As we delve into the rich chronology of biblical history, we uncover a fascinating progression of God’s plan for humanity. This journey takes us from the prophesied kingdom in the Old Testament, through the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, to a pivotal moment that changed the course of redemptive history.
In the Gospels, we witness John the Baptist, Jesus, and the twelve apostles proclaiming the “gospel of the kingdom,” announcing that the kingdom of heaven was “at hand” (Matthew 3:2, 4:17, 10:7; Mark 1:14-15). This message was primarily directed to Israel, as Jesus Himself stated, “I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24; See also Matthew 1:21, Matthew 10:6, & John 1:11). The focus was clear: Israel was still at the forefront of God’s plan during this time.
However, a dramatic shift occurs in the Book of Acts. Jesus’s crucifixion marks a turning point, with His plea from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This moment of divine mercy extends an opportunity for Israel’s repentance, a theme that continues through the early chapters of Acts (1-7).
The Day of Pentecost, often misunderstood as the birth of the church the body of Christ, is actually the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning Israel. Peter explicitly states, “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel” (Acts 2:16). It’s a continuation of God’s prophetic dealings with Israel, not the beginning of something entirely new.
The pivotal moment comes in Acts 7 with the stoning of Stephen. As he looks heavenward, filled with the Holy Ghost, he sees Jesus “standing at the right hand of God.” According to Peter, in Acts 2:34-35, Christ ascended on high and sat down at the right of God the Father, “until I make thy foes thy footstool” (Psalm 110:1). God’s judgment on his enemies was next on the prophetic agenda. Stephan’s vision, rather than triggering divine wrath, becomes a catalyst for an unexpected and unprophesied turn of events.
Enter Saul of Tarsus, a zealous persecutor of the “Little Flock” Jewish kingdom church. His encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus is more than a personal conversion; it’s a cosmic shift in God’s dealings with humanity. In this moment, we see the epitome of divine grace. Instead of judgment, Saul receives mercy. Instead of wrath, he experiences grace.
This encounter sets the stage for a new era in God’s plan. Paul (formerly Saul) became the apostle to the Gentiles, announcing that Christ, through His crosswork, broke down the “middle wall of partition” between Jews and Gentiles. As he writes in Ephesians 2:14-16, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; .And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”
Paul’s ministry introduces what he calls “the mystery” – a plan hidden in God from the beginning of time but now revealed. This mystery involves the formation of the Body of Christ, where there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. It’s a radical departure from the previous dispensation, where Israel held a privileged position.
The apostle describes himself as a pattern for all who would believe after him. In 1 Timothy 1:16, he writes, “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” Paul’s conversion and calling became the prototype for how God would deal with humanity in this new dispensation of grace.
This shift from law to grace, from Israel’s prominence to the equality of all believers in Christ, is fundamental to understanding the message of the New Testament. It’s not about the abolition of God’s promises to Israel, but rather the introduction of a parenthetical period where God’s grace is extended equally to all.
As we reflect on this journey through Scripture, we’re confronted with the magnificent scope of God’s plan. From the promises to Abraham, through the Law given to Moses, to the grace revealed in Christ and expounded by Paul, we see a God who is both consistent in His character and innovative in His methods.
This understanding challenges us to view our spiritual journeys in a new light. Are we living under the freedom and grace revealed through Paul’s ministry? Have we fully grasped the implications of being part of the Body of Christ, where old distinctions and barriers no longer apply?
Moreover, it invites us to marvel at the wisdom and foresight of God. Even in moments that seemed like setbacks – the rejection of Christ, the persecution of the kingdom church in early Acts – God was working out His “eternal purpose.” The very man who once sought to destroy the cause of Christ became its greatest proponent to the Gentile world.
As we close, let’s consider the personal implications of this biblical narrative. Just as Paul found mercy and grace in his moment of confrontation with Christ, so too are we offered the same. No matter our past, no matter how far we feel we’ve strayed, God’s grace is sufficient. We are invited to be part of this new creature, this Body of Christ, where old identities and divisions fade in the light of God’s love.
Let us then, like Paul, become ambassadors of this message of reconciliation. In a world still divided by race, culture, and creed, we carry the revolutionary message that in Christ, these barriers are broken down. We are called to live out the reality of this new identity, united in Christ, empowered by grace, and driven by love.
May we continually seek to understand and apply these truths as we go forward, growing in our appreciation of God’s intricate plan and our role within it. Let us be people who understand the Scriptures and live out their transformative power in our daily lives, becoming living epistles to the grace and mercy we have received.
By Bryan C. Ross
Grand Rapids, MI
January 3, 2025
Resources For Further Study
Back To Basics: Gaining A Strategic Grasp Of Scripture (YouTube Playlist)