SOMETHING OF PROGRESSIVE REVELATION By J. C. O'Hair

In this lesson we have something of progressive revelation, a comparative study of Matthew, I Corinthians and Ephesians.

In Matthew we do not find the word “grace,” in Christ’s message to sinners, even one time, although there was surely grace in the invitation in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto Me and I will give you rest.” But He was not inviting the alienated Gentiles. (Ephesians 2:11 and 12 - Matthew 15:24 - Matthew 10:5). Christ was sent to Israel, the children; not to Gentiles, the dogs. (Matthew 15:24 to 28).

Whatever grace the Lord Jesus Christ preached on earth, He preached it under the reign of law, for He said that He did not come to destroy the law. (Galatians 4:4 and Matthew 5:17). Read Matthew 23:1 to 3 - 8:4 - and Luke 4:16.

In preaching the Golden Rule, (Matthew 7:12), Christ said, “This is the law.” And most assuredly when He preached, “you forgive, and God will forgive ,” “you forgive not and God will forgive not” (Matthew 6:14 and 15), Christ was not preaching the grace of Ephesians 4:32: “And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Read also Colossians 2:13 and Acts 13:39. Christ recognized the seat of Moses before He went to Calvary to abolish the law (Matthew 23:1 to 3 - Colossians 2:14 to 16 - II Corinthians 3:9 to 17). Christ instructed His people to obey the law of Moses (Matthew 8:4).

While Jesus Christ was in the midst of Israel, under the law, (Acts 2:22 - Acts 13:23), “the meats and drinks and carnal ordinances and divers baptisms” of Hebrews 9:10 were binding on Israel. While Christ was on earth, with the exception of one Roman man and one Greek woman (Luke 7:1 to 12 and Mark 7:25 to 31), He was not talking to Gentiles.

Certainly Christ did not teach on earth that saved Jews and saved Gentiles were all one in Christ Jesus, and all baptized by one Spirit into one Body (Galatians 3:26 to 28 - I Corinthians 12:13). While Christ was on earth no believer was in the Body of I Corinthians 12:13 and the Joint-Body of Ephesians 3:6. While Christ was on earth He recognized the believing and the unbelieving Jews as “the children of the kingdom.” (Matthew 8:12). It was to them He was sent (Acts 5:29 to 32 - Matthew 15:24 - Acts 13:23 - Romans 15:8). Christ came unto His own - His own received Him not. (John 1:11). When Israel rejected Christ in resurrection God ushered in a new dispensation and a new “grace” program.

The Epistle to the Ephesians has six rather short chapters whereas Matthew has twenty-eight. The word “grace” is found twelve times in Ephesians. The clear salvation “grace” message is recorded in Ephesians 2:8 to 10. In the light of this, “by grace are ye saved through faith, not of yourselves, not of works,” we know that we are not to preach to the unsaved in this economy and age of grace, “keep the commandments - sell your property” or “he that endureth unto the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 19:16 to 22 - Matthew 24:13 and 14). Christ lived on earth under the law. We are under grace. (Galatians 4:4 - Romans 6:14).

In Matthew we have God’s spiritual “religious” program before Israel was set aside, before Jews and Gentiles were in the JointBody of Ephesians 3:6.

In Corinthians we have God’s spiritual “sign” program for the members of the Body of Christ. (I Corinthians 12:8 to 13 and 28).

The Epistle to the Corinthians was written before the close of the period covered by the Book of Acts, a transition period when the children “Israel” were first being filled (Mark 7:27) and then were cast out. (Matthew 8:12 - Romans 11:15 - Acts 28:25 to 28 - Romans 11:11).

If any servant of Christ had preached, while Christ was on earth, the messages of Colossians 2:11 to 16 or Galatians 6:15 or Ephesians 2:13 to 19, the Lord would have severely rebuked that “premature” messenger.

 How God Saves Men

Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.

Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.

Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4

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