confirm how Paul left Trophimus in Miletus when he was sick (2 Timothy 4:20), and also Epaphroditus who was sick to the point of death (Philippians 2:27). Timothy was also encouraged to use wine for his stomach ailments (1 Timothy 5:23). As the mystery doctrine became more known and documented, so signs and miracles became less important. 1 Cor.13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Identifiers and Key Points of Doctrine	Message now free: Throughout this period of the gospel of Christ, Paul was not yet at liberty by the Spirit to fully divulge the entire message in all its glory, as seen in Acts 20:22 and 2 Corinthians 12:3. But now we have the reverse scenario. Paul is bound in prison, but the message he can now speak is free. In other words, he can divulge all the mysteries that the Lord had taught him. 2 Timothy 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. End of signs and miracles: 1 Cor.13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. No more water or Spirit baptism, but rather baptism BY the Holy Spirit: at salvation as the Holy Spirit immersed one into the Body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:13. Ordinances: None, without exception! No rules, ordinances, holydays, traditions or rituals.  Forgiveness: Forgiveness in not conditional. One is ALREADY forgiven by the work of Christ. Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Spiritual circumcision: Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Jews and Gentile equal: Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Jews now cast away: For the third and final time, Paul says, "Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it." Acts 28:28 Cross of Christ: A boast (Gal.6:14), not something to be ashamed about (Rom.1:16), the cross was the gospel message (1 Cor.15:1-4)
Inheritance	The far hence Gentiles were fellow-heirs, added to the Body of Christ that began under the gospel of Christ. As members of the body of Christ these Gentiles become part of the heavenly calling and will inherit the heavens with all the rest of the believers throughout the grace gospel period. Eph.3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Transition	As with all the saints that continued in Paul's ministry to receive the gospel of Christ; who make up the fledgling 'body of Christ', so it would be with those 'far hence' Gentiles who are saved by the gospel of grace. They too are added to the Body of Christ and would have their destination to be in the heavens, meeting the Lord in that place of light, either through death or by the pre-tribulation rapture of the body of Christ.

This concludes this 29-part study on the Gospels and Raptures.