The following post is in response to a person asking what the two different programs in the Bible are and provide scriptural references to distinguish them.
Let me answer this question by first stating that it is of great importance to know these two programs and keep them separate. Most of the false doctrine in church denominations today is in direct cause to ignoring these two programs or blending the two programs together to create skewed doctrine in the imagination of men.
The differences between the two ministries are found in the contradictory statements in Paul's letters versus scriptures in the rest of the bible. These contradictions are not inaccuracies in the bible as some suggest. They also do not disprove Paul's apostleship. They are simply two separate programs that God initiated within His greater plan of redemption of creation and humanity.
The reason for these contradictions is because the dispensation that Paul introduces (by the Lord's hand and call on Paul's life) is in such contrast to the kingdom program for Israel. These two programs, Israel (Prophecy) and the Body of Christ (Grace) are the opposite sides of the same coin. In the rest of this article I'll give some examples of these contradictions and the scriptures related to them. They clearly identify two different programs that form part of God’s overarching plan of redemption for humanity and the whole of creation, both heaven and earth.
The examples below are not exhaustive. These are simply a few of the primary entries that can be easily presented in this article.
#1 Prophecy and Mystery
Prophecy:
Acts 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Mystery:
Romans 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:
There is a vast difference between spoken since the world began and kept secret since the world began. These two statements cannot be blended together. They are mutually exclusive. Prophecy is in reference to Israel and the mystery program that was revealed by Paul when he says, “but now is made manifest”, initiated the program of grace to the Gentiles.
#2 Israel’s blinding and salvation to Gentiles without Israel
The Blinding of Israel
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
The blinding of Israel is in reference to a temporary suspension of the prophetic program. God stopped his dealings with Israel and the entire administrative functionality of the Kingdom program was placed on hold, only to be reinitialized at the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation, which resumes the prophetic program.
There is an interesting parallel event that provides substance to the blinding of Israel in Acts 13. At the very beginning of Paul's first missionary journey, a Jew called Barjesus opposed Pauls ministry to a Gentile. This leads to God blinding Barjesus for a season. One cannot but see the irony and parallel in this event as projected to the entire nation of Israel.
Act 13:6-11 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: 7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Gentiles saved without Israel:
Acts 28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
Romans 11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
All through prophecy it is announced that Israel will be the salvation of the Gentiles. And this is true in the Millennial Kingdom. However, in Paul’s ministry, the Gentiles are saved without Israel. They are saved by God’s grace alone. This is not prophesied in the scriptures. It is part of the mystery program that Paul introduces.
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
#3 A few difference between Jesus and Paul
- Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom; Paul preached the gospel of grace
- Jesus defined the “kingdom of God” as Israel’s prophetic earthly kingdom; Paul defined the “kingdom of God” as the heavenly position of the body of Christ
- Jesus presented Himself as the Messiah and King of the Jews (Israel); Paul presented Jesus as the risen Lord, Head of the body of Christ
- Jesus preached faith in who He was, and works as necessary for salvation: repentance, water baptism, keeping the Law, selling possessions; Paul preached faith alone in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as necessary for salvation
- Jesus taught conditional forgiveness (Matt.6:14-15); Paul taught that one is already forgiven (Col.2:13; Eph.4:32)
- Jesus had Jews as His audience (a couple of exceptions); Paul had Gentiles as his primary audience (Jews saved like Gentiles)
- Jesus operated under Prophecy and Law; Paul operated under Mystery and Grace
#4 Paul and Peter separate their Ministries
It is recorded in the letter to the Galatians that both Peter and Paul agreed to go to preach their gospels to separate audiences. Paul was preaching what he called, "my gospel", regarding the cross of Christ, while Peter and the 12 were preaching the Kingdom gospel of the identity of Christ and necessary works of faith. These two gospels were the primary reason for the Jerusalem Council meeting. It is at this meeting that the decision was made to preach these two different gospels to the two identified people groups. Paul writes of this account and decision as follows,
Gal 2:6-9 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: 7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
There is little doubt of the evidence of this meeting and subsequent decision in the passage above. There is also no way one can try to blend these into a single message and people group, yet this is exactly what preachers do if they are obstinate of the two programs and ministries of these two men.
#5 Separation of Time (But Now)
Eph.2:7 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. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
The words “BUT NOW” indicates a change in operation. In other words, "In the past, this was the system, but now things will be like this". The words, 'but now', inform us of Paul’s new instructions that are applicable in this new dispensation. In the above passage, there is clear reference to times past, ages to
#6 Inheritance of Earth (Israel) and Inheritance of Heaven (Body of Christ)
Earth (Israel)
Ezek. 47:21 So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel. 22 And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, …
Heavens (Body of Christ)
Eph.2:5 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.
2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Throughout prophecy, we know that Israel inherits the earth. They will be the preeminent nation, a kingdom of priests and kings who will rule over the nations under Christ. The inheritance of the Body of Christ is the heavens, and they will fill the heavens with the glory and majesty of Christ so that at the end of times, both the heavens and the earth will be brought into one to complete the redemption plan of God.
Eph.1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
The evidence of two programs is overwhelming. There are clear differences between these two ministries. Jesus came to initiate the earthly program in his first advent, and when He comes again, He will fulfil it. This earthly program is entirely centered around Israel. The mystery program is centered around all people who are saved under Paul’s grace program and make up the Body of Christ. These two programs cannot be mixed, or blended together. If one does, it causes confusion and contradictions in the Bible. Keeping them apart settles doctrine and makes the Bible clear and understandable. The greatest problem in our multi-denominational churches is the mixing up of these two programs. It has split the church far and wide under false and confusing doctrines.
There are many more differences and comparisons that can be made between these programs, but I trust that the above is clear enough and has the evidence that can help to clarify any misunderstandings on this topic.
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