Lesson # 11
The Gospel of the Uncircumcision (Galatians 2: 7)
Was committed unto Paul.
He was not sent to baptize. (1 Corinthians 1: 17)
The Gospel of the Circumcision, which was committed to Peter was preached to the Jews and concerned an earthly inheritance of the nation of Israel. But Paul's gospel was preached primarily to Gentiles whose inheritance is heavenly. This message concerns a group of believers who are part of Christ's body, not of Christ's kingdom.
Every thing about the Church the body of Christ was hidden until it was revealed unto Paul: either in the Scripture (Romans 16: 25-26), or in God (Ephesians 3: 9).
Paul preached that Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4) and if we placed our trust in the work He did, die on the cross, then we would receive atonement for sins immediately. (Romans 5: 9-11) Quite a contrast from the message Peter preached, (Acts 2:38; 3: 19-21) where sins would not be blotted out until the Second Coming of Christ.
At one time, Gentiles were partakers of the promises through the nation of Israel. But in Ephesians 3: 2-10 we find Gentiles are blessed because they believed the Gospel of Christ.
Involves a dispensational change. Instead of being under the dispensation of the Law, believers are under the dispensation of Grace.
In this dispensations, Jews are no longer the elitist that they were under the Law and Gentiles are no longer second class citizens. (Dogs)
Believers in this dispensation become part of Christ's body, by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12: 13)
Christ is the head of the body. (Ephesians 1: 22-233) Believers are the individual parts of the body. (1 Corinthians 12: 14-18)
Inheritance for believers in this dispensation is in heaven, not on earth. (Colossians 3: 1-2
The gospel of the uncircumcision, which was committed unto Paul, teaches that a believer is complete in Christ. (Colossians 2: 9-13) You cannot add anything to something that is complete. The verses end with a compelling statement – "HAVING BEEN FORGIVEN YOU ALL TRESPASSES."
Some people are told by various religious heads that if they murder someone or commit adultery thy can loose their salvation unless they obtain special dispensation. How does that set with the passage above? Who can we trust? God, and God alone.
Religions want mankind to do things, be obligated to a church program and place some of their trust in themselves. To do this would prostitute the grace of God. These people lead one to believe mere faith alone cannot satisfy God, cannot save a man's soul. That is not true, look: "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the GIFT of God, NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST." (Ephesians 2: 8-9)
- In the dispensation of Grace the Lord Jesus Christ Himself presents believers to God as being clean, His blood washing them white as snow.
- A believer is sealed until the Lord calls them home to be redeemed. (Ephesians 4: 30)
- Everything we have, assurance, salvation, redemption, sanctification, justification and a heavenly inheritance, we have because God gave them to us – free. Why? Because Jesus paid the price for all of those things.
- Paul talks about the last days of this dispensation being ones of apostasy and the falling away of believers. (2 Timothy 3: 1-7; 4: 1-4)
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