Paul is not the PROBLEM. His doctrine is the SOLUTION

Paul is not the PROBLEM. His doctrine is the SOLUTION

ONLINE COMMENT:

Paul, in attempting to teach, was dis-obeying his Master (Matthew 23:8-10) and has caused more damage to Christ's Mission and Kingdom than anyone else has because all of the "so-called" Christian religions are based on the letters of Paul and NOT on the Teaching of Christ and are therefore THE PROBLEM.

MY REPLY:

You appear to have it backwards. Most of the "so-called" Christian religions teach the Kingdom doctrine and ignore Paul. Everyone is teaching from the four Gospels and rarely venture into the truth of Paul's epistles which is actually the doctrine for the Body of Christ today.

The four Gospels and the Kingdom message that Jesus (and the 12) taught is doctrine for Israel. It is prophetic doctrine specific for the Jews and for their purpose and inheritance in the earthly, Millennial Kingdom. Notice the scriptures below that confirm that Jesus came ONLY for the Jews:

Clarity on the dual ministry of Paul

Clarity on the dual ministry of Paul

QUESTION:

Do you have an actual verse that justifies ignoring the models of Paul in Acts? Acts covers virtually all of Paul’s ministry, including the time that he wrote those four epistles (except for maybe Philippians). So, should I think that Paul changed his doctrine between say, Acts 19, where he baptized the Ephesians believers, and when he wrote the Epistle to the Ephesians? So, can you point out a verse that specifically tells us where that dispensation stopped and this new dispensation started where we are not supposed to follow Paul’s old example but instead follow some new example, that presumably isn’t recorded in Acts? I am genuinely curious to know the answers.

ANSWER:

I’m completely open to answering your questions. However, many of them originate because you have your timeline incorrect. For example, Acts 19 (as you say) is when Paul visited the Ephesians in 54AD, but it’s not when he wrote Ephesians. During this visit he wrote the first letter to the Corinthians. The letter to the Ephesians is only written in 60AD after he was imprisoned in Rome.

It appears that the Apostle Peter is the first to minister to Gentiles in Acts 10?

QUESTION:

It appears that the Apostle Peter is the first to minister to Gentiles in Acts 10, not Paul. So, how can Peter therefore be identified as an apostle “only” to the circumcision? I’m not convinced that “only” Paul was tasked with that ministry.

ANSWER:

Thanks for this question. We need to understand this scenario in the correct dispensational context. Let me provide some guidance.

The first thing to remember is that the WHOLE book of Acts is a book that documents the transition from Kingdom to Grace, from Jews to Gentiles, and from Prophecy to Mystery. In the beginning of Acts, we are entirely immersed in the Kingdom and prophecy for the Jews. At the end of Acts, we are completely immersed in the Grace and mystery for all nations. The middle sections are how this transition evolved from the one to the other. Consider the value of the book of Acts in another way. Think of the 4-Gospels, Matthew to John. They are all about Jesus and the coming Kingdom. Acts is the book that guides the reader systematically from these four Kingdom orientated gospels to Paul’s doctrine in Romans. We have a smooth transition due to Acts. But now, remove Acts and give a reader the 4-Gospels, followed immediately by Romans. Suddenly you have shifted from the Kingdom and the life of Jesus for the Jews to a Grace program for the Gentiles. How did one get from the one to the other? There appears to be a big gap of missing info. Acts has a very unique role in the bible to help a person transition into Paul’s ministry and doctrine.

The heavenly kingdom inheritance of Paul and all grace believers

The heavenly kingdom inheritance of Paul and all grace believers

There is no doubt that Paul was Jewish and a committed and fervent Pharisee in the nation of Israel (Phil.3:5-7), yet just before he is martyred, he writes to Timothy and says the following,

2Tim.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. 

So, what is significant about this statement? Well, notice the location of the kingdom Paul confesses he belongs to. The heavenly kingdom. Is this strange? Yes, but also no.

What Does the Fulness of the Gentiles Mean?

Fulness of the Gentiles vs. Times of the Gentiles

As indicated by the post title, I will focus on what Paul meant when he said, "the fulness of the Gentiles". However, there is often confusion when one considers another phrase that Jesus mentioned in Luke 21, namely, "the times of the Gentiles", which I will also clarify in this post. Before we analyze these phrases, lets read the scripture passages to get the proper setting and context.

Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Romans 11:24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 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. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Didn't Jesus say that God didn't send Him for Gentiles?

Answer Request:
Didn't Jesus say that God didn't send Him for Gentiles (Matt 15:24)? 

Yes! That is 100% correct. It might come as a surprise to many denominational Christians, but it is true! Jesus clearly tells us that He did not come for the Gentiles. Let's look at the verses and explain this fact,

Matt.15:23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Paul's Two Ministries: Chronological Order of Epistles and to Whom He Wrote Them

Paul's Two Ministries: Chronological Order of Epistles and to Whom He Wrote Them

Paul did not write anything until after he began his second missionary journey in which he was preaching the gospel of God in the synagogues and separating out those who believed it, into houses and schools, to establish them in the Gospel of Christ. His audience was a mix of Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) and during this time he was still water baptizing and doing miracles and signs for the Jews to believe his message. The gospel of God was about the resurrection of Christ and that this proved He was the Son of God. The gospel of Christ was about how Christ died for their sins, releasing them from the laws of Moses (yet maintaining some basic laws to keep the peace between the mixed cultures). Both these gospels that were preached to those who believed could be proved from the scriptures and the prophets. Those established in the gospel of Christ became members of the fledgling yet expanding Body of Christ.

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible (Part 4A)

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible

(Part 4A --- Dividing the AGENCIES)

Dividing the REALMS, defined in the previous post of this series, by phrases like, heaven and earth, and spiritual and physical, provide an understanding of the end point of God's great redemption plan. However, leading up to this end point, there will be an agency to occupy the heavens and fill it with the glory of Jesus Christ, and there will be an agency to occupy the earth and fill it with the glory of Jesus Christ. The end of it all would be as the scriptures say,

Col.1:19-20 For God [the Father] was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him [Christ], 20 and through Him [Christ] to reconcile to Himself [the Father] all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood* of His [Christ] cross.

OBS: ACTS - The Transition (Part 5 - Insights into the New Covenant)

OBS: ACTS, The Transition (Part 5) The focus is not so much on studying Acts, as it is on using the book to teach us about dispensation truths.

Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

See the video lesson of this study here.

Insights into the New Covenant

OBS: God's Word is a Progressive Plan (Part.3)

OBS: God's Word is a Progressive Plan (Part.3)

This is Part 3 of the Series

Click here for Part 2

The huge gap between Jews and Gentiles

During the Old Testament and the Gospels, there was a HUGE gap (or difference) between the Jews and the Gentiles. The reason for this gap was not because the Jews were discriminatory but because it was God's command and part of His plan. God had a purpose for Israel and this we see very clearly if we look into the Bible from a 'big picture' or 'cover to cover' viewpoint.