SWORDS Bible Study: Why Is Paul Your Apostle? (He was not one of the 12!)  PART 3

 

 

By Mari (All caps for emphasis only)

 

 

Continuing on with why Paul is our Apostle today we see from the word of God that the Apostle Paul certifies to us the brethren, that the gospel he preaches is not after another man.

 

 

Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 

 

 

That he did not receive it from a man, nor was he taught it from a man or other men, but instead directly by the REVELATION of Jesus Christ.

 

 

Gal 1:12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

 

 

It was the gospel given by the RISEN Jesus Christ in Heaven to the Apostle Paul; one born out of due time; to bring the gospel of the grace of God to the Gentile world after Israel rejected the Messiah.

 

 

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 

Col 1:25  Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 

Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 

 

1Co 15:8  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

 

Act 13:46  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

 

Act_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.

 

2Co_5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

 

 

The Apostle Peter preached the gospel of the CIRCUMCISION, as the Apostle Paul gave the new gospel of the grace of God to UNCIRCUMCISION, to the GENTILES.

 

 

Gal 2:7  But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 

 

 

Two gospels.  Peter preached the gospel of the coming kingdom to Israel which was prophesied to the church of the New Testament, which was the little flock, the faithful remnant of Israel who would believe that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God, and were of the New Covenant.

 

 

The Apostle Paul gave the new gospel of the cross of Christ as glory to all who believed on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins! (2 Cor 15:1-4) This was preached to Gentiles who would believe on the gospel of the grace of God.

 

 

While there was a transition period of those being taught under Peter the kingdom gospel, and after a time Paul’s gospel and ministry of reconciliation included ANYONE who would believe, Jew or Greek, bond or free, male or female, for all are one now in Christ.

 

 

Gal 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. 

 

 

You can see the difference clearly, and that both the 12 Apostles to Israel and the new Apostle raised by the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus were accepted of one another and the different gospels.

 

 

Gal 2:8  (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 

Gal 2:9  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. 

 

 

God gave to the Apostle Paul a dispensation of the grace of God for us!

 

 

Eph 3:1-2  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 

If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 

 

 

God made known to Paul, by revelation, a mystery!

 

 

Eph 3:3  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 

 

Never before made known to any man or angelic power!

 

It was a SECRET that God kept HID in HIMSELF since the world began! It is NOT found in any prophecy anywhere in the word of God! After giving this mystery information to Paul, is how it was also made known to the other Apostles and prophets.

 

 

Rom_16:25-26  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,

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: 

 

 

This gospel, this good news was FIRST made known to His chosen vessel, the Apostle Paul, for us!  This mystery has NOW been made MANIFEST to ALL who will believe!

 

 

Eph_3:9  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:

Col 1:24-25  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 

Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 

 

Next week Part 4

 

 

 

 

The Gospel that saves today:

 

1Co 15:1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 

1Co 15:2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 

1Co 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 

1Co 15:4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: