Do you understand when the mystery was revealed, and why? You better, because wants you too.
I Need to Understand When the Mystery Was Revealed, and Why?
Ephesians 1:3-14 d of (a-e)
Pastor Kerry Kinchen, Bridgeway Bible Church
Please turn to Ephesians 1:3. Ephesians 1:3-14. Everyone likes a good mystery. Maybe it is because we are creatures that are curious. Maybe it is because we like intrigue. Maybe it has more to do with the fact that we like surprises. The point is that we like secrets. We particularly like secrets when they are revealed to us in the form of a surprise revelation. We are surprised, and so we like knowing what we did not know once before. The Scriptures speak of mysteries. There are many mysteries. Some of them have been revealed to God's people. Some of them have not, and so they remain mysteries. Continuing through Ephesians, we are going to examine the fact that God has had a mysterious plan throughout the ages. The question is what exactly is the mystery that Paul is talking about? Why does Paul mention it? Where did it come from? How was the mystery revealed?--and when? How does the mystery, and its revelation affect me? We are going to answer these questions and more as we continue through the first chapter of Ephesians. Please prepare yourself for the sacred preaching of God's word as we look at the mystery revealed in Scripture in this sermon titled,
I Need to Understand When the Mystery Was Revealed, and Why?
There are many mysteries in the Bible. Here in Ephesians 1:9, Paul makes reference to one,
"9 He made known to us the mystery of His determination, according to His kind intention which He set forth in Messiah" Ephesians 1:9
When Paul says that God made known the mystery to "us," Paul means to the Israelite apostles, (cf. Ephesians 2:5). Paul goes on and says that the mystery is that in the rejected and executed Messiah, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. Paul explains that the mystery of God's will was administered at the proper time for all that God elected and predestined according to His purpose. Paul says that the mystery is the message of truth, the gospel of salvation. Paul speaks of the mystery later in chapter 3, saying,
"2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Messiah, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now [in this generation] been revealed to His set apart apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Messiah Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all set apart ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Messiah, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places."
Paul preaches details of what the revealed mystery actually is, and why. So now he is announcing that the secret has been revealed, and here is the reason; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through you--through us--His church. Paul says that the mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Messiah through the gospel. This is the great theme of the revealed secret, and so Paul mentions the mystery, and his insight into it, in 5:32,
"28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Messiah also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church." Ephesians 5:32
Paul is expressing more deep details of the mystery. He says that the mystery is that we are members of Christ's body as the relationship that He has with His called out people. Paul mentions the foundational importance of the mystery in 6:19. He says,
"19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel," Ephesians 6:19
The gospel, which is the good news, is a message that exposes the mystery that Paul has been revealing in all of these tidbits of revelation. This is the mystery that we are interested in knowing more about. The question before us this morning is concerning our need to understand when the mystery was revealed and why; And one thing we need to understand about what Paul means about the mystery, is that the revelation of it did not just come all at once. Paul's revelations of the mystery remained a secret even as it was unfolding before the eyes of God's apostles and holy prophets of the first century. The revelation of the fullness of the details surrounding the mystery came over time, in layers of revelation. We need to understand this, and why.
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The first thing we need to recognize this morning is the time when the mystery was not revealed. Looking back to the grand entrance of Jesus' coming to Israel, we must realize that the Israelites did not immediately understand that Jesus was the promised Messiah. The first revelations of some of the mystery were about to be revealed to Israel, but only a remnant would actually be given the insights to understand. Jesus was the promised Messiah that God said would come someday to be the righteous king to sit on David's throne forever. John the baptist announced to Israel that the Messiah had arrived. John announced details of the secret, saying,
"Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." John 1:29.
John the baptist is given a glimpse of Messiah's future task. But, Israel, was not yet understanding. They were hearing the mystery but they did not comprehend it. Peter's brother Andrew, heard the revelation from John the baptist. So, Andrew does what John says to do; he looks; he looks over at the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Andrew has been waiting all his life for the Messiah, like so many Israelites had been waiting. It is not that Andrew likes a good mystery, or likes to be surprised. Andrew is seeing God's prophetic promise revealed to Him in the person of Jesus. Andrews eyes are sovereignly opened, and so he sees the first details of the mystery. Andrew runs and tells Peter that they have found the Messiah, (John 1:42-44). Peter also understood this layer of the mystery. But we must ask why?--why did Peter understand? Jesus gave the answer. Jesus told Peter that someone much bigger than Andrew had revealed this aspect of the mystery, saying,
"... flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven," Matthew 16:17
This is the way the elect get God's revelation. It must be done supernaturally. Multitudes of Israelites had heard the announcements that Messiah had come, but multitudes of Israelites could not see it. They rejected the revelation of the mystery. Paul says here in Ephesians,
"In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His determination, according to His kind intention" Ephesians 1:8-9
In chapter 3, Paul says the mystery,
"... has now been revealed to His set apart apostles and prophets in the Spirit;" Ephesians 3:5
Hearing details of the mystery announced means nothing unless the revelation is by God's Spirit. Multitudes of Israelites heard details of the mystery, but they rejected it. Today, multitudes of people hear and read that Jesus is the Messiah, but they reject it. They have been enlightened by facts, but they have not been enlightened by God's Spirit. So, the Gospel remains a mystery to them. As Jesus sovereignly called His students to follow Him, He opened the minds of an elect number of them to understand that He is the promised Messiah, the King, and the deliverer of Israel. The mystery of the good news of Messiah was coming in layers.
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This leads us to the second thing we need to recognize this morning in our need to understanding when the mystery was revealed and why, and that is that various aspects of the mystery were revealed gradually over time in that first generation. Many of the things that Jesus said to his students were puzzles to them. Many of the prophecies concerning Jesus were just as puzzling to them too. They had presuppositions based upon interpretations of God's word, but not all their presuppositions were correct. Aren't we the same way? Sometimes we get an idea about what we think God's will is. We base it upon something we learned growing up, or we base it upon some personal theory we developed from reading the Bible, but then later on, we get enlightenment, and we realize that we didn't quite have it right beforehand. Sometimes it hurts to have believed something that was wrong for so long with such conviction. The truth was a mystery, but in God's timing, in His own work of giving each of us another layer of revelation by His Spirit though His word, we understand more. One of those things the students believed about Messiah was that He was in Israel to set up His earthly Kingdom, and sit on a throne. They got this from scripture, but it was only a partial revelation of the mystery. When the students heard Jeremiah recited, or read, they understood it through the same lens of hope and expectation of generations of oppressed Israelites. They would read Jeremiah 23 and think of Jesus as the King that has finally come to make them dwell in Israel in security from their enemies. According to Jeremiah 23, the students know that Jesus is the righteous King. They know that He's come to gather His sheep. They know that He's come to save Judah. Another thing that the students believe about their Messiah is that they, as Israelites according to the flesh, are the focus of God's big plan. Israel was God's covenant people through Abraham, Isaac and Israel, so according to what they know, when Jesus seemed unconcerned with Gentiles, it made sense to them. We read,
"21 Jesus ... withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And a Canaanite woman [a gentile] ... came out and began to cry out, saying, 'Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed. 23 But He [Jesus] did not answer her. And His students came and implored Him, saying, 'Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.' 24 [Jesus] said, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'"
Details of the mystery are revealed over time, and the students thought they had it all figured out, but Jesus gives them a glimpse of more revelation, as we read,
"25 But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, 'Lord, help me!' 26 He answered, 'It is not good to take the children's [elect ones of Israel] bread and throw it to the dogs ["Dogs" are a reference to Gentiles. Continuing]. 27 But she said, 'Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their master's table.'"
[The crumbs represent blessings that overflow from remnant Israel in the ministry of the Messiah.]
"28 Then Jesus said to her, 'O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.' And her daughter was healed instantly." Matthew 15:21-28
The revelation of the mystery up to this point, is that Messiah is sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Gentiles are revealed in God's plan at this point to get blessed by Israel's crumbs by faith. The students still don't quite get it. They think that their presuppositions are being fulfilled and taught by Jesus. In fact, Jesus seems to confirm what they believe, saying,
"5 ... 'Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And ... preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" Matthew 10:1-7
The students received and preached the aspect of the mystery that their eyes had been opened to. They are told to preach the Messianic kingdom because it is at hand, and as far as they are concerned the kingdom is for Israelites. Another thing that the students believed is that the Law of Moses is the Law of the Messianic kingdom. The students saw Jesus obey the Law of Moses. They understood that the Messianic kingdom must be based on righteousness that surpasses the scribe's and Pharisees. But, there were aspects of the mystery that they did not understand. They are the aspects that you and I need to understand, and we are going to see why. Jesus said that He came to be the living fulfillment of the Law, Matthew 5:17. This statement was shrouded in mystery. But Jesus gives a little bit more of a glimpse into the mystery. Jesus demonstrates that He both fulfills the Law, and writes the Law. He says concerning the seventh commandment;
"27 You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; 28 but I say; ... everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart ..."
Jesus goes on to command;
"48 'Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.'" Matthew 5:21-48
This is another glimpse of a new layer of revelation. Jesus reveals that He controls the Law in both interpreting it, or adding to it. Further, Jesus demands perfection. He demands the perfection as the Father is perfect. The problem is nobody can be perfect but Jesus. At that point this was another unrevealed aspect of the mystery; only Messiah is perfect, and only Messiah can be perfect. But, in these early revelations of facts concerning the mystery, all that the students know is that they must be perfect as their Father God is perfect. The Old Covenant students understand some of the mystery about Messiah. They are seeing ancient prophecies fulfilled before their eyes. They know that Israel is about to go through a huge change. Israel, the Old Covenant, a reigning messianic warrior King who has arrived to deliver them; all these things fill their minds, and imaginations. With all these things in mind, Jesus tells them to go out and preach the gospel. The good news they preached is the news they have been waiting for as a matter of clear cut Jewish tradition. The gospel is that the Messianic Jewish kingdom of God is at hand, Luke 9:1-6. But, there are many, many more layers to the mystery, and those layers had not yet been revealed. Jesus knows something that His students do not understand. They do not see it. It is a mystery. Jesus explains it to them, but it still remains a mystery. Notice how the details remain a mystery even when Jesus explains it in cut and dry terms. Jesus said to His students,
"31 'we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, 33 and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.' 34 But the students understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said, [meaning that the meaning of the statement was a mystery]" Luke 18:31-34
Now remember, these are the days of the first revelations of the mystery. These Israelites have been hoping their promised warrior King will come. All of a sudden, in the midst of Roman oppression, the Messiah comes and fulfills hundreds of prophecies. He performs amazing miracles on a daily basis. His students are convinced and encouraged. They are ready to take up the sword, and overthrow the anti-God pagans who control God's people. But all of a sudden Messiah makes a mystery statement. He says that He is about to be tortured and executed. Now, because it is a mystery, it doesn't make any sense to Messiah's students. It makes no sense whatsoever. It's written about in the prophets, but they don't see it. Paul the apostle later understands it, and why. The Asian Christians of the Ephesians letter, understand it, and why. Today, we understand it. But the students don't understand the vital point of the New Covenant, which is that Jesus must shed His blood and rise again on the third day. The students are so unable to comprehend any of this mystery, that they even find themselves opposing it. We read in Matthew 16, that Jesus asks them;
"15 ... 'who do you say that I am?'" Matthew 16:15
[Peter answers according to what He has had revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. Peter says,]
"'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" Matthew 16:16
Jesus tells Peter that it was God who revealed this aspect of the mystery to Peter. But there is still a veil of ignorance concerning the mystery that shrouded those pre-cross Israelite students. We read more about it in what is said next,
"21 From that time Jesus began to show His students that He must go to Jerusalem; suffer ..., and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, 'God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You." 23 But [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." Matthew 16:21-23
Pre-cross, Old Covenant Peter, supernaturally recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah, but Peter can not handle what Jesus says next. Peter doesn't see this as good news--as the gospel. Peter, in the flesh, sees what Jesus says, as being bad news. Why is that? Because at this time Peter has not been given supernatural insight into this aspect of the mystery. Peter does not realize the mystery that Jesus always knew, and that is that Israel would, and must reject Jesus as their Messiah and King. It had to happen this way, but it was part of the secret. Paul says later after the Messiah had been crucified and resurrected according to God's plan, that the gospel he preaches is the mystery manifested. It is his prayer request,
"19... that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel," Ephesians 6:19
Paul calls the gospel, the mystery, speaking of
"23... the hope of the gospel that you have heard, ... of which I, Paul, was made a minister. 25 ... that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His set apart ones," Colossians 1:26
The gospel is the word of God preached, which is the mystery. What we have been looking at is the gradual revelation of layers of the mystery in respect to the theme of this sermon where we need to understand both when the mystery was revealed, and also why.
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This leads us to the third thing that we need to recognize this morning in light of what we have learned so far. The question is,
Why exactly was this mystery hidden from the past ages and generations?
The primary reason why is because the apostate Jews, and Roman rulers, would never have crucified Jesus. Paul explains to the Corinthians;
"7 we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages ... the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." 1 Corinthians 2:7-8
This is a monumental revelation of the mystery. If the rulers had understood the mysteries of Messiah, they would not have killed Him. But Messiah had to be crucified as the great sacrifice. The crucifixion and resurrection is what established the position and identification of His church. It is what cleanses from sin. It unites us with Christ in an intimate way that is the essence of salvation. All of this is the New Covenant aspect of the mystery, and it was God's hidden wisdom; predestined before the ages.
Finally, after Messiah was crucified, and risen, His students received more layers of understanding of the plan. After Jesus rose from the dead, His students asked Him;
"'Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?'"
According to limited revelation, they expect the restoration of a physical Israelite Kingdom to come now. It seems logical, with the resurrected Jesus super man leading the way as an immortal warrior king. But Jesus answers with more mystery;
"7 ... 'It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed ... but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:6-8
The students have more revelation from Jesus, but they only have the revelation that He wants them to have. In their current revelation they:
1) preach the coming kingdom to Israel, and the timing of when it comes is a mystery;
2) they now preach the revealed mystery of the crucifixion and triumphant resurrection of the Messiah. They preach that Israel is to repent, meaning to turn from their previous course, and put their hope in the resurrected Messiah.
Added to all of this, is another aspect of the mystery that is revealed to them in their own lives. They receive God's Holy Spirit as a pledge. With all of this revelation and empowerment by the Holy Spirit, The apostle Peter goes on to preach what he understands of the revelation of the mystery so far. It is Peter's first sermon to the Israelites in the New Covenant. Israelites are gathered from all over the world at the Jewish feast days of Pentecost. Peter preaches and says;
"22 'Men of Israel, listen ... Jesus ... a man attested to you by God with miracles ... which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know--23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. 24 But God raised Him up again, ..." Acts 2:22-24
Peter now preaches aspects of the mystery that he refused to see before. Actually, though he heard them, he was unable to understand them before. He preaches the revelation of the mystery that Messiah's suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection, was the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God. Since Peter now realizes that Messiah reigns and rules over His People, Peter quotes the prophecies with more insight, saying, that David from old;
"30 ... was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he looked ahead [to the future] and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. 32 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. 34 ... David ... says: 'The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.' 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Messiah--this Jesus whom you crucified.'" Acts 2:30-36
Now, finally God's gospel has even more clarity. Peter preaches more revelation in his second sermon to Israelites. He announces with insight in Acts 3,
"14 ... you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and ... put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead ... 17 And now, [Israelite] brothers, I know ..." Acts 3:14-17
When Peter preaches "now I know," Peter is saying that he has had wonderful insights into the mystery further revealed to him in progressive revelation. When you received the gospel in your enlightenment, you said now I know too. This is the way it always happens when God reveals His mystery to His elect through supernatural revelation. We say now I know, and we receive salvation by grace through faith. Peter continues to preach his new insights, and so he says,
"17 And now, [Israelite] brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, [in crucifying Jesus] just as your rulers did also. 18 But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Messiah would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Therefore turn and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Messiah appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time." Acts 3:13-21
The mystery was always there in the prophets. But many Israelites were blocked from recognizing it. Peter preached that Messiah came; was sacrificed, and rose from the dead; fulfilling prophecies like Ezekiel 34:23-31. All Israelites who have been granted repentance unto salvation, and want to see the restorational return of Messiah, need to turn to God. Peter declares the royal reign of Messiah later in Acts 5 saying;
"31 [Jesus] is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31
The part of the mystery that Peter has had revealed to him, is to preach that the way those Israelites of that generation are forgiven is by turning to King Jesus, who is coming again, but the contingency is how Jesus is coming again. In respect to rejecting Israel, Jesus will return in some prophetic respect, in wrath in AD 70 (not discounting a double prophetic meaning). For the remnant of Israel that turns back to their Messiah they just executed, Jesus will return as their King. Even though God wants Peter to preach the details that Peter has in his current revelation, God also knows the fullness of the mystery. Even though the apostles continue to preach to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, God knows that Israel as a nation, will continue to reject their Messiah. This was an aspect of the mystery that God knew would happen. Stephen identifies the problem a little later when he rebukes the hardened leaders of Israel, saying;
"You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears; you are always resisting the Holy Spirit;" Acts 7:51
After Stephen says this, the Jews who represent Israel as a national people, end up murdering Stephen. In the legacy of always resisting the Holy Spirit, they start a great persecution against Messiah and His people beginning in Acts 8. God's elect remnant of Israel, that are granted repentance, are saved, but the rest of Israel continues hating, despising, and rejecting, Jesus, thus demonstrating that they hate, despise, and reject Jehovah. Armed with new revelation concerning the mystery of Messiah, and powered by the Holy Spirit, the apostles preach their revelations of the mystery to people who practice Judaism throughout the surrounding area; Acts 8. Then all of a sudden something unexpected happens. The apostles think they have all the revelation. Like in the beginning, they think they understand the details, but they don't. Unexpectantly, God manifests Himself in those early years, and essentially says that there is still more to know. We find the interruption in Acts 10. It is there that Peter gets more insight into the mystery. The new revelation is that God wants the gospel shared with Gentiles! This revelation walks all over Peter's presuppositions. Remember the revelation that Peter has been operating on; Gentiles are dogs. Further, Peter knows it is unlawful for a Jew to associate or visit with Gentiles; Acts 10:28. Jesus originally told Peter in Matthew 10 to preach the gospel, but stay away from Gentiles. Peter, who thinks Israel is always going to be the focus of God's mysterious plan; Peter who is obedient to His commission from Jesus, once again argues with God in ignorance about this insight into the mystery. But, God is revealing mysteries of the gospel in layers. And so, once more, Peter loses an argument with God, and so Peter goes on and shares the gospel with Gentiles. He tells them that concerning Jesus the Messiah;
"43 ... all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone ..." Acts 10:43
[Peter is saying "everyone" now, because everyone refers to both israelites and Gentiles. He says,]
"43 ... all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him [Jesus] receives forgiveness of sins." Acts 10:43
With more mystery revealed, the gospel of Messiah is now brought to Gentiles. But there are more layers of the mystery that need to be revealed. God was not finished revealing the details of His eternal plan. Saul, the Christian killer, was saved by Jesus and made into an apostle. We see in Acts 26:16, that Jesus drafted Paul into ministry to share what Paul had seen, which was that in persecuting the church, He was persecuting the Messiah. This revelation is the initial revelation of another layer of the mystery.
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and it is the fourth thing we must consider in our need to understanding when the mystery was revealed, and why. I'm talking about Paul's unique revelation of the mystery. It is what we read about in Ephesians, where we are in Messiah, seated at the right hand of the Father, Ephesians 2:6. In Colossians it is Messiah in us, Colossians 1:27. This layer of the mystery is Messiah in you, and you in Messiah. It is called the mystery of the Body of Christ. This revelation, of the mystery of Messiah and His New Covenant, becomes Paul's golden doctrine where volumes of theology are fulfilled in the "one new man" that He speaks of in our Ephesians letter in Ephesians 2:15; where the body of Christ, His church, is "the fullness of Him" Ephesians 1:23. The day Paul was drafted into salvation, and service, he was told that he is to teach Jews and Gentiles what God shows him later in more revelations of the mystery. God elected Paul mainly to minister to the Gentiles--showing them the specific revelations of the mystery that God gives to Paul; Acts 9:15. Paul's revelation is that through the Messiah, there is forgiveness of sins for both Jews and Gentiles, in freedom, completely outside of the Old Covenant Law of Moses. In Acts 13:32, Paul preaches his first recorded sermon in the Gentile city of Pisidian Antioch. There were Jews there too, so Paul preached in the synagogue, and He said he was preaching the gospel of the promise made to the Israelite fathers. Paul starts out sharing the same layer of revelation as Peter. Paul says;
"38 Therefore let it be known to you, brothers ..."
[Paul is addressing His Israelite brothers. (see the reference to the Israelite fathers in 13:17). Peter says,]
"38 Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you," Acts 13:38
But there are more layers of revelation to the mystery. We don't see it preached anywhere else in the biblical record up to this point in Acts 13. Paul has received another remarkable insight into the mystery that drives his theology that we find in every letter he wrote, and every sermon he preached. It is why you need to understand the mystery. Paul goes on and shares his insight. Paul says,
"39 and through [Messiah Jesus] everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses," Acts 13:39
This insight is both foundation breaking, and foundation building, and you need to understand it. This is good news, but yet once again, the Jews reject it as we read in verse 44;
"44 ... the whole city [mostly Gentiles] assembled to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But ... the Jews ... were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming." Acts 13:44-45
The Jews are trying to turn Gentiles against the mystery of the gospel, but God is turning the mystery gospel focus to the Gentiles, using Paul. Paul then says;
"46 ... 'It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you [Israelites] first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life. We are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, 'I have placed you as a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the end of the earth.'" Acts 13:46-47
Paul knows it was necessary that the mysteries of the gospel be revealed to Jews first, which he explains in Rom 1:16, and Romans 11. So, with keen insight into God's mystery, Paul says of the Jews;
"... their rejection is the reconciliation of the world ..." Romans 11:11-15
Paul knows this is fulfilling Isaiah 42:6, and 49:6-8 as a Light bearer in the mystery mission that Christ, as the New Covenant Himself Who is also the Light, is accomplishing by sending Paul to the Gentiles. Paul knows that it all comes to fruition in Messiah as the living New Covenant-Light. What happens next on that day in Pisidian Antioch, is a glorious display of God's plan revealed at the proper time,
"48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." Acts 13:48
God made Paul into His apostle to Gentiles, to share the gospel and the fantastic revelation of its mysterious truths. Gentiles who had been elect in the Son since before the foundation of the world, and were predestined to adoption, were gathered in that day.
"... as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." Acts 13:48
This revelation of the mystery is difficult for Israelite Christians. It is even difficult for the Israelite Christian leadership of that age. Paul realizes this, so Paul goes to the other apostles about his revelation concerning the mystery of Messiah. Paul says:
"2 It was because of a revelation I went up; and I submitted to them [the apostles] the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles," Galatians 2:2
Why did Paul go to the other apostles to explain his revelation? What is the gospel that he preaches among the Gentiles? Acts 15:1-11 gives us the answers;
"1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the [Christian] brothers, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.' 2 And when Paul and Barnabas got in a big argument and debated with them, the brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue ... 4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church; the apostles, and the elders; announcing all that God had done with them. 5 But some of the believing Pharisees stood up, saying, 'It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.' 6 The apostles and the elders gathered to look into this matter. 7 After there had been a lot of debate, Peter stood up and said, 'Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe."
[Remember, those early days were back when Peter lost his argument with God concerning further revelation of the mystery; continuing Peter says;]
8 "And God ... testified to [those Gentiles] giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us [Israelites]; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 'Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the students a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.'" Acts 15:1-11
What ends up happening is that the other apostles officially declare to everyone that Paul's new layer of revelation into the mystery is authentic. Paul has some things to say about this meeting in Galatians 2:2. As I read, I want you to pay special attention to the word "revelation."
"2 It was because of a revelation that I went up [to Jerusalem]; and I submitted to them [the apostles] the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, ...'"
Paul went up because of the unfolding layers of revelation concerning the mystery that was given to him by God's Spirit. Paul goes on
"4 But it was because of the false brothers ... [concerning] our liberty which we have in Messiah Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage [to Mosaic Law codes]. 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you [Galatian Gentiles]. 6 But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)--well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me ..."
In other words, the other apostles did not add anything to Paul's revelations of the mystery. Paul continues saying,
"... 7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised [Gentiles], just as Peter had been to the circumcised [Israelites] 8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), 9 and recognizing the grace according to God's kindness that had been given to me, James and Peter and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised ..."
Once again, we see that at first, God's sovereign plan concerning the full revelation of the gospel was difficult for the Israelite apostles to deal with. But Paul completely received, and believed, all the layers of revelations from God concerning the mystery of Messiah. Peter's actions, in an earlier incident illustrates the problem that he was continuing for some time to have with each new revelation of the mystery of Messiah. Paul was there, and so Paul explains the incident in the next verse, in Galatians 2:11; it has to do with when Peter came to Antioch, during a journey, probably Acts 9:32; Paul says;
"... But when [Peter] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, ..."
[The certain men were circumcised Jewish Christians;]
"... [Peter] used to eat with the Gentiles;..."
[Because Peter had insight into the mystery. But Paul says,]
"[Peter] used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision crowd. 13 The rest of the [Israelite Christians] joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, ..."
[Paul is talking about the full revelation of the mystery of the gospel. Continuing, Paul goes on,]
"14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to [Peter] in the presence of all, 'If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? 15 We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Messiah Jesus, even we have believed in Messiah Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Messiah and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified." Galatians 2:7-16
The full revelation of the mystery of Messiah was hard to deal with for most Jews, but according to God's revelation, God's attention was now on the Gentiles. God's thrust concerning the Gentiles would last the next couple of thousand years while the aspect of Israel that was not of the elect remnant, continued wandering as lost sheep. That first generation rejected Him, and most of them ended up being massacred and taken captive at the siege and destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
The remnant Israel was saved. Gentiles are being gathered into God's great harvest throughout history by grace alone, through faith alone, in the crucified and resurrected Messiah alone, who imputes His righteousness alone, to all whom He elects to eternal spiritual salvation.
These facts that I have shared with you today, are what you need to understand concerning when the Mystery was revealed, and why. You need to know, so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church according to Ephesians 3:10. You need to understand that there is no proper understanding of the gospel without a proper understanding of the mystery. You need to recognize that there is no proper interpretation of scripture without a proper understanding of the mystery. There is no proper understanding of what God's people understood and preached at different times in that first generation without understanding the layers of revelations of the mystery at each point. You need to know this as we continue through Ephesians. Finally, and most importantly, you need to understand when the Mystery was revealed, and why, because the mystery was revealed when you heard the gospel and were made to understand it by God's supernatural enlightenment. It is the moment that the curtain of blindness is lifted from our hearts, and we recognize that we are sinners in need of Christ Jesus as our Savior, by grace through faith. It is no longer a secret; it is now a revelation.
