Two Biblical Programs of God
Below is a chart comparing the key characteristics of the two programs of God that exist in The Bible.
The Bible can best be divided, and should be divided by us as we study, noting these two programs of God.
2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
One program, available to all believing mankind today, is Paul's Mystery Gospel (God's Secret Plan), which had been “kept secret since the world began.”
Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my (Paul’s) gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
The other, Prophesy, available to the Jew only (and Jewish proselytes), was spoken of by all the prophets
Peter speaking said, in Acts 3:21 (KJV) (Christ) 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.’
The Two Programs of God are in stark contrast.
The Two Programs of God are in stark contrast.
- The ‘Prophesy Program’ was ‘Spoken By All The Prophets of Israel Since The World Began’
This is in Contrasts to…
- Paul’s ‘Mystery Program’ for the Gentile ‘body of Christ’ had “Been Kept Secret Since The World Began”
Thus, we can logically conclude that these Two Programs of God cannot be the same!
The differences between these two programs of God are striking. I encourage you to make a study of the chart below to see the many aspects of the wonderful ‘grace of God” that we enjoy today in the "dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph 3:2). The sad thing is that many of our Christian brothers and sisters are unaware of the attributes of ‘grace,’ which in a word best describes ‘Paul's Mystery “Gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24)”; they most Christians today live under the system that is associated with Prophecy – with its Law and its works requirements. Admittedly, these dear saints likely love the Lord, but they are robbed, due to ignorance and misunderstanding, of the truth of the life and liberty they may have in Christ under the grace gospel. It is no wonder that so many labor and have no rest in their walk with the Lord.
Points of Comparison
The Uncircumcision's Mystery Program The Circumcision's Prophecy Program
Character Reference Character Reference
Not Prophesied. Kept Secret, hid in God since the world began, but now revealed through Paul | Eph 3:1-5; Col 1:26-27; Rom 16:25-26 | Prophesied, spoken of since the world began by all the prophets | Acts 3:21, 24-25; Dan 2:44-45, Matt 4:17 |
Principal: GRACE; “not under law” | Rom 6:14, 7:4, 6; Gal 3:13 | Principal: LAW, bound to law | Exo 20, 24:7-8, Matt 5:19, 23:2-3, 28:20 |
Christ: Savior, sent to all sinners without distinction as to heritage. | Rom 10:12; Eph 2:12-13 | Christ: Messiah, sent to the nation Israel exclusively. Gentiles must proselytize to Judaism or be shut out | Matt 10:5-6, 15:24-26 |
“Salvation by grace alone through faith, not of works” | Act 16:31, 18:27 “believe”; Eph 2:8-9; Rom 3:24 | Salvation by grace but with required demonstrations (works) of faith. | Mark 16:16 “believe and” ; Act 2:38 “repent” and Luke 7:29-3
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Unconditional Forgiveness | Eph 4:32; Col 2:13 | Conditional Forgiveness | Matt 6:14-15 |
Unconditional blessing | Eph 1:3; Rom 8:32 | Conditional Blessing | Deut 28:1, 15 “if…, then…” |
Spiritual provision is “In Christ” | Eph 1:3, Col 2:9-10; 2Cor 12:9-10; Philip 4:19 “riches in glory” | Material Provision of a physical Kingdom on Physical Earth | Matt 6:11, 10:9-10; Luke 12:33, 22:35 |
Spirit Baptism: Holy Spirit places us in Christ’s Body so we are identified with Him in His death, burial & resurrection – without water | Rom 6:3-4; Col 2:12, Gal 3:27; 1Cor 12:13, Eph 4:5 – one baptism for today. | Water Baptism: ceremonial cleansing, diverse washings imposed upon Israel | Exo 29:4, Heb 9:10; Matt 3:11; Mark 1:5; Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16 |
Gospel (good news): centered in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, i.e., “the preaching of the cross” | 1Cor 15:1-5, 1:18, 1:17, water not linked at all. Gal 2:7 “gospel of uncircumcision”
Col 1:5-6 Paul preached the gospel to ALL the world and yet not end of the world at that time. | Gospel of the Messianic Kingdom – good news of the impending Kingdom on earth, as promised to Abraham’s seed; cross work of Christ NOT part of it. | Luke 9:1-2, 18:31-34; Mark 16:16 water baptism integrally linked to with this gospel; Gal 2:7 “gospel of circumcision” Matt 24:14, when this gospel is preached in all the world “then shall the end come.” |
Paul – the steward of “the dispensation of the grace of God,” is not on ‘the twelve’; Paul is God’s one spokesman for the “body of Christ” – the Apostle of the Gentiles | Gal 2:2-9; 1Cor 3:10-11, Rom 11:13; Gal 1:11-12, 15, 16; Eph 3:2, 3:8-9 | Moses, authority over prophetic programs; Peter given a special place in the Kingdom program, James also. | Matt 23:2-3, 16:17-19, Same foundation – Christ – different superstructure, different master builder, Acts 15:13 |
Hope: to go to heaven to be with the Lord forever | 1Thes 4:13-18; Philip 1:21-23 | Hope: for Messiah to come to earth to dwell among them | Rev 21:2-3; Matt 6:10 |
Commission: Ambassadors for Christ beseeching in Christ’s stead “be reconciled to God” | 2Cor 5:18-20 | Commission: go into all the world preaching the gospel of the Messianic Kingdom to every creature | Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-18 |
Giving: No tithe required. | 2Cor 9:7 | Tithe: Required | Malachi 3:7-10 |
Our Motive: The grace of God and all that He has already done for us. | 2Cor 5:14; Rom 1:14-15, “I am debtor” | The Motive: Fear of punishment and hope of reward | Matt 19:21, 27; Deut 28:15 |