Below is a summary of the details discussed in the preceding lesson parts of this gospel (the gospel of Christ), 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.
It is important to remember that this period of time covering the gospel of God and the gospel of Christ is a transition period. This has to be factored into the process of evaluating and interpreting the scriptures during this Acts period. Although the gospel of Christ is the exact same message as the gospel of the grace of God, our gospel today, we must recognize that the circumstances surrounding this gospel were different and that some of the things we read of in the Acts epistles of Paul do not apply in this grace dispensation today. During the time of in the book of Acts, as far as the Jews were concerned, the Gentile believers were going to be a possession of Israel when the kingdom came (Amos 9:11-12). It was only after the Acts epistles, when the gospel of grace was sent "far hence" unto the Gentiles, who were outside the covenants of promise, that Jewish things, like observances, traditions, customs, and rituals, were nailed to the cross and taken out of the way. Paul's prison epistles have no evidence of Jewish references and concepts.
As a side note, the book of Thessalonians provides us with another great view into how Paul brought believers into the gospel of Christ. Notice the references in the verses below regarding the gospel of God,
1 Thess.2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. ...... 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
Since the covenant that God made with Abraham in Gen.12:1-3, God's focus and attention has been upon the physical seed of Abraham, the Jews. The reason for this is due to the plan of God for the redemption of humanity at that time. God's covenant with Abraham was that all of humanity would be blessed through the nation of Israel,
Gen.12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
We are now at the point where Paul has taken those Jews and Greeks out of the synagogue, —those who received his message, who believed in the gospel of God, and is now meeting with them in a home or another location. So, what is Paul going to preach to this group? What conditions apply to them? How will their lives change from what they knew?
What better way to inform you of the message of the gospel of Christ than to have Paul tell it to you directly!
In about 34-35AD, at the height of Saul's persecutions, God intervened. God would start a new program through Saul's conversion, and set a new pattern of grace. As the Kingdom program diminished, so the mystery program would increase. The Lord revealed many revelations to Paul throughout his ministry, but the most important would be the gospel of Christ which would pave the way for Gentiles to be saved by grace without the use of Israel, and subsequently become known and the Body of Christ.
