SCRIPTURE PROVING THE MYSTERY WAS REVEALED BEFORE ACTS 28
1.) The church the Body of Christ began during the Acts period. Paul’s Acts epistles refer to the believers as being part of the spiritual Body of Christ. It is not a mere analogy using a human body to describe the local church.
- The body of Christ is mentioned several times during the epistles of Paul written in Acts (Rom. 7:4, 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 10:17, 12:12).
- The believers were made part of the Body of Christ by a spiritual baptism performed by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:15-17, 12:13, 12:18; Rom. 6:3-4, Gal. 3:26-28).
- Paul refers to this grace given to him in 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.” Compare this with Ephesians 3:1-9 “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 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. 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; 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:”
- During Acts Paul refers not only to the dispensing of grace given to him to the Gentiles, but also to the mystery specifically. (Rom. 11:25, 16:25; 1 Cor. 2:7, 4:1).
3.) Paul taught that the age they were living in during the book of Acts was a mystery. Not only was the beginning of the age a mystery, he taught that the ending of it was a mystery as well, it had not been revealed before. It was given to him by the word of the Lord.
- The beginning of the age was a mystery, the temporary setting aside of Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in (Rom. 11:25-27). This mystery does not appear in the prophets and has no connection with the kingdom of God coming to the earth.
- The age would end with a mystery rapture revealed to Paul by the word of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:51-58, 1 Thes. 4:13-18). This rapture is distinct from the Second Coming when Christ gathers believers of the gospel of the kingdom. This rapture is before Daniel’s 70th week (1 Thes, 1:10, 5:9; 2 Thes. 2:1-2). This rapture was taught by Paul as being imminent (Rom. 13:11-12, 16:20; 1 Cor. 7:29). The only requirement to take part in this rapture was to be a believer (1 Thes. 4:13), you did not have to endure to the end or do the works of the gospel of the kingdom. Paul taught that even if you are found “sleeping” at this rapture, you will still be saved (1 Thes. 5:10). Contrast that with the Second Coming where you must “watch” and not be found “sleeping” (Matt. 24:42-51; Mark 13:35-37).
4.) Paul taught during the book of Acts that they were not under the Law but under grace (Rom. 6:14, Gal. chapters 2-3). This is contrary to the gospel of the kingdom and the new covenant made with Israel, which requires law observance. The Law (with some changes) will continue to be observed in the Tribulation and Millennium under God's New Covenant with Israel, but it is not to be observed under Grace (Matt. 5:17-20, 19:17, 23:1-3, 24:20, Luke 24:53, Acts 2:46, 3:1, 6:42, 10:10-17, 15:5, 21:18-20, 22:12, James 1:25, 2:8-12, 4:11, Heb. 7:12). This is according to Old Testament prophecy about Israel in the Tribulation and Millennium under God's New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34, 32:37-42, Ezek. 36:24-28, Micah 4:2, Isa. 2:3, 66:23, Zech. 14:16-19). Therefore Paul’s Acts ministry cannot be one of prophecy with the Kingdom age in view.
- Acts 28 Dispensationalists respond to this by saying that Paul water baptized (Acts 16, 18), he circumcised Timothy (Acts 16), and took a Jewish vow (Acts 18:18). Rodney Beaulieu mentioned Acts 15:28-29 “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” He used this to say that it was necessary for the Gentiles to keep the law, at least in part, to be right with God during Acts. I do not think it is a misrepresentation to say that this is typical of pretty much all Acts 28 Dispensationalists and that it is in fact one of their points. But it is a very argument. The word of God does not leave it up to the imagination to explain why Paul participated in some Jewish practices. Was it for salvation? Was it for sanctification before God? Was it doing God a service? Paul says why. “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” (1 Cor. 9:19-23). In the previous chapter, Paul says in regards to the things offered to idols, “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.” (1 Cor. 8:8-9). And also Romans chapter 14 explains that the believers were not under dietary laws before God not any holy days (see the entire chapter). Observance of those things is said to be in order not to offend the weak brethren, in that case the Jews. God wanted Jews to get saved, He used Paul’s Acts ministry “to provoke them to jealousy” and Paul said he was trying to “provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them” (Rom. 11:11, 14). Acts 28 Dispensationalists seem to ignore for the most part these reasons Paul gave for participating in some Jewish practices.
ANWERS TO COMMON ARGUMENTS FOR ACTS 28 DISPENSATIONALISM
1.) Quotations of the Old Testament in the Acts epistles of Paul. Acts 28 Dispensationalists point out that Paul quotes the Old Testament dozens of times in his Acts epistles, especially Romans. They say that this means Paul was preaching OT prophecy about the Millennial Kingdom and New Covenant with Israel. However, they ignore the fact that a lot of these quotations have no bearing on the Kingdom age vs the dispensation of grace. A lot of these quotes are things that apply no matter what dispensation you are in. For instance, a handful of these OT quotes are from Romans 3:10-18, which are quotes from the OT showing that all of us are sinners. This is true in every dispensation and in no way proves that the mystery had not been revealed. Other quotes are also just multi dispensational truths, such as 1 Corinthians 14:34 “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.” This truth was said in the law, it was still true in Acts, and it is even mentioned in post Acts epistles of Paul. 1 Timothy 2:11 says “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.” That was written by Paul after Acts 28. Another example of multi dispensational truth is having faith, believing the word of God. A large portion of the “dozens” and “scores” of OT quotes in Paul’s Acts epistles are in Romans 4 and Galatians 3-4 on believing God, using Abraham as an example. In fact, sometimes Paul quotes scripture out of context and puts a new application on it all together, adapting a truth to fit the present dispensation. He did this by inspiration of God, it was not a private interpretation (2 Pet. 1:20-21). For example, in Romans 10 Paul is teaching that Christ is the end of the law to everyone that believeth and that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, but he quotes from Deuteronomy 30 (which is about the Jews doing the works of the Law) and inserts believing on Christ instead of doing the works of the Law (Ron. 10:1-14). I have not seen any OT quote in Paul’s Acts epistles that would negate the fact that he had been given the revelation of the mystery. As I already pointed out, even the post Acts epistles quote and elude to the OT. Ephesians 6:1-3 states “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” By Acts 28 Dispensationalist logic, I could conclude that the mystery had not been revealed because Paul #1 quotes the OT, #2 instructs them to keep a commandment of the Law, and #3 mentions an earthly blessing. Or, I could use common sense and see that Paul is giving a truth that is true in every dispensation.
2.) Galatians 4 and Acts 28. The Acts 28 Dispensationalists claim that since Paul said that Jerusalem is “the mother of us all” and the “children of promise” in Galatians 4:21-31 then the Galatians could not have been part of the body of Christ where there is neither Jew nor Gentile. However, Paul just said in the previous chapter that they had been baptized into Christ where there is neither Jew nor Gentile (Gal. 3:27-28). Acts 28 Dispensationalists ignore the part where Paul says that he is making an “ALLEGORY” in Galatians 4:24. The passage uses simile, “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” (vs 28-29).
3.) Paul taught no other things than that which Moses and the prophets did say would come. Acts 26:22 “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:“ The Acts 28 Dispensationalists rarely finish the sentence. Beware any time you see someone trying to make a point using one verse that is not even a complete sentence. Verse 23 goes on to say, “That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.” Acts 28 Dispensationalists quote verse 22 as if it is an all inclusive statement that everything Paul ever preached in the book of Acts was in the Law and the prophets (and therefore no dispensation of the grace of the God in Acts). But that is obviously not true as we have already seen that Paul preached things during the book of Acts that are not in the Old Testament but were mysteries. The rest of the sentence qualifies what Paul was preaching that was in the Old Testament, “That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.” Those things ARE found in the Law and the Prophets. But not all the contents of Paul’s Acts ministry were.
4.) Paul said in Acts 28:20 he was bound for “the hope of Israel”. Acts 28 Dispensationalists say that the hope of Israel is the Millennial Kingdom age. Therefore, he had not been preaching the hope of the Body of Christ which is not the Millennial Kingdom on the Earth (Eph. 1:4, 2:6; Phil. 3:20-21). Paul said “For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” (Acts 28:20) But the hope of Israel is the Jesus Christ and His word, not the Millennial Kingdom (Ps. 130:5-8, 131:3, 146:5). The Lord is specifically called “the hope of Israel” ( Jer. 14:8, 17:13, 50:7; Joel 3:16). Paul was saying in Acts 28 that he is bound in chains for serving the same God as Israel. If you read Acts 22 when Paul became “bound”, it was not for preaching the Millennial Kingdom.
5.) The Gentiles were being “graft in” (Romans 11). Acts 28 Dispensationalists put a private interpretation on Romans 11 and say that the Gentiles were being graffed into Israel’s kingdom program, but that is not what the passage says. In fact, if you read the whole chapter there is no way you could get that interpretation. According to prophecy, the Gentiles would join Israel’s kingdom program through the RISE of Israel (Isa. 60:3). But in Romans 11, the grafting in of the Gentiles is a result of Israel’s FALL and DIMINISHING. So this grafting in cannot be into the kingdom program. The passage says what the Gentile nations were being grafted into, “the root and fatness of the olive tree”. Apparently, the root and fatness is the “goodness” of God. “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” (vs. 22). It says nothing about the kingdom program being what the Gentiles were graffed into, it says that the Gentile nations had the “goodness” of God “toward” them. Since Israel fell, the gospel of the grace of God went to all the world, all nations, and every creature (Colossians 1:6, 1:23, Rom. 16:26). That is certainly the goodness of God. To say that the goodness of God is the kingdom program is foreign to the context and would make no sense, since later in the chapter Paul says that the kingdom program was being postponed due to the mystery of the temporary blindness and fall of Israel (Rom. 11:25-27). When Israel fell, they lost some of the goodness of God toward them, because instead of God speaking to them, God turned to the Gentiles (Acts 13:45, 18:6, 28:28).
6.) The Gentiles were partakers of the Jews “spiritual things” (Rom. 15:27). Acts 28 Dispensationalists use Romans 15:27 to say that Paul’s Gentile converts in Acts were not in the Body of Christ but were rather in the Kingdom program for Israel. However, the argument defeats itself upon close examination. The Gentiles were not partakers of the earthly promises that Israel was given, but rather partakers of their SPIRITUAL things. Romans 15:27 “It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.” What were Israel’s “spiritual” things? Well the spiritual thing Israel had is Christ Himself, 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, “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; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” Paul also mentions the “spiritual gifts” several times in Acts, which were signs for Israel (1 Cor. 1:22-23). The Gentiles will get a “spiritual” body at the rapture (1 Cor. 15:44, Phil. 3:20-21) similar to the spiritual body of the resurrected kingdom saints (Ps. 17:15, Ezek. 37:13-14). Another spiritual thing of the Jews that the Gentiles are partaking in is the word of God itself, which was committed to the Jews (Rom. 3:2; Ps. 147:19-20). The word of God is a spiritual thing (Heb. 4:12, John 6:63).
7.) Ministers of the New Testament. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:6 “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” The Acts 28 Dispensationalists say that if Paul was a minister of the New Testament, then he cannot have been preaching the revelation of the mystery. There is nothing incompatible about Paul being a minister of the New Testament and also preaching the revelation of the mystery. Just as Gentiles could be saved in the Old Testament by becoming proselytes and their burnt offerings would be accepted (Isa. 56:6-7) Gentiles after the cross could be saved under the blood of the New Testament. There is not a third option for the dispensation of grace, we are stilled saved by the same blood of the New Testament. Also, there is a difference between a covenant and a testament. One of the main ones being that a testament requires the death of the testator (Heb. 9:16-17). We can be saved by the blood of the New Testament without God making a covenant with the Gentiles. See this teaching from Pastor David O’Steen on that https://youtu.be/B46UaXVduys. But more importantly, Paul is referring to “Old Testament” and “New Testament” in the since of scriptures, something you can read. 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 “reading of the Old Testament….when Moses is read”. The Bible clearly says that the new covenant will be made with the house of Israel, not with the Gentile believers in Acts that were neither Jew nor Gentile but one in Christ (Gal. 3:26-28).
Miscellaneous problems with Acts 28 Dispensationalists in general, that do not necessarily have anything to do with when the mystery was revealed…
1.) A great number of them are against the King James Bible. Clyde Pilkington says it is corrupt and wrote a booklet called “1611-2011 400 Years of Bondage” against the KJB. E. W. Bullinger said in his Companion Bible that Romans 16:25-27 (about the mystery) was a doxology postscript that Paul added after he wrote Ephesians. He said that this “suggestion” “removes all difficulties” with the verse mentioning the mystery. However, the suggestion makes no sense and is entirely unprovable (1 Thes. 5:21). The verses present no “difficulty” when you just believe the Bible as it is written. This is a clear example of man trying to tamper with the word of God in order for it to conform to his theology. I admit that there is a small number of Acts 28 Dispensationalists that believe the KJB, but the exception proves the rule. They are rare.
2.) Many of them reject the Trinity (Pilkington, Knoch, etc.)
3.) Many of them promote odd doctrines to further practices like polygamy (Pilkington, Kelson). I understand that this practice changes with different cultures, but there is no doubt that God’s plan is one man and one woman (Gen. 1-3; 1 Tim. 3:2, 3:12; Titus 1:6).
4.) Many of them believe in universal salvation of all people, devils, fallen angels, and satan. They spend much time promoting this, especially Rodney Beaulieu. Such teaching is contrary to the plain reading of scripture where it mentions hell and the lake of fire as “everlasting”, “for ever and ever”, and “where their worm dieth not”. Universal salvation is a philosophy of man that stems from not believing the KJB. Almost all universal salvation proponents do not believe the KJB is the word of God, they have to alter it to teach their false doctrine.
5.) Some Acts 28 Dispensationalists do not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. This makes them guilty of what they accuse Mid-Acts Dispensationalists of, which is combining prophecy and mystery, Israel and the Body of Christ. But that is exactly what happens with them when they abandon the pre-tribulation rapture.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your questions or comments welcome.