Acts - Transition from Kingdom Gospel to Grace Gospel

"Believe" in Acts: Part 14 - Continuing the transition from the Gospel of the Kingdom to the Gospel of the Grace of God:

We observed in our last study that the Apostle Peter's statement recorded in Acts 15:1111 But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

: "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they," is the first time in Scripture mentioning it is the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that saves. The "we" to whom Peter refers was he, with the 11 Apostles and elders in the Jewish Pentecostal church in Jerusalem. The "they" to whom he refers are Gentiles. This was a turning point in history because from the time Moses received the Law up through the time of this statement, only Jews and Proselytes, with few exceptions, could be saved and that required circumcision and strict adherence to all aspects of the Law of Moses. Gentiles were totally without hope and without God, Ephesians 2:1212 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:

, until God revealed to Paul the Gospel of Grace for Gentiles as well as Jews. As a result of this statement by Peter, the Apostles and leaders of the Jerusalem Pentecostal church gave Paul and Barnabas the opportunity to describe "... the miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them," Acts 15:1212 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

, after which James (the Lord's ½ brother, Galatians 1:1919 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

) convinced the leaders of the Jerusalem Pentecostal Assembly to endorse Paul and Barnabas' ministry to the Gentiles without circumcision and the law. He suggested they write a letter to the believing Gentiles in Antioch stating only that they should "... abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood," Acts 15:12 - 2012 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

, because Moses' law was read in Synagogues in every city as it had been for many years, Acts 15:2121 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

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James' statement highlights the transitional period in Acts in that he did not say that the believing Jews in the Synagogues should abandon circumcision and the Law; only that Gentile believers should not be held to those requirements. James, with the 12 Apostles and elders of the Jerusalem Pentecostal church were the legitimate leaders of the Jews throughout the world at that time who followed the Law with Temple worship while believing Jesus was their promised Messiah. They were waiting for the Tribulation followed by Jesus Christ's return to establish His Kingdom on earth as promised throughout the Old Testament and by Jesus Himself. They were filled with the Holy Spirit so their edict concerning believing Gentiles was legitimate. Therefore, at that time, there were two economies of God in operation; 1) the 12 Apostles and Elders preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom for Jews and 2) Paul's message of the Gospel of the Grace of The Lord Jesus Christ that saves Gentiles and Jews alike into the Body of Christ. Paul made this clear when he recapped his meeting with the Jerusalem council in his letter to the Galatians: "And when James, Cephas (Peter), 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 (Gentiles), and they unto the circumcision." Galatians 2:99 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.

. As we see in the following incidents, this made Paul's ministry somewhat bifurcated during the transitional period.

James suggestion was adopted by the church at Jerusalem. They sent the following letter addressed to the believing Gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia, carried there by some of their own men (Judas and Silas, among others) with Paul and Barnabas, Acts 15:2222 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

: "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 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," Acts 15:24 - 2924 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29 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.

. After some time preaching in Antioch, Silas remained with Paul and Barnabas preaching and teaching the Word of the Lord, Acts 15:30 - 3530 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

. Then when Paul wanted to go back through the cities he and Barnabas had visited in their prior journey, Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them. Since Paul did not want to take John Mark, Barnabas took him with him to Cyprus while Paul took Silas with him to visit the churches he had established in Syria and Cilicia, Acts 15:36 - 4136 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

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Examples of the two Gospels operating simultaneously are evident. In Derbe and Lystra Paul encountered a believer named Timothy whose mother was a believing Jew but whose father was a Gentile. Paul added Timothy to his entourage but first required him to be circumcised because Jews in the area knew about Timothy's Gentile father, Acts 16:1 - 51 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

. On the other hand, Paul had just been to Jerusalem where he confronted the leaders of the Kingdom church about the requirement of circumcision and keeping the law, refusing to have the Gentile Titus circumcised, Galatians 2:1 - 31 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:

. Thus, on the one hand Paul was proving an important point with Titus about the Gospel of Grace to the leaders in Jerusalem while on the other, he had Timothy circumcised in order to reach the Jews around Derbe and Lystra with the Gospel. This was not contradictory, it simply demonstrates the two Gospels in effect then. Paul very clearly states in his epistles that circumcision is not required during this age of Grace: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." Galatians 6:1515 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

. "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." Philippians 3:2 & 32 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

. "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." 1 Corinthians 9:20 & 2120 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;

21 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.

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The next 4 incidents are also indicative of the transition period. First, the Holy Spirit personally directed Paul's ministry by forbidding him from preaching in Asia any more at that time, Acts 16:66 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

, or Bithynia, even though Paul was planning to go there next, Acts 16:77 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

. Then, when they arrived in Troas, a man from Macedonia appeared to Paul in a vision asking him to come and help. Paul took this as the Lord's call to preach the Gospel in Macedonia, Acts 16:8 - 108 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

. These manifestations were proof of Paul's unique Apostleship, as Acts opens: "The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:" Acts 1:1 & 21 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

. The 12 Apostles were chosen by Jesus on earth to preach the Kingdom Gospel while Paul was chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven to preach to Gentiles, Jews and Kings, Acts 9:1 - 161 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

, specifically to the Gentiles; 22:21; 26:17. (The first of Acts documents direct guidance and power by the Holy Spirit primarily to Peter but also to other men in the Jerusalem Pentecostal church: Acts 2:44 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

, 17 & 18; 4:8 & 31; 5:1 - 10; 6:3 - 5 & 10; 7:55; 8:29 & 39; 10:19; 11:12; 11:28.)

Paul and company traveled to the City of Philippi in Macedonia; now Greece in obedience to the Holy Spirit. On the Sabbath day he went to a river where a group of women gathered to pray, indicating they must have been Jewish women who followed the Law of Moses. The Lord opened the heart of a woman named Lydia so that she "attended" to the things spoken by Paul. The word "attended" in the KJV of Acts 16:1414 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

is translated from the Greek word "prosecho," (GR 4237), found 24 times in the New Testament, this being the only place it is translated "attended," being most often translated "give heed to" or "take heed to," etc. She and her household were baptized and then urged Paul and his companions to come to her house, Acts 16:1111 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

- 1511 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

. It's obvious Lydia truly believed the Gospel Paul preached but the Holy Spirit did not choose to use the word "believe" in her case, instead using the Greek word indicating that she gave heed to Paul's Gospel. We thus understand that giving heed to the Gospel is a part of believing. (Note that Dr. Luke, the author of Acts, identifies himself with Paul and his company beginning with Acts 16:1010 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

, see also Acts 16:11, 12, 13 & 16.)

While in Philippi, a young woman possessed by a spirit of divination (a demon), whose masters made a lot of money from her fortune telling, followed Paul crying out "These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation." After several days of this Paul commanded the evil spirit out of her in the name of Jesus Christ and it left her. When her masters realized they lost their livelihood, they collared Paul and Silas and brought them to the City Magistrates and identified them as Jews causing trouble by teaching customs that Romans were forbid to follow. A large mob joined the accusers and the magistrates had Paul and Silas stripped, beaten mercilessly and thrown into prison. The jailer was told to keep them securely, so he put them in the inner prison with their feet in stocks. While Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God at midnight, a great earthquake shook the prison and loosed their shackles. Roman law required the jailer's life if anyone escaped from his custody so when he saw the prison doors open he drew his sword and was about to kill himself when Paul hollered at him not to do it as they were all still there. The jailer went in, fell down before Paul and Silas and brought them out, asking what he must do to be saved. Paul told him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and he and his house would be saved. Paul and Silas shared the Lord's Word with the jailer and household. He cleaned their wounds; he and his household were baptized and then he brought Paul and Silas into his house where he fed them and rejoiced, believing God with all his household, Acts 16:16 - 3416 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

. The 23rd and 24th occasion of the word "believe" are found in Acts 16:31 & 3431 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

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Obviously, none of the prisoners escaped for had they done so it probably would have cost the jailer his life. The next day the magistrates sent constables ordering the jailer to release Paul and Silas. The constables didn't know Paul and Silas had been freed already, as evidenced by the fact that the jailer relayed the constables' message to Paul, who told the jailer to tell the constables to inform the magistrates that he and Silas were Roman citizens, beaten and thrown into prison without due process and they needed to come and fetch them out of prison personally. When the Magistrates heard they had unjustly abused Roman citizens they went to the prison, dusted Paul and Silas off so to speak and asked them to leave the city. Paul knew he had the upper hand, at least temporarily, so instead of leaving right away, he and Silas visited the believers in Lydia's house before leaving town, Acts 16:36 - 4036 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

. (The violation of Paul and Silas' rights in Roman times was similar to violating the constitutional rights of United States citizens today. The big difference was that then, the magistrates could lose not only their jobs but their lives for their unlawful actions whereas today they can be sued in federal court resulting in the city possibly paying damages.)

As noted previously, the Kingdom Gospel required baptism, and this was practiced during the transitional period as we see in both Lydia and the Jailer's case. On the other hand, during this age of Grace, Paul clearly teaches only Spiritual baptism: "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 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." 1 Corinthians 12:12 & 1312 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

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.

. Paul also writes: "I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." 1 Corinthians 1:14 - 1714 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

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Only God knows the exact date when the transition period ended, but for sure the Kingdom Gospel was no longer in effect after 70 AD when the Roman Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple (Temple worship was necessary for the Kingdom). Thus, at that time the Kingdom hopes of Israel were put on the back burner, so to speak and for almost 2000 years mankind has had access to salvation via God's Grace. In Romans 9, 10 & 11 Paul explains that Israel was set aside for a season, however, God's prophetic plan for them will continue. This will occur after the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (after the Body of Christ is raptured). Then, the Great Tribulation will come on followed by Christ's return to earth to establish His Kingdom, just as He promised Israel.

But lest we wonder which Gospel Lydia and the Jailer believed, Paul wrote to them from prison at the end of his life: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" Philippians 1:3 - 63 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

. Thus, they were members of the Body of Christ and will be caught up with us to heaven, prior to the Great Tribulation, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 1813 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.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 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.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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