#whichgospel

We’re looking at the word gospel and how it’s used throughout scripture, trying to figure out if the meaning changes, if there are qualifiers within the text to help decipher which gospel is being taught, along with who is teaching and who is listening.  Our study today is on Peter’s use of the word.

Peter is an interesting subject to test our knowledge of right division.  We all know he was the leader of the twelve apostles.  We also know that he took the initiative at Pentecost when he stood up and quoted the prophet Joel, proclaiming that the filling of the Holy Spirit was a sure sign they were living in the last days, (Acts 2:22-40).  A lot happened between Pentecost and Peter’s first letter to the scattered strangers, namely a new gospel, the revelation of the mystery given to Paul.   But do we see the reflection of such a transition in Peter’s letters?  Or does Peter continue to preach the same gospel throughout his ministry?

Peter uses the term gospel four times, two in chapter 1 and two in chapter 4 of his first epistle.  The context of the entire letter is end time judgment and waiting for the fulfillment of  prophecy.   Four times throughout this first letter Peter cautions his readers about the end and twice he mentions that they are in the last times (or last days).  Peter has not changed his message since the day of Pentecost.  He’s still readying his fellow Jews for what’s next on their prophetic calendar.

1 Peter 1:1-12.  The preceding verses refer back to the prophets, what was given them to write down, and what they searched out as they did not always know what God was revealing to them.

1 Peter 1:20-25.  Backing up to verse 20, Peter is reminding his readers about what happened to Jesus, being slain as their sacrificial Lamb, but that he rose again proving he was the Christ fulfilling the law and prophecy.

1 Peter 4:1-6.  The reason this gospel is being preached, Peter says, is because the end of all things is at hand (vs 7).  There is a certain urgency in his voice.  

1 Peter 4:17. Peter is reminding the little flock that judgment begins with the house of God.  This is not a surprise to Israel.  It has been prophesied that they must go through a cleansing.  The tribulation period is that cleansing. 

Peter’s narrative hasn't changed.  He’s still preaching the gospel of the kingdom with urgency.

As stated in a previous post, some people believe Paul wrote Hebrews.  I’m not dogmatic about that, but I side with those who doubt it since he doesn't introduced himself to his readers as in his other letters.  Also, if it was Paul, he would be going against his own strong advice of not preaching a gospel contrary to the one that had been give him concerning the revelation of the mystery of Christ, (Rom 16:17).

Hebrews contains the doctrine for the remnant of Israel, the little flock – those that believed Jesus was the Messiah, who are waiting for their promised kingdom to come, expecting to go through severe persecution foretold in Daniel 9.  Hebrews is full of verses that speak of  future salvation after enduring to the end, accompanied with faith and works. Reading through Hebrews, if not careful to divide correctly, will lead you back to a works-based system where the possibility of losing your salvation is a constant threat.  This will be true for end-time Israel during the tribulation period.  They will be totally dependent upon the Lord alone to save them by his promise of the New Covenant spoken by the prophets (Jer. 31:31, Heb 8:8, Heb 8:13 and Heb 12:24).   We don’t fear such loss because, in this dispensation, we are complete in Christ, understanding that his work is our righteousness (Col 2:10, 2 Cor 5:21).

The context of Hebrews 4:1-3 with the word gospel included goes back 35 verses (3:1-4:16), warnings Israel to keep the faith, do the work, and endure to the end so that they can finally enter into the rest that was promised ages ago.

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Do you fear losing your salvation? We have peace with God Rom 5:1. Was a promise left us that has not already been fulfilled? All the promises of God are yes in Christ!  2 Cor 1:20 Does the word that you know to be true today leave you without profit?  The Spirit is given to every man to profit them. 1 Cor 12:7 Do you work for your salvation? It’s free by God’s grace!  Eph 2:8-9

Luke uses the word gospel 4 times.

The context of Luke 7:19-23 is the same as Matt 11:1-6 where John is questioning Jesus as to whether or not he’s the prophesied Messiah.  Jesus’ reply is: Look at the signs, John!  Remember Jews required a sign, (1 Cor 1:22) and he came to confirm the promises made unto the fathers, (Rom 15:8).

The context of  Luke 9:1-6  is where Jesus is prepping his disciples for the work of the gospel.  There are a few gospel qualifiers in this passage.  See if you can pick them out.

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

Up until now, Jesus was the only one doing the healing, but here, Jesus gives this power to the disciples!  They were preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.  Remember this is the promised kingdom that goes way back to the Abrahamic covenant.  If people would not believe this gospel there was a testimony against them!  Is there any mention of grace without works here? Jesus had not died and risen yet, so it’s obvious this gospel was not about the finished work on the cross.  

The context of Luke 20:1-8 is where Jesus is in the temple and the chief priests and scribes are trying to trap him with his own words.  They are asking by what authority does he speak?  Jesus turns the conversation back on them and they’re stumped, of course.

The context of Luke 4:17-19 is early in Jesus’ ministry.  He’s in his hometown of Nazareth.  He stands up in the temple to read from the prophet Isaiah 61:1-2

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,…”  

Jesus stopped at a comma in the middle of verse 2.  Who does that?  Had he read on, the Jews would have heard: “…and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.”

This was not a dramatic pause, but an intentional omission.  Isaiah 61 is a prophecy about the kingdom that will come. He knew that Israel would not accept him, at that time, as their king and that the kingdom was going to be postponed, so he closed the book at just the right time and sat down.  What he had read that day, was fulfilled as he said, saving the proceeding verses for a future time, yet to be fulfilled.

Our 20/20 vision allows us to see that that comma in verse 2 of Isaiah is the graciously instituted dispensation of the grace of God for us today!  Jesus divided the time rightly, proclaiming the acceptable year of the LORD that day. He preach the coming kingdom to the poor, brokenhearted, and sick that day. But, the days of vengeance and the restoration of Israel would not be fulfilled that day, or any day soon after, so there was no need to read on in the text of Isaiah.  What was read was fulfilled, what was not read is yet to be fulfilled.

Are you starting to see how important rightly dividing the word of truth is?