How the Gospels Transitioned through ACTS

(Part 1 --- Introduction)

The transition period of Acts is a very intricate period, and one that can be expounded on in many different ways. One of the ways, to gain deeper insights into the transition period of Acts, is by studying the content of the gospels, and matching their differences up to the audiences who heard and responded to them. This study is going to delve into these topics to hopefully bring some meaningful insights to the transition period of Acts, and provide greater clarity regarding the different gospel messages and the people who were affected by them.

Before we get into the details of four gospels, lets focus on what we know about the way of life before, and after, the gospel transition period. This will help us better understand the impact and conditions of the gospels and how they would affect the lives of those who lived during, and after this transition, which also includes you and I today.

As you can see in the image above, the transition of Acts changed everything! One cannot find anything more contrasting in the bible as the comparisons of life before and after it. Let's list a few key principles from before the transition, and then compare them with the key principles of what the bible defines as the grace dispensation today. You will see that the result is like the opposite sides of a coin. One has to start considering what happened in that short transition period to produce such a radically different faith and lifestyle. The rest of the parts of this study will reveal that in due course.

Jew ↪ Gentile

Since the covenant that God made with Abraham in Gen.12:1-3, God's focus and attention has been upon the physical seed of Abraham, the Jews. The reason for this is due to the plan of God for the redemption of humanity at that time. God's covenant with Abraham was that all of humanity would be blessed through the nation of Israel,

Gen.12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Yet, on the other side of the transition, the Gentiles are in the focus of God, and the Jews are like Loammi, Hosea's second son, who was given the prophetic name to signify that the Lord was rejecting the people of Israel in their sinful and unbelieving state.

Hos1:9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.

To further emphasis this in Paul's writings, we read in the following,

Rom.11:15 For if the casting away of them [Israel] be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

and,

Eph.2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye [Gentiles] who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Although this switch from Jew to Gentile was always in God's greater plan of redemption, the catalyst, to get from the one agency to the other, was the work of Paul under the inspiration of Christ and by the revelation of the gospel of Christ. We will learn more about this gospel in parts to come.

Law ↪ Grace

The covenant of Law given to Moses, and Israel, in Exodus 20, was for the purpose of separating Israel out of the nations and defining them as the holy people of God and the priests of the Kingdom,

Exo.19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Although Israel distorted the law with the traditions of the Elders and the commandments of men, Matt.15:1-9, both Israel and the law will be found in harmony when Christ comes and sets up His Kingdom, and writes the law on the heart of every Jew who will partake of that Kingdom, Jer.31:33. 

But, until that time, the grace of God is in effect, propitiated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and imputed to every person, of every nation, without distinction, if they would hear and respond in faith to the gospel of grace that God made known through the preaching of Paul.

1 Cor:15:1 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:

Physical ↪ Spiritual --AND-- Signs ↪ Faith

We must understand that God had a plan with Israel. His covenant made with Abraham would create a physical nation and provide them with a physical land. God would interact with Israel through physical signs and wonders, and the proof that Jews would demand from a prophet and man of God was physical, visible signs.

1 Cor.1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

In addition, the inheritance of the Jews would be that physical kingdom, ruled over by a physical king for 1000-years. 

In direct contrast to this is the nature of the grace program where we, as the Body of Christ, respond to a gospel by faith alone, and then proceed to live out our lives by that same faith that saved us into the Body of Christ.

Col.2:4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 ... 6 As [in the same way] you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord [by faith in the Gospel message], so [likewise] walk in Him [by faith in the voice of the Spirit],

Rom.1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

For us, in this grace program today, God works first in the Spirit. Our relationship with God is in spirit. We do not have a covenant of signs like Israel had. This is why Paul stopped working in signs and miracles as his ministry progressed from the Jews to the Gentiles. Paul also writes,

1 Cor.13:8 ...but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come [the completed written Word of God], then that which is in part shall be done away.

2 Cor.5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight:

God is preparing us, the Body of Christ for a spiritual inheritance,

Eph.1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

We are God's heavenly people and will fill the heavens with the glories of Christ in the same way that the Jews will fill the earth with the glories of Christ, so that in ALL things, God might be exalted, Eph.4:10.

Israel's Rise ↪ Israel's Fall

Similar to what I mentioned in the Jew ↪ Gentile section above, the rise of Israel would be the salvation of the Gentiles. This was always part of God's plan for Israel. However, since Israel did not believe in and receive their Messiah, they were set aside so that God could reach the Gentiles through grace. This is confirmed in the writings of Paul where he penned the following,

Romans 11:11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

So, through the fall of Israel, salvation came to the Gentiles. However, the prophecies of the Old Testament, which speak of a mighty and preeminent nation under the rule of the King of kings, will still be fulfilled in the soon-coming Millennial Kingdom.

Jesus Life ↪ Jesus Death

The transition of Acts was so complete that even the meaning of Jesus earthly ministry was 'flipped'. The Jews were always looking for a 'living', flesh and blood Messiah King who would rule over them in righteousness and strength. Even when we look at the message of Peter in Acts 2 and 3, we see the focus on the life and resurrection of Christ, with Peter preaching that because Jesus had risen and ascended to Heaven, He would come back and restore all things. 

Acts 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne. 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. ... 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

On the other side of the transition, we see a completely different outcome. The focus is not on the life of Christ, but on the death of Christ. Paul preaches that it's the cross of Christ that is our salvation. He writes,

...that Christ died for our sins (1 Cor.15:3), that He gave himself up for our sins, to deliver us from this present evil world (Gal.1:4), that He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification (Rom.4:25), that he should glory [boast], save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world (Gal.6:14).

Works to do ↪ Works done --AND-- Endure to End ↪ Wait for Christ

Israel have always been under a covenant program. If they did what God commanded, they were blessed. If not, they fell under a curse. The very essence of the law was built on a foundation of works. This is why the book of James hammers home the need to prove your faith with works. Even the need to endure in these works was needed to be able to enter into the Kingdom. There are many verses in the Gospels that demand the need to endure,

Matt.24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 

Further statements that emphasis this point are, that they had to prove their faith, or be counted worthy, or pick up their cross and follow, or sell all they had and follow their Messiah. Works and endurance were key to the Jewish existence. 

One more example that can imply this is the parable of the faithful servants. The end of the parable reads as follows,

Matt.25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The servant that did not work at investing his portion (or talent) was cast outside the city as he was unprofitable. This is significant to notice as it is so different to the current dispensation. Some more scriptures that speak to the early Acts period and to those who were following the example of the Jewish church in Jerusalem are,

2 Thess.1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God [Little Flock] for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

1 Pet.1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

This dispensation discussed above held nothing back regarding faithful work and endurance. Yet in stark contrast to this, we find that the grace dispensation has nothing to do with works and endurance, but rather with waiting.

Romans 8:23 ... waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

1 Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

2 Thess 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

The reason why we wait in expectation is because Christ has done everything necessary to redeem us. We do not need to prove ANYTHING! We do not need to work out our salvation in fear and trembling! We do not need to work and endure because all (that was necessary) was done by Jesus Christ on our behalf. Christ has satisfied the payment and by his work we are justified before God.

Exclusive Nation ↪ Inclusive Body

As eluded above in other points, we know that Israel was a called-out nation, separated by the law and marked by God as a holy nation, a kingdom of priests and His special people, Exo.19:5-6. In order to partake in this exclusive nation, one would need to be born into it through the bloodline seed of Abraham, or be proselyted into the nation by taking on the culture, ordinances, and laws. 

However, on the other side of the transition, we see a fallen Jewish nation and an all-inclusive body of individual believers of the grace gospel, irrespective of which nationalities they are from. At this time there was no more preeminent Jew and the Gentile who would benefit from the Jews relationship with God, as we read in Matt.15 (the Canaanite woman), and Luk.7 (the Roman centurion), who both blessed the Jews first to receive blessing from Jesus, as per the Abrahamic covenant. Since God is not working according to that covenant promise in this dispensation, we, as the Body of Christ, have direct access to God by what Christ has done, and through the fall of the Jews.

1 Cor.12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Salvation in the Future ↪ Salvation already Received

The last key principle in my shortlist that shows the utter difference on either end of the transition is salvation itself. In the Israel program, salvation was always out in the future. The salvation relevant to the Jews was that future Kingdom in which they would be the head and not the tail, preeminent above all other nations. For those who believed in their Messiah, they would endure and be faithful to the end and die, knowing that He would return and raise them up to live in His sight, Hos.6:2. Their salvation was the hope of that earthly kingdom and their role in it.

Matt.19:28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

For us though, in this age of grace, our hope is not future, but it looks back at the cross of Christ. It is in the cross that we are redeemed and where our sins are forgiven. The fact that it is in the past, and that all the work has already been done to secure our salvation was a mystery of epic proportions, that Paul revealed in his revelations for the Body of Christ. This cross work of Christ was the wisdom and glory of God to save us by His grace and mercy, and was hidden from the princes of this world, 

1 Cor.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: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Col.1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Conclusion

Now that we have laid the groundwork for this study, looking at what life and faith was BEFORE and AFTER the transition period of Acts, it will provide a much more meaningful insight into the actual transition period and also help one to understand why the gospel had to go through four different 'updates' (if I can use that term). 

Using this knowledge, let us now turn our attention to the gospels, and learn of some details of the transition of Acts through the means and progression of the gospel message as we continue in this study.