Missing Gospel in MMLJ and Acts 2
Click the link above to listen
Many people cringe at the thought of someone saying that there are books, especially in the N.T., that are not applicable to the body of Christ today. This short lesson is done in hope to show that even in books such as the 4 gospels and early Acts do not contain the "right" information necessary for an individual to be saved today. As a matter of fact, they do not even contain the purpose of Jesus' death and ressurection. Take a listen.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Friday, October 31, 2014
When are we Saved, Forgiven, and Justified before God?
At what point are our sins forgiven? You are forgiven at the point in which you are justified.
When is one justified?
Let's see:
Ephesians 1:13-14
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye BELIEVED, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Romans 3:25-26
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which BELIEVETH in Jesus.
Romans 4:5-8
But to him that worketh not, but Believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Romans 4:16-25
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we BELIEVE on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
We are justifed, forgiven and made righteous before God, in Christ, at the point we believe what God has done for us by way of Christ's death for our sin and ressurection for our justification. No confession, no pleading, just simply in trust, believing what Christ has accomplished.
What about baptism? Well we MUST BE BAPTIZED; understanding that it's Not water submersion, but rather an operation of God.
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Romans 6:3-4
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Galatians 3:27-28
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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.
God's wrath against sin was completely satisfied by Christ's death. By believing in Jesus Christ and his finished work by death and the ressurection, we are placed into Christ (baptism) by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we are saved, forgiven, and Justified before God if we are in Christ.
Will you believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ today?
When is one justified?
Let's see:
Ephesians 1:13-14
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye BELIEVED, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Romans 3:25-26
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which BELIEVETH in Jesus.
Romans 4:5-8
But to him that worketh not, but Believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Romans 4:16-25
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we BELIEVE on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
We are justifed, forgiven and made righteous before God, in Christ, at the point we believe what God has done for us by way of Christ's death for our sin and ressurection for our justification. No confession, no pleading, just simply in trust, believing what Christ has accomplished.
What about baptism? Well we MUST BE BAPTIZED; understanding that it's Not water submersion, but rather an operation of God.
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Romans 6:3-4
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Galatians 3:27-28
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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.
God's wrath against sin was completely satisfied by Christ's death. By believing in Jesus Christ and his finished work by death and the ressurection, we are placed into Christ (baptism) by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we are saved, forgiven, and Justified before God if we are in Christ.
Will you believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ today?
Saved, yet denying your forgiveness? How does that work?
Question....
If you are forgiven, can you be unforgiven?
Not understanding Christ's work on the cross is very evident in CHRISTIAN CULTURE today.
The moment you are saved, you are forgiven and atoned for. Meaning, you are no longer in a position to seek God's forgiveness, but by understanding your position in Christ, you know that what Christ accomplished is not for one sin- but ALL SIN.
2 Corinthians 5:19
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
God is not imputing sin to our account today. You are not being charged with your past failures, nor your sins today. Rather, you are exhorted to walk out the new life you have been given in Christ.
In fact... you are dead.....
Galatians 2:20-21
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Your righteousness is not a product or your goodness, but rather Christ's justification by His Ressurection.
Romans 6:3-4
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Not water-resistant 1 Cor. 12 : 13)
See Romans 4:25
People honestly are ignorant of the new position they have once they have trusted the gospel.
This mistake comes from the inability to rightly divide our bibles.
John, being one of the 12 apostles, was not in a position to say, "I am Forgiven." (1John 1:9)
He, along with all the rest of the remnant of Israel were anticipating the forgiveness that was to come.
Peter preached that Israel would be forgiven when?
Acts 3:19-21
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
This is why confusion about salvation runs rampant from pulpits of every denomination today. There are books in your bible that you can "learn" from, but that does not mean they are for your participation.
Early Acts is not the beginning of the Body of Christ, it is the fulfillment of prophecy. Read Peter's sermon in Acts 2. Go and see what message was preached. You know what you won't find? You won't find the Gospel of the cross there. You will not hear Peter say, "hey guys. .. Jesus died for your sins. And his resurrection. .. that was for our justification."
Opposite of Paul’s gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
Nope. You will see Peter preach a murder indictment towards Israel. Then you will see Peter continuing the gospel of the kingdom message (Which is found in M,M, L &J) Which doesn't contain the information OF WHY Christ died Or ressurected.
Unless you understand that Paul was given further revelation from Christ, you will not be able to make sense of scriptures that obviously contradict one another, especially if not rightly divided.
If you are forgiven, can you be unforgiven?
Not understanding Christ's work on the cross is very evident in CHRISTIAN CULTURE today.
The moment you are saved, you are forgiven and atoned for. Meaning, you are no longer in a position to seek God's forgiveness, but by understanding your position in Christ, you know that what Christ accomplished is not for one sin- but ALL SIN.
2 Corinthians 5:19
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
God is not imputing sin to our account today. You are not being charged with your past failures, nor your sins today. Rather, you are exhorted to walk out the new life you have been given in Christ.
In fact... you are dead.....
Galatians 2:20-21
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Your righteousness is not a product or your goodness, but rather Christ's justification by His Ressurection.
Romans 6:3-4
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Not water-resistant 1 Cor. 12 : 13)
See Romans 4:25
People honestly are ignorant of the new position they have once they have trusted the gospel.
This mistake comes from the inability to rightly divide our bibles.
John, being one of the 12 apostles, was not in a position to say, "I am Forgiven." (1John 1:9)
He, along with all the rest of the remnant of Israel were anticipating the forgiveness that was to come.
Peter preached that Israel would be forgiven when?
Acts 3:19-21
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
This is why confusion about salvation runs rampant from pulpits of every denomination today. There are books in your bible that you can "learn" from, but that does not mean they are for your participation.
Early Acts is not the beginning of the Body of Christ, it is the fulfillment of prophecy. Read Peter's sermon in Acts 2. Go and see what message was preached. You know what you won't find? You won't find the Gospel of the cross there. You will not hear Peter say, "hey guys. .. Jesus died for your sins. And his resurrection. .. that was for our justification."
Opposite of Paul’s gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
Nope. You will see Peter preach a murder indictment towards Israel. Then you will see Peter continuing the gospel of the kingdom message (Which is found in M,M, L &J) Which doesn't contain the information OF WHY Christ died Or ressurected.
Unless you understand that Paul was given further revelation from Christ, you will not be able to make sense of scriptures that obviously contradict one another, especially if not rightly divided.
Should we ask for forgiveness of sins?
I received this great question through the website.
“Why do we no longer need to ask for forgiveness for a sin?”
Sin is sin and we should never take it lightly (Eph 5:6). Grace does not take it lightly in that it requires the perfect blood of the Son of God to pay the penalty for our sins. Just one sin condemns us to death. Christ saves us from that judgment with the work he finished by the cross.
The reason we do not need to ask God to forgive is that he already has forgiven us. The work is complete. He is offering it to you already. Our conversation to God should be belief and gratitude that he has forgiven us through Christ’s blood.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” –Colossians 1:14
Praying for God to do something he has already done only shows a lack of faith in his finished work. A child would not ask a parent for lunch if the plate is sitting in front of them. Their response should be “thank you”. In the same way, we thank God for his forgiveness handed to us on the platter of grace.
God has already forgiven those who trust the gospel of Christ.
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. ” – Ephesians 4:32
God offers this forgiveness to everyone in the world. They need not ask him to forgive, but merely trust that his offer is valid through the blood of Jesus. This is the gospel that saves. This is the ministry of reconciliation. God is reconciled to you, be ye reconciled to God!
“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” – 2 Cor 5:19
From Justin Johnson at graceambassadors.com
graceambassadors.com
“Why do we no longer need to ask for forgiveness for a sin?”
Sin is sin and we should never take it lightly (Eph 5:6). Grace does not take it lightly in that it requires the perfect blood of the Son of God to pay the penalty for our sins. Just one sin condemns us to death. Christ saves us from that judgment with the work he finished by the cross.
The reason we do not need to ask God to forgive is that he already has forgiven us. The work is complete. He is offering it to you already. Our conversation to God should be belief and gratitude that he has forgiven us through Christ’s blood.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” –Colossians 1:14
Praying for God to do something he has already done only shows a lack of faith in his finished work. A child would not ask a parent for lunch if the plate is sitting in front of them. Their response should be “thank you”. In the same way, we thank God for his forgiveness handed to us on the platter of grace.
God has already forgiven those who trust the gospel of Christ.
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. ” – Ephesians 4:32
God offers this forgiveness to everyone in the world. They need not ask him to forgive, but merely trust that his offer is valid through the blood of Jesus. This is the gospel that saves. This is the ministry of reconciliation. God is reconciled to you, be ye reconciled to God!
“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” – 2 Cor 5:19
From Justin Johnson at graceambassadors.com
graceambassadors.com
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Three Churches in our Bible(Audio Lesson)
Thursday night Bible Study...
There are 3 churches mentioned in the scriptures. This lesson strives to show that we can properly distinguish the different groups that God has operated with and in what ways he has operated with them according to the dispensation that the group was participating in.
Click the link below to listen.
Three Churches in our Bible
There are 3 churches mentioned in the scriptures. This lesson strives to show that we can properly distinguish the different groups that God has operated with and in what ways he has operated with them according to the dispensation that the group was participating in.
Click the link below to listen.
Three Churches in our Bible
What is the Mystery?
https://app.box.com/s/4sufpd23uxxemirbfzna
Check out this message from Jeremy Johnson on explaining what the Revelation of the Mystery is and how it effects us today!
This was recorded a few weeks ago when Justin and his family came to visit us from Indiana.
For more lessons like this, feel free to check out Graceambassadors.com
Check out this message from Jeremy Johnson on explaining what the Revelation of the Mystery is and how it effects us today!
This was recorded a few weeks ago when Justin and his family came to visit us from Indiana.
For more lessons like this, feel free to check out Graceambassadors.com
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Did Peter Preach Paul's Gospel at Pentecost?
Before his death, Jesus told the twelve that he had to die and that he would rise on the third day. Looking back upon this passage we see this as Jesus speaking of an event that would change the history of the world. However, it is unquestionable that the disciples were ignorant of its meaning.
“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem,…And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. “ – Luke 18:31-34
After his crucifixion, instead of anxiously waiting his resurrection, the apostles were still ignorant, disheartened at the death of their redeemer, and did not even at first believe the testimony of his resurrection (Mark 16:14, Luke 24:19-24).
It was not until after his resurrection that Jesus appeared to the apostles and ‘opened their understanding’ to the scriptures regarding the necessity of the death, burial, and resurrection (Luke 24:44-47).
However, we must be careful to equate this ‘understanding’ of the cross to the understanding that was given to Paul concerning the meaning of the cross today. As we will see from Peter’s testimony, the apostles did not preach faith in the cross as the means of salvation. Rather the necessity of the crucifixion was revealed as it pertained to the prophetic program and the covenants – the massacre of an unworthy lamb.
Peter’s Murder Indictment
After their understanding was opened in Luke 24, forty days of teaching from the resurrected Jesus, and the supernatural empowerment of the Holy Ghost, surely the glories of the cross and the atoning work of the blood would be expounded by Peter at Pentecost.
Yet, Peter did not preach the cross as a means of salvation, but as a murder indictment against the men of Judea and Israel. Peter testified how that Jesus was approved of God by his works.
“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: “ – Acts 1:22
Yet it was to the shame of Israel that their long-awaited Messiah would come only to be crucified by their wicked hands.
“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:” – Acts 1:23
Peter continues to explain how that God raised Jesus up to sit on the throne as a fulfillment of the promise given to David. So, then Peter again summarizes by saying:
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
What an accusation and message of indictment presented against Israel! It is no wonder that many were ‘pricked in their heart’ (Acts 1:37)
‘Repent and Be Baptized’
Subsequent to the appeal of these frightened men at hearing their egregious mistake Peter tells them what to do.
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. “ – Acts 2:38
Suprisingly, Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost does not mention the free redemption by the grace of God as Paul does in Romans 3. Instead he gives them nothing new – repent and be baptized.
We may remember that this was the message that was taught by John the Baptist and the twelve while they were still ignorant of the cross.
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” – Mark 1:4
To the message of the baptism of repentance, Peter simply adds the promised gift of the Holy Ghost that has now been sent from Christ in heaven.
Done In Ignorance
In the following chapter Peter again is preaching to Israel and again accuses them of murdering the Holy One. However, this time he drops the charge due to ignorant manslaughter.
“But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. “ – Acts 3:14-15
“And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. “ – Acts 3:17
Just as Jesus prayed to God to ‘forgive them they know not what they do’, Peter offers this forgiveness by the mercy of God towards Israel (Luke 24:34).
So then, Israel has a second chance opportunity to believe Jesus is the Christ as Peter continues:
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:” – Acts 3:19-20
It is here that we gain the crucial element to answer our question, did Peter preach the cross for salvation?
Peter vs. Paul
We have read where before Peter offered the baptismal remission of sins through repentance (Acts 2:38). Here Peter says that their sins will be blotted out at the future times of refreshing. In neither instance does he offer faith in the blood for righteousness. Nor is his offers of salvation unconditional or free, but are accompanied with baptisms and repentance.
In contrast Paul preaches the cross ‘according to the revelation of the mystery’ not revealed or known to Peter (Rom 16:25, Eph 3:4). Paul preaches salvation to a man who ‘worketh not’, receives atonement immediately, and is separate from the message of baptism taught by John the Baptist (Rom 4:5, Rom 5:11, 1 Cor 1:17).
Furthermore, whereas Peter preaches the cross as a murder indictment, filled with shame and guilt, Paul preaches glory in the cross!
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” – Gal 6:14
It was this glorious message of salvation based upon the necessary death of Jesus by the cross that was kept hidden from the foundation of the world until revealed to Paul!
“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
If it were revealed or made available to the evil princes of this world or the Prince of darkness, he would not have plotted the death of the promised Messiah.
Peter’s Teaching
Peter testified to what was revealed to him as far back as Mathew 16 – that Jesus was the Christ. It was this same Christ that was crucified, and would return to seek vengeance. For salvation, Peter taught belief in the name of Jesus as the Messiah, repentance, and baptism for the remission for sins.
What is left conspicuously absent, or more properly hidden, from Peter at Pentecost is the glory of the cross as a redemptive act necessary for the salvation of us all! It is this manifold wisdom of God that was kept hid in God until revealed to us through Paul.
“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” – Eph 3:9-10
This is an article written by Justin Johnson from the Grace Ambassadors ministry.
Check out graceambassadors.com for more great resources on rightly dividing the word of truth!
“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem,…And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. “ – Luke 18:31-34
After his crucifixion, instead of anxiously waiting his resurrection, the apostles were still ignorant, disheartened at the death of their redeemer, and did not even at first believe the testimony of his resurrection (Mark 16:14, Luke 24:19-24).
It was not until after his resurrection that Jesus appeared to the apostles and ‘opened their understanding’ to the scriptures regarding the necessity of the death, burial, and resurrection (Luke 24:44-47).
However, we must be careful to equate this ‘understanding’ of the cross to the understanding that was given to Paul concerning the meaning of the cross today. As we will see from Peter’s testimony, the apostles did not preach faith in the cross as the means of salvation. Rather the necessity of the crucifixion was revealed as it pertained to the prophetic program and the covenants – the massacre of an unworthy lamb.
Peter’s Murder Indictment
After their understanding was opened in Luke 24, forty days of teaching from the resurrected Jesus, and the supernatural empowerment of the Holy Ghost, surely the glories of the cross and the atoning work of the blood would be expounded by Peter at Pentecost.
Yet, Peter did not preach the cross as a means of salvation, but as a murder indictment against the men of Judea and Israel. Peter testified how that Jesus was approved of God by his works.
“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: “ – Acts 1:22
Yet it was to the shame of Israel that their long-awaited Messiah would come only to be crucified by their wicked hands.
“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:” – Acts 1:23
Peter continues to explain how that God raised Jesus up to sit on the throne as a fulfillment of the promise given to David. So, then Peter again summarizes by saying:
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
What an accusation and message of indictment presented against Israel! It is no wonder that many were ‘pricked in their heart’ (Acts 1:37)
‘Repent and Be Baptized’
Subsequent to the appeal of these frightened men at hearing their egregious mistake Peter tells them what to do.
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. “ – Acts 2:38
Suprisingly, Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost does not mention the free redemption by the grace of God as Paul does in Romans 3. Instead he gives them nothing new – repent and be baptized.
We may remember that this was the message that was taught by John the Baptist and the twelve while they were still ignorant of the cross.
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” – Mark 1:4
To the message of the baptism of repentance, Peter simply adds the promised gift of the Holy Ghost that has now been sent from Christ in heaven.
Done In Ignorance
In the following chapter Peter again is preaching to Israel and again accuses them of murdering the Holy One. However, this time he drops the charge due to ignorant manslaughter.
“But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. “ – Acts 3:14-15
“And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. “ – Acts 3:17
Just as Jesus prayed to God to ‘forgive them they know not what they do’, Peter offers this forgiveness by the mercy of God towards Israel (Luke 24:34).
So then, Israel has a second chance opportunity to believe Jesus is the Christ as Peter continues:
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:” – Acts 3:19-20
It is here that we gain the crucial element to answer our question, did Peter preach the cross for salvation?
Peter vs. Paul
We have read where before Peter offered the baptismal remission of sins through repentance (Acts 2:38). Here Peter says that their sins will be blotted out at the future times of refreshing. In neither instance does he offer faith in the blood for righteousness. Nor is his offers of salvation unconditional or free, but are accompanied with baptisms and repentance.
In contrast Paul preaches the cross ‘according to the revelation of the mystery’ not revealed or known to Peter (Rom 16:25, Eph 3:4). Paul preaches salvation to a man who ‘worketh not’, receives atonement immediately, and is separate from the message of baptism taught by John the Baptist (Rom 4:5, Rom 5:11, 1 Cor 1:17).
Furthermore, whereas Peter preaches the cross as a murder indictment, filled with shame and guilt, Paul preaches glory in the cross!
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” – Gal 6:14
It was this glorious message of salvation based upon the necessary death of Jesus by the cross that was kept hidden from the foundation of the world until revealed to Paul!
“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
If it were revealed or made available to the evil princes of this world or the Prince of darkness, he would not have plotted the death of the promised Messiah.
Peter’s Teaching
Peter testified to what was revealed to him as far back as Mathew 16 – that Jesus was the Christ. It was this same Christ that was crucified, and would return to seek vengeance. For salvation, Peter taught belief in the name of Jesus as the Messiah, repentance, and baptism for the remission for sins.
What is left conspicuously absent, or more properly hidden, from Peter at Pentecost is the glory of the cross as a redemptive act necessary for the salvation of us all! It is this manifold wisdom of God that was kept hid in God until revealed to us through Paul.
“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” – Eph 3:9-10
This is an article written by Justin Johnson from the Grace Ambassadors ministry.
Check out graceambassadors.com for more great resources on rightly dividing the word of truth!
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