Back to the topic at hand....its so interesting how the FOCUS is always shifted from what the scriptures DO say about the TOPIC and go off into neverland....LOL
I want you to look what is BEING preached as we compare a few verses:
Lets compare what was being preached in the KINGDOM program here..
Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Peter preached WORKS associated with their faith: if works werent there, they werent accepted.)
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Now, lets COMPARE and see if the same thing is being preached by Paul:
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Now lets be honest here. This is definitely NOT the same thing, in fact, its exactly the OPPOSITE! Do you see it?)
Heres another stark CONTRAST..taken from the KINGDOM gospel:
Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Note the "if". Israels program was ALWAYS conditional on what they DID.)
Now lets contrast that with the information given to Paul for US in this present program:
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Heres another from the Kingdom program:
Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Compare that with THIS. Paul is the ONLY one who told anyone that we are FREE from the law due to our identification with the RISEN Christ. Peter couldnt tell anyone this because the program and message he preached WAS the law. The earthly Jesus was BORN under the law and taught the law, as well as having been the ONLY One to FULFIL the law.
Romans 7:6 But now (a phrase used by Paul to signify a change in program HAS occurred) we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
If there was no law to be delivered FROM (ie: in the FORMER program), why would Paul make an issue of "BUT NOW"....????? Do you SEE that they WERE indeed under the law with the preaching of Peter and the twelve and the earthly Jesus???