Epignosis: Full Knowledge

by Duane Gallentine

This is a letter written in response a question rearding Duane's article The Dates of Paul's Epistles. He hopes this article will explain why he stated what he did in that article.

Hi _______,

…

Regarding your inquiry, I not only view Col 1:25-26 as a great statement from Paul regarding the completion of the Word of God by the mystery, but also see along this line the issue of the full-knowledge of the mystery found in Ephesians and Philippians doing the same.

An example would be in Eph 4 where we read of the full statute of the Son of God declared to be available for the Body's faith. Verse 13 shows that the church which is Christ's body has now come unto the unity of the faith; that is, everything we as grace believers are to have in our faith has been brought together into one perfect, full, complete revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and this according to the Mystery. This of course would be the issue of the Mystery fully made known and preached by Paul--2 Tim 4:17.

Also in that 13th verse the English word knowledge is the Greek word epi-gnosis = full knowledge. Nothing more to be revealed for it is fully given. Basic foundational truth of the Mystery of Christ in Galatians, 1&2 Thess., 1&2 Cor., and Romans. With the capstone as I call it found in Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians. Sorry Mormons, we don't need another testament of Jesus Christ, nor do we need any other cult addition to our completed Bible (Gnosticism), neither did a church counsel establish for the Body of Christ what the canon of Scripture is and how it was to be arranged; sorry Catholics!! Paul did all that before his death and he made, by God's instruction, the Body of Christ the depository of 2 Tim 3:16. Additionally, as Paul states in verse 13, "unto the perfect man" we have everything detailed in perfect knowledge. Thus, we too "...may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." Kind after Kind, ya know.

I also take note of Paul statement in 1 Cor 15:8-10 compared to Rev 1:10-20 to be a clear declaration that Paul was the last one to see the resurrected Christ, not John. Of course, John saw Christ resurrected according to prophecy (Rev 1:3) and Paul saw him lastly according to the Mystery.

In addition, I view Gal 2:6-9 showing that Peter, James and John could not add any information to Paul that he did not already know, thus, Paul had available to him the full revelation of Christ according to prophecy. In that conference if there would have been anything of a prophetic nature unknown by Paul that they knew, he would not have been able to deliver the sound answers to their questions. In Acts 15:2, 4,6,7, 12 shows that there was much dissension, disputation, and discussion. Paul's explanation of the But Now Gentile Grace was at the heart of these 3-D's. Gal 2:6-7 states that Paul added to them this But Now Gentile Grace information which included the stumbling, fall, diminishing, casting away, and blinding of Israel (basic truth from Rom 11) and they added nothing to Paul. Thus, they could not rise up and state things of their prophetic program to confound or weaken Paul's argument. There was nothing they presented that caught Paul off guard whereby they could doubt his apostleship, ministry, and message. Gal 2:9 further confirms this as Peter, James, and John agreed to go "unto the circumcision." There was no doubt in their mind and spirit that Paul's apostleship, ministry, and message superceded everything they had been taught during Matt-John, all other subsequent revelation to them (John 16:12-14), and prophetic commissions. John 16:13 is clear that the 12 apostles would be guided into "all truth". At that point in time, this would be truth that is prophetic in nature since that was their revelation, position, and purpose. I believe the phrase "all truth" is used because they would not be given the "full truth" which would complete the word of God.

Heb 10:26 is a confusing verse to many in Christendom who do not rightly divided. I believe the phrase "knowledge of the truth" is an important key. Again we find the English word knowledge is Greek epignosis = full knowledge. What then is Hebrews? A: The full knowledge of Jesus Christ according to the New Testament provision in fulfillment of those things God spoke unto the fathers by the prophets. His blood of the New Testament/Everlasting Covenant is God's provision enabling Israel to enter the earthly kingdom. Some other questions: What important part does Hebrews have in being placed in the canon of Scripture at the beginning of the circumcision epistles? Where do we find the Apostles' doctrine in written form? In my view only 2 Peter is written after Acts 15 and all the other circumcision epistles were written before that time. The reason why I say 2 Peter only is that the tone and scope of the rest shows no longsuffering of God. All of them except 2 Peter are on the fast track to the day of the Lord and the millenial kingdom. Only 2 Peter gives 'credit' to a different understanding via Paul as he wrote in all his epistles. What the 11 knew and what Peter writes about is that the fullness of Jesus Christ according to Prophecy has been interupted by "[i]our beloved brother Paul" preaching Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the Mystery.

Finally, Revelation does not begin or end with the long suffering of God going out to the nations via Grace. It begins and ends with a tone and scope of urgency due to pending judgement being executed. "Surely I come quickly." is not a statement of delay but rather a confirmation of those last days--Heb 1:1-2; see especially 1 Peter 4:7, 17.

Consider that it was after the Gal 2/Acts 15 conference that Peter writes to confirm in his second epistle the delay of prophecy. John was at that same conference, was he not? Yet if according to tradition and scholarship when John wrote later than Paul, why does he not do as Peter did? Peter in verse 12 of 2 Peter 1 references "the present truth" which the remnant was to be established in. 'Established' in the KJV is used to introduce doctrine at the beginning of a believers salvation experience. Whereas 'stablished' is to fortify the educated and edified saint for the work and battle at hand. . So my point is that John in Revelation did temper the message of prophecy with his knowledge of Paul's apostleship, ministry, and message as Peter did in 2 Peter. John only tells his Israelite brethren about the Lord's Day coming quickly for the time is at hand and how the Lord told him, "Surely I come quickly."

I hope these things help as you consider my article on the dates of the Pauline epistles. I know these issues will challenge you. Be strong in the grace which is in Christ and stand fast against the traditions of men which made God's word of none effect. Let me know how all this sits with you.

Best regards,

Duane