"…To the Gentiles…" - The Ministry of Paul
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
July 1, 2016
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ZADOK PUBLICATIONS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Introduction:
July 1, 2016 "…To the Gentiles…" The Ministry of Paul Paul, in his disgust for the rejection of the gospel by his fellow Jews, used this phrase in Acts 13:46.
Concentrating on the fifth underlined (v51) passage, I hurry to point to a few things. This "shake the dust off your feet" was a directive given the early disciples in the teaching of Jesus. It is interesting to note that Paul only had one epistle and one Gospel available to him at the time of this event. James had written his epistle and Matthew had completed his gospel. So, other than a verbal "hand down," Paul would not have known to carry out this "ritual upon refusal" as it applied to the Gospel.
Paul and Barnabus were not just doing something symbolic, they were guaranteeing judgment on the people and the place (Pisidian Antioch). Included in the indictment were all the rulers of the Synagogue and their henchmen. This included their followers, who considered themselves high moral and religious people. Moreover, this was after a great historical message by Paul and on the Holy Day of the week. Talk about stack up! Paul's statement, followed by his symbolic action, was extremely significant. Although he did not abandon his habit of attending Synagogue, when he did, he was proclaiming and declaring the end of an era. The end of the Judaic system and exceptionalism was heralded! In his writings to the Galatians, which was the third circulated work of the New Testament, one can visualize Pisidian Antioch throughout its pages. (Galatians was Paul's first book.) Galatia itself was another citadel of rejection, but it was where Judaism is denounced and the liberty of the Gospel was announced!
One cannot get a plainer or more concise evaluation of Judaism vs. Christianity than this. …On to the Gentiles: Before leaving the initial passage on Pisidian Antioch, I want to point to other underlined passages in the text. "Filled with jealousy" characterized the clergy of the day. It still does! Not only did the Clerics lead the pack in the rejection of the Gospel, they passed their blame upon Paul and Barnabus. Actually, that is and was the "modus operandi" of the Jews since the days of Jeremiah. They were just acting like Jews. Could we not say the same today? I find it interesting the book of Matthew (which was found as an ancient scroll) is being translated and "taken over" by unsaved Jewish authorities. Paul read the book and affirmed his experience with Christ; they read the book and affirm their continued Judaism. How very interesting!
…On to the Gentiles!
What a self indictment! Their actions and words betrayed them. James said they would. Here they prove it. Paul, in his Galatian letter, took the matter in hand and said in essence, "You stand self-condemned." Like Jesus indicting Bethsaida, Pisidian Antioch was ranked with Sodom and Gomorrah-filled with their sin.
As in the local jargon, "You can't get no plainer than that!" Next, I wish to address the remaining underscored areas. Note please the following passage.
Paul and company knew their work was primarily to the Gentiles, who were grafted into the vine. Now, anyone working with grafts understands the root stock is not dominate in bearing fruit, the Graft is. Therefore, Paul was commanded to turn his attention to what God was doing. The Israel of God was indeed those who were grafted into the stock, which included Jew and Gentile alike who accepted Jesus Christ as Lord. NO OTHER COVENANT remained for unredeemed mankind. Everything flowed into the believer. All the promises, all the covenants and all the blessing are the nutrients from the stock of ancient Israel and as the believers bear fruit, they receive aggrandizements from that stock. Those grafted in share the name, Israel, and this is not replacement theology, but is Pauline theology. Romans 11 is key to such understanding. The covenants remained intact for those Jews who preceded Jesus, but in His fulfilling of the Law, He absorbed all the promises and covenants into Himself and for those who believe on Him.
Consider those believing Jews and Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch. Paul revisited them in a return trip. They formed a church. The marvelous thing about it was the middle wall was entirely broken down. It still is. Those Gentiles recognized the attending break with Temple and society required of a Jew becoming a believer, and they joined with helping hands to bless them. They still do.
Predestination was not a difficult matter for early Apostles, neither should it be now. …On to the Gentiles… Earlier in this study, it was determined the Gospel of Matthew could have been available to Paul and others during this time frame. Perhaps both he and Barnabus and Silas might well have read Jesus' admonition in Matthew 7.
Why did Jesus give this admonition in the middle of Chapters 6-8? Why was this appropriate caution in regard to a religious people? Since Jesus limited the Disciples from ministering to anyone but the house of Israel, the Jews, this caution must be important to that ministry. However, referring to people as swine and dogs seemed harsh. Swine are trash feeders and consumers of scraps and hulls (remember the Prodigal). Dogs are not in heaven and are unreliable as to their actions, thus when the dogs realized the pearls were not food, they might turn on the givers. Now, did Paul read this passage and then determine these Pisidian Antioch Jews were the very folks Jesus taught about? The Pearl of Great Price he had found on the Damascus Road was not objectionable to him - why not his fellows? Could it be he saw the futility of preaching to them in contrast to the ready acceptance by the Gentile grafts? Could this happen again? Could there be an association with the congregates of today and the Antioch Jews of Paul's day? How often does one cast pearls before swine and spiritual dogs? Dare anyone raise such an issue?
Though willing to be sent to Hell in order for his people to be saved, Paul discovered this evidently was not enough. Having chosen Silas, who was a credible prophet, as his mate-resistance only worsened. Being led by the Spirit to preach to this motley bunch, Paul found they still rejected God's message. No wonder he gave such a retort. Nonetheless, some Jews and Gentiles believed. Not all was hopeless. Slowly, though, his expectation for Jewish revival and outpouring waned in the wake of persecution and resistance. Doing marvelous works among the Gentiles was clearly the path for him. Deep in his spirit, the crucified man poured out his sacrificial libation to the Lord and laid himself across the map of the known Gentile (heathen) world-not to fail, but to succeed.
Nothing is more invigorating than being in the exact will of God! Later, in his defense before King Agrippa, Paul capsulated the heart of his ministry.
Clearly, for a Jew to be saved, he must believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and as the Son of God. There is now no other Covenant than the Jesus Covenant. Their continued rejection to this very hour is found in their stubborn refusal to allow the Gospel to be preached in the very nation supported by manifold religious organizations. Try street preaching in Jerusalem and see how far you get.
The longest debate in history is this one. It continues to today and is still not settled. The debate lies now in an even further realm: Has the church become characterized by this same rejection and rebellion as the Jews-taking on spiritual similarities to Israel? Try occupying the pulpit of most churches and preaching from Jeremiah 5, and tell me how long before the giant hook pulls you off stage-provided you could get there through the barriers in the first place. "…To the Gentiles…" Their equivalent today is the mission field. Those are the places where harvest is still being realized and all that has been available to the modern church is still receivable. But alas, many are being proselytized to mimic the missionizing body. Many resemble the proselytes of the Temple days and here comes the crux of the matter. Who dares build something different-who would fund it? (Unless it looks like us and smells like us---it ain't ours). Let me write in your book another chapter. What looks like Jesus and smells like the sweet savor of personal incense to Him while being poured out on the altar of self-sacrifice-isn't the current model. It is to this model I am committed! …To the real Church of Jesus Christ… …To those who hear! Until Next month, Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD. |
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