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Mid Acts Dispensationalist Movement: What Did Paul Preach? The Gospel or the Kingdom of God?
Within the Mid Acts Dispensationalist movement there many doctrines that
are not Biblical and that need to be addressed and examined by looking at
what the Bible teaches. Those within this movement believe that Paul
taught a different gospel message than what the other Apostles taught.
There are two terms that need to be defined for proper understanding
concerning what this information will present. The Gospel according to an
Mid Acts Dispensationalist is that Jesus Christ died on the cross, rose
again the third day, and that the gift of eternal life is a free gift to
anyone who believes in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Mid Acts
Dispensationalists believe that Paul was the first one to preach this
Gospel and that the other Apostles were preaching a faith-works gospel
called the Kingdom of God. They believe that Jesus came only for the
nation of Israel and that the Apostles went out preaching the Kingdom of
God only to the Jews, and that message was to repent and be baptized, and
the doctrine of grace was not revealed until the conversion of the Apostle
Paul.
This is the dividing line when it comes to the truth of the Gospel and the
Kingdom of God. What is the Gospel? What is the Kingdom of
God? Did Paul only preach the Gospel or did Paul preach both the
Gospel and the Kingdom of God as being the same truth? The following
Scripture references are from the King James Version.
The Gospel and the Kingdom of God in the Epistle of 1 Corinthians 15
In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul expounds on the Gospel message: "1
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto
you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye
are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have
believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I
also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day
according to the scriptures." (1
Corinthians 15:1-4)
Something's to point out here concerning what Paul is teaching. Paul is
speaking to those who are believers in Corinth on the message that he has
taught them concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul states that the
Gospel saves, but it seems that Paul is concerned that there is some that
may not be truly standing on the message that he taught them and was
concerned that some may of believed in vain. Paul presents the Gospel in
simple language. Paul states that it is the Scriptures that teach the
truth concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The truth of
the Gospel is what saves anyone from the sting of death and sin, and Paul
is teaching this truth throughout all of 1 Corinthians 15. In 1
Corinthians 15:50-58 Paul teaches the same Gospel truth concerning the
believers future state of being transformed from the natural body to the
spiritual body, and Paul is addresses that the natural man can not
"inherit the Kingdom of God."
These Scriptures go with what Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 on the
Gospel saving those who believe in Jesus, and addresses all those who
believe their labor is not in vain. Paul is teaching in verses 50-58 on
the doctrine of a believer in Christ being transformed from the natural
body, which is corruptible, to the spiritual body, which is
incorruptible. Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:50 teaches that the natural man
can not "inherit the kingdom of God" without being transformed, which is
clearly speaking of being able to enter into the presence of God. The
clear context is the work of the cross and the resurrection accomplished
victory over sin and death. The statement "kingdom of God" in 1
Corinthians 15:50 is speaking of eternal life in the presence of God, and
Paul equates the Gospel and the Kingdom of God as being the same truth
here.
The Gospel and the Kingdom of God in the Epistle of Galatians 5
Throughout the Epistle of Galatians the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the
central teaching. In Galatians 5 Paul is addressing the lifestyle of
those who claim to be believers and those who are walking according to the
Spirit.
Galatians 5:19-21
states: "19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are
[these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,
heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of
the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that
they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Paul
throughout his Epistles clarifies the doctrine of grace and that those who
are truly in Christ are saved by grace through faith and not of works.
Paul in the close of verse 21 states "which do such things" shall not
inherit "the kingdom of God." The statement "which do such things" in the
Greek actually is stating those who "practice or live in a state of
habitual sin", not the mere act of a sin. The statement "kingdom of God"
in verse 21 is a clear reference to the presence of God, and Paul is
teaching those who live a life of habitual sin truly are not of God and
they will not enter into His presence. The importance of this truth is
that Paul taught "the Kingdom of God" as being the same as the Gospel
message. The grace of God not only saves anyone from sin and eternal
judgment to come, but also teaches to deny unrighteousness and
ungodliness. (Titus
2:11-12)
The Gospel and Kingdom of God in the book of Acts
The Mid Acts Dispensationalists teach that Paul went through transitions
in his theology. The truth is that Paul taught the Kingdom of God as
the Gospel message throughout his Epistles and is seen throughout the book
of Acts.
Acts 14:21-22
states: "21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and
had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and [to] Iconium, and
Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to
continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter
into the kingdom of God." Paul and Barnabas here preached "the
gospel" to those in Acts 14, and in verses 6-7 it states they preached
"the gospel" to them: "6 They were ware of [it], and fled unto Lystra
and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
7 And there they preached the gospel." (Acts
14:6-7)
These verses go with Acts 14:21-22 and within these verses we find the
following:
In the book of Acts chapter 20 Paul states the following: "21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 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. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] pure from the blood of all [men]. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." (Acts 20:21-27) Paul is addressing believers in Ephesus on what he has taught them concerning Jesus Christ. It is clear that Paul taught both Jews and Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ. It is clear that Paul spoke of his ministry in which he testified of "the gospel of the grace of God" and the "preaching of the kingdom of God." The context is clear that Paul equates the Gospel and the Kingdom of God as being the same truth concerning Jesus Christ. In the closing of the book of Acts Paul is recorded on teaching the following:
Paul in these Scriptures is said to be teaching and preaching the Kingdom
of God concerning Jesus Christ. Did Paul teach what Mid Acts
Dispensationalists teach on the Gospel being different from the Kingdom of
God? It is very clear that the Kingdom of God truth is the Gospel
message. The Kingdom of God was to believe in Jesus, and it is clear
that Paul taught this.
The Kingdom of God is coming to Christ and being delivered from the domain
of Satan
Paul in his Epistle to the Colossians states the following: "13
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us]
into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through
his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians
1:13-14)
The truth of the Gospel message is that those who have become believers in
Christ Jesus have been delivered from the power of darkness (Satan), and
have been translated into the Kingdom of His Son. The true Kingdom of God
is the work of the cross and what Jesus paid for with His life and through
the resurrection.
Mid Acts Dispensationalists are deceived in their doctrines concerning
what the Apostle Paul taught. Mid Acts Dispensationalists have false
teachings on what the Gospel and the Kingdom of God truly is, and the
Bible is very clear that they are not teaching the Word of God in truth.
The Apostle Peter wrote that there were those who were wrongly
interpreting what Paul was teaching:
There were people who were being misled by their own theology on what Paul
taught back then and continues today. May this information be used
to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and help those who have been deceived in
this false movement that claims to be of God come to see the truth of
God's Word.
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