Alexander Campbell the Bible perverter

Alexander Campbell, one of the fathers of the "Church of Christ" falsely so called, wrote his own New Testament in 1835 calling it "Living Oracles". Obviously then he did not believe that the Bible was "living" already (1 Pet. 1:23, John 6:63), he thought the Bible needed him to make it alive. 

Alexander Campbell was indeed a heretic. He taught that it was a great sin to play musical instruments to worship the Lord and that anyone who did so would not be saved. He taught that in order for a sinner to be saved he must turn from their sins, believe in Christ, confess his faith before men, and then have a man dip him in water. After this, Campbell taught that man had to obey Christ's commandments which he called "the Christian Law" or "New Testament Law" the rest of his life in order to be saved. Campbell taught that men do not go to heaven when they die, they go to the heart of the earth and will only go to heaven if they are declared righteous at some judgement that will take place in the future. He also taught that only the denomination that he started would go to heaven, he taught that Baptists, Presbyterians, etc. could not be saved even if they believed the Gospel just because they do not have the phrase "Church of Christ" or "Disciples of Christ" on a sign in front of their local assemblies. Campbell denied that God the Holy Spirit puts believers into Jesus Christ's spiritual Body, the Church. Campbell taught that a sinner could be washed in the blood of Christ by getting water baptized. Campbell taught that "saved" people could go to hell by not taking the Lord's Supper every Sunday. Campbell also taught that Christians are commanded to give money to a local church every Sunday and if they do not then they will "fall away" from salvation. But worst of all, Alexander Campbell did not believe that the Bible was inspired and he even re-wrote the Bible.

Alexander Campbell attacked the Deity of Jesus Christ and the Trinity.

1 Timothy 3:16 And, confessedly, great is the secret of godliness; ––he who has manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit; seen of messengers, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. 
[The real Bible says "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH. WHO IS "HE WHO"?]

1 John 5:7 And it is the Spirit who testified; because the Spirit is the truth.
[The real Bible says "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."]

1 John 3:16 By this we have known the love [of Christ], because he laid down his life for us; therefore we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
[The real Bible states that it was GOD'S LOVE and that HE (God) laid down His life for us, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."]

Acts 20:28 Therefore, take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has constituted you overseers; to feed the congregation of the Lord, which he has redeemed with his own blood.
[The real Bible says the church of GOD which HE purchased with His own blood, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."]

Alexander Campbell changed the word of God to fit his false doctrines in regards to baptisms.

1 Peter 3:21 the antitype, immersion, does, also, now save us, (not putting away the filth of the flesh; but seeking of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ;
[The real Bible says, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" Campbell's perversion says that water baptism is the "seeking of a good conscience" while the Bible says that water baptism is the "answer of a good conscience toward God". Water baptism was the answer of a good conscience toward God according to the Bible, not the seeking of a good conscience. When a person got saved by believing on Christ he was sprinkled on the inner man with the blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1:2, Heb. 9:12-14, 12:24, Rev. 1:5). Water baptism was the outward sign of this good conscience toward God, "having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." According to Alexander Campbell's perversion, one got baptized in order to obtain a good conscience rather than answering God with a good conscience.]

Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, Reform, and be each of you immersed in the name of Jesus Christ, in order to the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
[Campbell changed "for the remission of sins" in the real Bible to "in order to the remission of sins". The word "for" means BECAUSE OF, look it up in a dictionary. The phrase "for the remission of sins" does not mean that you got baptized in order to have your sins remitted, it means to get baptized BECAUSE OF the remission of sins. Those listeners in Acts 2 were already forgiven for crucifying Christ! "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." (Luke 23:34). Look at how "for" is used in the Bible (Mark 1:40-44), "And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them."]

Alexander Campbell taught that members of Christ's Body, the Church, (that have ETERNAL life) could lose salvation. He taught that if someone with "eternal life" lost his salvation he could recover it by doing good works. You can see how Campbell re-wrote the Bible to teach this heresy.
 
Matthew 18:11 and the Son of Man is come to recover the lost.
[The real Bible says "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." To "recover" something is to gain something that was once possessed, Campbell's perversion teaches that sinners have to recover salvation.]

Alexander Campbell believed that he was "restoring the New Testament church" which is why his movement was called the "Restoration Movement". He thought that he was some type of REFORMER, reforming the churches, which is why he omitted the word "repent" in 10 different places and substituted "reform".....

Revelation 2:5 Remember, therefore, from what you are fallen, and reform, and do the first works, otherwise I will come to you quickly, and take away your lamp out of its place, unless you reform.

Luke 13:3 I tell you, No: but unless you reform, you shall all likewise perish; 

Luke 13:5 I tell you, No: but unless you reform, you shall all likewise perish. 

Luke 16:30 Nay, said he, father Abraham, but if one went to them from the dead, they would reform. 

Matthew 3:2 Reform, for the Reign of Heaven approaches. 

Mark 6:12 And being departed, they publicly warned men to reform; 

Alexander Campbell did this TWENTY times replacing the Biblical word "repent"!!!

Alexander Campbell also omitted the words baptize, baptism, baptized, etc. from his so called "bible". Instead, he used the word immerse, immersion, etc. That is heresy! There are at least SEVEN different baptisms in the Bible and very few of them are "immersions".  

I personally believe that the Scriptures teach that water baptism was done by sprinkling since it was a figure of the remission of sins. It was not a symbol of the death/burial/resurrection (Rom. 6:3-4, Col. 2:10-13, and Gal. 3:26-28 are references to baptism into Christ, not water baptism. Baptism into Christ is done by God the Holy Spirit, an operation of God according to 1 Cor. 12:12-18 and Col. 2:12). 

"...arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins.." Acts 22:16

"...Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood..." (Rev. 1:5)

"...For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ..." (Heb. 9:13-14)

"...Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." (Heb. 10:19,22)

"...Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling..." (Heb. 12:24)

"...unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ..." (1 Pet. 1:2)

"...As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man...So shall he sprinkle many nations" (Isa. 52:14-15)

There were many other baptisms that were not immersions also, such as #1 baptism unto Moses, #2 Baptism with the Holy Ghost, #3 Baptism with death, #4 Baptism with fire.

1 Corinthians 10:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

Baptized "with" death/suffering....

"...because he hath poured out his soul unto death..." (Isa. 53:12)

"I am poured out like water..." (Ps. 22:14)

"...forthwith came there out blood and water..." (John 19:34)

"With" the Holy Ghost....

"...I will pour out of my Spirit..." (Acts 2:17)

"...I will pour out in those days of my Spirit.." (Acts 2:18)

"...the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this..." (Acts 2:33)

"... the Holy Ghost fell on all them..." (Acts 10:44)

"...was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 10:45)

"...the Holy Ghost fell on them..." (Acts 11:15)

"...the Holy Ghost came on them..." (Acts 19:6)

"With" fire...

"But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." (Luke 7:29-30)


Alexander Campbell also inserted difficult words into his perverted text. In particular in Acts 22:16 Campbell replaced the word "call" with "invoke" so that it would be difficult for young people to understand. A lot of children know and have memorized Romans 10:13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. All children know what it means to call upon someone. They call their friends on the phone, they call for their parents to help them do something, or they use the word "call" in another way. However, Campbell replaced this phrase in Acts 22:16 by writing "And now, why do you delay? Arise, and be immersed, and wash away your sins, invoking his name." This makes it difficult to cross reference Acts 22:16 to Romans 10:13. Campbell was trying to camouflage the fact that "wash away thy sins" was referring to calling upon the name of the Lord rather than being water baptized. 

Campbell further perverts the truth of calling upon the name of the Lord by ADDING his own words to the text of Holy Scripture in Romans 10:9. 

Campbell wrote,
that if you will openly confess with your mouth, that Jesus is Lord, and believe with your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.

The real Bible says,
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Alexander Campbell believed that there was NOT one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:3-6). He believed that sinners must go through a process of confessing to men and being put into Christ by "preachers" through water baptism. Which is why he inserted the word "OPENLY" into Romans 10:9, he believed that a sinner could not call upon the name of the Lord with the mouth of the heart and be saved. Campbell believed that audible, verbal, open confession was required for salvation. The context of Romans 10:9 is confessing to God (not to men) with the mouth of your heart, verse 1 says "my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved" and verse 8 says "the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven?" The context is speaking to God with the mouth of your heart, not audible, verbal, open confession before men. You call upon the Lord to be saved, not man! Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

Alexander Campbell discouraged people from studying the Bible for themselves, in fact he omitted the fact that we are even commanded to study the Bible!

2 Timothy 2:15 Strive to exhibit yourself to God an approved workman, irreproachable, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The real Bible says "STUDY to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Alexander Campbell also taught that "obeying the gospel" or "the obedience of faith" was a reference to doing works of righteousness for salvation. Which is why the "Church of Christ" to this day is always saying "obey-obey-obey-obey the gospel" rather than "believe the gospel". For some reason he thought "obey" meant doing works. How does the Bible define "obeying the gospel"?

Romans 10:16-17 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

"Obeying" the Gospel is BELIEVING the word of God. The Gospel is "how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:", you OBEY that gospel by BELIEVING the report (Acts 13:38-39, 16:31, etc.).

However, Alexander Campbell taught that obeying the gospel meant doing good works. Therefore he perverted Galatians 3:2, he wrote "This, only, I wish to learn from you, did you receive the Spirit by works of law, or by obedience of faith?"

The real Bible says, "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"

Why did Alexander Campbell attack the Bible so much? Why did he attack the Deity of Christ and pervert the gospel of Christ? It was because he did not believe that ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God.

Campbell wrote,
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture, given by divine inspiration, is indeed profitable for doctrine, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The real Bible says,
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Notice the differences in comma placement,
CAMPBELL: "All scripture, given by divine inspiration, is indeed profitable"
BIBLE: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable"

Campbell's statement means that there is some scripture that is not given by inspiration of God! The real Bible says that ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God.

Campbell had trouble dealing with the WORD OF GOD,

CAMPBELL'S PERVERSION OF MATTHEW 4:4 Jesus answering, said, It is written, "Man lives not by bread only, but by everything which God is pleased to appoint."

CAMPBELL'S PERVERSION OF LUKE 4:4 Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, "Man does not live by bread only, but by whatever God pleases."

What does that mean? 

The real Bible says....

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matt. 4:4)

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (Luke 4:4)

There are thousands of errors in Alexander Campbell's perverted false bible. But these should be enough examples to show that Campbell was a wicked Bible attacker and enemy of Jesus Christ and that the false religion "Church of Christ" is built upon Satan.

Jeremiah 23:
[29] Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
[30] Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.

Jeremiah 23:36 And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.

--Eli Caldwell

Is the Bible version issue non-essential?

"The translation argument is a high school debate used to cause divisiveness among the brethren.The original text are inerrant, the translations are just that translations. To think that God only preserved the King James version is ridiculous and immature in it's thinking. Can the Holy Spirit use any translation to convict the lost soul of their need for salvation? Can the Holy Spirit use any version to show someone their need to repent and be saved? Our modern culture cannot even begin to understand how people heard the Word back in Biblical times (most people could not even read the scriptures they had to go hear the preaching and teaching). Today one can read and reading the Bible can convict and bring anyone to the awareness of their lost condition, and can bring them to the point of salvation..in ANY version...or ANY translation...He is God after all!!!..stop causing hate and divisive arguments and work on reaching the lost and see what happens! Could you imagine if you took 3/4 of the time you spend researching and trying to prove your point and evangelized instead?" --Bruce Chamberlain's comment on the post "Erik DiVietro: closet Roman Catholic?"

My reply....


Mr. Bruce,

The Bible corruption issue is not just a minor little issue that just divides Christians. The Bible reveals it to be a most serious issue. Read these Scriptures:

Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Proverbs 13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

Proverbs 30:
[5] Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
[6] Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Jeremiah 23:36 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.

Jeremiah 23:36 And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.

Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Revelation 22:
[18] For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
[19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

What you are saying about the Bible version issue does not line up with what the Bible says.

You say "The original text are inerrant, the translations are just that translations", but can you prove that from the Bible? Where in the Bible does it say the transmission of God's word renders impure? The Bible says that God is the One doing the preserving, not man (Ps. 12:6-7). Man is just as much a tool of God in preservation as he is inspiration. For some reason you seem to elevate inspiration above preservation when in reality neither one is worth anything without the other.

God gave words to apostles, prophets, and scribes (Matt. 23:34, 1 Cor. 12:28, 14:36, etc.)...no doubt of different languages (Hebrew, Greek, Latin, etc.) He also worked in the early churches in different languages through the gift of tongues until the complete revelation was made (1 Cor. 13:8-12). The early churches and christians that we read about in Scripture knew and spoke different languages, we see Paul preach in Hebrew and Greek. We also see some Aramaic appear in the Bible. The Bible makes no issue out of God's word being transmitted from one language to another. God inspired the same word but in different languages (Acts 2:4-6).

The Bible reveals preserved Scripture to be more sure than direct God breathed words from heaven (2 Pet. 1:18-19). Timothy's copies of the Scripture were "holy" and "given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). God's word is continual, He did not take His hands off of it when it was completed and leave it up to man to keep up with it...Matthew 4:4 says It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that PROCEEDETH out of the mouth of God.  (present tense)

Some 'scholars' claim that we must have ancient MSS evidence to make our Bibles authoritative, but then what is the point of preservation? If we must have original autographs or at least very ancient copies to authenticate our Bibles in 2015, then preservation is useless.

You say "To think that God only preserved the King James version is ridiculous and immature in it's thinking". You have a right to your opinion. I might point out that KJB believers teach that other versions DO CONTAIN some of the inspired words of God, just not all of them as a whole. The NIV contains some inspired words, but the book as a whole is not the pure word of God. So it is not that the KJB is the only Book that contains inspired words, other books do. The problem is that the modern version people seem to think that God has preserved His word through all the versions even though all the versions are different, contradict each other, and a lot of them contain obvious factual errors. How can TWO 'authorities' both be correct? The Lord said "No man can serve two masters" (Matt. 6:24) and Amos 3:3 says "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" There can only be ONE Book and ONE Authority.

You say "Can the Holy Spirit use any translation to convict the lost soul of their need for salvation? Can the Holy Spirit use any version to show someone their need to repent and be saved?" God can use any document that contains the Gospel of the Grace of God on it, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4).

You say "stop causing hate and divisive arguments and work on reaching the lost and see what happens! Could you imagine if you took 3/4 of the time you spend researching and trying to prove your point and evangelized instead?" Who is causing hate and division? Not the KJB believers as a whole, it is the anti-KJB people that despise the word of God and cause division. You do realize that KJB believers were around before the modern version people, don't you? Anti-KJB people are in division against God, "Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour." (Jer. 23:30)

By the way, Christians are suppose to be ambassadors for Christ, but we cannot do that without the word of God.......

Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Luke 16:
[22] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
[23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
[24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
[25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
[26] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
[27] Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
[28] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
[29] Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
[30] And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
[31] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

1 Peter 1:23-2:2
[23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
[24] For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
[25] But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
[1] Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

2 Timothy 3:
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:



--Eli Caldwell

Erik DiVietro, closet Roman Catholic?

Erik Divietro of the "KJV Only Debate Blog" (http://kjvonlydebate.com/) has left some interesting comments in his post called "Dr. Gipp Is At It Again" in response to someone named 'amigodana'. I don't know Erik DiVietro or 'amigodana', but I do know that Erik is against the purity of the King James Bible.....and it looks like he could be a closet Roman Catholic.

"You seem unwilling or incapable of examining the context of Scripture, relying on your own "God's simplicity" rather than engaging with the Scriptures with the necessary intelligence and skill."
--Erik DiVietro of the "KJV Only Debate Blog"

Genesis 40:8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you. "It is a specific statement about the interpretation of dreams, not about interpreting the written Scriptures" --Erik DiVietro of the "KJV Only Debate Blog"


2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. "Individual Christians are not free to interpret the Bible on their own. The interpretation must be in keeping with the counsel of the Scriptures and the consent of the Church."
--Erik DiVietro of the "KJV Only Debate Blog"

Apparently Erik believes that the interpretation of the Bible does NOT belong to God.

He states that it is "necessary" to have "intelligence" and "skill" to "engage" the Scriptures....But Erik does not believe that he has the 'Scriptures" which are defined as being "holy" and "given by inspiration" (2 Tim. 3:15-16). He says that neither the King James Bible, neither the Textus Receptus (any edition), and neither the Nestle/Aland (any edition) are the PURE word of God. He actually believes that the "critical/texutal apparatus" of the Greek texts are the authority on what words are "pure" and which ones aren't.

Now about this 'skill' and 'intelligence' stuff that is "necessary' to 'engage' the Scriptures.

King David, perhaps one of the greatest Old Testament saints and greatly used of God as a prophet, was a Shepherd. Not any kind of scholar or 'intellect'.

The prophet Amos was a 'herdman'. He said "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:" (Amos 7:14)

The 12 apostles were hardly scholarly material either...Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. They were fishermen! Probably not very educated.

Does the Bible teach that you must first be intelligent and have skill to interpret the Bible?

1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

The intelligent 'scribes' and 'pharisees' could not 'engage' the Bible if their soul depended on it because they did not have faith. Faith in God and His word is what gives someone the qualifications to 'engage' the Bible (1 Pet. 2:2, 1 Cor. 2:9-16). Erik thinks we need 'intelligence' and 'skill', how about the mind of Christ and the Holy Spirit?

1 Corinthians 2:
[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
[12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
[14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
[15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
[16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Any saved person who studies the word of God can understand it....2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Nobody has to 'interpret' anything in the Bible, you just have to know how to read. The Bible says what it means and means what it says. The Scripture is not of any private interpretation (2 Pet. 1:20).

Then Erik says that individual Christians cannot interpret the Bible without the counsel of other scripures "AND THE CONSENT OF THE CHURCH". Erik sounds like a full-blown closet Pope's-toe-kissing Roman Catholic. No Christian needs the "consent of the Church" for anything. What is "THE Church"? Why did Erik use a capital C? Is he a closet Roman Catholic?

With the "consent of the Church" I could....

commit fornication (1 Cor. 5:1-2)
go to the law against fellow Christians (1 Cor. 6:1-2)
go back to the Mosaic Law (Gal. 4:9-11)
quit believing in the resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:12)
make circumcision a requirement for salvation (Acts 15:5)
and on and on and on......

The 'consent of the Church' means about as much as marital advice from Bill Clinton.

Anyone who studies "the Church" of early Christians (Corinth, Galatia, Jerusalem, etc.) and more modern 'church history' will find out one thing: "the Church" has not and never been united on doctrine and practice. Not in Paul's day, and not in 2015.

We need to get back to the Bible, not looking to any particular "Church" or assembly of believers. People talk about the "early church" and the "church fathers", heck with them. The 'early church' was proud of fornication and abandoned the resurrection of Christ. We were never told to follow the early church, we were told to

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Isaiah 34:16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read

Jesus said....

Matthew 12:
3) But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did....
5) Or have ye not read in the law....

Matthew 19:4 ....Have ye not read....

Matthew 21:
16) ...Yea; have ye never read,...
42) Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures...

Matthew 22:31 ....have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God..

Mark 2:25 Have ye never read what David did

Mark 12:10  And have ye not read this scripture;

Mark 12:26 have ye not read in the book of Moses

Luke 6:3 Have ye not read so much as this, what David did

Matthew 22:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Mark 12:24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

SEVEN RULES OF BIBLE STUDY:

There are many passages in the Bible that are often abused, misused, privately interpreted, and twisted to teach some ungodly or incorrect doctrine. This arises from disobeying the rules that God has set forth in "interpreting" the Bible. God has given mankind certain rules for how to "interpret" His word in such a way that the Holy Spirit will give us understanding in it. If we do not abide by these rules, the Holy Spirit will not lead us into understanding His word.

Rules of interpretation:

Rule #1: Do not "interpret" anything (Gen. 40:8, 2 Pet. 1:20).

Rule #2: Believe what you are reading, have faith in it and do not doubt its authority. Receive it as the word of God, not the word of man (Heb. 4:2, 1 Thes. 2:13, 2 Pet. 1:21, Tit. 2:15).  

Rule #3: Take heed to the Bible "as it is written", do not spiritualize or philosophize the words of scripture. Christ and His ministers preached the Bible plainly as it is written (Matt. 26:24, Mark 1:2, 7:6, 9:13, 14:21, Luke 2:23, 3:4, John 6:31, 12:14, Acts 7:42, 15:15, Rom. 1:17, 2:24, 3:4, 3:10, 4:17, 8:36, 9:13, 9:33, 10:15, 11:8, 11:26, 15:3, 15:9, 15:21, etc.)

Rule #4: Do not alter the words of God by subtracting or adding to them nor be ashamed of them (Deut. 4:2,  Prov. 13:13, 30:5-6, Jer. 23:30, 23:36, Mark 9:38, Luke 9:26, Rev. 22:18-19).

Rule #5: Rightly divide the Bible, acknowledge the proper divisions that exist throughout God's differing dispensations/revelations to man. Put God's dealings in there proper order (2 Tim. 2:15-18).

Rule #6: The Holy Ghost teaches the person that compares scripture with scripture in order to understand it (1 Cor. 2:13, John 6:63).

Rule #7: Handle the word of God in sincerity and honesty. Do not handle it deceitfully, which is "proof texting" and reading what you already believe into the Bible (2 Cor. 2:17, 4:2).

Every heresy in the world of "Christian" religion originates with a failure to obey these 7 rules of Bible study. Those are the rules that the Holy Spirit has set forth in His Book and those are His requirements for you to obey before He will guide you into all truth (John 16:13). Here are some examples...The Baptist Briders will show you John 3:3 to teach that people were born of the Spirit before Calvary and Acts chapter 2. The Brider will ignore scripture rather than compare scripture. If you compare John 1:12-13 with John 3:1-8 with John 7:38-39 the Baptist Brider theology falls apart. The Holy Spirit was not given until Jesus Christ was glorified at the right hand of the Father, those believers in the Gospels were only given the power to become the sons of God, it was not instantaneous like it is under the Grace dispensation (Eph. 1:13). Another example....the "Church of Christ" Campbellites will read their baptismal regeneration beliefs into Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27-28, and Colossians 2:12 to teach that water baptism puts you into Jesus Christ. However, they do this by ignoring the context of the passages and not comparing them with other scriptures. The baptism that puts you into Jesus Christ is done through the faith of the operation of God, performed by God the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12-18, Col. 2:12). They also ignore the rule of taking the word of God "as it is written", the Campbellite spiritualizes the words "baptized in Jesus Christ" and says that it is really a figurative way of saying that we are baptized into water.
 
--Eli Caldwell

"church of christ" A-Millennial heresy! (Part 2)

I should have mentioned these Scripture references in my reply to the 'church of christ' A-Millennial heresy.....

It announced by the Holy Ghost and the angel that Christ would reign on the thrown of David over the house of Jacob (a Jewish Kingdom) to deliver them from their enemies, which is why the wise men called Him "the King of the Jews".

Luke 1:
[30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
[31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
[32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
[33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Luke 1:
[67] And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
[68] Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
[69] And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
[70] As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
[71] That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
[72] To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
[73] The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
[74] That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
[75] In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

Matthew 2:
[1] Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
[2] Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

After Christ expounded the Scriptures to the 11 apostles (before Mathias became #12) in Luke 24:47, they asked Him if He would be setting up the Kingdom over Israel at that time. Notice that Christ did not say "Uhg! Weren't you paying attention? The Kingdom is only spiritual, not a literal Kingdom over Israel". What Christ did say was that only the Father knew when it would be set up, "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." (Mark 13:32)

Acts 1:
[6] When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
[7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

And Peter preached and offered the Gospel of the Kingdom to ISRAEL.....

Acts 2:
[30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
[31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
[32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
[33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
[34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
[35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
[36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Acts 3:
[19] Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
[20] And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
[21] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
[22] 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.
[23] And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
[24] Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
[25] Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
[26] Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Notice in both Luke 1, Acts 2, and Acts 3 that the earthly Jewish Kingdom was "spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began" in contrast to what is going on in the "Mystery" age of the Church which is the Body of Christ.....

Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Romans 16:25 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,

Ephesians 3:
[1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
[2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward:
[3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
[4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
[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;
[6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
[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.
[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;
[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:

Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Colossians 1:
[24] 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:
[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;
[26] Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
[27] 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:
[28] Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Christ is not currently ruling over the earth, He is not yet judging the nations, neither physically nor spiritually. 

It is at the Second Coming that Christ will rule and judge the nations with a rod of iron...

Psalms 2:
[1] Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
[2] The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
[3] Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
[4] He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
[5] Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
[6] Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
[7] I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
[8] Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
[9] Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
[10] Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
[11] Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
[12] Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.  

Currently the kingdoms of this world belong to Satan...

Matthew 4:8-9 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Revelation 19-20 tells us that Christ does not bind Satan and rule the nations Himself until after the Second Advent.....

Revelation 19:
[11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
[12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
[13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
[14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
[15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
[16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
[17] And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
[18] That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
[19] And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
[20] And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that 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.
[21] And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Revelation 20:
[1] And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Also see Zechariah 14

Zechariah 14:
[1] Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
[2] For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
[3] Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
[4] And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
[5] And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
[6] And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:
[7] But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.
[8] And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
[9] And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. 

--Eli Caldwell

"church of christ" A-Millennial heresy!

"Kingdom" by fake evangelist and minister of Satan, Aaron Erhardt of the South End Church of the Anti-Christ. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbVBmV2M9W8

My reply: Wow....

Pre-Millennialism does NOT teach that "Jesus was a failure", you are lying about that. Pre-Millennialism simply teaches that John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2) Jesus Christ (Matt. 4:17, 10:7, Mark 1:15) and the 12 apostles of Israel (Acts 3:19-26) OFFERED the Kingdom of Heaven to Israel through "the gospel of the kingdom" and that it would be established "IF" they would receive it as Jesus said.

Malachi 4:
[1] For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
[2] But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
[3] And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
[4] Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
[5] Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
[6] And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Matthew 11:
[12] And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
[13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
[14] And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

However, the Jews DID NOT RECEIVE it and so God did not give it to them. That does not make God a "failure", that makes the Jews a failure. Just like how John the Baptist came as a witness so that "that all men through him might believe" (John 1:7), but all men did not believe. Did that make John the Baptist a failure? Of course not. Just like Christ came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10) but all the lost did not get saved. Did that make Christ a failure? According to Aaron Erhardt, yes. According to the Bible, no. 

Daniel's prophecies are about the LATTER DAYS (Dan. 2:28, 10:14) which are yet future, at the END OF THE WORLD at the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST (Matt. 24:3, 24:29-31) when the KING will gather and judge ALL NATIONS (Matt. 25:31-34). 

The reason Jesus said that the disciples would not die until they see the Kingdom come in Matt. 16:27-28, 24:34, Mark 8:38-9:1, 13:30, Luke 9:26-27, 21:32 is because at that time the Kingdom was at hand and it was being offered to Israel. Peter was even offering it in Acts 3...

Acts 3:
[19] Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
[20] And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
[21] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
[22] 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.
[23] And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
[24] Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
[25] Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
[26] Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Peter says that the promise (of the Kingdom/restitution of all things) was to the children of the prophets, of the covenant, (Jews) and that it would happen at the Second Coming of Christ (which is also when the believers of the Gospel of the Kingdom would have their sins blotted out--vs. 19).

The reason this did not happen was because God made known the mystery to Paul, that the Gentiles would be fellowheirs and of the Body of Christ (Eph. 3:1-9). Israel's Kingdom program which was according to Old Testament prophecy has been temporarily set aside for the "mystery" age of Grace (Eph. 3:1-9, Rom. 6:14, Col. 1:25-28, etc.)

Notice that Paul says Israel has been blinded temporarily until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in, BUT that God will resume His dealings with Israel and will establish His covenant with them in Zion...

Romans 11:
[25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
[26] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
[27] For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
(cross reference Acts 3:19-26)

That is why Christ said that they would not die till they saw the Kingdom, because at that time that was what was going to happen according to prophecy. The mystery age of Romans 11:25 and Ephesians 3:1-9 was not revealed to them. (note: they did see a glimpse of the Kingdom at the Mount of Transfiguration and the apostle John saw it all when he was taken into the future Day of the Lord to write the book of Revelation--Rev. 1:10).

You do know that Judas Iscariot died without seeing the Kingdom don't you?
 

Yes, saved people are in the Kingdom of God right now (Col. 1:13) because we have been baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit (Col. 2:10-12, 1 Cor. 12:12-18) making us crucified, buried, risen, and seated with Christ in heavenly places (Rom. 6:3-4, Gal. 2:20, etc.).

Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Ephesians 2:6-7 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

We are in the Kingdom of God because we are seated with Him in Heaven right now, but that has nothing to do with the Kingdom of Heaven that will come to the EARTH when the Lord will reign with a rod of iron over the nations. (the Kingdom of Heaven is defined as seeing God in the earth according to Matthew 5)

Matthew
5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

Matthew 6:9-10
9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

The Kingdom was prophesied to be on the earth....

Isaiah 60:14 The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

Psalms
2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
47:2 For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
47:7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
59:13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
66:4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
67:2-7 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
69:34-36 Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein. For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.
72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
96:9-13 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
98:9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
110:1-7 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Notice that those living in the OT were expecting the Kingdom on the earth and were not looking forward to dying, they were looking to see God on earth....Isaiah 38:11 I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.

You should also see Isaiah 2, Isaiah 11, Micah 4, Jeremiah 30-33, Ezekiel 36-37 and dozens of other places.

Jesus Himself said that the 12 apostles would be sitting on 12 thrones JUDGING THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL...."And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." (Matt. 19:28-30)

Aaron Erhardt cites Luke 17 to 'prove' that the Kingdom is not going to be established on the earth....

Luke 17:
[20] And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
[21] Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
[22] And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

Luke 17:20-21 does refer to the 'spiritual kingdom'' that believers enter into when they get saved and become seated with Christ in heaven (Eph. 2:6, Col. 1:13), as Romans 14:17 says "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." However, that is only ONE aspect of the Kingdom, the spiritual Kingdom that is currently in Heaven. That Kingdom you cannot see or observe in this life, BUT THAT IS NOT THE ONLY ASPECT OF THE KINGDOM. THE KINGDOM DOES HAVE A PHYSICAL ASPECT THAT CAN BE "SEEN" AND OBSERVED....

Luke 9:27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they SEE the kingdom of God.

Luke 21:31 So likewise ye, WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS COME TO PASS, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

We know there are two different aspects/versions of the Kingdom, or else Romans 14:17 and Luke 14:15 contradict!

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Luke 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

John 18:36 DOES NOT SAY THAT THERE WILL NOT BE AN EARTHLY REIGN OF CHRIST (which would contradict so many other scriptures). All it says is that "NOW" is my Kingdom not from hence: "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." Modern perversions (NIV, ESV, etc.) omit the word "now" in order to teach the A-Millennial heresy. The King James Bible is the pure word of God in English.

How could the Kingdom be "spiritual" ONLY when Jesus said "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:11-14). A spiritual Kingdom cannot suffer violence and it cannot be taken by violent people! 

Every honest Bible student knows that there is a such thing as a "post tribulation rapture" and that it is a rapture/resurrection of believing Jews to Jerusalem at the end of Daniel's 70th Week to reign with Christ on earth. If you are not familiar with this doctrine, see Ezekiel 11:16-20, 20:33-38, 28:25-26, 34:1-31, 36:16-38, 37:1-14, 37:21-28,  39:23-29, Jeremiah 23:1-8, 30:1-31:9, 31:31-34, 32:36-42, 33:1-18, 50:18-20, Isaiah 10:20-23, 14:1, 26:19, 27:12-13, 51:11, 54:5-9, Micah 2:12, Hos. 1:11, Zeph. 3:15-20, Psalms 50:5, 57:3, Daniel 12:1-2, Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, Luke 21:27-28, etc. Note: This is not a "post-trib pre-wrath" rapture as some teach, the believing Jews do go through the wrath of God (Zech. 7:12, Luke 21:23, Isa. 54:8, 57:17-23, 60:10, Ezek. 7:12, and Jer. 30:1-24, 32:37)

However, when we speak of a rapture happening BEFORE Daniel's 70th Week, "the Time of Jacob's Trouble", we are speaking of the rapture of the Church which is the Body of Christ of the mystery Dispensation of Grace (Eph. 3:1-9, Col. 1:24-27, Eph. 5:32, Rom. 11:25, etc.). This rapture/resurrection precedes the Day of Christ/Day of the Lord and it with holds the Man of Sin from being revealed (2 Thes. 2:1-7, 1 Thes. 1:10, 5:9, Rom. 5:9). The Church is in Heaven during the Day of Christ, not on the earth (2 Cor. 2:12-14, Phil. 3:20-21).

The rapture of 'Church Age' saints is a rapture of BELIEVERS (1 Thes. 4:14) that happens before the Day of the Lord (2 Thes. 2:1-8, 1 Thes. 1:10, 5:9, Rom. 5:9). That has nothing to do with lost people. This rapture was a "mystery" given to the apostle Paul "by the word of the Lord" (1 Thes. 4:15, 1 Cor. 15:51).

Then there is the first resurrection (of the Jews and those that have done good works--John 5:29) that occurs at the end of Daniel's 70th Week, then there is the 1,000 year Millennium, THEN there is a second resurrection of lost people that will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (second death)...

Revelation 20:
[4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
[5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
[6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 
[7] And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
[8] And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
[9] And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
[10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
[11] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
[12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
[13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
[14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
[15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

A-Millennialism is a failure to take the Bible literally and it is utter foolishness.

--Eli Caldwell

Was John's baptism different from Peter's?

The religious cult known as the 'church of christ' falsely teaches that the baptism of John the Baptist was different than the baptism of Peter on the day of Pentecost. What does the Bible say?

What does the Bible says about John the Baptist's Gospel and water baptism?

John 1:
[31] And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
[32] And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
[33] And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

John 3:
[25] Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
[26] And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

Mark 1:
[1] The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
[2] As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
[3] The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
[4] John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
[5] And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
[6] And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
[7] And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
[8] I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

Matthew 3:
[1] In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
[2] And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
[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.

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

John 1:6-7 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

Luke 3:
[8] Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
[9] And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
[10] And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
[11] He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
[12] Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
[13] And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
[14] And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
[15] And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
[16] John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
[17] Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

John the Baptist preached the Gospel of Christ that all men might believe on Christ (Mark 1:1, John 1:6-7). He was sent to preach repentance, belief, confession, and water baptism for the remission of sins (Matt. 3:1-11, Mark 1:1-5). He also instructed those that believed to bring forth fruits meet for repentance or else be cast into the unquenchable fire (Luke 3:8-17). Such "fruits" were things like getting rid of all your coats but one and giving the others to the poor. 

What does the Bible say about the apostle Peter's Gospel and water baptism?

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  

Acts 2:
[14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
[15] For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
[16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
[17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
[18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
[19] And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
[20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
[21] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
[22] Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
[23] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
[24] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
[25] For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
[26] Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
[27] Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
[28] Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
[29] Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
[30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
[31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
[32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
[33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
[34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
[35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
[36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
[37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 
[39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
[40] And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
[41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
[42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
[43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
[44] And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
[45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
[46] And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Peter's message was the same as that of John the Baptist, which was the Gospel of Christ as written in the prophets, that Jesus was the Lord and Christ. Both Peter and John were fulfilling Old Testament prophecy concerning Israel (Mark 1:2-3, Acts 2:14-21). Both Peter and John preached repentance and water baptism for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3, Acts 2:38). Both Peter and John were sent to water baptize (John 1:33, Matt. 28:19). Both Peter and John preached belief and confession (Mark 1:5, Matt. 3:6, Acts 2:21). Both preached to sell your possessions and give to him that has need (Luke 3:9-14, Acts 2:44-46). Both taught that Christ would later send the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11, Acts 2:38). 

John the Baptist and Peter clearly taught the same Gospel and the same water baptism. It is actually the apostle Paul that had a different Gospel. 

The Gospel of John and Peter were: 

"John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."

"O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance"

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

"Save yourselves from this untoward generation."

But the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24) that was committed to Paul was:

"how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Acts 20:24)

Peter and John taught that forgiveness of sins was through water baptism in the name of Christ (Mark 1:4, Acts 2:38), but Paul said that forgiveness of sins was through Christ Himself and all that believed would be justified.

"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."

John the Baptist told his listeners that THEY had to FLEE from the wrath to come and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, which were works. Peter told his listeners when they asked "what shall we do" that they had to be water baptized for the remission of sins, sell all that they had, and save themselves from that untoward generation. However, when a Philippians jailer asked Paul "what must I do to be saved" Paul's reply was believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.

Acts 16:
[30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

The apostle Peter never preached that Christ died for our sins and he did not preach that it was a good thing that Christ died. Peter said that Christ dying was a wrong thing that should not have happened (Acts 2:23, 2:36, 3:13-15, 4:10, 5:30, etc.). Peter did not preach the "gospel", that is GOOD NEWS, of how that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again. He preached the death of Jesus as a murder charge against the Jews, that is not what the apostle Paul does. Paul preached that through the crucified, buried, and risen Christ the Jews could have forgiveness of sins by believing (Acts 13:16-39). Paul never told the Jews to repent of murdering Christ, he told them to believe on the murdered Christ!

Paul said 

"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor. 1:17-18)

"For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." in 1 Corinthians 2:2. 

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal. 6:14)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:14)

Peter and Paul clearly did not preach the same gospel, their "good news" was different. Paul says that he preached Christ according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret and hid in God since before the foundation of the world, he called the gospel he preached "my gospel" and that he did not preach it after man but by the revelation of Jesus Christ....

1 Corinthians 2:
[6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
[7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
[8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Romans 16:25 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,

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Galatians 1:11-12  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

It is clear from the Scriptures that Paul's gospel was a new revelation given to him. He calls it "my gospel", a "mystery", "the gospel which was preached of me", and he also says that he was never taught it by man. What could that mean? Did Paul really mean that he had never heard someone teach the gospel that Peter preached? Paul had been taught the gospel that Peter preached, he persecuted Peter and the early Jewish Church and even stoned Stephen after listening to Stephen preach! So obviously what Paul is referring to in Galatians 1:11-12 is a NEW gospel revealed to him by Jesus Christ, not one that he had been taught already. I know this is true because Paul said that the Lord sent him by revelation to communicate his gospel to the other apostles of the Jewish Church...

Galatians 2:
[1] Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
[2] And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
[3] But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
[4] And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
[5] To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
[6] But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
[7] But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
[8] (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
[9] And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 

If Peter already knew Paul's gospel, why was Paul sent by revelation to communicate it to him? 

Why is Peter's apostleship different than Paul's? Peter was of the "apostleship of the circumcision" while Paul said in Romans 11:13 "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office". Why did Peter and the other Circumcision Apostles of Israel decided to confine their ministry to the circumcision while Paul was to go preach to all the heathen? (heathen in the Bible are those who don't believe in the true God, which would include unbelieving Jews and Gentiles)

The apostle Paul had a separate ministry from Peter, an entirely different apostleship and gospel. Notice also that Peter, John, and James of the Church in Jerusalem "perceived the grace that was given unto" Paul (Gal. 2:9)...what is this grace? 

Ephesians 3:
[1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
[2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward:
[3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
[4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
[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;
[6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
[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.
[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;
[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:

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 15:15-16 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

God revealed to Paul the dispensation of Grace, that is the revelation of the mystery. This dispensation is "that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" (Eph. 3:6) and "that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost". 

In the present Dispensation, Gentiles are made fellowheirs and of the same body by the Gospel of the Grace of God. Not by the Law, and not by works.

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 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.  

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

In the earthly ministry of Christ and the early Acts ministry of the 12 Circumcision apostles, they all taught the righteousness of the Law. Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. (Rom. 10:5)

Matthew 5:
[17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
[18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
[19] Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
[20] For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:
[23] Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
[24] Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 7:
[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
[24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
[25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
[26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
[27] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.


Romans 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

The earthly ministry of Christ and the early Acts ministry of the Circumcision apostles did not teach salvation by grace through faith and not of works, they taught the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which doeth those things shall live by them. Peter said in Acts 10:334-35 , "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." That is not salvation under Grace. 

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 10:
[1] Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
[2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
[3] For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
[4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
[5] For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Paul said that under Grace the righteousness of God is revealed without the Law...

Romans 3:
[21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
[22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
[24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
[25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
[26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
[27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Compare Romans 4:4-5 with Matthew 16 and 18....

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (the "reward" in the context is life in the Kingdom of Heaven)

Matthew 18:
[23] Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
[24] And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
[25] But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
[26] The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[27] Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 

In the Gospels salvation was of "WORKS" and by the righteousness of the Law (Matt. 7:21-27, Rom. 10:5). God's servants had to commit to PAYING THEIR OWN DEBT in order to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, that is in contrast to the Dispensation of Grace...

Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

We are told to follow Paul since he was the apostle of the Gentiles, a magnified office (Rom. 11:13). The last times we read about Peter in the Bible he is being rebuked by Paul (Gal. 2:11-12), agreeing with Paul (Acts 15:7-11), and recommending Paul's epistles even though he considered them hard to be understood (2 Pet. 3:15-16). 

1 Corinthians 4:15-16 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1-2 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.


 Paul's epistles are the only places we read about 
1.) Not being under the Law but under Grace
2.) Jew and Gentile being one in the Church which is the Body of Christ
3.) The Gospel of the Grace of God
4.) Eternal security of the believer
5.) Not being saved by works
6.) Baptism into Christ
7.) The temporary blindness and fall of Israel

And many other things. 

See the "Mid-Acts Dispensational" page and "Statement of Faith" page for more Scriptures and information about the dozens of differences between the ministries and messages of the 12 Jewish apostles and Paul (the apostle of the Gentiles). 

Meanwhile think about how it was AFTER Paul's conversion and the "dispensation of grace" being given in Acts 9 that  Peter was told by God that he could eat unclean animals, that it was okay to go into the house of an uncircumcised Gentile, that water baptism was not required for salvation anymore, and that God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. (Acts 10, 11:18). 

--Eli Caldwell