Kingdom Gospel versus Gospel of Grace

There seems to be some confusion among the body of Christ as to whether or not the gospel Jesus’ preached and that of the Apostle Paul are the same gospel. This is important to us believers as we know we are taught in the scriptures if anyone preaches a different gospel to the church than what the Apostle Paul preached they are to be accursed.

Galatians 1:[8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

How in the world could the Kingdom Gospel and ours be the same? Our gospel is based upon the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus none of which had occurred during the time of preaching the kingdom gospel.

How could the kingdom gospel and ours be the same? The kingdom gospel was preached before the ministry of Jesus had begun as John the Baptist preached it before he had baptized Jesus!

Unfortunately, there are many in the ministry who are not able to rightly divide the word of truth and rather than study the word they just try to combine everything into one gospel. This is like trying to fit square pegs into round circles.

There are also those who cannot accept that God will give them His righteousness and extend forgiveness by simple faith in the shed blood of Jesus. They would rather attempt to help God by their own works in spite of the fact this is repeatedly repudiated in the Pauline Epistles.

The kingdom gospel began to be preached by John the Baptist and then continued through the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ and the disciples before the rejection and crucifixion of the Lord. The purpose of the kingdom gospel was to prepare a Jewish people to receive the earthly kingdom of Jesus Christ the son of David. The purpose of our gospel is to prepare all people for the eternal kingdom of God.

The factors which made up the gospel of the kingdom are these: You had to be a Jew. (This alone eliminates ALL Gentiles from salvation.) You had to receive the baptism of repentance. You had to do the works of the law AND be more devout in your application than the Pharisees. (See Matthew chapters 5 through 7)

The factors which make up the gospel of the grace of God are: You have to be a sinner. (This automatically includes ALL of mankind.) You have to confess to God your sins. You have to accept the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus as payment for your sins and hope for eternal life. You have to personally trust in this finished work as sufficient for yourself apart from ANY works.

Let us examine, as all questions of faith should be, by the light of the word of God.

 

The kingdom gospel’s message was for ONLY Jews the gospel of grace is for everyone.

Mt 6: [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

[32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

[33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Mt. 10: [5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

[6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

[7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Rom. 10: [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

[11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

[12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

[13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

The kingdom gospel was one of the sword while our gospel is the gospel of peace.

Matt.10:[34] Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Rom.10:[15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Eph.6:[15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

 

The kingdom gospel began with the Baptism of John our gospel began with the Resurrection of the Lord.

Matt.11: [12] And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

[13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

1Cor.15:[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

[2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

[3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

[4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

The kingdom was of the law and ours is of grace.

Mt. 19: [16] And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

[17] And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

[18] He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

[19] Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

[20] The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

[21] Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Gal.2:[16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Gal.5:[4] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

 

The kingdom was of works ours is of grace ALONE.

Mt. 5: [20] For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Mt. 5: [29] And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

[30] And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Mt. 5: [48] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Mt. 6: [14] For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

[15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

Titus 3: [5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

[6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Ep. 2: [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Gal.2:[16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

 

 

The kingdom gospel had no Holy Spirit presence while He is the generator of ours (new birth).

John.7:[39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Ep. 1: [13] In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

[14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Rom.8:[9] 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.

 

 

The kingdom gospel has no eternal security while it is the hope of the gospel of grace.

Mt. 7: [21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

Tit.3: [4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

[5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

[6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

[7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.