CHURCH
DEVELOPMENT
By: Bishop Marthy
C. Austria, H.U.G. of Christ Fellowship PURE GRACE
The New Testament People [House] of God
I.
Earthly Ministry of
Christ: The Gospels
A.
During the New Testament times, the LOST sheep of the
House of Israel were called Gentiles. Although the word “Gentiles” are used for
people/nations which are not Jews and not Israelites, Gentiles are also used
for the Lost/scattered children of Israel.
1.
The number 12 represents “governmental perfection” and
“the people of Israel”. The number 10 represents “ordinal perfection”, “kings
and kingdoms”, “the law”, and “the Gentiles”.
2.
The 10 lost tribes of Israel became “Gentiles” and
“Kingdoms of this world” (Revelation 11:15).
B.
Jesus
said that he was sent to seek and save the lost sheep of the House of Israel “I am not sent but unto THE LOST SHEEP OF
THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL” (Matthew 15:24), “For the Son of man is come to seek
and to save that which was lost”. (Luke 19:10; Matthew 18:1). This is
illustrated in the parable of the lost sheep, the lost piece of silver, and the
lost son in Luke 15:4-32 and the parable of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke
16:19-31.
1. The
Parable of the Lost Son (Prodigal Son):
a.
A
certain man had two sons: God is represented by that man and the two sons are
the two houses: the House of Judah (the elder son) and the House of Israel (the
younger son).
b.
The
elder son (Judah) remained with his father. He was faithful in serving his
father and never transgressed his commandments. (These are the Jews – Judahites
– in the land of Palestine – blameless according to the law. They were never
“lost”).
c.
The
younger son (Israel) left his father (alienated from the commonwealth of Israel
and became a stranger from the covenants of promise) unto a far country (exiled
as Gentile) and joined himself to a citizen of that country (he lived like that
citizen and became a citizen of that country) and wasted his substance in
riotous living (became a sinner). He became no more God’s people.
d.
He
ate husks the swines were eating (he lived as a Gentile sinner).
e.
He
then repented [changed his mind] and returned [become converted] to his
father’s house. (He came back to God through the gospel of Christ). Romans 2:4
f.
His
father saw him and had compassion and accepted him back wholeheartedly. (He
received mercy and grace and became accepted in the Beloved). Ephesians 1:6-7;
2:4-6
g.
His
father put on him the best robe [Isaiah 61:10 “robe of righteousness”], put a
ring on his hand [Jeremiah 31:3 “everlasting love”] and shoes on his feet, and
called for a celebration. (He was restored to his former state as a people of
God, as a son of God).
h.
His
father said that he was lost but now is found, dead but now is alive again.
(The 10 tribes of Israel – that became captives in Assyria – because of
spiritual harlotry – divorced by God – and declared not his people anymore –
swallowed up among Gentiles – alienated from the covenants – are now restored to their former status –
as people of God now through Christ = as Christians).
2. The
Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man.
a.
This
parable according to most Christians is not a parable. But let us remember that
Jesus told this story in the series of his parables. And this story is always
erroneously literalized by others and they use it as proof text for eternal
torments of souls in hell after this life. But this story is not about that.
b.
The
rich man clothed in purple and fine linen and lives a luxurious life everyday
represents the House of Judah with its religious self-righteous leaders. Unto
them were committed the oracles of God.
c.
The
beggar named Lazarus [which means, God has helped] who was full of sores
represents the 10 “lost” tribes of the House of Israel and the sinners and the
publicans.
d.
The
dogs are the Gentiles – that licked his sores.
e.
He
desired to be fed with crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. It means the
Israelites that were in the foreign land – swallowed up among the nations –
desired to eat the children’s bread [partake of the covenants of promise] but
they could not so they wanted to receive even just crumbs of blessings.
f.
Both
the beggar and the rich man died. It means both of them were guilty before God
because of sin, which is the transgression of the law. For all have sinned.
g.
The
beggar was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom, comforted. It means that
the beggar [The house of Israel] who formerly was lost and did not receive
God’s favour was taken back to God’s covenant promise through Abraham.
Abraham’s bosom means the favour / blessings of Abraham. Israel – that was lost
– is now found and became again the people of God [Resurrected as a people].
h.
The
rich man [House of Judah and Judeans] died, was buried and experienced torments
in hell [hades/sheol]. It means that the unbelieving Jews [Pharisees, Saducees,
and people who were like them in enmity with Christ – were in a state of
torments of flame – the judgment of God. Fire/flame in the Scriptures
represents the judgments of God. The judgment of God for an adulterous “Jewish”
nation that happened in 70 A.D. when God destroyed Jerusalem City and its
temple through the Roman General Titus and his army. (Daniel 9:26-27; Luke
21:20-24)
i.
The
rich man saw Abraham afar off from him and Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom. It means
that the unbelieving Jews [in contrast with believing Jews, remnant in the
land] are now far from the covenant despite their self-righteous obedience to
the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees sat at Moses’ seat and exalted their “Talmud”
[their oral tradition] greater than the “TORAH” [Instruction/Law of God]. (Mark
7:9, 13).
j.
The
beggar [Lost Sheep of the House of Israel – considered as sinners and Gentiles
by the Jews] on the other side, is now in the Covenants of promise through
Jesus Christ.
k.
Moses
and the prophets – represent the Holy Scriptures – and that time comprised only
the Torah (Instructions, 5 books of Moses), the prophets (Nebhiim) and the Scriptures
(Kethubim). They are abbreviated in the word Tanakh. T for Torah, N for Nebhiim and K for Kethubim. The Old
Testament Scriptures. These Scriptures according to Abraham must be heard by
the 5 brothers of the rich man, in order for them to be persuaded and never
come to that place of torment. It means that The Old Testament Scriptures will
lead people to Abraham’s bosom [the position of covenant promises through
Abraham]. And the Scriptures testify of the Messiah, Jesus Christ and he alone
who died and rose again is the way for us to be blessed and be in Abraham’s
bosom.
l.
There
is a great gulf between the rich man and the beggar. It means that it is a
point of no return. The rich man and the beggar cannot exchange positions. The
unbelieving nation of Jews was judged by God and received his wrath to the
uttermost – the 70 A.D. event. While the beggar Lazarus received the help of
God because of his faith in the Messiah Jesus. According to Ephesians, Gentiles
[The lost sheep of Israel] were blessed with all the heavenly blessings in
Christ. They were partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. The true people
of God today – the Israel of God cannot exchange place with the Jews in the
land – the apostate nation [House of Judah]. It means that God will not bring
them back to the law and carnal ordinances of the Jews. There will be no literal restoration of the
Israelites in the land. The restoration of the outcasts of Israel [lost ten
tribes] and their reconciliation with the House of Judah already happened. They
returned to the land, not the natural Jerusalem, but to the heavenly Jerusalem.
C.
Jesus sent his disciples to these Gentiles – Lost sheep.
Matthew 10:5-6 “These twelve Jesus sent
forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and
into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep
of the house of Israel.”
1.
The
lost sheep of the House of Israel is erroneously
misinterpreted or misread by most Christians as “Jews”. But they are wrong.
2.
The
House of Israel is not the House of Judah.
3.
These
lost sheep are strangers scattered abroad and not the Jews [those of the House
of Judah] in the land of Palestine.
4.
The
Gentiles [nations] here are the people who are not of the House of Judah and of
the House of Israel which was lost. The Samaritans are from “Babylon, and from
Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in
the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed
Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.” (2 Kings 17:24).
5.
When
Jesus sent his disciples, what he had in mind were not any people, not the Gentiles
[non-Israelites], not even the Jews [Judahites] but only “the lost sheep of the
House of Israel” – who were considered “Gentiles” – but special Gentiles. His
mission and his disciples’ mission were to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom
to these lost tribes.
D.
Jesus
said that he is the Good Shepherd of the flock and he must bring also the other
sheep back to the fold.
John 10:16 “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I
must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one
shepherd.”
1. Who
are the other sheep? They are the lost sheep of the house of Israel, i.e. the
10 lost tribes in the dispersion.
2. There
will be One Fold and One Shepherd. The fulfillment of the prophecy of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 37:24-25
24 And David my servant shall be king over
them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments,
and observe my statutes, and do them.
25 And
they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein
your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their
children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be
their prince forever. (David represents Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the One
Shepherd over the One Flock and the One King over the One Kingdom.)
II.
Acts of the
Apostles
A.
The Great
Commission.
1.
Jesus commissioned
his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. Go to the gentile
nations – where the lost sheep of the House of Israel were. And they have to
accomplish it until the end of the world. AD 70.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe
all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even
unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom
shall be preached in all the world
for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be
published among all nations.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature.
2. The commission of Jesus to Peter and the apostles: to do
a missionary work, preaching the gospel of the kingdom:
a.
First, to the Jews
[the House of Judah] in Jerusalem City and Judea province.
b.
Second, to the Samaritans
(they are not Jews, but Hybrid Jews, therefore Gentiles [but still Israelites]).
c.
Third, to all nations
[Gentiles] where the scattered children of the House of Israel are dwelling as
strangers.
3.
Jesus said to his
disciples to witness in Jerusalem first, and in Judea (the land where the House of
Judah was) and in Samaria and the uttermost part of the earth (where the lost
sheep of the House of Israel were).
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins
should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after
that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth.
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto YOU, and to
your CHILDREN, and to all that are AFAR OFF (Ephesians 2:13), even as MANY as
the Lord our God shall CALL.
4. In Acts, The gospel was preached:
1.
First, to the Jews
[the House of Judah] which are members of “All the House of Israel”. Acts 1-7
2.
Second, to the Samaritans.
Acts 8
3.
Third, to the Gentiles
[nations, non-Jews and non-Samaritans]. Acts 9-28
§ The Greeks, (Romans 1:16); Grecians [Hellenists]-
the Greek-speaking Israelites. (Acts 6:1; 9:29; 11:20)
§ The dispersed among the Gentiles [Greeks] (John 7:35)
B.
The Letter of
James, the Brother of Jesus
1.
James wrote to
these 12 tribes in dispersion (children of the House of Israel and also
from the House of Judah that were scattered in Gentile nations). Remember: not
all Israelites returned to Palestine. Even, not all Jews returned to Palestine.
Those who didn’t return were strangers among the nations. They were part of the
“twelve tribes in dispersion”.
James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the
twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
Before, I used to think that the letter of James is not applicable to
Gentiles because James (as I was taught) was writing to “JEWS” in the land of
Palestine. For many years I believed that. But in my deep examination of
Scriptures, I found out that that is not true. Why did I say that? Because…
2.
The Scripture verse
above clearly says, that James was NOT
writing to the Jews in the land BUT to the Israelites in
dispersion. (Although these Israelites in dispersion also included Jews or
Judahites). They were the 12 tribes that were scattered in the nations. People
who never ever returned to the land Palestine. They are the lost tribes – who
were considered “GENTILES”.
C.
The Mission of Paul
1. God saved and called Saul, who later became Paul to be
the minister to the uncircumcision or “the apostle of the Gentiles”.
Acts 9:15 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:
Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I
am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus
Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of
the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. (See
Isaiah 56:7)
I was taught that James wrote to the Jews,
but Paul wrote to the Gentiles. But is that accurate? Let us see.
2.
Here the Lord told Ananias, a disciple that
the man named Saul of Tarsus was his
chosen vessel to bear his name (Christ’s name Jesus) before the GENTILES [nations], and
kings [mostly non-Jews] and … “THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL”. What does “the children
of Israel” mean? First, it is a generic call of Israelites [both of the House
of Israel and the House of Judah]. But it is also used in particular for the
House of Israel only, such as in Hosea 1:10 and not the House of Judah, after
the division of the Kingdom of Israel.
3.
Paul the apostle wrote to these “children of
Israel” according to Peter.
Peter said: “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even
as our beloved brother PAUL also according to the wisdom given unto him hath WRITTEN
UNTO YOU; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in
which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and
unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own
destruction.” (2 Peter 3:15-16). Who were the recipients of Peter’s letter?
2 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write UNTO
YOU; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
1 Peter 1:1-2 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to THE
STRANGERS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and
Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through
sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of
Jesus Christ”
D.
The Recipients of The Letters of James, Peter
and Paul
1.
Peter wrote that 2nd epistle where
he mentioned Paul to the same recipients of his 1st letter. And his recipients were: THE ELECT –
STRANGERS SCATTERED [description of the Israelites in dispersion]. They were
scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. These
were foreign lands, lands of the enemies, where they were strangers. To these
people, Peter wrote. And according to him, even Paul wrote to these “children
of Israel”.
2. Paul
wrote to the people of one of these places, the Galatians.
Galatians 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by
man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
And all the brethren which are with me, unto THE CHURCHES OF GALATIA:
3.
These Galatians were “Israelites scattered
abroad”. They
were not Jews, but they were ISRAELITES. They were “Gauls”. They were Israelites
that settled in a place named after the Hebrew word “GALAH” which means
“exile”. They were also called GENTILES because they were swallowed among the
Gentiles.
4. James wrote to these “scattered tribes of Israel”. Peter
also wrote to these “scattered tribes of Israel”. Paul also wrote to these
“scattered tribes of Israel” under the name “Gentiles”.
5.
Paul said he was
the apostle of the Gentiles. It means Paul according to his definition of
the word Gentiles; he was the apostle of the “scattered tribes of Israel”.
I used to think, that Peter and James wrote to the “JEWS” while Paul as
the apostle of the Gentiles wrote to the “GENTILES”. But that is not what Scripture says.
6.
Yes, Peter was the
apostle of the circumcision [Jews/ the house of Judah] – people in the land. Paul on
the other side was the apostle of the uncircumcision [all the Gentiles
including the scattered Israelites/ the house of Israel – called as heathen or
Gentiles]. But Peter also wrote to these uncircumcision people. Peter and Paul
didn’t have different gospels as others teach. They both preached the gospel of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:7 -9 But contrariwise, when they saw that THE
GOSPEL OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION was committed unto me [PAUL], as THE GOSPEL
OF THE CIRCUMCISION was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter
to THE APOSTLESHIP OF THE CIRCUMCISION, the same was mighty in me TOWARD
THE GENTILES:) 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 [Paul and company] should go UNTO THE
HEATHEN [Gentiles], and they [Peter and company] UNTO THE CIRCUMCISION
[Jews].
7.
Peter and Paul had a partnership. Peter to preach to the circumcision (the
Israelites in the land, called Jews). Paul to preach to the uncircumcision (the
Israelites scattered abroad). What gospel did they both preach? The gospel of
the kingdom plus the gospel of God, which is about the death, burial and
resurrection of Christ.
Romans 1:
1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets
in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David
according to the flesh;
4 And declared
to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to
the faith among all nations, for his
name:
They had to go and preach the gospel to both Houses, water baptizing –
as identification with ancient Israel - the kingdom of priests, until the end
of the world [age].
E.
Peter’s ministry to
the Gentiles [Uncircumcision]
1.
Peter was sent by
God to preach to the Gentile Cornelius and his house. (Read Acts Chapter
10).
2. Cornelius, though a Roman was an “Israelite”.
Acts 10:34-36 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a
truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he
that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word
which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ:
(he is Lord of all:)
3. Only
with the Israelites (whether of the House of Judah or the Scattered House of
Israel) that God made his covenant.
4. And
he would “put fear in their hearts”, the same as Cornelius’ fear.
Jeremiah 32:40 And I will make an everlasting covenant
with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put
my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
F.
The Apostle of the
Gentiles
1.
Saul who later
became Paul was ordained and sent by God to become the apostle of the Gentiles (Acts 13:2; Romans
11:13). Peter and Paul preached the same gospel of the same Lord. But, yes,
Paul had received a “DISTINCTIVE” ministry from Christ. We will talk about that
later.
2.
Gentiles then believed the gospel (Acts 13:48) and were grafted to the One
Olive Tree (Romans 11:17). They were reconciled to God and to believing Jews.
They were joined together as ONE BODY (1 Corinthians 12:13). That’s the
fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy of two sticks that became one (Ezekiel
37:15-28) and of Jesus’ prophecy of the sheep becoming ONE FOLD (John 10:16).
3.
In
that ONE BODY, Covenant Body “There is neither
Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor
female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye
Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise”. (Galatians 3: 28-29)
4.
That
is the mystery spoken by Paul “which was kept secret since the world began”
(Romans 16:25, “which God ordained before the world” (1 Corinthians 2:7), “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:” (Romans 16:26).
5. I used to think that THE MYSTERY is in
contrast with PROPHECY: because it is that “which
God hath spoken by the mouth of all
his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). While THE MYSTERY is
that “which was kept secret, hidden, since the world began”. But I was wrong. They are not in contrast to
one another. The mystery spoken by Paul in Romans and Corinthians are mysteries
which were written in Scriptures of the prophets but were hidden. They were
there were not understood. Even the prophets “have inquired and searched
diligently” (1 Peter 1:10). This mystery is different from “THE MYSTERY OF
EPHESIANS AND COLOSSIANS”. (More of this
later).
6.
Paul taught that the mystery was hidden/ kept
secret and not revealed until the appointed time. But he didn’t say that it was not written or
prophesied by the prophets. Paul himself said that when he was witnessing, he
was “saying none other things than those WHICH THE PROPHETS AND MOSES
DID SAY should come” (Acts 26:22). Yes, the gospel that Paul preached was “not
after man” for he neither received it of man, neither was he taught it, but by
“THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.” (Galatians 1:11-12). He never learned that
from Peter or John, but he never preached something in contrast to Peter or
John or to the Scriptures of the prophets! He said that if anybody preaches
some gospel than what he preached must be accursed! (Galatians 1:8-9).
Therefore he and Peter could not preach different gospels or else one of them
would be accursed.
7.
What is the mystery which was kept
secret/hidden but now is revealed? Is it a mystery? Yes? Was it hidden and kept secret
since the world began? Yes? But now revealed to Paul and then God’s holy
apostles and prophets and his saints? Yes!
8.
Now, is this mystery spoken of WRITTEN in
PROPHECY? Yes!
This mystery is written in prophecy but its truth is not revealed to men until
the appointed time.
Habakkuk 2:2-3 And the LORD answered me, and
said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that
readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it
shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely
come, it will not tarry.
The vision/revelation/prophecy was written
plainly upon tables. But the vision is waiting for its fulfillment in God’s
appointed time. Yes, it is mystery, but it is written!
9.
The Lord Jesus
spoke to his disciples about the mystery: “Because it is GIVEN UNTO YOU to know
the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”
(Matthew 13:11)
Amos said: “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but HE REVEALETH his
secret UNTO HIS SERVANTS the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)
10. The
Lord Jesus told the Father:
“I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that THOU HAST HID these
things FROM THE WISE AND PRUDENT, and HAST REVEALED them UNTO BABES:
even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.” (Luke 10:21)
11. It
is also spoken by John the Apostle in Revelation 21:3:
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold,
the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall
be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” This is prophecy
fulfilled for Israel. Look at Revelation 7:9,10,15 “After this I beheld, and,
lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds,
and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed
with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice,
saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his
temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.”
12. This
great multitude – the multitude of nations (Genesis 48:19) were the children of
Israel. You may say: “No! Because the previous verses
already determine the number of Israelites – 144,000.” But the “GREAT
MULTITUDE” from the nations is “the Israelites” who are not numbered or counted
with the 144,000. They are “THE MULTITUDE OF NATIONS” prophesied to Ephraim.
13. The one who sits on the throne will dwell
among them. That is God “The King” with them. Therefore they have the
favour of God. They have God dwelling in and among them. That’s a mystery –
hidden – but now revealed.
14. These
were written, prophesied but remained mystery until the appointed time. Read Hosea Chapter 1.
G.
The Hope of Israel.
1.
Paul told the Jews
in Acts 28 that he was bound with chain “FOR THE HOPE OF ISRAEL” (Acts 28:20). What
is the hope of Israel?
Acts 24:14-15 But this I confess unto thee,
that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing
all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have HOPE
TOWARD GOD, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a
RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, both of the just and unjust.
Acts 26:6-8 And now I stand and am judged for
THE HOPE OF THE PROMISE made of God UNTO OUR FATHERS: Unto which promise our
TWELVE TRIBES, instantly serving God day and night, HOPE TO COME. For which
hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a
thing incredible with you, that GOD SHOULD RAISE THE DEAD?
2.
The HOPE OF ISRAEL
is “THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD” Promised by God to the Fathers, Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, which the twelve tribes of Israel hope to come.
3.
Paul was preaching
that hope of Israel. That was his message. What was that hope? It was written and
prophesied in Ezekiel. It was the hope of the resurrection from the dead OF
ISRAEL: Let’s read.
Ezekiel 37:9-14
9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy,
son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon
these slain, that they may live.
10 So I prophesied
as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up
upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
11 Then he said
unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold,
they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our
parts.
12 Therefore
prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I
will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring
you into the land of Israel.
13 And ye shall
know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and
brought you up out of your graves,
14 And shall put
my spirit in you, and ye shall live, AND I SHALL PLACE YOU IN YOUR OWN LAND:
then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the
LORD.
4.
This prophecy together with the prophecy of
the next verses of that chapter talks about “the resurrection from the dead”,
but not about “the resurrection of
the body”. It is
“the resurrection of the dead house of Israel.” Resurrection means they
will be “raised up again” or “stand again”. They will be revived again. They
will come back again. Restoration. God will place them in their own land. It is
not the literal and natural land of Palestine, but it is the spiritual kingdom
of Christ. That is their own land wherever they are in the world. These verses
together with all the verses of this chapter are about the return of the
scattered Israelites to the ONE FOLD, ONE KINGDOM, and ONE FAMILY. And this
hope of resurrection or restoration of Israel to glory was the message that
Paul, Peter, John, James and servants of God were writing and preaching in
their ministries.
5.
That is the mystery prophesied and written
but hidden and kept secret until the appointed time of fulfillment. And that was fulfilled in Paul’s day. The
scattered tribes are now back in the fold, in the household, under the new
name, Christians or in Christ.
H.
The Rebuilding of
the Tabernacle
1.
In Acts 15, the
apostles acknowledged the fulfillment of the prophecy of Amos regarding the
“rebuilding” of the tabernacle of David. That is connected with the conversion and
return of the Gentiles – the lost sheep of the House of Israel to God.
2. The tabernacle of David – did have a spiritual
fulfillment, the joining together of the remnant of the House of Judah and the
House of Israel as One House – the House of God, the Church.
Amos 9:11 In that day will I raise up the
tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I
will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
3. And this fulfillment is spiritual.
Acts 15:
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:
4.
Who are these Gentiles who turned unto God
upon whom God’s name is called and out of them God will take a people for his
name? Out of the Gentiles?
Isaiah 45:4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel
mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed
thee, though thou hast not known me.
Isaiah 43:7 Even every one that is called by my
name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have
made him.
5.
Who are these “everyone” called by God’s
name? They
are the children of Israel, scattered to the nations of the earth.
Isaiah 43: 6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the
south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of
the earth;
6.
These scattered children of Israel are those
Gentiles (nations) upon whom God’s name is called, who are now turned to God. And out of them (these Gentiles, these
scattered children of Israel) God will according to James, take out a people
for his name. Jesus said to the “unbelieving” nations of Jews:
Matthew 21:43 “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of
God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.”
7.
The kingdom of God would be taken from the
unbelieving “Jewish” nation and be given to “A NATION” bringing forth the
fruits of the kingdom.
What is that nation?
8.
Peter can give us enlightenment about this: Talking to “the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia,
Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according
to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit,
unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:1,2),
Peter tells them, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation,
a peculiar people; that ye should
shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his
marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the
people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (1
Peter 2:9,10)
9.
These people were the scattered people of
Israel among the Gentiles that God called out of darkness into his marvelous
light. These
people are called “The Church [Assembly] of God, the Church [Assembly] of [that
belongs to] Christ [the Anointed One].
10. The scattered children of the House of Israel, under the
name “Gentiles” or nations were converted to God, through his Son Jesus Christ,
Israel’s Messiah. They became again the people of God. (Thus, they were “born
again”).
I.
“Mission
Accomplished!”
1.
The Acts period was
a period of massive evangelization of the world. Peter and company
ministered to the Jews – Judaeans, Galileans, those in the land of Palestine.
Paul and his team ministered to the non-Jews, which are called Greeks – which
means Greek-speaking Israelites [scattered people in Greek speaking nations] –
and Gentiles – which means nations. We can see that in his missionary journeys.
2. Paul declared that he is “the Apostle of the gentiles,
the nations” (Romans 11”13).
Who are the
Gentiles?
1.
Nations, peoples which are non-Hebrew or non-Israelites.
Exodus 9:24, 34:10. The heathen, idolatrous. Leviticus 18:24,28.
2.
Nations, peoples which are non-Jews but are Israelites.
It means they are not from House of Judah (Jews) which are in the land of Judea,
but they are the Israelites (10 tribes) exiled among the nations around
Palestine. Called also as “Greeks” [Hellen], “Scythians”.
3.
So Paul was writing
first of all to Gentiles
which are the children of Israel. Then next to all the non-Israelite Gentiles. We will
talk about that later. But let us focus first on the “Israelite-gentiles” or
Gentiles who were once “Covenant people of God”.
4.
Peter was also an
apostle. But he agreed upon an agreement with Paul that he would confine himself
in preaching only to the Jews of the land. So he focused on his ministry and
let Paul and his team does the job of evangelizing the scattered Israelites.
But he also wrote letters to the people scattered abroad, like what James did.
5.
Can you notice in
the Book of Acts, since Acts Chapter 15 that you can no more see Peter on the scene?
Since
Acts 13 Paul is the leading role. Why were Peter, John and the other apostles
no more seen in the book of Acts since Acts 15? Did they resign from their job
as apostles and left all the missionary work to Paul and his team? I don’t
think so. The Bible is silent about that. We can find no records in the
Scriptures about their whereabouts before and after the close of the Book of
Acts. But do you wonder? Are you asking the same question: Where did they go?
6.
The Scriptures are
silent. But if we want to know, we can have used other sources of information
which are authentic, such as Church history and other history which can give us
information about that.
I was taught to
believe that because Paul and Peter did have an agreement of their assignments,
Peter to the Circumcision, and Paul to the Uncircumcision, Peter and the
apostles did not get out of Palestine to preach the gospel but rather remained
in the land. One reason is because of the dispensation of the grace of God
committed to Paul, which according to dispies is a “parenthesis”, an
interruption by God to create an unprophesied body of believers called the body
of Christ. They say that God interrupted the prophetic program and sent Paul
rather than Peter and the apostles to continue the preaching to “all nations”
(Matthew 28:19).
7.
It is very clear
that the Lord commissioned Peter and the apostles to “go and make disciples of
all nations” and to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature” and not only that but they were “endued with power from on high” (Luke
24:49) to witness for Christ to the “uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
8. Remember Jesus’ commission to them in Matthew 10?
Matthew 10: 5-6 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and
commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city
of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
And in Matthew 28: 19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach
[disciple] all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world. Amen.”
9.
If they would only
confine themselves to the ministry of preaching to the Jews in the land, they
were disobedient servants. It means they did not accomplish the mission. But they
did.
10.
Their mission was:
to preach the gospel to “THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL”, that’s why
they must go into “ALL THE WORLD” and make disciples of “ALL NATIONS”. How could they
minister to the lost sheep “scattered abroad throughout” the nations if they
would remain in Judea?
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere,
the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
11. Yes,
they [the apostles] went forth and preached everywhere [all the world]. They went to the places where the scattered
children of Israel were dwelling. They continued their mission. They began in
Jerusalem and ended in “the uttermost part of the earth”.
12. Even
Paul was to go to the lost sheep of Israel. About Paul the Lord told a disciple named
Ananias: “Go thy way: for he [Paul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear
my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15)
13. Paul’s
mission was to go to “THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL” scattered abroad. That’s why he said that he would go to Spain
(Romans 15:24,28). And Paul wrote to “the strangers scattered abroad” according
to Peter (2 Peter 3:15-16). What is that letter? I believe it is the letter to
the Hebrews. These Hebrews were not in
Judea. They were the Israelites scattered abroad. And one of them is the letter
to the Galatians.
14. The
Lord is sure in everything that he commands. They are commands from the King and must be
accomplished. I believe the apostles finished their assignments.
-
To
be continued –
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