Now I will look at the actual doctrinal objections to Mid-Acts Dispensationalism. (in the last post I looked at the slanders of what M.A.D. teaches)
These objections are from David Cloud's article "Beware of Hyper Dispensationalism":
1) The four Gospels are entirely Jewish and contain no direct teaching for the churches.
(2) The book of Acts is also largely Jewish.
(3) The mysteries given to Paul are a different revelation from that given to Peter and the other Apostles, and only Paul’s writings are directly for the church today. The other epistles, such as Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, and the epistles of John are not for us today in a direct sense.
(4) The gospel preached by Peter in the early part of the book of Acts is different from the gospel preached by Paul.
(5) Baptism and the Lord’s Supper were given to Paul before he received the church age mysteries; thus they are not for the churches today.
(6) According to hyper-dispensationalism there are different ways of salvation in the Old Testament and during the Tribulation.
Answer to number 1: The four Gospels are indeed Jewish and nobody in them speaks of the Body of Christ (Jew and Gentile being one in a spiritual body), the blindness of Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles, the rapture of the Body of Christ, the Gospel of the Grace of God, and they do not teach eternal security of the believer.
I believe that the four gospels, Matthew-Mark-Luke-John, are records of Christ's earthly ministry to the Jews (John 1:11, 1:31, Rom. 15:8, Acts 10:36, Mark 7:26-29, Matt. 10:5-6, 15:21-27). The gospel preached during this time was not the gospel of the grace of God as found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, the 12 apostles did not know about that gospel (Matt. 16:21-23, Mark 9:31-32, Luke 9:44-45, Luke 18:31-34, John 20:6-10). The gospel preached by the Lord Jesus and the 12 apostles during this time and up until Acts chapter 15 was called "the gospel of the kingdom" (Matt. 4:23, 9:35, 24:14, Mark 1:14). The Gospel of the Kingdom included belief on Christ and good works.
The works required under the Gospel of the Kingdom were these:
- The Baptism of Repentance, which was repenting/confessing/baptism (Matt. 3:1-11, Mark 1:4-5, Luke 3:3, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16).
- Selling all that you had (Matt. 6:19-34, 8:20, 10:8-10, 13:44-46, 19:16-24, Mark 6:7-9, 10:17-23, Luke 3:8-11, 9:1-4, 12:15-34, Acts 2:44-45, 3:1-6, 4:32-37, 5:1-11).
- Forgiving others of their sins against you (Matt. 6:12-15, 18:21-35, Mark 11:25-26, Luke 6:37, 11:4).
- Maintain good works (Matt. 5:20, 5:48, 16:27, 19:16-19, John 5:29). This included very seemingly "little" sins, such as not calling someone a fool (Matt. 5:22).
- Doing works meet for repentance (Matt. 3:7-10, Luke 3:8-11).
- Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. You must do this to be a child of God (Matt. 5:43-45).
- Bring forth fruit to abide in God's love or be cast into the fire (Matt. 7:15-20, John 15:1-10).
- Do the will of God keeping His words (Matt. 7:21-27).
- Endure to the end of the Tribulation until Christ comes without denying the Lord (Matt. 10:22, 10:32-33, 24:13-14, Luke 12:8-9, Mark 13:13, Rev. 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:26, 3:5, 3:12, 3:21, 21:7, Heb. 3:6-14, 4:1, 4:11, 6:4-8, 8:8-13, 10:16-17, 10:38-11:31).
- Do not take the Mark of the Beast (Rev. 13:15-18, 14:9-11).
- Do not try and save your physical life by denying Christ in the midst of persecution, you will lose your soul if you do (Matt. 10:38-39, 16:25-26, Mark 8:35-36, Luke 9:24-25, 17:33).
- Do not blaspheme the Holy Ghost (Matt. 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-29, Luke 12:10, 1 John 5:16).
- Watch for Christ's Second Coming to the earth and be a faithful servant (Matt. 24:42-51, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 21:34-36).
- Do not hate your brethren (1 John 3:14-15).
- Take care of the Jews and believers in the Tribulation (Matt. 25:30-46).
This gospel was an offer of the earthly kingdom of Christ to Israel (Matt. 3:2, 4:17, 10:7, 11:14, 16:28, Mark 1:15). The emphasis is on the EARTHLY aspect, the Kingdom of God will come to the earth (Matt. 2:2, 5:35, 6:10, Luke 11:2).
Of course there is much application to be made from the Gospels, such as John 3:16 and other general doctrines. However, the gospel of the kingdom being preached is not Paul's gospel that Christ revealed from heaven.
Answer to number 2: The book of Acts is largely Jewish until Acts chapter 9 when God gave Paul the revelation of the mystery and the gospel of the grace of God (Gal. 1:11-12, 2:1-9, Eph. 3:1-9, Col. 1:24-28, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, 1 Tim. 1:11-16). In the early part of Acts, Peter did not preach that Christ died for anyone's sins, he preached that Israel had murdered their King. This is not our gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4).
The Lord Jesus Christ did not teach the 12 apostles about Israel's fall when He expounded the scriptures to them in Luke 24:27. Directly before the ascension of Christ, the 12 apostles asked "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6) The Lord's response was, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
The 12 apostles were commanded to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom in all the world (Matt. 24:14, 28:19, Mark 16:15), but beginning at Jerusalem (Acts 1:7, Luke 24:47). Notice the command:
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matt. 24:14)
"that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:47)
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:7-8)
The reason why the Gospel of the Kingdom was to be preached to the Jews FIRST is obvious, because Jerusalem would be the city of the King and the Jews were to be the nation of kings and priests set above the other nations in the Kingdom (Matt. 5:35, Exod. 19:5-6, Isa. 2:1-4, 60:1-22, 61:6, 62:1-12, Zech. 8:23). Therefore since the Kingdom will be a Kingdom operated by Jews in Jerusalem under the authority of the Lord Jesus, the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom would be begin at Jerusalem. It would not make sense to offer the Jewish Kingdom to the Gentile nations before Jerusalem had accepted this offer.
So with the orders from Christ to preach the gospel of the kingdom beginning at Jerusalem, the apostles began carrying out that commission. In Acts chapter two Peter addresses "Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem" (2:14), "Ye men of Israel" (2:22), and "all the house of Israel" (2:36). The offer is the gospel of the kingdom to the Jews. Peter preaches Christ as the risen King over Israel to sit on David's throne (2:30-34). Acts 2 is concerning Israel's last days (2:16-21). Then in Acts chapter 3 Peter offered the Kingdom again to the Jews. He preached that if the repented, then Christ would return to the earth and blot out their sins and restore the Kingdom to Israel:
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.
However, this Gospel of the Kingdom was postponed. Israel fell and was blinded according to the revelation given to Paul.
Romans 11:
[7] What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
[8] (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
[9] And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompence unto them:
[10] Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
[12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
[13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
[14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
[15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
Peter did not have that revelation in Acts 1 when he asked if the Lord would at that time restore the Kingdom to Israel. The 12 apostles were commanded to preach the gospel of the kingdom to the Jews and that it what they did. However, Israel fell between Acts 3 and Acts 9. Of course, all scriptural evidence points to Acts chapter 7 as the fall of Israel when Jerusalem rejected the offer of the kingdom and blasphemed the Holy Ghost, an unpardonable sin (Matt. 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-29, Luke 12:10). The leaders of Jerusalem committed this sin by killing a man filled with the Holy Ghost, Stephen, in Acts 6:8-7:60. Any action against a man filled with the Holy Ghost was considered to be an action against the Holy Ghost Himself (Acts 5:1-11).
It was after this event that God began sending men to preach to the Gentiles and saved the apostle Paul to be the apostle of the Gentiles. God then revealed the gospel of the grace of God, the Body of Christ, and the doctrines of the Dispensation of Grace (Rom. 11:25, 16:25, 1 Cor. 2:7, 1 Cor. 4:1, 15:51, Eph. 3:1-9, 5:32, 6:19, Col. 1:24-28, 2:2, 4:3, 1 Tim. 3:9,1 Tim. 1:11-16, Rom. 11:13, 15:15-16, 16:25, 1 Cor. 3:9-11, 4:16, 11:1-2, Phil. 3:17, 2 Tim. 2:7, Gal. 2:8).
Peter received the revelation of not being under the Law but under Grace in Acts chapter 10, that is also when he learned that God was saving people by grace through faith without works (Acts 10:1-48 with 15:7-11). Though Peter never fully understood these mysteries given to Paul, at the end of his life Peter said that they were hard to be understood (2 Pet. 3:15-16).
Now in the Dispensation of Grace (Rom. 6:14, Eph. 3:2) the commission of the Gospel of the Kingdom has been postponed. The commission of the Gospel of the Grace of God does not include water baptism or any other works for salvation (Acts 26:15-20 with 1 Cor. 1:17). The apostles never carried out the commission that Christ gave them, they even gave up their entire Gentile ministry to Paul (Gal. 2:9). Paul was the apostle that God used to go to all nations (Rom. 15:15-16, Col. 1:5-6, 1:23) but was not sent to baptize (1 Cor. 1:17). The commission for this present Dispensation of Grace is found in 2 Corinthians 5:12-6:2, Colossians 1:24-28, and Ephesians 3:1-9.
God gave Paul the mystery of the blindess of Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles comes. Peter's offer of the Kingdom as found in Acts 3:19-26 was postponed according to Paul's words in Romans 11:25-27.
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.
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.
Israel will get their sins blotted out at the Second Coming of Christ as it is written in the OT, but in the mystery age of grace God is building the "one new man" in which their is neither Jew nor Gentile and all are accepted by grace through faith without works (Eph. 1:6-7, 1:13-14, 2:8-22, 3:1-9, 5:32).
Answer to number 3: "The mysteries given to Paul are a different revelation from that given to Peter and the other Apostles, and only Paul’s writings are directly for the church today. The other epistles, such as Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, and the epistles of John are not for us today in a direct sense".
This is true. The mysteries given to Paul are obviously different revelation than what was given to Peter.
I believe that the Body of Christ, the Dispensation of Grace, the gospel of the grace of God, the pre-tribulation rapture of believers, the fulness of the Gentiles, and the temporary blindness of Israel were mysteries revealed to and through the apostle Paul (Rom. 11:25, 16:25, 1 Cor. 2:7, 1 Cor. 4:1, 15:51, Eph. 3:1-9, 5:32, 6:19, Col. 1:24-28, 2:2, 4:3, 1 Tim. 3:9)
I believe that the apostle Paul was not one of the 12 apostles of Israel, that he was a distinct apostle that the Lord used to give the revelation of the mystery to. It is in Paul's writings alone that we find pure grace age doctrine for the Body of Christ. The focus of all the other books of the New Testament focus on Israel, the earthly kingdom, and the Tribulation. (1 Tim. 1:11-16, Rom. 11:13, 15:15-16, 16:25, 1 Cor. 3:9-11, 4:16, 11:1-2, Phil. 3:17, 2 Tim. 2:7, Gal. 2:8, Eph. 3:1-9, Col. 1:24-28)
I believe that the gospel of the grace of God was a revelation given to Paul first, he then was sent by the Lord to communicate it to the other apostles years after his conversion. That is why Paul referred to it as "my gospel". (Acts 13:38-39, 16:31, 20:24, Rom. 2:16, 16:25, 2 Tim. 2:8, 1 Cor. 2:7, 15:1-4, Gal. 1:11-12, 2:1-9)
Paul was sent by revelation to communicate his gospel to the other apostles, but even after that they still did not understand Paul's ministry very well and they decided to limit their ministry to the Jews.
Galatians 1:
[11] But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
[12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
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.
2 Peter 3:
[
15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
[
16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things;
in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
The epistles of Hebrews through Revelation are written to the Jews (Gal. 2:9, "HEBREWS", James 1:1). They are written to the Holy Nation and Royal Priesthood, which are Kingdom references to Israel (1 Pet. 2:5, 2:9-10,
with Exod. 19:5-6, Isa. 61:6, Hos. 1:5-11, Deut. 7:6, Rev. 1:6, 5:10).
The epistles of Hebrews through Revelation are written to Israel in the last days of prophecy and Day of the Lord (Acts 2:17, Heb. 1:2, James 5:3, 1 Pet. 1:20, 2 Pet. 3:3, 1 John 2:18, Jude 1:1, Rev. 1:10
with Gen. 49:1, Deut. 4:30, Deut. 31:29, Jer. 23:20, Jer. 30:24, Dan. 2:28, Dan. 10:14, Hos. 3:5, Isa. 2:2, Micah 4:1, 1 Pet. 1:5).
Answer to number 4: "The gospel preached by Peter in the early part of the book of Acts is different from the gospel preached by Paul". This is true.
Paul defines his gospel as this, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, 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). That is not what Peter preached in the early part of Acts. There is not one time where Peter ever said that Christ died for our sins. In fact, Peter preached according to prophecy that Israel would not get their sins blotted out until the Second Coming of Christ.
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?
Acts 2:
[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.
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.
It is at the Second Coming of Christ that Kingdom Gospel believers will have their sins taken away (Heb. 3:14, 8:8-12, Acts 3:19-21, Rom. 11:25-27, and 1 Pet. 1:5-9). This is according to Old Testament prophecy such as Zech. 3:9, 8:8, Isa. 4:4, 25:9, 27:9, 54:13-14, 59:20, 60:21, Jer. 30:17, 31:31-34, 32:37-42, 33:8, Ezek. 36:24-33, Hos. 2:23, Deut. 30:6, and Joel 3:20-21. The Second Coming is when Christ told the 12 apostles that they would inherit everlasting life (Matt. 19:28-19) and that is what Peter taught (Acts 3:19-21, 1 Pet. 1:5-9). Though this is not true under the Dispensation of Grace (Rom. 6:4, Eph. 3:2). We under grace are now justified by Christ's blood and have now received the atonement (Rom. 5:9-11), our sins are already gone (Col. 2:11).
Peter's message is said to be according to Israel's last days prophecy, therefore the contents of Acts 1-3 are not about the church which is the Body of Christ in the Dispensation of Grace.
Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
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.
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.
Galatians 2:1-2 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 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.
Galatians 2:7-8 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Romans 15:8+15-16 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.....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.
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,
1 Timothy 1:11+16 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust....Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1 Corinthians 3:9-11 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
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 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
2 Timothy 1:9-11 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
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:
Ephesians 5:
[23] For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
[24] Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
[25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
[26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
[27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
[28] So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
[29] For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
[30] For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
[31] For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
[32] This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Ephesians 6:19-20 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
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:
Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
If words mean what they say (and they do) and the Bible says what it means (and it does), then Paul is the pattern and spokesman for Gentiles in the present dispensation. There is continual emphasis on Paul being THE apostle of the Gentiles and that the revelation of the doctrine of the Body of Christ was given to Paul first. Some people try and find the doctrine of the Jew-Gentile body of Christ in the Old Testament to no avail, for Paul makes it clear that it was not hid in the scriptures but rather "hid in God" until revealed to Paul:
"the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began"
"as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon"
"the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward"
"by revelation he made known unto me the mystery"
"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"
"Whereof I was made a minister"
"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given"
"the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God"
"This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church"
"Whereof I am made a minister"
"the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God"
"the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations"
"this mystery"
Peter and Paul had different programs and commissions.
Paul stated plainly that his gospel was given to him by revelation of Jesus Christ and that he was sent by revelation to communicate it to the other apostles.
Galatians 1:
[11] But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
[12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
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.
Look at the difference between Peter and Paul's gospel:
Acts 2:37-38 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? 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.
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;
Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him,
and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Compared with Paul.....
Acts 13:38-39 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.
Acts 16:30-31 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said,
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his
grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Answer to number 5: "
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper were given to Paul before he received the
church age mysteries; thus they are not for the churches today". This is not true. Perhaps David Cloud is referring to the Acts 28 Dispensationalists. Because Mid-Acts Dispensationalists observe the Lord's supper since it is for the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 10:16-17) and Paul received it by the word of the Lord (1 Cor. 11:23). However, it is true that water baptism is not a doctrine given to the Body of Christ under Grace (1 Cor. 1:14-17, Col. 2:14, Rom. 6:14). Under Grace there is only one baptism and it is done by the Holy Ghost into Christ (Rom. 6:3-5, 1 Cor. 6:15-17, 12:12-18, Gal. 3:26-28, Eph. 4:1-6, Col. 2:10-14).
Answer to number 6: "According to hyper-dispensationalism there are different ways of salvation in the Old Testament and during the Tribulation". This is true.
Requirements for salvation in different dispensations.
Are works part of salvation in the dispensation of grace? (Eph. 3:2, Rom. 6:14) NO!
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.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
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.
Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
2 Timothy 1:9-11 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
We could look at the whole first EIGHT CHAPTERS of Romans, the whole BOOK of Galatians, and many other verses that prove that salvation is not of works in the present dispensation of grace, but those given above should suffice. All it takes to be saved under grace is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again (Acts 13:38-39, 16:31, 20:24, 1 Cor. 15:1-4).
It is clear, we are not saved or accepted to God by works of righteousness under grace. We are accepted in the beloved by grace and not by works of righteousness (Eph. 1:6, Titus 3:4-7).
Works of righteousness were once required under the Old Testament and the gospel of the kingdom preached by Christ and the twelve apostles, but works of righteousness are no longer required under the gospel of grace that Christ revealed to Paul from heaven. Here is the scriptural PROOF (1 Thes. 5:21). I will give you nothing but scripture to prove this--I will not even "interpret" anything or try and tell you what I think it "means".....here is what the BOOK says
WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS REQUIRED UNDER THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW AND PROPHETS:
Deuteronomy 5:10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
Deuteronomy 6:24-25 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Ezekiel 3:
[19] Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
[20] Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
[21] Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
Ezekiel 14:14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 14:20 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.
Ezekiel 18:
[4] Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
[5] But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
[6] And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
[7] And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;
[8] He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
[9] Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.
[10] If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things,
[11] And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife,
[12] Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,
[13] Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.
[14] Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,
[15] That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,
[16] Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,
[17] That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
[18] As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.
[19] Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
[20] The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
[21] But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
[22] All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
[23] Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
[24] But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
[25] Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
[26] When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
[27] Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
[28] Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
[29] Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
[30] Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
[31] Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
[32] For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Amos 5:
[14] Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.
[15] Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
Psalms 103:17-18 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
WORKS REQUIRED UNDER THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BEGINNING WITH JOHN THE BAPTIST:
(sample scriptures taken from Matthew--also see the other three Gospel records)
Matthew 3:7-10 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think 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. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
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 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Matthew 5:
[43] Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
[44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
[45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 6:
[12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
[13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
[14] For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
[15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 7:
[15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
[16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
[17] Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
[18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
[19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
[20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
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.
Matthew 7:
[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.
Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 10:32-33 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 10:38-39 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 16:
[24] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
[25] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
[26] For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
[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.
Matthew 18:
[21] Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
[22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
[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.
[28] But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
[29] And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[30] And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
[31] So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
[32] Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
[33] Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
[34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
[35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Matthew 19:
[16] And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
[17] And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
[18] He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
[19] Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[20] The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
[21] Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
[22] But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
[23] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
[24] And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
[25] When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
[26] But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
[27] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
[28] 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.
[29] 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.
[30] But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Matthew 24:
[42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
[43] But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
[44] Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
[45] Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
[46] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
[47] Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
[48] But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
[49] And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
[50] The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
[51] And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 25:
[34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
[36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
[37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
[38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
[39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
[40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
[41] Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
[42] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
[43] I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
[44] Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
[45] Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
[46] And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
So there we have it. We do not have to guess or speculate about this issue, God did require works of righteousness under the Law and Prophets and also under the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven. (works such as forgiving others, being faithful unto death, selling all possessions, water baptism, etc.)
