BACK TO JESUS – ON TO PERFECTION
Most Christians seem to prefer a Red Lettered New Testament. In the Red Lettered New Testament the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, spoken while He was on earth, are printed in red ink.
It is true that Jesus of Nazareth spake as never man spake. John 7:46. “They wondered at the gracious words that pro ceeded out of His mouth.” But Christians should ever remember that “all Scrip ture is God-breathed”, from Genesis to Revelation.
Some years after Jesus of Nazareth had closed His earthly ministry and gone back to heaven Paul wrote these words, in II Corinthians 13:3,—“since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me.” Then concerning the gospel which he preached, Paul said, “for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:12.
Again Paul said:
“AND I THANK CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD, WHO HATH ENABLED ME, FOR THAT HE COUNTED ME FAITHFUL, PUTTING ME INTO THE MINISTRY.” I Timothy 1:12.
Concerning his knowledge of Divine truth Paul said concerning himself: “How that he was caught up into para dise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to ut ter.” II Corinthians 12:4. Note several other statements from the pen of Paul.
“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” II Cor inthians 4:5.
“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.” I Timothy 1:16.
“Whereby, when ye read, ye may un derstand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” Ephesians 3:4.
“That I should be the minister to the Gentiles.” Romans 15:16.
Note Hebrews 1:1 and 2: “God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath ap pointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds:”
Here we learn that from Moses, the human author of Genesis, to Malachi, the human author of the last inspired Book of the Old Testament, God spake in divers manners unto the fathers by the prophets. This covers the thirty-nine Books, from Genesis to Malachi.
Then follow Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the inspired writings, in which we find recorded the sayings and doings of the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, the Son of God. God truly spake in His Son. The Lord Jesus made a wonderful statement to His apostles
“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. How beit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will shew you things to come.” John 16:12 to 14.
So after the death of the Son of God on the cross, God continued to speak in divers manners. The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, and controlled by the Holy Spirit, they spoke and wrote messages that were God-breathed. Then followed revelations from Christ, in heaven, to the Apostle Paul, and the great unveiling of Christ given to the Apostle John, on the Isle of Patmos. So God did not cease to speak to His people when He ceased to speak in His Son on earth. Christ spoke in and by the Apostle Paul. Christ, on earth, was the Minister to the Jews. Romans 15:8. Later on the same Christ in heaven put Paul in the minis try to Gentiles.
Obedient children of God, who are spiritual and intelligent students of the Scriptures, will obey the command of Paul, in I Corinthians 11:1. There Paul writes, “follow me as I follow Christ.” They will believe what Paul has written, in Colossians 1:25 and 26:
“Whereof I am made a minister accord ing to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil (complete) the Word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from genera tions, but now is made manifest to His saints.”
Believing this statement, they will know that the risen Christ gave to Paul a message, a ministry, and a spiritual program, that, in many respects, super seded the commands, the commissions, and the doctrines which He, as Jesus of Nazareth, on earth, gave His disciples for their obedience and practice.
Note Galatians 5:1—“Stand fast there fore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us, free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
It would be impossible for a member of the Body of Christ to obey this com mand, and at the same time attempt to obey some of the commands which Jesus of Nazareth gave while He was on earth. We see this the very moment we compare Galatians 5:1 with Matthew 23:1 and 2:
“Then spake Jesus, to the multitude, and to His disciples, Saying, the scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.”
Now let us note Paul’s instructions, in II Timothy 2:2 and in I Corinthians 3:10
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”
In I Timothy 1:16 we learned that Paul presented himself as a pattern. In I Cor inthians 11:1 he said, “follow me as I follow Christ.” Now we read that Paul presents himself as a wise masterbuilder.
Paul was a pattern, an example, and a wise masterbuilder. Paul told Timothy to teach others what Paul had taught him.
Paul was not only a masterbuilder, but he was a master teacher, because he was the Master’s inspired teacher. Christ spoke in Paul to complete the Word of God. Let us compare several statements which speak of the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the “Acts” ministry of the Twelve, with some of the commissions and revelations which He later gave to Paul.
“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” Romans 15:8.
“But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24.
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Galatians 4:4.
“These Twelve Jesus sent forth, and com manded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samari tans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:5 to 8.
“And Jesus said unto him, This day is sal vation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.” Luke 19:9.
“Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.” Acts 3:25.
“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repent ance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:30 and 31.
“And he said unto them, Ye know that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of an other nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or un clean.” Acts 10:28.
“Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word to none but unto the Jews only.” Acts 11:19.
Paul was the chosen vessel of Christ, sent to the Gentiles with a new message and ministry.
“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.” Romans 11:13.
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” II Timothy 1:9 and 11.
“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward” Ephesians 3:1 and 2.
“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.” Ephesians 2:13.
“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.” Romans 11:11.
“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:8.
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27.
“That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same (Joint) Body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel.” Ephe sians 3:6.
“Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preach ing might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” II Timothy 4:17.
Jesus Christ and His twelve apostles were ministers to the children of Abra ham, the children of the covenant, and not to the Gentiles.
Have you carefully observed the con trast? Jesus Christ, on earth, was a Minister of the circumcision. Then note Galatians 2:8: “For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.” The twelve apostles were ministers of the circum cision and to the circumcision. Note one difference between the ministry of Peter and that of Paul. “But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the un circumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter.” Galatians 2:7.
Jesus of Nazareth, on earth, was Israel’s Messiah and King. During the several years that He was on earth He preached in the land of the Jews. Acts 10:39. He was a Jew. He was under the law. He was a circumcised Minister to circumcised Jews. At the time Jesus of Nazareth was circumcised His mother, according to the law, brought for sacri fice, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Luke 2:24.
Consider this prayerfully. And then remember, in Luke 22:15, about thirty -three years later, we learn that one of the last Israelitish ceremonies, observed by Jesus of Nazareth, was “the Passover”.
Here are three facts to get fixed in our minds and hearts to help us to go on to perfection, in obedience to Hebrews 6:1, rather than to heed the foolish slogan repeatedly heard in religious circles, “back to Jesus.” Now for the three facts
1—So far as the written Records are concerned, in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the only Gentile man to whom Christ ministered, while He was on earth, was a centurion who loved the Jews and built them a synagogue. Luke 7:1 to 6. Jesus called the one Gentile woman to whom He ministered, “a dog”. Matthew 15:22 to 27.
2—During the earthly ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, when He was under the law, a Minister of the circumcision, when He recognized those who sat in Moses’ seat, He did not tell the Jewish priests to discontinue the sacrifice of animals.
3—Any Gentile who might have been saved while Jesus Christ was on earth, sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, would have become an Old Testament Jew (proselyte), and he would not have been baptized into the Body of Christ by one Spirit. (I Corinthians 12:13.)
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Most Christians seem to prefer a Red Lettered New Testament. In the Red Lettered New Testament the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, spoken while He was on earth, are printed in red ink.
It is true that Jesus of Nazareth spake as never man spake. John 7:46. “They wondered at the gracious words that pro ceeded out of His mouth.” But Christians should ever remember that “all Scrip ture is God-breathed”, from Genesis to Revelation.
Some years after Jesus of Nazareth had closed His earthly ministry and gone back to heaven Paul wrote these words, in II Corinthians 13:3,—“since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me.” Then concerning the gospel which he preached, Paul said, “for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:12.
Again Paul said:
“AND I THANK CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD, WHO HATH ENABLED ME, FOR THAT HE COUNTED ME FAITHFUL, PUTTING ME INTO THE MINISTRY.” I Timothy 1:12.
Concerning his knowledge of Divine truth Paul said concerning himself: “How that he was caught up into para dise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to ut ter.” II Corinthians 12:4. Note several other statements from the pen of Paul.
“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” II Cor inthians 4:5.
“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.” I Timothy 1:16.
“Whereby, when ye read, ye may un derstand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” Ephesians 3:4.
“That I should be the minister to the Gentiles.” Romans 15:16.
Note Hebrews 1:1 and 2: “God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath ap pointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds:”
Here we learn that from Moses, the human author of Genesis, to Malachi, the human author of the last inspired Book of the Old Testament, God spake in divers manners unto the fathers by the prophets. This covers the thirty-nine Books, from Genesis to Malachi.
Then follow Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the inspired writings, in which we find recorded the sayings and doings of the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, the Son of God. God truly spake in His Son. The Lord Jesus made a wonderful statement to His apostles
“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. How beit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will shew you things to come.” John 16:12 to 14.
So after the death of the Son of God on the cross, God continued to speak in divers manners. The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, and controlled by the Holy Spirit, they spoke and wrote messages that were God-breathed. Then followed revelations from Christ, in heaven, to the Apostle Paul, and the great unveiling of Christ given to the Apostle John, on the Isle of Patmos. So God did not cease to speak to His people when He ceased to speak in His Son on earth. Christ spoke in and by the Apostle Paul. Christ, on earth, was the Minister to the Jews. Romans 15:8. Later on the same Christ in heaven put Paul in the minis try to Gentiles.
Obedient children of God, who are spiritual and intelligent students of the Scriptures, will obey the command of Paul, in I Corinthians 11:1. There Paul writes, “follow me as I follow Christ.” They will believe what Paul has written, in Colossians 1:25 and 26:
“Whereof I am made a minister accord ing to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil (complete) the Word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from genera tions, but now is made manifest to His saints.”
Believing this statement, they will know that the risen Christ gave to Paul a message, a ministry, and a spiritual program, that, in many respects, super seded the commands, the commissions, and the doctrines which He, as Jesus of Nazareth, on earth, gave His disciples for their obedience and practice.
Note Galatians 5:1—“Stand fast there fore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us, free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
It would be impossible for a member of the Body of Christ to obey this com mand, and at the same time attempt to obey some of the commands which Jesus of Nazareth gave while He was on earth. We see this the very moment we compare Galatians 5:1 with Matthew 23:1 and 2:
“Then spake Jesus, to the multitude, and to His disciples, Saying, the scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.”
Now let us note Paul’s instructions, in II Timothy 2:2 and in I Corinthians 3:10
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”
In I Timothy 1:16 we learned that Paul presented himself as a pattern. In I Cor inthians 11:1 he said, “follow me as I follow Christ.” Now we read that Paul presents himself as a wise masterbuilder.
Paul was a pattern, an example, and a wise masterbuilder. Paul told Timothy to teach others what Paul had taught him.
Paul was not only a masterbuilder, but he was a master teacher, because he was the Master’s inspired teacher. Christ spoke in Paul to complete the Word of God. Let us compare several statements which speak of the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the “Acts” ministry of the Twelve, with some of the commissions and revelations which He later gave to Paul.
“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” Romans 15:8.
“But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24.
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Galatians 4:4.
“These Twelve Jesus sent forth, and com manded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samari tans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:5 to 8.
“And Jesus said unto him, This day is sal vation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.” Luke 19:9.
“Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.” Acts 3:25.
“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repent ance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:30 and 31.
“And he said unto them, Ye know that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of an other nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or un clean.” Acts 10:28.
“Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word to none but unto the Jews only.” Acts 11:19.
Paul was the chosen vessel of Christ, sent to the Gentiles with a new message and ministry.
“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.” Romans 11:13.
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” II Timothy 1:9 and 11.
“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward” Ephesians 3:1 and 2.
“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.” Ephesians 2:13.
“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.” Romans 11:11.
“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:8.
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27.
“That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same (Joint) Body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel.” Ephe sians 3:6.
“Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preach ing might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” II Timothy 4:17.
Jesus Christ and His twelve apostles were ministers to the children of Abra ham, the children of the covenant, and not to the Gentiles.
Have you carefully observed the con trast? Jesus Christ, on earth, was a Minister of the circumcision. Then note Galatians 2:8: “For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.” The twelve apostles were ministers of the circum cision and to the circumcision. Note one difference between the ministry of Peter and that of Paul. “But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the un circumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter.” Galatians 2:7.
Jesus of Nazareth, on earth, was Israel’s Messiah and King. During the several years that He was on earth He preached in the land of the Jews. Acts 10:39. He was a Jew. He was under the law. He was a circumcised Minister to circumcised Jews. At the time Jesus of Nazareth was circumcised His mother, according to the law, brought for sacri fice, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Luke 2:24.
Consider this prayerfully. And then remember, in Luke 22:15, about thirty -three years later, we learn that one of the last Israelitish ceremonies, observed by Jesus of Nazareth, was “the Passover”.
Here are three facts to get fixed in our minds and hearts to help us to go on to perfection, in obedience to Hebrews 6:1, rather than to heed the foolish slogan repeatedly heard in religious circles, “back to Jesus.” Now for the three facts
1—So far as the written Records are concerned, in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the only Gentile man to whom Christ ministered, while He was on earth, was a centurion who loved the Jews and built them a synagogue. Luke 7:1 to 6. Jesus called the one Gentile woman to whom He ministered, “a dog”. Matthew 15:22 to 27.
2—During the earthly ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, when He was under the law, a Minister of the circumcision, when He recognized those who sat in Moses’ seat, He did not tell the Jewish priests to discontinue the sacrifice of animals.
3—Any Gentile who might have been saved while Jesus Christ was on earth, sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, would have become an Old Testament Jew (proselyte), and he would not have been baptized into the Body of Christ by one Spirit. (I Corinthians 12:13.)
(continued ...)
