Introduction to the Pauline Epistles: The Perfect Design of Scripture: The Gospel of the Grace of God - through Faith:

In Volume 5, I hope to cover all words relating to faith in the thirteen epistles identified as the Apostle Paul’s. This includes Romans through Philemon as well as Hebrews, as there are a number of indications that Paul also wrote Hebrews. If so, we have fourteen epistles wherein Paul reveals the Gospel of the Grace of God he received directly from the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. The number fourteen is significant since seven in Scripture signifies Spiritual perfection and therefore fourteen implies a measure of double Spiritual perfection. *

Paul wrote: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2 Timothy 3:1616 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

. “All Scripture” refers to the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation, which detail God’s dealings with mankind from beginning to end. However, in order to fully understand all Scripture, all must be viewed through the lens/prism of the Pauline Epistles, which are also arranged in accordance with 2 Timothy 3:16:

• Romans presents doctrine/instruction,

• The two epistles to the Corinthians are reproof for not living according to the teaching of Romans,

• Galatians is correction for turning away from the doctrine of salvation by grace in Romans, back to following the Law,

• Ephesians presents doctrine/instruction,

• Philippians is reproof for practical failure of the doctrine of Ephesians,

• Colossians is correction; teaching believers to shun philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men, and continue in the doctrine of Ephesians, recognizing we are complete in Christ, the Head of all principality and power,

• The Thessalonian epistles contain doctrine and instruction, teaching that not only are we dead and risen with Christ as taught in Romans, and seated in the heavenlies with Christ as taught in Ephesians, but we also look forward to being caught up in the air to be with the Lord forever.

The Gospel the Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul (that of the Grace of God, Acts 20:2424 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.

) is different than the Kingdom Gospel, which God promised Israel throughout the Old Testament, the four Gospels, the first 8 chapters of Acts, and in James through Revelation. The Kingdom Gospel was put on hold when the Nation Israel rejected their Messiah by stoning to death His messenger Stephen, Acts 7:54 - 6054 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

. Thus, just as the Pauline epistles are located in our Bibles between Acts and James, the age in which we live under the Gospel of God’s Grace is a parenthesis in time between Acts and James.

Unlike the Kingdom Gospel to Israel that required adherence to the Law of Moses and Temple worship wherein Gentiles only had access to God’s blessings through Israel by becoming proselytes, the Gospel of the Grace of God teaches that God saves individual Gentiles and Jews by His Grace, apart from the Law. Our salvation now is granted even though we have no merit or claim to it, God’s Grace is appropriated though faith alone. It is noteworthy that the use of the words grace and faith in Paul’s epistles demonstrate this truth. Paul used the Greek word charis (G5395) usually translated “grace” 110 times in his epistles leaving only 46 in all the rest of the New Testament (NT) and the Greek word pistis, (G4002) usually translated “faith” 172 times in his epistles, leaving only 70 in all the rest of the NT.

The epistles of Romans and Hebrews highlight faith and stand as book ends, so to speak, encompassing Paul’s other epistles. The word “faith,” is found 40 times in Romans, the most often it occurs in any NT book. Forty is significant in Scripture, not only because it is the number for testing/ trial/ tempting, * but also because it bespeaks the great purpose of Romans in that it is the product of five times eight. Five in Scripture is the number for grace while eight denotes resurrection or new beginnings. * Thus, Romans teaches the Gospel of the Grace of God through faith, a new beginning apart from the Law - “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” Romans 3:21 - 2421 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:55 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

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At the other end of the Pauline bookshelf, so to speak, is Hebrews, which contains the word faith 32 times, the second most often in the NT. Thirty-two is the product of four times eight; the number four signifying the created earth and eight, the number for resurrection or new beginnings. * God’s promise to Abraham, Genesis 12; his Hebrew offspring, that is, the Nation of Israel, has been for a Kingdom on earth when Messiah will reign from Jerusalem and Israel will be a Holy Nation, a Kingdom of Priests, Exodus 19:66 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.

. Hebrews is addressed to Israel explaining how Jesus Christ fulfilled all the types of the Law of Moses. however, it also teaches that Christ died once for all, Hebrews 10:9 - 129 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

, which includes Gentiles as well as individual Jews, see also 1 Timothy 2:4 - 74 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

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Between Romans and Hebrews is the pinnacle of truth for the Church, the Body of Christ in this age of Grace: “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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 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: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;” Ephesians 2:8 - 158 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

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 who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

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Something to ponder is that without the last 20 chapters of Acts and the Pauline epistles, we would know nothing from the rest of the Bible about the facts that:

• without faith it is impossible to please God, Hebrews 11:66 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

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• faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, Romans 10:1717 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

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• our salvation is possible only by God’s grace (unmerited favor) through faith, and faith is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, Romans 3:2222 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

; Ephesians 2:8 - 98 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

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• we cannot be justified by keeping the law, but only by the faith of Jesus Christ, Romans 3:19 - 2019 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

; Galatians 2:1616 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

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• Jesus is the Author and Finisher of Faith, Hebrews 12:22 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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• we believers who are alive now, along with those who died in Christ before us, earnestly wait for the Lord Jesus Christ to catch us up in the air to be in heaven with Him for eternity, 1 Corinthians 15:51 - 5451 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 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.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

; 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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• members of the Body of Christ look forward to being in heaven for eternity, while the Nation of Israel’s hope was and will be on this earth in God’s Kingdom,

• The only way we can stand righteous before God is by believing the faith of Jesus Christ accomplished the righteousness of God in us, Romans 3:21 - 24.

Think of it, when the Man Jesus Christ was here on earth about 2000 years ago, He demonstrated perfect faith in God’s Word both in life and in an unspeakably horrible death. As a result, He was raised from the dead in victory, which clothes us in His righteousness when we believe the Gospel of the Grace of God - 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 41 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:

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* Numbers in Scripture by Bullinger:

Four - since three signifies Divine perfection, as in the Trinity of God, four is made up of three plus one and therefore denotes that which follows the revelation of God, namely, His creative works; the fourth day saw the material creation completed, Genesis 1:1919 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

; the compass has four points, north, south east and west, page 123.

Five - the number for Grace, or Divine favor; after the manifestation of the Godhead (3) and their manifestation in creation (1) we have further revelation of a People called out from mankind, redeemed and saved, to walk with God, page 135.

Seven - the great number of Spiritual perfection; God rested on the seventh day of Creation; seven completes the colors of the spectrum and rainbow, page 158; fourteen - double Spiritual perfection, page 256.

Eight - denotes resurrection or new beginnings: Noah and his family totaling 8 persons came through the flood to populate the earth anew; the eight day is the beginning of a new week and Jesus Christ arose on the eighth day, page 196.

Forty - the number for testing, trial or tempting: the flood waters came upon the earth for 40 days during the time of Noah, destroying every human and animal on earth, except those in the ark; Moses was tested in the wilderness 40 years learning humility; Israel was tried in the wilderness 40 years during which the unbelievers were eliminated from her midst; Jesus was tempted/tried by Satan 40 days in the wilderness, page 266.