Introduction:

This study is based upon what sprang to mind as I later pondered what I heard of a message given by Casey Groeneveld. I also borrowed his title for this series.

This is the first part of a 10-part study based upon the supposition that the Apostle Paul and his writings could be removed from the Bible.

In this study we will consider what Biblical hope the Gentile has toward gaining an eternal saving relationship with God, …while leaving aside the writings of the Apostle Paul and "the dispensation of the grace of God" that came to the body of Christ through him.

I expect that this study will serve to show us the absolute crucial importance of God's Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, with his calling and his unique gospel message for the Gentiles. Romans 11:13 For I (Paul) speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles…

Paul here tells us the Gentile situation that existed before Paul's "gospel of the grace of God (Act 20:24)" was revealed and proclaimed by Paul

Ephes. 2:11-12 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

The first mentioning of the man who would later become "THE Apostle to the Gentiles" (Rom 11:13), Paul, appears in Act 7:58.

Acts 7:58 And cast him (Stephen) out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

Paul was there, at the stoning of Stephen, tending the clothes of and approving of those who executed Stephen.

As a Jew, Saul of Tarsus later took his Greek name, Paul.

Viewing the Bible without the important information and unique gospel that comes to the body of Christ only through the Apostle Paul, will serve to clarify and heighten the importance of Paul's "mystery gospel," given to him by Jesus Christ for the Gentiles.

We will lay aside the account of Paul in the Book of The Acts of the Apostles and Paul's fourteen Epistles (including Hebrews). A survey of the Scriptures in this way will make it plain to see that…beginning with the time of the call of Abraham, the Gentiles have been and are "without hope and without God."

We will note that when Paul and his epistles are removed from the Bible several major items of our faith as grace believers today are no longer present or to be found. These items are then missing.

1. Salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, without works.

2. A thorough explanation of the meaning of the blood and cross of Christ.

2. The opportunity for and explanation of reconciliation.

3. The words "body of Christ" and explanation of the "the body of Christ."

4. The Rapture of the body of Christ.

Let's now move on in our study.