By Which Gospel are you Saved?
The Gospel of Grace!
Read the New Testament and you might come away with the idea that there is more than one gospel.
The very first words of the New Testament in the King James Bible are, “The Gospel According to Matthew.” Read on and you will also find the gospels according to Mark, Luke and John. Keep reading and you will come across Paul telling the Romans about “my gospel” before warning the Corinthians to hold firm to the gospel that “I preached to you.”
Read all the way to the end and you will also encounter the “gospel of your salvation” (Eph 1:13), the “gospel of peace” (Eph 6:15), the “glorious gospel of the blessed God” (1 Tim 1:11), before finally reaching the “eternal gospel” proclaimed by the angel (Rev 14:6).
Of course, these are all labels for one and the same gospel. There is only one gospel in the Bible and that is the gospel which was known to Paul as the gospel of grace:
I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. (Acts 20:24)
The one and only gospel
The gospel of grace is the gospel and there is no other. This gospel is built, not on a doctrine or a theology, but on Jesus Christ himself:
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth … From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (Jn 1:14, 16-17)
Whenever you read the word “grace” in the Bible, you can substitute the name “Jesus.” Grace is a Person and his name is Jesus.
What does the grace of God look like? It looks like Jesus. What does the grace of God sound like? It sounds like Jesus. How do we know that God is gracious? He gave us Jesus who is full of grace and truth.
So when Paul refers to the gospel of grace in Acts 20, he means exactly the same thing as when he and others refer to the gospel of Christ or the gospel of God or the gospel of his Son or the gospel of peace in other places.
All of these gospels reveal the One who is called Grace, who was given to us out of the fullness of the Father’s grace, and through whom we have received grace upon grace.
The gospel of grace is the gospel of the kingdom
What about when Jesus refers to the gospel of the kingdom (Matt 24:14)? Is this a different gospel?
Whenever you hear Jesus talking about the “kingdom” you can substitute the word “king” because the kingdom is nothing without the king. Who is the King? His name is Jesus. When Jesus says we are to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” he is essentially saying “seek me and my righteousness.” And where do we find his righteousness? In the gospel!
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ (Rms 1:17)
To sum up, the gospel of the kingdom is the gospel of Christ which is the gospel of God which is the gospel of grace. They are different labels for the exact same gospel message.
What is the gospel of grace?
Paul summarized the gospel of grace in his letter to the Corinthians:
I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you… By this gospel you are saved…: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time. (1 Cor 15:1-6)
What are the four most important bits of the gospel message according to its most prolific preacher?
- Christ died for our sins as foretold in the Scriptures
- he was buried
- he was raised as the prophets foretold, and
- he appeared in resurrection to many
The true gospel is the grace gospel
On the cross Jesus became our sin offering. He took our punishment and secured our eternal forgiveness. He died so that we might live, he was wounded that we might be healed, and he was cursed so that we might be blessed.
Jesus forged a new covenant in his blood, exchanging our sinfulness for his righteousness. His miraculous return from death confirmed that Jesus was God’s Son, just as he said he was. It also showed that the demands of justice had been fully satisfied and that no further payment was necessary. As Derek Prince famously preached in The Divine Exchange, Jesus’ death on the cross was “perfectly perfect and completely complete.” There is nothing more that needs to be done.
Do you believe it?
The gospel is good news whether you believe it or not, but it will only do you good if you believe it. As Paul declared to the Corinthians, “by this gospel are you saved.” Again, by which gospel are you saved? The gospel of God’s grace:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8-9)
The gospel is not just for sinners
The gospel is no mere message. It is heaven’s cure for the world’s woes. And we can be fully confident that God’s cures are effective! Those who put their faith in his goodness and grace experience salvation power in all its fullness – victory over sin, healing from sickness, freedom from oppression.
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes… (Rms 1:16)
The gospel is not just good news for the sinner. It is good news for the sick, the prisoner and the poor. It’s even good news for Christians. Today many sincere Christians are bound up in the dead works of performance-oriented religion. Their joylessness and lack of fruit testifies that they have forgotten the good news of God’s grace.
So take care that the gospel you are listening to is the gospel of grace. Listen to a mixed-grace gospel or any message fails to reveal the fullness of God’s grace, and you’ll fall from grace, end up under law, and estranged from Jesus.
What are the works of grace?
Someone once asked Jesus, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One he has sent.” (Jn 6:29)
The greatest thing you can do is believe the good news of God’s grace revealed in the One he has sent. Believe that because of what Jesus has done, you are forgiven, you have been clothed with his righteousness, and you have been adopted into his family.
When you say “Yes!” to Jesus, he moves into your life and you become one with him in spirit. On the inside, you now look exactly like Jesus and your status before God is “perfect forever” (Heb 10:14).
God has empowered you through his Spirit and the precious promises of his word to fulfill the gospel mandate. We do not need to hunker down and ask God to give us things. We just need to believe that through Christ we already have everything we need to get the job done (Eph 1:3, 2 Pet 1:3).
Working out your salvation with fear and trembling means discovering who you are in Christ, taking risks for Jesus, and ministering in his power and authority. It means representing Jesus and his cross-wrought victory in areas where sins’ effects are still being felt.
When you shine with Jesus-light, darkness flees and the dominion of the king is enlarged. Sin, sickness and poverty are put under his feet when you put them under your feet. We complete the mission the same way we started – by trusting in God’s amazing grace:
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Cor 15:10)
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Escape to Reality 
Of course the Gospel of grace. The blood of Christ cleansed all my sins and by His resurrection we have completed our salvation and eternal life.
Great! Great! Great!!!! As always! I am feeding here, you always have that fresh revelation of Jesus! Thank you so much Paul for your shepherd heart. I am so much blessed that I have found your website. Blessings are on you always!
Profoundly true and spot on, once again Paul! Your posts are easy to read, bursting with revelation and impart life to their readers. I loved the way you reconciled all the “seemingly” different gospels in the person of Christ. Yes the gospel of Christ, the kingdom and of grace are all the same. Spot on man!! Power to you brother! In Grace,
Wow!! Thats Good News
On the inside, you now look exactly like Jesus and your status before God is “perfect forever” (Heb 10:14). You are right on brother Paul. Just like to add on to what you have shared – For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor 5:21). We are as righteous as Jesus is because God gives us His very own righteousness. We are so cleansed in the inside that the Holy Spirit can indwell us (no such privilege for the OT saints) and God can embrace us and have a intimate fellowship with us. BTW, can any1 tell me where to find a church in Auckland that teaches the Gospel of grace?
Tha Gospel of grace, is tha only Gospel Jesus was personifying, coz grace & truth came by HIM. John1God has given us this 1 gospel, anythin else is a lie, of tryin 2 create a man made religion.
thank you paul for your writing this words
I want you to now me appreciation this
Everyone else I have came in contact with has said there are 2 gospels. One for isreal called the Gospel or the kingdom, or the gospel of circumcision and then ours to the gentiles which is the gospel of grace or the gospel of uncircumcision.
Like the men of Antioch who rejoiced when they learned they did not have to be circumcised to be saved (Acts 15:31), I too am grateful for the gospel of grace! There is not other gospel by which men (and women) are saved.
In the bible it is obvious that at the time Christ gave Paul his gospel, there were then two gospels, that of the kingdom, and that of grace. It’s black and white on the pages.
Don’t forget the “gospel of Christ” (Rom 15:19), the “gospel of your salvation” (Eph 1:13), the “gospel of peace” (Eph 6:15), the “glorious gospel of the blessed God” (1 Tim 1:11), and the “eternal gospel” (Rev 14:6). Like the gospel of the kingdom, these are all different labels for the gospel of grace.
This is absolutely life changing. I’ve been saved for a number of years and is even a minister of the gospel, but didn’t have the truths and perspectives that are being shared through this insert. I’ve been so bound by religion and dead works that I actually felt like my mind was about to snap. I bless God for the men and women of God who have the revelation of the Gospel of Grace and are teaching, preaching, and demonstrating it.
The Jesus as the Evangelical church knows loves us, has forgiven us, and asks us to follow Him and His teachings and He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us. The “Gospel of Grace” Jesus says “Don’t focus on my teachings, they are law, I have already done everything for you”. So you are saying each worship a different Jesus?
Jason, I don’t like responding to hypotheticals or being asked my position on groups that surely include a variety of beliefs. Be brave. Tell us what you think.
Jason, the only sure way to follow Jesus according to your submission is to follow Him all the way, hang on the cross as well. You either going to see Him as a saviour or as example. Your claim sees Him more like an example, and if you are to follow him and do what He did, then do not stop half way, dare also to die and resurrect on the third day…
Christians tend to try and follow Jesus in His ministry to Israel, in the four gospels. This is impossible.
They only refer to Paul’s writings when they need to actually find how to be saved today, WHICH IS NOT IN JESUS MINISTRY TO ISRAEL.
It is impossible to follow Jesus?
Away from me Satan!
What verse says it is impossible to follow Jesus? Paul said it was not too hard for us to where we would ask “who is going to bring Him down from heaven so that we may obey”
So Paul can tell us how to be saved, and Jesus cannot?
Start over on page one of Genesis, and forget everything any man every told you and just read the scripture.
What was the “eternal gospel” talking about? I heard it was different than the Gospel of Grace. What is it saying?
This blessed me! Thank you.
The gospel is about the heart of Jesus. It is also his life and work the very example of his living and teaching. By man’s effort, they terribly fail, in Jesus it is grace by his mercy and compassion he do it all for us; so that what we need to is to trust him in faith, never relying on what we know neither wiser than him but in all things give thanks because through him, in him and by him he gave us complete victory through the loved of Jesus shown to the world by the giving of his life freely for all of us that whoever may believe might be saved. From now on let us be guided by the gospel the power of God to salvation first to the Jews, and also to the Gentiles.
will like to recieve the gospel of grace to help me build my ministry of christ Jesus
The gospel of grace, which Paul received by revelation, is not the same gospel that Peter & others taught, which is the gospel of the kingdom, throughout the book of Acts. Paul makes this clear distinction in Gal. 2.1-8.
The book of Ephesians calls the gospel of grace the “revelation of the mystery”. Ephesians 3.1-9 clearly states that this gospel was hidden until it was revealed to Paul.
That is why Pauls’ letters are so different, from the rest of the New Testament, they are about the mystery of grace.
In Acts, the gospel was that Jesus was Messiah. In the epistles, the gospel of grace was taught by Paul, that Christ became our substitute by His death.
Galatians explains this clearly.
If your conclusion is true, then Paul cursed all the other NT writers and they are a house divided. Happily, the good news of God’s grace IS the good news of King Jesus and his kingdom, for Jesus is grace and grace is Jesus.
Paul Ellis, I don’t see where you have answered MVS 123 satisfactorily. Each point he/she raised is found in my bible and I suspect in your’s as well. Peter and the 11 had no understanding of what Christ would reveal to Paul after the cross. How could they preach it?
Paul was not the only one with a revelation of grace. The apostles had had several years of being with Jesus as he revealed grace. They heard Jesus proclaim grace on the night he rose from the dead. In the book of Acts there are stories of grace that pre-date Paul – Stephen forgiving his murderers comes to mind.
You need to rightly divide scripture (2 Tim 2:15) to see the difference between the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24-25, Gal 2:7-8). Only one saves now in the dispensation of grace until the fulness of the Gentiles come in (Rom 11:25). This is why Paul says another gospel apart from the grace of Christ is accursed. The Gospel of the kingdom will be preached again afetr the rapture of the body of Christ (mystery) to Israel to prepare them to receive their once rejected kingdom! (Mat 24:13-14).
There aren’t two gospels; only one.
Paul did not curse the other NT writers. Because he knew their gospel, the kingdom gospel was for the Jew only…
There is only one gospel but it has many labels. The gospel of the kingdom is the gospel of Jesus is the gospel of grace. Jesus is the only way to the Father. He said (to a Jewish man incidentally), “No one comes to the Father except through me.”
It was the division then and it is now.
Paul Ellish where is your biblical truth that supports what you are saying!
It’s in the Bible. This idea that there are different gospels is unscriptural. Jesus is the only way to the Father. It’s the gospel of Jesus a.k.a. the gospel of grace a.k.a. the gospel of his kingdom or no gospel at all.
Amen and amen. And it is most definitely for sinners. For ALL have sinned——((capitals are my emphasis)
To know the Gospel of Grace one must embrace the sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus, it is through this act of self sacrifice, something we hold dear today, it is considered the greatest gift one man could do for another, to lay down his life! When God sent his only son to live amongst us, to teach us, to perform miracles and eventually to die for us, the lesson here is to be so thankful, to follow in his footsteps, to believe in him, to have faith in him, bring him to life so his example lives in you and you become that powerful light that is the Living God and through this people will be drawn to your light and presence. Remember the light which is Jesus must be shared with all and it is your sacred duty to impart the teachings of Jesus with all who hunger for it…..
its not about what we do but what Jesus did for us !!!!!!!!! :)….if you love Jesus you will understand the gospel of grace
“Paul was not the only one with a revelation of grace…” No, but this is also not the same as the distinct GOSPEL of the grace of God given specifically to the apostle Paul. Why is it so hard for folks to believe the words of the pages and not force them to mean the same thing as something else? I’ve concluded it can only be 2Cor4:4, because people can read.
We com e to God because HE came to us FIRST. Like Les Feldick always says ” Faith plus NOTHING!!”
Great job. GREAT SITE. THANK YOU!!
Is the difference between the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Gospel of Grace the fact that one was prophecy and the other mystery? The Good news of the Kingdom specifically for the nation of Isreal and the Good news of Grace for all nations?
Yes. Please note well that eventually the kingdom was no longer offered to Israel and now there is only the gospel Paul preached by which we are saved. When Christ returns to earth,
God’s true Israel will once again have the opportunity to be saved into the Kingdom on earth. The Body of Christ will have been caught up in the heavens with Christ.
the kingdom has never stopped being offered to israel… Jesus tore down the dividing walls and the good news is for everyone. all men are invited to be a part of the body of Christ! 🙂
After the ressurection Jesus was still recognized as being distinctively Jewish.
Yes, and Abraham Jesus blood father was being distinctively an Iraqi.
God doesn’t make sense sometimes.
the kingdom has never stopped being offered to israel… Jesus tore down the dividing walls and the good news is for everyone. all men are invited to be a part of the body of Christ! :)[Unquote]
If I was unclear, I can excuse the ambiguity of your response. The earthly kingdom promised Israel was certainly postponed by God offering the gospel of grace to both Jew and Gentile through Paul. It is this gospel that is eliminating the “wall of separation” as Paul described it in Ephesians. When Christ returns the promise to Israel will be fulfilled , according to prophecy.
if you are referring to the earthly kingdom of land promised to israel as a nation in todays world, i would agree. the kingdom of God, however, is available to all men because Jesus didnt just die for the jewish people, but for the whole of humanity. in His death and resurrection Jesus tore down the wall that separated jew from gentile, so that the gentiles could be included in the kingdom of the Messiah that was promised to israel.
the mystery revealed in the good news of the kingdom and the good news of grace are the same – because of what Jesus has done, the kingdom of God is in you because Christ, the King of the kingdom, is in you… it is the indwelling Spirit of Christ that makes you a part of His body – you cant be saved and not be a part of the body of Christ. the kingdom of God is not only a future kingdom that will come when Christ returns, but if Jesus lives in you and He is your King today, the kingdom of God is now.
Jennie says: “so that the gentiles could be included in the kingdom of the Messiah that was promised to israel.”
Paul taught: believers NOW are in the Body of Christ and will be caught up into heavenly realm and NOT inherit the earthly kingdom as promised to Israel. Can’t be BOTH, but separate. Can you see that to have your “citizenship in heaven” (Body of Christ) and to be
living on earth in the Kingdom of Israel, ruled by Christ in Jerusalem are two different INHERITANCES? Do you believe Paul’s teaching of the rapture of the Body of Christ?
i believe that Jesus will return and we will be changed from mortal to immortal.
i do not believe that the people of israel don’t rate being part the raptured body/bride of Christ… or do you believe that grafted in gentile branches are somehow superior to the natural branches? (rom 11:1-32) the church age began with the jewish believers and it will be concluded with jewish believers. all believers will be gathered together when Christ appears. (matt 24:30-31)
I heard T.L. Osborne say “God came in a Jew – now He lives in you”!
Jesus is THE fulfilment of all the Law and the Prophets!
He is my Promise Land! He is my Heaven! To know Him IS eternal life!
As for promises concerning nations and Israel and the nostalgic of Temple worship: The Glory of God will cover the Earth as the waters cover the seas! Is there a place more favored than another? No, every mountain, every gorge and crevasse, low places shall be made high and every mountain shall be made low and no man will tell his brother “Know God!”
I absolutely, unconditionnally love these Words:
[Col 3:1-3 ESV]
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
The grace of God to all.
In 1st Cor. 15:11 Paul wrote that he and “they” preached the same gospel. The list of “they” id in verses 5-7 and includes Cephas (Peter).
In Eph. 3:1-7 Paul wrote that the “mystery of Christ” was revealed “now” by the Spirit to the holy apostles and prophets not only to him.
In 2 Peter 3:14-16 Peter wrote that what he was writing was the same as Paul had also written.
Point is There Is Only One Good News of God about His Son Jesus Christ our Lord: the gospel of God’s Grace!
See also Acts 28:30-31.
Thank you.
Please take another “look” at I Cor. 15 which is Paul’s preaching of the truth of Christ’s resurrection. He doesn’t say that the circumcision gospel preached is what he preaches, he says that both he and they preach the resurrection, however, their views of the significance is decidedly separate, and this is the same answer for your insistance that in II Peter 3:15 Peter says he preaches what Paul (his wisdom) preaches. Peter says the opposite and also says Paul’s message (wisdom) from Christ is still “hard to be understoo” by Peter, a man Christ did not give the gospel of the cross (grace plus nothing.)
So, I would ask…if Paul and Peter (as well as the other of the 12) were teaching the exact same thing – the sinless life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ the God man in flesh, and our salvation through his perfect and finished sacrifice giving us a Heavenly hope – why then in Luke 18:34 does it say that upon Jesus predicting his death a 3rd time to His disciples, who have been walking with him and preaching “the gospel” for 3 years, that “they understood none of these things because they were hidden from them”? Yes, Jesus was/is ALL about grace, but they did not have the full revelation of what that meant at that time. Even after Christ’s resurrection they were still very confused and expecting/preaching the “kingdom at hand” (the earthly kingdom promised to Israel with Christ as their earthly King). It isn’t until Paul that a true understanding of the finished gospel is given and the Body of Christ revealed! They are not the same and to believe that they are brings much confusion to an understanding of the mysteries of God in Christ in the Scriptures, especially the understanding of the gospels. Things like “ask and you will receive”…Paul asked for his thorn to be removed…he did not receive that request…was he lacking faith? Or was something different happening by then. The gospels and early Acts period are a foretaste of the Kingdom promise made to Israel (all the world here could only benefit by coming through the blessing of God’s chosen people, Israel)…they were set aside (postponed) during this age of Grace/mystery revealed only through Paul, who called it “my gospel” for a good reason because it was NOT exactly the same as that of the other apostles. Both based in grace, absolutely, but programs with differing promises and differing conclusions. That is why Paul tells us in 2 Tim.2:15 to be careful to “rightly divide the Scriptures”. Nothing else makes sense of the seeming contradictions…but when you truly get hold of this truth and see how the puzzle of Scripture becomes a glorious picture from the mind/grace of God…it will truly transform your understanding of the Bible!
My concern is that if we started dividing the NT epistles into “this guy understood grace” and “this guy didn’t understand grace,” we find ourselves on very thin ice. You can basically dismiss any scripture that doesn’t sit well with you. My view is that we should filter all scripture through Jesus.
I too refer to the gospel as “my gospel,” not because I’m right and everyone else is wrong, but because it is a revelation of grace given to me (and everyone else who preaches it). It’s a precious gift and I am grateful for it (as we all should be). As I said in a comment above, the implication that Paul preached a different gospel from Peter, James, John, etc. is that these other NT writers are cursed (Gal 1:8) and they are a house divided. Happily, this is not true.
Also keep in mind that the scriptures Paul refers to in 2 Tim 2:15 were the Old Testament scriptures. Although the principle of rightly dividing the Bible applies to the whole book, Paul was actually saying we need to read the law and the prophets to see what the reveal about Jesus – which is what Jesus said in Luke 24:44.
Your fear about the “curse” is unfounded because when teaching the circumcision, Peter was not perverting Paul’s gospel. If someone came from Peter to Paul’s church and taught the circumcision gospel, they would be “accursed” in Paul’s words.
It is not that only Paul “understood grace” , it is that only Paul was given the hidden (mystery) wisdom that grace comes from the cross and resurrection of Christ, to all whom believe it. In the kingdom gospel (good news) all whom believed Jesus was Messiah could enter the kingdom, not knowing anything about the coming grace period bought by Christ on the cross.
It seems you are confusing audiences with gospels. There are many people, many audiences, many needs, many hurts, etc, but there is only one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all (Eph 4:4) and only one gospel – which is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Yes Yes…..I am in agreement with your presenting the God breathed words, that are the Holy scriptures…that posses no contradictions.. thank you for wonderfully clarifying things for whomever may be slightly confused, when reading the scriptures with a naked eye(not saying who is or isn’t anointed).Revelations are authored by The Living God, and we receive them in many glorious ways, in His time….sharing is caring ,thank you again for sharing…and God bless you and your family in the name of Jesus Christ.
i think paul’s background as a pharisee – he knew the law and prophets backwards and forwards – might have something to do with the depth of his revelation of grace… we can look back and see pictures of Jesus when we read the OT… but imagine what it was like for paul to see everything he intensely studied his whole life manifest itself in the person of Christ!
grace is, and grace is what opened, the door of the kingdom 😉
These questions might be resolved if more would uderstand that in 2Tim.2:15 Paul is urging
his believers to, among other important points, keep prophecy (all about Israel) completely separate in doctrine from the mystery revealed to him— Body of Christ (his converts)..
Someone please show me in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) or in the early book of Acts where the gospel message being preached was salvation through the atoning death, burial and resurrection of Christ. All I see is “repent for the Kingdom is at hand”. For years I have seen teachers try to make these one in the same and it has done nothing for me and others I know but breed confusion. Even the 12 apostles DID NOT understand this even after walking w/Christ for 3 years and preaching their “repent for the kingdom is at hand” message to many. The Jews who chose to believe saw Christ as the Messiah King in expectation of the promised Messianic “earthly” kingdom. It was not until Paul comes on the scene with the “revelation of the mystery” that they began to understand the full depth of God’s grace and the offer of a Heavenly hope for both Jew and Gentile together in the Body of Christ. Yes, all is based on God’s grace, as we have nothing apart from His grace in any age…but messages, people they are directed to, and resulting promises are, in my opinion by what the Holy Spirit has revealed to me, and obviously others, are clearly different and if understood in this light clear up a lot of the confusion caused by trying to make them one in the same.
sharon, believers are the body of Christ because the Holy Spirit of Christ lives in us. Jesus spoke often of the Holy Spirit… He told his apostles that the Spirit – that was promised to israel by God, thru the prophet joel – was with them and soon would be IN them. the Holy Spirit couldn’t live IN anyone until after Jesus died on the cross for our forgiveness of sin and was resurrected for our justification. but the indwelling Holy Spirit is of course, what happened at pentacost… in acts 2, peter quotes joel, talks about Jesus’ death and resurrection, and when they ask him what they should do he tells them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins so they could also receive the promised Holy Spirit. in acts 3, he tells people about Jesus and His resurrection and to repent and turn to God… in acts 4, he is telling people that salvation is found in no one else… hope that was helpful 😉
I just have read yur comment on the gospel of grace according to apostle Paul.What I found striking to me in your comment is tha part of asking and you shall receive.But yet Paul would ask for his thorns tobe removed but received nothing.Please help me on that part!Is it faith that failed Paul or me?Or what is it?
Nope. I still see a big difference. In Acts 16 when Paul is addressing the Phillippian jailer and is asked “what must I do to be saved?”…Paul answers “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household”. Faith plus nothing! This is very different from repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. I absolutely agree that believers are the Body of Christ because we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when we put our faith in the finished work of Christ for salvation and forgiveness of sin. This Body is now open to all believers without partiality, Jew and Gentile alike. This was NOT the case prior when the only way a person could receive the promise of the Messianic kingdom was to become a Jewish proselyte and be blessed through blessing Israel. This promise was to be an earthly kingdom with Christ as the King on His throne in Jerusalem…a prophecy and promise that will still be fulfilled to Israel when the dispensation of Grace is ended and the Church/Body of Christ are raptured out. After that, the chance for a Heavenly hope will be done and God will resume His program with Israel because God is never slack in fulfilling His promises. The earthly kingdom will be established eventually and the Body of Christ will rule with Christ over it. Why else would God need to make a new Heaven AND a new Earth if everyone was going to be in Heaven? There are very clearly 2 programs and to try and make them fit as one only breeds confusion.
Sharon,
Just curious; how would this interpretation of the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, reconcile with the fact that – by the time they penned the 4 gospels, they would have been indwelled with the Holy Spirit and would have understood the mystery?
Jim
Jimmi
At Pentecost the disciples were filled with the (Acts 2) Holy Spirit; however, the mystery Christ revealed to apostle Paul was not until after the final rejection of Messiah by Israel and occurred in Acts 9.
Also, in answer to your question: when the 4 gospel writers were inspired by God to write about Jesus coming and His ministry to Israel, they were not writing about Paul’s gospel of the Gentiles. Whether they “understood” Paul’s grace gospel IMO is not the point because God inspired them to chronicle Jesus’ life on earth.
this was not the case prior to what? if the answer is the cross, then i would agree… but are you referring to something else?
what program does God have that isn’t all about Jesus and eternal life with Him? what is the purpose of living when the chance for heavenly hope is gone?
Paul was God’s / Jesus special chosen vessel to give us the Height, depth, width and breadth of the Love of God to us in Christ Jesus! This was God’s clear choice! The greatest “law keeper, so to speak” now the Greatest professor regarding the Grace we have in Christ! The Lord used Paul to deliver to use this So Amazing Grace of God! And yet he suffered, wasn’t always healed, which debunks this Malarky about us having the “Faith ability” to heal ourselves forever! Wake up, these promises are For Sure in the Spiritual Realm, not in the temporal! Everyone reading this, and everyone alive, will get older, weaker and get wrinkles and one day die, if not Raptured! Excep of course for Joan Rivers, she never gets wrinkles! I always get a kick out of Jesse Duplantis on TBN telling us all that we can always faith ourselves into perfect health, as he puts on his reading glasses to read the bible. I’m sorry, I love the new Covenant Grace Truth, but I will not fall for this lie of perpetual healing . Anyone. That promotes this, put your hand on the bible and tell me you never get sick or weaker with age….
Be warned, do not trust these “wealth loving teachers” Trust in the Holy Spirit to reveal HS Truth to you, give your money to a poor person in need in the name of Jesus and not to these phonies who need new tires for their BMWS!!!
Well said and funny(especially the Jesse Duplantis comment).
I clearly understand the gospel of grace as it relates to God the father who has always been a GRACIOUS GOD. Noah found grace with God and others in the old testament who put their faith in their heavenly father experienced heaven’s grace. The source of Grace is God-the means of accessing this grace in the new covenant is JESUS not Paul or the disciples who wrote the gospels-the Holy Spirit is the author of the word of God. ONE GRACIOUS GOD PROVIDING ONE GRACE,ONE JESUS WHO IS MANIFESTED GRACE AND THE HOLYSPIRIT THE ONLY MEANS BY WHICH WE CAN UNDERSTAND AND EXPERIENCE THIS GOSPEL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. AMEN AND AMEN.
Thorough exegesis. A blessing to the heart.
why today we present God in different ways; some present Him as a no nonsense taker, some present Him as a good loving God.
I want to know how far does the Grace of God go,because there are some who say we are saved by grace but there are certain type of sins that can take a believer to hell others say once you are saved you are always saved because your spirit has been made perfect forever and nothing can change that state.
Please enlighten me.
It will be an honor and a privilege to share Gods love for you viwe.
We are saved by grace. Thats the starting point. Because God loves you, He gave His only Son to pay for your sin. He was crucified, buried, resurrected and now at the right hand of the Father.
Do you believe that Jesus went all through that to save you? That He rather die than not to be with you. Do you believe that God wants to spend eternity with you in heaven? I pray that the spirit confirms this within you.
How far does the grace of God go? it surpass all knowledge. Thats why Paul prayed… “…together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” Ephesians 3:18
Be blessed!
Good news does not have bad news included in it. Good news is, All sin are forgiven. no sin can take you anywhere once you believe that Jesus loves for you.
Lets also not forget about our perfect gift The Holy Ghost, that didn’t appear until Jesus ascended to Heaven and He descended on the day of Pentecost, He is a very crucial part of understanding the time, and the scriptures, they were changed of prayer, …question….. with Jesus came Grace and Truth, as He is grace and truth …..so what came with the Holy Ghost?, not just speaking in tongues, when you successfully get an answer by prayer, praise, and meditation, that will help you to understand, many of your own questions, Paul came after the crucifixion , resurrection, ascending, descending, to get us Gentiles in order, Gentiles who didn’t know of the law, Paul was sent after the 12 to be the anchor, so to speak, but they were all brought to One accord, like Paul Ellis says one body.. one Spirit.. one God …one baptism… one faith, same Grace, remember the enemy comes to kill,steal,and destroy, but as always he fails,today is no different.God bless you guys in the name of Jesus Christ.
It is very evident that Grace preachers preach 90% truth and 10% error. When it comes to preaching of the gospel of the grace of God, the distinction between who the gospel is being preached to, whether it is for the LOST or to the SAVED is always blurred. So which is the gospel of the grace to be preached to the LOST ?? – surely it can’t be 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 nor Romans 10:13 because the former Paul is addressing saved believers at Corinth whereas the later, Paul is addressing the nation Israel concerning God’s dealings with that nation in their times past, and in present in light of mystery truth, and in future during the tribulation period.
Nathaniel
“Grace Pastors” verses ???? Pastors? “Works” pastors maybe? And maybe you could clarify your term “pastor”. I like the translation of Shepherd; and my favorite quote “they smell like sheep” :). I like “shepherds”. Not self acclaimed, nor denominationally ordained; nor entitled shepherds. But true loving shepherds (though some of the earlier discriptions can include true loving shepherds. In other words; pastors who are pastors by deed not just label.
Exactly where did you get this 90%/10% calculation?
Maybe you could clarify you position a tad?
Thank you
“Whenever you read the word “grace” in the Bible, you can substitute the name “Jesus.” I don’t understand how you can fill in the name Jesus for grace….the verse above would not only NOT make sense, but it would also be extremely redundant…
My point is that Jesus is the embodiment of the Father’s grace. We would not know that God is gracious except that he has given us his Son. “…in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7).
This afternoon I felt so low in my spirit.Then I decided to browse the internet for “The gospel of grace by Apostle Paul”. Wow I read but occasionaly fell asleep as I did.All I can say is “Grace come to me by vissions in dreams”.I saw a tokolooshe that by spirit lives with me become vissible as I sang a hymn about Christ be the Lord who calm the storm and anchor me through storms.Amen I feel saved.My phone which was under my pillow has let me recieve the Lord’s grace through the gospel that was on/active on internet page!Alleluya may God’s name be glorified through Jesus my God!Amen.
Hi Paul, What is Gospel of the Kingdom doctrine/theology?
The gospel of the kingdom is ultimately the good news of the King.
i love your sharings brethren. see for all these gone years we had been astray. thank God for the gospel of grace for it transforms men. anyman who experiences the grace of God can never remain the same…i see men had tried to sabotage the gospel by what they think is appealing but it has been clearly revealed.the grace message is too good for some people to see it as true. 2 cor 11:3
God bless you all.
What is grace and what is so great/amazing about this grace. I am converted to christ in 2012 and I am from India. Since the time I converted life is a constant struggle for me and each day a nightmare. While everyone sleeps I am awake. I am pretty sure you all will say that I do not have proper understanding of God. If my hunger is to eat apple information about apple by someone who eat does not help me. I am not against grace and not on the side on law. Could not able to understand it though I read and hear about grace preachers. I am sorry to say but I wish not to born on this earth at all. Though God gives all best things iny my life and puts me at the top and give me an option to die, I still choose second one. The reason I am sharing this to u is just I am alone though he says I am with u. Brother Paul, I am glad atleast you and some of my brothers tasted it. I am a miserable person and I lost my hope completely. Alone crushed feared in all the direction. I do not understand it and I never understand this grace which u all feel great and amazing and sweet….
Hi Lisa, God ‘s grace is out of this world in origin, it comes free to us fromthe Heart of. God !!! Wow! Its His Great Christmas Present
To mankind, Received by believing upon
The Gospel of this Grace to be Trueb
To us and to you! It’s “known” in our
spirit in His Spirit! It’s The Eternal life of God,
Now our life! I believe you have this New life
In Him!! In the Gift of Jesus,from our Daddy
Abba Father! As kGod to bring you His Joy of this salvation to your mind and let your mind
Be Transformed by reading and taking heed of
This SO GREAT LOVE TO US!
Read and Hear this Truth in the Book of Romans , Hebrews , Colasians !!!
May God show you His True and Awesome
Love Mercy and Grace to you in Jesus Christ!
☺️ Dave
PS though things here might not be going
According to “our plans….” We are Forever in His plan!! And in the ups and downs here…,
We learn How Great it is to have been Lifted up Forever in Him! So wow and great!
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
Eph 2:5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Eph 2:6 and raised us up (UP!!!) together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Shalom, Lisa.
Being under grace does not mean the absence of the experiences you are going through which are not peculiar to you alone (please see 1Peter 5:7-11). Aa you stand fast (and you will because of the greater one in you), you will begin to overcome the lies of the adversary. Please see also 2 Cor. chapter 1 by the apostle of grace himself. U ARE NOT ALONE.
Kofi.
Lisa, a brief question for you. What do you mean by converted?
Amen ,I thank God to have come across this enlightenment on the gospel of grace,the gospel of Christ.
what has really captured my attention is that ,the gospel of grace is not based on works or doctrines but in Christ Jesus our Lord.He himself became the atoning sacrifice for our sinfulness.Glory be to God.
Can somebody get saved without somebody preaching the gospel to them can you get saved by preaching it to yourself
I’m not sure what all I believed when I came to Jesus to ask him to save me. Is it enough to just tell him be merciful to me a sinner? I knew he was who I needed for saving and that I needed saved. There have been times when I believed in him being God and resurrected. There have been times when I questioned. There have been times when I thought of other faiths and wanted one without hell. I have said the sinners prayer in so many ways to make sure I got all the stuff in I thought was needed. There have been times when I just said Jesus save me. There have been times when I said Jesus is Lord and times I doubted. There have been some evil thoughts within about God and songs of praise. I have come to him meaning it. Times of hoping it. Times of doubting it. Is it enough coming to him saying Jesus save me not knowing everything at once and questioning at times? And having times of knowing and times not.
This article may help.
Wonderful Holy spirit inspired explanation about the gospel of grace .
I am again reminded the simplicity of Gods way of saving us, without our contributions.thank you pastor.
On Point!!! Thank you pastor.
I love your teaching…you explain the word with such simplicity and clarity! Its a wow…no more deceptions of planting seeds for God to hear me or do something for me….I am complete in him who is the head of all principalities and powers💃🏿💃🏿💃🏿Thank you thank you for opening my eyes of understanding.
You’re welcome, Nancy.
I made a call to Andrew Farley’s radio show the other day. He preaches grace too. So I thought I’d ask him this question. “If God died for the ungodly and if in the moment of his death, His blood sealed the purchase, then who was not included in that purchase?” Boy did he get upset! He was completely stymied! He said, “This caller has deceptively couched his question in such a way as to ‘box me in’. Well I’m not going to let him!” The question was simple enough, yet he couldn’t bring himself to answer it. Everyone knows, yet he couldn’t muster the courage to say it rightly. What a shame. So sad!
Nowhere in scripture does it say humanity was purchased. (When Paul tells the Corinthian saints they have been bought with a price, he’s referring to the Corinthian saints, not humanity in general (1 Cor 6:20, 7:23, see also Rev 5:9).)
Jesus redeemed us from sin’s claims (1 Pet 1:18-19). Another word for redeem is ransom. His death ransomed us, so that we might be free. No one is excluded from this except those who refuse to leave the prison.
To say humanity was purchased is to reframe our liberation in the language of enslavement. It is a perverse way to describe what Jesus did for us.
I am truly mystified at how you can say we were not purchased by the blood of Christ. There are many verses that tell us we were purchased by the blood, such as 1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23; 6:19-20, 1Peter 1:19, Galatians 3:13, Rev.5:9, Acts 17:11, to name a few.
The ‘PURCHASE’ is a fundamental truth of the Bible. Even believers who have no concept of grace, know it to be true. Check out Romans 8:2 and we can see that we were sold from slavery under the ‘Law of Sin and Death’. Then we were made ‘slaves of righteousness’, when we were transferred to the ‘Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ’. It’s so simple, it boggles the intellectual mind.
It is fair to say that the saint has been bought with the blood of Jesus, just as it’s fair to say that the saint is a member of Christ’s body and a temple of the Holy Spirit. All three metaphors are found in 1 Cor 6. However, it is inaccurate to say the same thing of the unbeliever. Yes, Christ died for the ungodly, but not all have received the gift of God’s grace. The prison doors are open, but some remain inside.
Why else would Paul distinguish the unrighteous and the saints (1 Cor 6:1), the world and the saints (1 Cor 6:2), brothers and unbelievers (1 Cor 6:6)?
You seem to think the whole world is righteous and sanctified, but that’s not what Paul says. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? … Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified…” (1 Cor 6:9, 11).
I can say I’m married to the Lord or have become a slave of righteousness because I have freely yielded to the love of God. But to say the same of someone who refuses Jesus and hates God is unbiblical and silly.
I dug around in my Strong’s dictionary yesterday because of this discussion. The word redeemed in the Greek there ends up not meaning bought, like bought a cow or slave. It means loosed and set free! Jesus redemption did not merely transfer our slave status from satan’s kingdom to God’s. He bought our release papers. A case of amazing depth of meaning muddled through time & translation 🙂
Paul, you are an intelligent person. You’re even a Doctor. I’m sure you can provide a short, clear, unequivocal answer to the question, “If Christ died for the ungodly, sealing the purchase by His blood at the precise moment of His death – who wasn’t included in that purchase?” I await your answer.
I would’ve thought it was pretty clear by now that I don’t believe anyone was included in Christ at Calvary. No one was married, purchased, or saved against their will. If you insist humanity was included, saved, and sanctified in Christ 2000 years ago and humanity is now seated with Christ in heavenly places, you have quite a few contrary scriptures to deal with, including this one: “You were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed…” (Eph 1:13).
I read about half of the comments and not one touched on where Jesus told his disciples.to take up their cross and follow him…
Try this article.
You are saved by saying yes to Jesus taking charge of your life. The gospel of grace is His bloodshed for our sins, being healed by His stripes and His death, burial and resurrection.