Just what IS the MYSTERY?

[Christine]

Believers need to KNOW and have assurance concerning these issues and to KNOW how God is operating TODAY:

1. a NEW agency called:

*The Body of Christ Romans 12:4-5, 1 Cor. 12:12, Ephesians 1:22,23
* The CHURCH Ephesians 1:22, 23
* The one NEW man Ephesians 2:15

2. a NEW Dispensation called:

*The Dispensation of Grace Ephesians 3:2
*The Dispensation of God Colossians 1:25

3. a NEW Gospel called:


*The Gospel of the GRACE of God Acts 20:24
*The Gospel of the UNcircumcision Galatians 2:7
-Referred to Paul as "MY gospel" Romans 2:16, 16:25; 2 Tim. 2
-This gospel EMPHASIZES to the Gentiles the Grace of God by the Cross Work of Christ

4. a NEW Position and Calling:

*In and to the heavenly places Ephesians 1:19-2:6 and 2 Cor. 5:1

5. a NEW union with Christ:

*Identified in Christs Death, Burial and Resurrection and Ascension
* He is the HEAD, we are the BODY Romans 6:1-8 and Eph. 1:22, 23

6. A NEW fellowship/Union with Body Members:

*To fellowship in the MYSTERY Eph. 3:9
*Members in ONE body in Christ Rom. 12:4,5; 1 Cor 12:12, 13

7. a NEW operating Principle:

*The FREE gift of GRACE
* Walking, being led by the Spirit of God, and not under the law but under grace Rom 6:14, 8:14,12:1, Col 2:6,7; Gal 5:16-18

8. a NEW inheritance:

*In the heavenlies.
* A home for the ONE BODY of Christ eternal in the heavens occupying and operating in the invisible seats of governmental authority 2 Corinthians, Ephesians 1:11, Ciol 1:12-16; 3:24



9. a NEW Commission:

*Being a faithful steward and ambassador 2 Cor 5:18-20 1 Tim 2:4

10. a NEW Revelation:

*Jesus Christ preached according to the doctrinal truths of this MYSTERY.
* Recognizing that ONLY Paul wrote of and taught others this NEW REVELATION Rom. 16:25; 1 Cor 2:7-13; Gal 1:11, 12, Phil 4:9, Col 1:25, 26

11. a NEW Apostle:

*Pauls chosen of the resurrected and fully glorified Lord Jesus Christ.
* Seeing the UNIQUE and distinct OFFICE of apostleship that Paul held. Rom. 11:13, 15:15-18, Eph 3:1,2,Col. 1 23-25, 2 Tim 1:10,11

12. a NEW purpose of God:

* A program of Gentile GRACE as the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.

[Christine]

When Jesus Christ is preached "according to the revelation of the MYSTERY", the NEW issues will be spoken with clarity using plainness of speech. The saint will recognize their position in Christ which brings these NEW things into play thus affecting the personal life of the believer. In other words, when the preaching is doctrinally correct, the saints will be very familiar with the SOUND DOCTRINES of GRACE..they will be GRACE motivated...they will desire to fellowship in the MYSTERY.

The LAW, the Psalms and the PROPHETS do NOT contain the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the Mystery. Neither do the four gospels. Nor the book of Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, Jude nor Revelation...ONLY the epistles that bear the name of Paul.

It DOES make a difference WHAT you believe!

[BOC560]

Most churches lead us to believe that Paul added grace to the message that was taught by Jesus and His 12 disciples.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Jesus and the 12 were Jews under the terms of the Law of the Old Covenant and they taught JUDAISM.  (Absolute, strict Judaism)  Judaism was in effect all the way into the middle of the book of Acts.

Jesus (the risen Christ) gave Saul (Paul) the program of grace that replaced Judaism.  He instructed the 12 to go to the Jews ONLY and He instructed Paul to go to the GENTILES.  Judaism for the Jews and Grace for the Gentiles. 

James clearly explains Judaism to be Salvation by GRACE plus Works

Paul, in his epistles Romans - Philemon clearly explains Salvation by GRACE alone, through FAITH alone in Christ alone (apart from any works lest the cross of Christ be made to none effect.)

Paul said " But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter" (Galatians 2:7-8 ).

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:" (Acts 9:15 ).

[Christine]

BOC said :

Paul said " But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter" (Galatians 2:7-8 ).

Clearly, TWO gospels being spoken of here. One by Paul and one by Peter. And they have different NAMES! How can people be so blind as to NOT SEE the difference?

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:" (Acts 9:15 ).

Note the difference in the order of who is being spoken to FIRST in the information given to PAUL above, and the information given to PETER below:

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Two messages. ONE with the Gentiles FIRST. One with the JEWS first. This is significant and not something to overlook. God DOES change programs and His methods of dealing with mankind and this is but ONE proof. A drastic change took place here. Do you see it?