Newsletter March 25, 2011

Newsletter from  Stewart Topping March 25, 2011

Today we make statements concerning Moses Law, like we need to live by the 10 commandment.  If that was true we would be sacrificing animals for our sins.  Gal 5:18 says; But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  As part of the Body of Christ we are led by Gods Spirit.  I hope you will read, study and share with others.  The Mystery? All of us need to understand the mystery that the scriptures talk about and to know why it is important to us as believers in Jesus Christ.  This is what Paul said; Romans 11:25 (KJV)  For I would not, brethren, that ye should beignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.  He is telling us that we should not be ignorant of the Mystery.  Some Churches today will tell you that no one can know the Mysteries of God.  I am sure they never looked for it or studied the Bible.  It is clear as a window pane.  If you study and ask for God to help you understand; He will! It’s kind of funny what Paul is saying in this scripture; you should not be ignorant of the mystery; why because we may be wise in our own conceits.  Tough words for us to swallow, we need to read and take heed; because it will change our lives if we understand the Mystery. What we need to do is study and study; remember this verse; 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The words rightly dividing mean to separate not understanding.  So he is telling us to separate theword of truth.  This is why I have been bringing this up so often.  God has different missions during history that he has planned in order to reach the people he created; these are called dispensations.  We live in the “Dispensation of Grace”.  When the Jewish Nation was trained for hundred's of years to expect the messiah and then he comes on the scene; what do you do, after the Jews accepted Jesus as the Messiah then they were to go to the world; they would lead the great commission and bring salvation to the Gentiles with only the message of the cross not the Law.  Why would you bring the message of the Law when the Law was fulfilled in Jesus.  You then would bring the massage of the cross.  We must understand the revelation that Jesus gave Paul for us.   Listen to what Paul said; Ephesians 3:1-6 (KJV) 1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of thegrace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;  The nation of Israel lived in the Dispensation of the Law.  That required them to followl the Law that was given to Moses and then taught to the Children of Israel for them to follow.  What was the bases of the Law; the coming Messiah.  So when the Messiah then the the age of the Law ended.  We are not living in the same period.  Here are the 7 Dispensations or the Age; for more detail go here. 1.  The Age of Innocence, from the creation of Adam and Eve until they fell into sin. (One Race) 2.  The Age of Conscience, from the fall into sin to Noah's flood. (Race destroyed, except for Noah and family) 3.  The Age of Human Government, from Noah to Abraham.  (One Race) 4.  The Age of Promise, from Abraham to Moses. (Jews and Gentiles) 5.  The Age of Law, from Moses to Christ. (Jews and Gentiles) 6.  The Age of Grace, from the death of Christ to the rapture of the Church. (Body of Christ) 7.  The Age of Christ, His personal 1000 year reign, yet future.  (Unbelievers both Jews and Gentiles) Another important part of Romans 11:25 is the section that says that blindness has come upon Israel.  Why would God blind Israel?  This was spoken by the Prophet Esaias (Isaiah).  This is considered the reason that started the change in dispensations from the Jews to the Gentiles.  After the rapture God's plan is to go back to the Jewish Nation with the final dispensation The age of Christ.   Acts 28:25-29 (KJV) 25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias (Isaiah) the prophet unto our fathers, 26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: 27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. You can see that Israel was waxed gross and dull of hearing and their eyes closed.  Maybe they had already blinded themselves by their own conceit.  They read the scripture every day and in Chapter 53 of Isaiah which was the most read; but they still did not hear or see.   Rightly dividing means to rightly divide the way God would talk to us today; not through the Law but by His Spirit. Now here Paul is telling us that he was given the dispensation of Grace for us. We are in the Dispensation of Grace now.  Let’s look more into what Paul said: Ephesians 3:2 (NKJV) 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, Since Paul is our teacher because Jesus gave him revelation about the new program after Jesus rose from the grave. His message is for us today.  The Dispensation of the Law was given by God for the Jewish Nation.  Abraham was chosen to start a new nation dedicated to God because the human race had turned from God and no one was listening.  Act 28: 25-29} Now let’s look at how we can join the “Body of Christ”, during the Dispensation of Grace.  The following verse says by one spirit; the Holy Spirit.  We are many members but one body.  We are baptized into the Body of Christ not by water baptism but baptism by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (KJV) 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 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. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. We must realize that we become part of the Body of Christ when we are filled with the Holy Spirit and from the time forward we are not called Jews or Gentiles anymore.  Why, because God has started a new dispensation.  In the next few weeks we will look at what makes up the new dispensation, “The Body of Christ”, and why Paul was given the Mystery. If you want to read other Newsletter or article's I have written then go to my website  Link to my website

Newsletter March 18, 2011

Newsletter from  Stewart Topping March 18, 2011

Have you ever thought that God has different plans for people over the last 6000 years. Well we don't want to build a Tabernacle in the wilderness. That was a time for the Children of Israel to learn who God was and what was expected of them. Paul said it was a schoolmaster for us. The Tabernacle shows us a shadow of Jesus. I hope you will read, study and share with others.                                           Was this letter written to you? Have you ever wondered if God has written parts of the Bible for different people?  Well if we look at whose address is given at the beginning of each letter or who is the audience it is written to, it would help us to rightly divide the word and it would give us a better understanding of the Bible.  We may believe something that was written for someone else. If the letter is addressed to the Jewish people under the Law; would we pay any attention to it since we are not under the Law?  The Apostle Paul says to the Gentiles; Romans 11:13 (KJV) I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:   Now here we find that Paul was talking to the Gentiles, the heathens, not the Children of Israel.  The Apostle James says to the Nation of Israel; James 1:1 (KJV) James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribeswhich are scattered abroad, greeting. So in these two cases we found that James was addressing his letter to the Children of Israel, which were the twelve tribes of Israel. (These are the sons of Israel; Jacobs name was changed to Israel by God).  Now here is another interesting verse; see what Paul is saying; Galatians 2:7 (KJV) 7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the Uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter.  The circumcision are the Children of Israel and the Uncircumcision are the heathen; they are the Gentiles.  Here he is dividing us into two groups of people, one for a ministry for Peter and the Twelve and the other group a ministry for Paul. We could go on and on and find that God has deal with different groups since Noah.  Look at some of the things that God revealed over time.  He called Noah and then He revealed the flood to him and the need to build the ark.  He called Abraham to begin a journey to Canaan and to start a new Nation.  He called Moses to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt. Then we see that even before Paul revealed the Death, Burial and Resurrection to the Gentiles in 1Cor. 15:1-4  He told the Disciples but they did not understand it.  Read the following verse. Mark 9:30-32 (KJV) 30 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. 31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them,The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. 32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him. Why would Jesus tell them something that they did not understand?  Could it be to emphasis a point in God’s time table, Was this for us to understand the secret hid in God?  Paul says the revelation of the mystery that he would be preaching would be part of his Gospel.  The Gospel is the Good news of the Body of Christ and the age of Grace.  The twelve were told before His death but didn’t know it was in the Old Testament in Isaiah Chapter 53.  They might have read it but didn’t understand it.  The same is true today; only those that God want to understand will. Today the non believer cannot understand the things of God. Should we do what the Christian of Israel were told in the Old Testament like keeping the sin offering or the holidays, maybe the Sabbath and the Sabbatical year?  All are written in the scripture but not to the same audience.  Let’s look at two verses concerning works, one by the Apostle Pauland the other by one of the twelve, James. The Apostle Paul says to the Gentiles; Galatians 2:16 (KJV) 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. The Apostle James says to the Nation of Israel; James 2:24 (KJV) 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Why the difference?  One was under the Law and the other under grace.  Here is a great example of the two different messages.  Jews had to follow the Law, which are works, to be justified; today after the death of Jesus we are to follow grace not works.  Both must believe what God has written to each group.  One is written to before the cross, the other after the cross. God’s only purpose is create fellowship for Himself, for people to believe in him and to worship him.  If we can see that God is in control and has a message for us, we can trust Him more each day that we study and rightly divide the word of God. What is the revelation of the Mystery which was kept secret since the world began?  It must have been important if it was only revealed to Paul after Christ died on the cross.   Remember it was not revealed to Israel or to the twelve Apostles.  Why God would keep something secret is more than a coincidence; even when Jesus told the Disciples it was not the correct time for them to understand. Romans 16:25 (KJV) 25 now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, God would over time reveal what He was going to do when He wanted to do it.  If He revealed it before the time it would affect the plan that was in effect.  What is the Mystery?  If satan knew what was going to happen when Jesus died on the cross he would have prevented it from taken place. Colossians 1:26-28 (KJV) 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 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: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: We are the Saints not the Nation of Israel. Remember Paul is the Apostle called to the Gentiles, and we are the Gentiles. Next week we will discuss more of the Mystery. Remember that God has kept it a secret to some but he has given us the ability to understand his word.  We are His children. If you want to read other Newsletter or article's I have written then go to my website  Link to my website

Newsletter March 11, 2011

Newsletter from  Stewart Topping March 11, 2011

We talked a little about the Mystery in the past newsletters; but I would like to explain the difference between the Gospel of Jesus and the Gospel of Paul and then next week explain more about the Mystery.  The revelation of the Mystery can be found in Romans 16:25-27 which was kept secret from the beginning of time.  Let me know what you think after reading the article!                                                    Who is Paul? There are many beliefs in Christianity, especially in the area of which Gospel to believe. Where and when did Christianity begin; some would say it was the Gospel of Jesus when Jesus was alive, others would say it was The Gospel of Paul given to him by Jesus after his death.  There is not enough time to really explain this or to give a complete understanding on this subject in this short newsletter; it is important for you to continue your studying in this area.  Reread the verses and pray for understanding.  With this article I want to show you why there are two different beliefs and why the confusion may hurt your relationship with Jesus. You may not have heard of either one, but let me try to explain the difference.  It is important to understand that Paul’s Gospel does include Jesus as the foundation of his faith and ours as well?  Most of us believe that Jesus was two things in the scriptures; the fulfillment of prophecy in the Old Testament and our salvation by way of Paul’s Gospel in his Death, Burial and Resurrection.   1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (KJV) 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if Jesus is going to be the foundation of our Belief in Christianity and of course our Salvation we should pay more attention to what Jesus has said .  Is it possible that some of the details we read in the four gospels may not be for us today.  Indeed they might be for the Nation of Israel only.  Let’s look at who Jesus was talking to in the scripture.  We must also remember that Jesus was speaking before His death; and was not talking about his death, burial and resurrection.  But only Paul was preaching about this death, burial and resurrection.   Is there a differences?  I think so!  Matthew 10:5-7 (KJV) 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand The Kingdom of Heaven and the Body of Christ are not the same.  Look at this verse and what it says; Jesus is telling the twelve (Apostles) not to go to the Gentiles (Non-Jews believers) or the Samaritans (Mixed Jewish and Gentile).  Then he said preach the Kingdom is at hand.   Paul on the other hand was told to go to the Gentiles.  If I read this as it is written I would draw the conclusion that Jesus Ministry was to the Jewish Nation and not the Gentiles and that they had to either accept or reject the offer of the Kingdom of Heaven at hand.  Nowhere in scripture did the Gentile get that same offer. Also the Kingdom of Heaven is only in the book of Matthew and looks like it was given to the Nation of Israel. Now their salvation was in the belief that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah) and the one to bring the earthly Kingdom into being; and the Jewish people believed that.  The message to the Nation of Israel and the message for the Gentiles are different.   Jesus came to preach to the lost sheep of Israel.  Until his death, he was preaching to the Nation of Israel only. Matthew 15:24 (KJV) 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The verse says lost sheep of Israel; they must have gone astray in their beliefs or had unbelief; and they were lost and had to be found; they were not following the Law as God had stated, maybe because of other gods and not really believing that God was real or that they could not trust Him.   If they thought that God was real they would have followed the Law; but they didn’t and that is what we call unbelief.  This is the same as they demonstrated when they were asked to go across the Jordan River and they didn't.  If we believe in the wrong thing, God would call it unbelief.  It is important to remember that Law represents works and Paul's Gospel "the dispensation of Grace represents Faith. The difference is faith vs works. If your friend gave you instructions to follow, would your neighbor have to follow them as well?  The same is true of the message that Jesus was telling the Nation of Israel.  He was not talking to the Gentiles.  Now what was Paul’s message?  Was it to you and I today? I Corinthians 15:1-4 (KJV) 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:  The twelve Apostles were given their instructions for their Ministry from Jesus when he was alive; it was about the Kingdom, an earthly kingdom after King David throne.  Paul was given 1 Cor. 15:1-4 after Jesus had died.   Matthew 19:28 (KJV) 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. The twelve Apostles represented the twelve tribes of Israel and will sit on the twelve earthly thrones and judge the same tribes in the regeneration.  Both the twelve Apostles and Paul were given their instruction for their Ministry from Jesus.   Jesus gave it to the Twelve when on Earth before His death and Paul was given it from Jesus when He was in Heaven after His death. Paul was given the Dispensation of Grace and this includes the Body of Christ with Jesus as the head of this Body.  Jesus had to die for us in order that we could receive this message.  Here is where did Paul got his message?  Remember Jesus said that He had to go in order for the Holy Spirit to come.  So the Holy Spirit could not be part of the offer to the Nation of Israel. Ephesians 3:1-3 (KJV) 1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Here Paul was called by Jesus, when He was in Heaven. Acts 9:3-5 (NKJV) 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" 5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." The Jews were brought up with the Law of Moses for 1400 years before Jesus was born.   Up to now the Gentile didn’t have a way to Salvation or a way to make peace with God.  They could however become a Jew and follow the Law.  Paul tried to talk to the Jews about the new message but they did not buy into the new Program; because they only knew the Law.  Maybe that is why Jesus had to die and not bring the Kingdom on earth then.  We do see that He will bring it in during the tribulation.  They were not ready for it before his death.  We see in Act 28 they were blinded so as not to see the new message until the end of time; as Paul was told to only go the Gentiles then and not to preach to the Nation of Israel. Acts 13:46-47 (KJV) 46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that theword of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.  47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.  Remember that Paul called it a mystery; meaning it was a secret not revealed until it was given to him on the road to Damascus.  Paul the one Apostle represented the “one Body”; "the Body of Christ" that is the Church of today. The twelve represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Romans 16:25-27 (KJV) 25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. Paul called it his Gospel because it was a revelation of the Ministry to him first, which he received which God had kept secret since the world began.  It was given to Paul first, not the twelve Apostles.  This should mean to Christians that what Paul has said in his writing may have been more important then what the twelve has said in the four Gospels to the Nation of Israel.   Remember that believing the wrong information is unbelief!  We will look at the Mystery in another newsletter.  If you want to see my other Newsletter or other article's I have written go to my Website.   Link to my website