Most of the Bible talks about salvation. Most of the Bible talks about salvation coming through Israel, promised in covenants, with required works of the law.

Christ sent Paul to offer salvation according to the mystery without Israel, without covenants, and without the law. As a result salvation is all of Christ.

Without Israel

When God was operating in the world through his chosen people salvation was said to be “of the Jews” (John 4:22). Salvation to the world would come through Israel’s rise to glory, and then the nations of the world would be blessed.

Being a Jew meant being the first to receive God’s blessing, and being the channel of blessing and salvation to Gentiles.

When Christ sent Paul to Gentiles it was because Israel had rejected Christ and salvation (Rom 11:25). Yes, Paul went to Jew first, but they did not receive it. Gentiles were receiving salvation before Israel, or more aptly, without Israel through the preaching of Christ’s cross work.

Paul proves that both Jew and Gentile are under sin, and so being an Israelite has no advantage today toward salvation by grace through faith. Two thousand years later, it remains the same that Gentiles continue being saved while the nation of Israel as a whole has rejected it.

Salvation according to the mystery is without Israel.

“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin” – Romans 3:9

“For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” – Romans 11:32

Without Covenants

What made Israel God’s chosen people were the covenants given exclusively to them. Gentiles had no privilege or advantage with any covenants with God.

Even when Israel failed, they could lay claim to the covenants of promises God had made with their fathers, David, and the prophets. God had promised them salvation. Confidence in salvation was found in the covenants God had made.

In contrast, Paul preaches complete confidence of salvation to people who never had any covenants. On what basis could they be so sure? Paul explains that the work for salvation was already finished, and was being offered to them freely.

While prophecy promised a future hope of salvation, it was a promise yet to be fulfilled. Paul preached a present possession of salvation according to the mystery.

God is under no obligation toward the church the body of Christ having made no covenants with the Body. Salvation is offered all of grace without obligation or requirement. God and Israel still have obligations under the covenants to fulfill before salvation comes to them.

“For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” – Romans 11:27

Only according to the mystery of Christ does salvation come without a covenant.

Without the Law

How could man be righteous without obedience to the law or the commandments of God? This is explained clearly in Paul’s epistle to the Romans 3-5.

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets” – Romans 3:21

The law was the subject of Israel’s old covenant, and the law was revised in Israel’s new covenant, but in both cases God’s law was what would prove their righteous faith.

According to the mystery Paul speaks of salvation without the law being offered freely to all men.

Conclusion

Israel will be restored. The covenants of God will be fulfilled. The law is holy, just, and good, and will one day be preached to all nations.

The mystery of Christ affects how salvation is preached. Salvation according to prophecy was through Israel, under the covenants, and accompanied by the law.

The mystery of Christ is how salvation comes to all without Israel, without covenants, and without the law. This hidden wisdom of God in Christ Jesus was kept secret since the world began, but is now made known to all nations .