A Study Outline
Paul's Mystery Gospel, Which is GOD'S "SECRET" GOSPEL
By Arthur J Licursi
Some years after the cross and soon after the stoning of Stephen, Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor of the Messianic believers, was converted on the road to Damascus when Jesus, from heaven, appeared as a bright "light" speaking to him. Saul then became "Paul, THE Apostle to the Gentiles" (Rom 11:13). Paul received "the revelation of The Mystery" (Rom 16:25), a body of truth that makes up the core of "the gospel of the grace of God" (Act 20:24). Paul was given his ministry "to the Gentiles" for the formation of "the church, which is body of Christ" (Eph 1:22b-23a).
Let's now examine this "Mystery" that Paul spoke of so often.
1) Paul says God's MYSTERY Gospel is NOW REVEALED & Dispensed.
Ephes. 3:1-4, 11 (KJV) For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you GENTILES,
2If ye have heard of the dispensation (oikonomia, household administration) of the grace of God
which is given me (Paul) to youward (the believing members of the body of Christ):
3How that by Revelation he (the ascended Christ) made known unto me (Paul) THE MYSTERY (Grk.
mysterion, the Secret Gospel); as I wrote afore in few words,
4Whereby, When Ye READ, Ye May Understand My Knowledge In The Mystery Of Christ …
11According to the Eternal Purpose which he (God the Father) purposed in Christ…
Romans 16:25-26a Now to him (Christ) 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 (secret Gospel),
which was KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN, 26 But now is made manifest...
2) Paul's "MYSTERY" GOSPEL had been "KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN." 1 Cor. 2:7 we speak the wisdom of God in a MYSTERY, even the HIDDEN (Gk. apokrupto, concealed) wisdom, which God Ordained Before The World unto our (eternal) glory: Rom 16:25 according to the revelation of THE MYSTERY, which was KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN, Col. 1:26a THE MYSTERY which hath been hid (Gk. apokrupto, kept concealed) from ages and from generations
3) What about Jesus, He no doubt knew "the Mystery"? He kept God's Secret Plan a "secret." John 16:12-13, 15 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 15… he (the Spirit of truth) shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Peter and "the twelve" did NOT know of "the Mystery" gospel at the time of Pentecost because Paul had not yet been converted to receive that "Gospel for the Gentiles." Rather, Peter preached to "ye men of Israel" what had "been spoken by the mouth of ALL (the) prophets since the world began" (Act 3:21b). He spoke only to Israel concerning the Messianic kingdom of heaven to come to Israel on earth.
Note that in his final epistle Peter points Israel to "THE WISDOM GIVEN UNTO HIM (Paul.)" 2 Pet 3:12-16 Looking for and hasting unto the (2nd) coming of the day of God (for Israel), wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering (delay) of our Lord is salvation; even as our BELOVED BROTHER PAUL also according to THE WISDOM GIVEN UNTO HIM hath written unto you; 16 As also in ALL HIS (PAUL'S) EPISTLES, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things HARD TO BE UNDERSTOOD, which THEY THAT ARE UNLEARNED AND UNSTABLE WREST (twist), AS THEY DO ALSO THE OTHER SCRIPTURES, UNTO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION.
4) The Ascended Lord Revealed the Mystery to Paul. Paul calls this Secret Gospel "MY GOSPEL." Acts 9:15 Jesus tells Ananias:… he (Paul) is a chosen (ekloge, divinely selected) vessel unto me… Gal 1:12 I (Paul) NEITHER RECEIVED IT (the secret gospel) of man, Neither was I taught it, but (rather) BY THE REVELATION OF (directly from) JESUS CHRIST Col. 1:25 Whereof I (Paul) am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, TO FULFIL (Gk., pleroo, finish, make replete) THE WORD OF GOD; 1 Cor. 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I (Paul) write unto you ARE THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD. Romans 2:16 ... God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to MY (Paul's) GOSPEL.
5) Paul says, today "Any Other Gospel" Is To Be "Accursed" (Gk, anathema, banned, in the church) Gal 1:8-9 though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel (e.g., the Law) unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach ANY OTHER GOSPEL unto you than that ye have received, let him BE ACCURSED.
6) Paul here REVEALS the "Mystery" Gospel? Col. 1:26-28 Even the MYSTERY which hath been HID from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints (believers): 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of … this MYSTERY AMONG THE GENTILES; which IS CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of (eternal) glory: 28aWhom we preach… (Paul preached "Christ in the believer"!)
7) How can Christ actually Indwell Every Believing Child of God? It is as "The Spirit" in our spirit. Zech. 12:1 … saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth THE SPIRIT OF MAN WITHIN HIM. 2 Cor. 3:17 NOW the Lord (JESUS) is that Spirit: … 1 Cor. 15:45 … The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam (Christ) was made (became) a quickening (life-giving) spirit. 1 Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that WE DWELL IN HIM, and HE IN US, because HE HATH GIVEN US OF HIS SPIRIT. 1Cor. 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Jn 3:6…that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit Rom 8:9-10 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, he is none of his.
8) Now you might ask; "WHY WAS CHRIST'S INDWELLING KEPT A 'SECRET"? 1 Cor. 2:7-8 we speak the wisdom of God in a MYSTERY, even the hidden wisdom, which GOD ORDAINED BEFORE THE WORLD UNTO OUR GLORY: 8Which none of the Princes of this World knew: for had they known it, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CRUCIFIED THE LORD…
Now in retrospect, Satan would rather have (1) living Jesus alive on earth than a crucified risen Lord dwelling IN every believer!
9) "Christ IN" the Members of "the body of Christ" is the essence of the Pauline Mystery Gospel! Gal 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith (that is) OF the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Col. 3:4 CHRIST, WHO IS OUR LIFE,… Col. 2:9-10 For in him (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10ye are Complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power:
10) As Believers We Walk "In Christ," subject to our union with His Indwelling "Spirit of Life." Rom 8:2 the law (inner working) of the Spirit of LIFE in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law (working of) of sin and death (in my flesh). Gal 5:16 I say Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Gal 5:25 If (Since) we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
11) Our ministry is according to Paul's admonitions. Ephesians 3:9a to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God... Philippians 3:20-21a For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body... 2 Corinthians 5:20a Now then we are Ambassadors For Christ...