Should the Gospels Be Considered as Part of the Old Testament?

Some teach that the Gospels are still part of the Law, and are Old Testament teachings and that Jesus preached to the Jews and if you are not a Jew His teachings don't apply to you, only Paul's "Gospel of Grace".

First of all, note that the authors of the Gospels viewed Christ’s teaching as gospel teaching, not an extension of the law.

Looking at the scriptures below, we notice that these Gospel authors claim that Jesus preached the Gospel.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35)

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. (Matthew 11:5)
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. (Mark 1:1-2)

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. (Mark 8:35)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:18-19)

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. (Luke 7:22)

Some might say that this is a different use of the term gospel. But Jesus Himself referred to this gospel being preached in situations where it seems almost completely certain that the crucifixion and resurrection would have been completed: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14) “Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.” (Matthew 26:13) “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

It seems fairly clear that Jesus viewed the gospel He taught as being taught by others after His resurrection. If you are still not convinced, keep reading.

Second, notice where Paul claimed the authority for his gospel, which is supposedly different from Jesus’:
“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.” (Romans 1:9-10)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

If Paul viewed his gospel as being Jesus’ gospel, do we have liberty to redefine that gospel?

If you are still in doubt about how Paul viewed "his" Gospel and Christ's Gospel, look at the end of Romans:

“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: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” (Romans 16:25-27)

In fact, we have a specific instance of Paul quoting Jesus: “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

One of the problems with the idea that teachings from the Gospels are part of the Old Testament is that it puts Paul, rather than Jesus, as the authority for the changing of the Testaments. Listen as Peter establishes Jesus’ authority for “these days”: “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.” (Acts 3:22-23) Stephen, too, appealed to Moses’ words: “This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.” (Acts 7:37) When Moses’ told the children of Israel this, he quoted God as saying, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” (Deuteronomy 18:19)

The author of Hebrews, too, expressed how Christ’s words are connected with salvation in the present day: “For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” (Hebrews 2:2-4) Earlier he had already expressed how God “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:2a). And he contrasts the Son’s speaking to us with the prophets’ earlier speaking to the fathers.

Those who would discount Christ’s teaching as New Covenant teaching, especially the Sermon on the Mount, also have to deal with the fact that some of these teachings are reinforced by the same teachings after the resurrection.

Take, for example, one of these commands that has given trouble to Protestants who want to support political involvement—Jesus’ prohibition of oaths: “Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matthew 5:33-37) This command is also expressed by James after the resurrection: “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” (James 5:12)

It's not hard to understand why some desire to escape some of the most difficult teachings of the Scripture, (those found in the Gospels). But just because our human weakness makes us recoil at the words of Jesus, this does not give us the authority to dismiss the teachings of the One who told His apostles to teach all nations “to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).

And, remember the words of Paul - “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son”.

The Gospels belong to the New Testament.

Pilgrim

We should be careful not to divide the Scriptures up:

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The only Scripture in general use then was the Old Testament Scriptures. We relegate that as something in the past and not perinate to Christianity. how sad and how contrary to Paul's admonition to Timothy.

Again we cling to the New Covenant to dismiss the Old. But what is actually new about the New Covenant?

Ezekiel foretold:

Ezekiel 11:
19 I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes, and keep My ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

Clearly, the New Covenant was Jehovah's provision of the Spirit in order that we might, not keep the law so to speak, but to fulfill all righteousness, be righteous as He is righteous, to be holy as He is holy.

Christ elevated the law, from not committing acts of adultery or murder, to a higher level of not lusting or harboring an adulterous or murderous heart or mind in our soul. This higher calling to not only clean hands, but a pure heart (Ps 24), is not attainable by mere men, but only by those who live in union with the Spirit of God, as God prophesied through Ezekiel, and announced by Christ as the fulfillment of the Gospel.

There is a unity of Scripture we tend to overlook. our changeless, immutable Father has completed and enabled through Christ that which He envisioned for us to become: the restoration to the Adamic state, through Christ, the second Adam:

1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam (Crist) was made a quickening spirit.

Only this could allow us to truly make Christ our example, and allow us to be like Him:

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

How sad, Calvinists tend to believe they were chosen to be saved, but when I ask them if they are conformed to the image of Christ, the have to admit, they are not.

Much more sad, after 2,000 years of Christianity, can we think of anyone we know who can be said to have conformed to His image, to such an extent that as His brethren, as His joint heir in sonship, that we fulfill our highest calling to be like Him as described in John 14:12 quoted above?

In these end times, we must admit our lack, confess our ignore, and strive to become truly Christlike in every way, the Christ Who DEMONSTRATED what the Gospel looks like as shown in His ministry. Until we attain to that, we have NOT attained to the Gospel.

Father, we love you. Help us, we implore you. Take our darkness. Give us light. Mve us from the mist into the knowledge of Your mysteries.

Thank you, pilgrimm777 for clarifying the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What is the mystery Paul preaached which was primarily "My Gospel".

Who did Jesus come to and they received Him not.

The primary Gospel of Jesus was directed mostly to the Jewish Nation of Israel. Jesus bridged the gap from old testament to New Testament a few places but did not give the whole of the New Covenant in His Blood until He chose Paul from his mothers womb to preach what Jesus would tell Paul to preach about the mystery hid from all until it was revealed to us through Paul.

Paul did not teach another Gospel than Jesus, Paul only fulfilled the Gospel of the New testament to complete God's Plan for those given to Christ and His Body the Church.

What did Paul preach? Christ and HIM Crucified. "MY Gospel". "Christ in you the Hope of Glory".

In Christ: Phillip

Phillip wrote:

"What is the mystery Paul preaached which was primarily "My Gospel".

Rom 10:12\tFor there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.

Rom 10:13\tFor "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." [fn]

Rom 10:14\tHow then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

Rom 10:15\tAnd how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, [fn] Who bring glad tidings of good things!" [fn]

Rom 10:16\tBut they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our report?" [fn]

Rom 10:17\tSo then faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Rom 10:18\tBut I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: "Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world." [fn]

Paul states that the gospel was preached in the OT. This is the mystery which Paul reveals. This same mystery was revealed to Jesus' disciples on the road to Emmaus...

Luk 24:25\tThen He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

Luk 24:26\t"Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"

Luk 24:27\tAnd beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Luk 24:32\tAnd they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"

This mystery is found in the OT. If you are willing to hear you also will experience your "heart burn" when "He opens the Scriptures to" you.

Yes, all the scriptures are profitable for teaching, rebuke, doctrine and instruction in righteousness, but this article is dealing with those Gentiles who believe the Gospels don't pertain to them, (only the Jews) because when Jesus was alive, it was still considered the Old Testament dispensation.

Christ had to die in the flesh in order to deal with sin in the flesh.

Pilgrim

pilgrim777 wrote:

" but this article is dealing with those Gentiles who believe the Gospels don't pertain to them, (only the Jews) because when Jesus was alive, it was still considered the Old Testament dispensation."

It is because of the teachings of doctrines which divide the Scriptures that we are led astray. The Old Testament dispensation, in the way it is taught by men, hides the work of God in men who lived by faith.

I agree with you Rookie.

I have always found the order in which men arranged the books of Scripture to be interesting. Even though the books are separated by the "Old" and "New" Testaments (to signify their dispensation), the books are not divided chronologically. They are grouped together in a more "topical" sense.

The first five books are grouped in both chronological AND topical order. Genesis is about creation -- including the creation of Adam -- and the events and accounts within it explain just why the children of men grew to the point of needing the four books of the Law of Moses found in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

This is an interesting parallel with the New Testament. While the events that occurred during the Gospels show men who are under the dispensation of the Law, they also present a period of transition.

The New Testament begins with the four books of the Gospel. The Gospel accounts show the condition of the children of men (both of Israel and Rome). They present the account of the birth of Christ and how God walked among the men that He created in the Genesis account. During His life (and by His death), the Lord both explained and fulfilled the Law of Moses.

It is ironic that the Pharisees, Sadducees and teachers of the Law went out of their way to quote the Law to Jesus. Jesus, in turn, explained it to them. Those men preferred the interpretation and tradition of the Law rather than the rationale and purpose for it. They based their existence of fulfilling the letter of the Law and following the examples of those who attempted to fulfill it.

This would be like believers focusing upon the examples of men rather than the precepts of Scripture. There have been many good and godly men throughout history who have set (or endeavored to set) good examples in their walk with Christ. Lately, I have noticed many brethren on SermonIndex quoting the "early Anabaptists." While there were some great examples of faith represented by some of those men, the early Anabaptists are not the primer by which we base our faith. Rather, it is only in the precepts of God's Word by which we must follow.

The Pharisees, Sadducees and teachers of the Law didn't understand this. They embraced the Law and focused upon fulfilling every last command rather than the reasons why those precepts were given. Jesus explained that it was better to fulfill the precept than skirt the command. If you didn't lust, you didn't have to fear breaking the "letter of the law" about adultery. If you didn't hate or grow pridefully angry, you didn't have to worry about breaking the letter of the law in regard to murder or violence.

So, the Gospels are a transition in Scripture in which the Word of God walked among men and explained those things. While men were under the dispensation of the Law, Jesus explained what many people misunderstood about it and the futility of men who focus on their insurmountable attempts to fulfill it without knowing why it existed.

Since old habits die hard, the Apostles had to further explain this to those who didn't hear/know Jesus while He walked here. So, the book of Acts and the Epistles often contain the same explanation of the Law and how it was fulfilled by Christ. They also explain how the Gospel and its Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus -- to simply love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and to love their neighbor as themselves -- set us free from the Law of sin and death. Our Eternal condition isn't determined by how accurately we fulfill the letter of the Law, but by coming to Jesus and the fulfillment of that Law that He provides.

So, I understand that the men found within the Gospel lived under that age of Old Covenant dispensation. However, during that time, Jesus was explaining the purpose and fulfillment of that Law, the futility of trying to fulfill the letter and the need to simply turn to God with everything that is within us via the New Covenant that he made with His blood.

I think it is astounding how God may even have had a hand in the arrangement of the Books of the Bible. (I believe He did).

Isaiah has 66 chapters and there are 66 books in the Bible.

The 40th chapter and verse 3 of Isaiah has this.

Isa 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

The 40th book and 3rd chapter of the Bible has this:
Mat 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Isaiah 66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

The 66th book of the Bible:
Rev 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Isa. 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

Rev. 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne.

Isa. 66:3-4 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

Rev. 18: 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Rev.18: 7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she says in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow….9) And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning.

Isa. 66:6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompense to his enemies.

Rev. 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament: andthere were lightning’s, and voices, and thundering, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Rev 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
Isa. 66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
Rev. 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered….. 5) And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] His throne.

Isa. 66:12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.

Rev.21:24 And thenations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
Rev. 22:1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Isa. 66:15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire….16) For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

Rev.9:9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings [was] as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle….18)By thesethree was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

Isa. 66:18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

Rev. 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Isa. 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

Rev.15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues;for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Isa. 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

Rev. 21:And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

Rev 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Isa. 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Rev. 19:20-21 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophetthat wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth (Jesus Christ): and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

The 33d and 34th chapters of Isaiah also match the 33d and 34th Bible books of Micah and Nahum when examined.

Isaiah Chapter 43, Verse 10\t
Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.\t

Bible Book 43, Chapter 10
If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Isaiah 34 (vs. 8)
For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for\tthe controversy of Zion.

Book 34 (Nahum 1.2)
God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

Isaiah 1 - Genesis - Creation
Isaiah 2 - Exodus - Giving of the Law
Isaiah 3 - Leviticus - Clothing, Food, Nakedness, Famine
Isaiah 4 - Fire and Cloud over the Tabernacle
Isaiah 5 - Deuteronomy - God's Vineyard

These are just a few things that are astounding and lend credence to the Protestant Canon as from God.

God has more of a hand in human affairs than we realize.

Pilgrim

If this mystery was in the Old Testament, why was it given to Paul to fulfill the Word of God. A mystery is a mystery until it is revealed, then it is no longer a mystery.

Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the (((((mystery;))))) (as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the (((((mystery))))) of Christ)
Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
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:
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Eph 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Eph 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eph 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

If this mystery of Christ was in the old testament, why did it need to be revealed to Paul and given to us by Paul's epistles which God said He chose Paul to reveal this mystery to the Gentiles and the rest of the world.

Acts 9:5-6 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

No one knew until it was revealed to Paul that Jesus Christ would be rebirthed in the bliever. This is the Mystery of the New Testament that was not revealed in the Old Testament.

Acts 9:15-16 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: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

This is the Mystery; Colossians 1:24-29 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: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this (((((mystery))))) among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

This is the mystery revealed and the glory of this mystery is Christ in you the Hope of Glory. This is our only perfection, that is also "Christ in you the HOpe of Glory".

This is Gods Glory and ours also; Romans 16:25-27 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: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Ephesians 1:9-11 Having made known unto us the (((((mystery))))) of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

What is the counsel of His own will? Ephesians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The Mystery: Ephesians 3:3-5 How that by revelation he made known unto me the (((((mystery;))))) (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the (((((mystery))))) of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Why reveal this mystery? Ephesians 3:16-21 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

With God's seal upon us that we are born again and the mystery revealed, sealed by His Holy Spirit of Truth, the Promised Comforter. Amen

In Christ, the mystery revealed: Phillip

Hi! 'Pilgrim777'

I wasn't even aware of this supposed ongoing debate within Christian circles. But I've never been one to become preoccupied with such minutiae an' triviality anywayz.
I don't know if thatz a sign of my dwellin' under a mushroom or simply because these kinna' things are rightly arcane and unprofitable.
Oh well, to each his own, as some say. :)

By Grace through Faith. My old birth certificate with the Seal of the State of Oklahoma on it.

The Mystery; My new birth certificate by Grace through Faith, with the Seal of the Holy Spirit on it, rebirthed in Christ.

By the Christ in me, now a son of God: Phillip

Phillip wrote:

"What is the counsel of His own will? Ephesians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"

And Christ said of God's will...

Hbr 10:7\tThen I said, 'Behold, I have come--In the volume of the book it is written of Me--To do Your will, O God.

Everything that has been established since the foundation of the world has been established through Christ. This mystery was revealed by Christ when...

Phl 2:5\tLet this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

Phl 2:6\twho, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

Phl 2:7\tbut made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men.

Phl 2:8\tAnd being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to [the point of] death, even the death of the cross.

Phl 2:9\tTherefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

Phl 2:10\tthat at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

Phl 2:11\tand [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

The volume of the book speaks of Christ and how He accomplished the will of the Father before He became man and was the first to be resurrected. This is the promise for which we wait...

Colossians 1:25-29 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: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

What is the fulfillment of the Word of God?

What is the mystery hidden?

What is the Glory of this mystery?

What are we to preach?

How do we present every man perfect?

What is our labour and striving?

"Christ in you the hope of glory"

Quote: Rookie wrote: """Everything that has been established since the foundation of the world has been established through Christ. This mystery was revealed by Christ when...

Phl 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

Phl 2:6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

Phl 2:7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men.

Phl 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to [the point of] death, even the death of the cross.

Phl 2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

Phl 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

Phl 2:11 and [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:""" unquote:

All of this is the fulfillment of the Word of God, the mystery stated in;
Colossians 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; And 1:26-27 and 28

What dspensation and what is the fulfillment of the Mystery? "Christ in you the hope of glory" Which is still unknown by 90 % of the Body of Christ. That is why we must preach this always to prove every man in Christ Perfect.

One way and one way only; In Christ: Phillip