Two Verses that might Challenge your Doctrine (Part.2)

Two Verses that might Challenge your Doctrine (Part.2)

This is part 2 of the series

Click here to start with Part 1

The two verses I deal with in this article played a HUGE role in helping me to understand the Bible in its proper context. If one does not understand how to divide the Word and bring context to the two verses that are mentioned in this article, they can be pretty hard to interpret correctly. As I mentioned before in part 1, these are the two verses that got me on the path of studying the Word in a dispensational way, (or as Paul puts it, rightly dividing the Word of truth, 2 Tim.2:15). The reason is because these two verses mention some very interesting things, things that will cause you to question if you actually read the verse correctly, things that will certainly make you think twice about what Paul was really saying.

So, let me introduce the second verse to you,

Romans 16:25-26 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, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

The first interesting thing that should catch ones attention is the words, "my gospel". Why did Paul say "my gospel"? Was he proclaiming a different gospel or was he personalizing the Kingdom gospel that was proclaimed by Jesus and the 12 apostles? And if he had a different gospel, how could it even hold its own against that taught by Jesus Himself? Well, it wouldn't hold its own against the Kingdom gospel that Jesus taught if it was Paul's own gospel. But...it was NOT his own. The different gospel that Paul taught was also from Jesus Christ. Yes! Jesus gave Paul a new gospel for a new time and for a new people group, the Body of Christ. Have a look at these scriptures to prove the point,

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ...

Paul received the gospel by revelation from Jesus Christ Himself, probably during his 3 years ("of re-training, or reprogramming from what he learned as a Pharisee") in the Arabian wilderness (Galatians 1:17-18). Another scripture that rings out even more clearly is,

Galatians 1:11-12 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.

Paul's gospel was different to the Kingdom gospel. It carried a new message, it lacked the specific conditions set out in the Kingdom gospel, it held out God's grace and forgiveness because of the cross-work of Jesus Christ. Because this gospel was revealed to Paul to proclaim to the Gentiles, it was his gospel. It reminds me of another interesting scripture that adds merit to this point,

1 Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

There is a second part of this scripture that also challenges ones understanding if you do not recognize the value of right dividing of the Word. Paul talks about a mystery. What was this mystery, and how do we preach Jesus Christ according to the revealing of this mystery? Well, the short answer is this. The mysteries referred to in Paul's writings are revelations that were revealed to Paul by the risen and glorified Christ throughout the duration of his ministry. For one example, read 2 Corinthians 12:1-9. These mysteries pertain to the body of doctrine that Paul reveals throughout his epistles; content that was brand new, content that was never revealed by prophecy during the Old Testament or the four Gospels, content that was kept secret since the world began, BUT NOW revealed or made manifest. This is why they are mysteries, or secrets according to translation.

To preach Jesus Christ according to these mysteries means that we learn to align our faith, our confession and our message to that which we learn from Paul about the risen and glorified Christ. This means that we do not know Christ according to the flesh (2 Corinthians 5:16), we do not follow after the law-based teachings and principles laid down by Jesus in his earthly ministry (while in the flesh), which was directed to the Jews alone. We now preach of Christ as the Head of His body, we preach His cross-work for the salvation of all men, Jews and Gentiles alike. We now learn to walk by a new doctrine, one of grace, one that teaches of liberty under the constraints of love and personal convictions of righteousness (see Romans 14), of being led by the life giving Spirit of Christ within us. 

All this points to a new dispensation, a time and way of life that is wholly different to the previous period under law. If we do not recognize the significance of this division in the Word, this verse, and the one we reviewed in part 1 will be difficult to interpret or understand and it will continue to challenge you instead of providing you with blessing and joy.

Grace and peace to you.