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TRANSITION PERIODS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
This message, of the transition period in the New Testament, is a revised addition. We must repeat the fact that if the transition periods in the New Testiment are not understood, there will be many things in the New Testiment that cannot be understood!
Therefore, since the Word of God is a very deep subject, when reading and studying it, we must not be shallow minded. Think very deep my friends, think deep!
( 1 )= The reader will notice that we have put words in parenthetical type {Brackets} in various verses, including Bible verses. This is done to help the student have a better comprehension of the different passages of our message. Also notice, we repeat ourselves at times, for a better understanding. This may be a little bewildering to some folks who are not use to that kind of speech.
( 2 )= Therefore, please bear with us as we teach the message. A good idea would be to read your Bible along with each verse we will quote. It is also very important for the reader to look up all the added Bible texts that we have referred to in the message (in red). This will give our readers much added information!
( 3 )= Concerning the "Transition Periods" and the beginning of the BODY OF CHRIST, we must be dogmatic here in stating that if the student does not understand the Transition Periods in the New Testament, and the difference in the various Dispensations of our Bible, one can never understand the New Testament in its entirety as one should!
( 4 )= Commentary - The question is; what is a Transition Period? When a president is voted into office, there is a period of time before he takes office after he is elected. The old president who has now been replaced, even though having been voted out of office, is still president until the other man begins his own administration.
( 5 )= The time of the voting out of the old president and the beginning of the other, when he takes office a month or so later, is called a Transition Period. Therefore, we have two administrations involved; one ending, the other just beginning and both of them overlapping each other in transition.
( 6 )= Commentary - Concerning the Mosaic Law; it actually seems that at the birth of John the Baptist, who was born six months before JESUS was born around 4 B.C. , when the Mosaic LAW ended officially. Although it was not completely concluded, i.e., paid for by CHRIST'S sacrifice with HIS OWN blood on HIS Cross.
( 7 )= {John 19:30} "When JESUS therefore had received the vinegar, HE said, It is finished: and HE bowed HIS head, and gave up the 'spirit (pneuma' spirit of human life)."
( 8 )= Commentary - The word "CHRIST" used (Tetelestai') means "it is finished and as a result it is forever done." HIS Words were the announcement of a transaction completed. HE had accomplished Redemption. It was the announcement of victory, {1st. Timothy 2:6, Romans 10:4, Hebrews 10:5-12 and Corinthians 2:14}. It was a completed victory over Satan. It fulfilled the Mosaic Law and Dispensation, but it did NOT fulfill the Transition Periods!
( 9 )= Therefore, from "JOHN'S BIRTH", as we will see, began a period of transition right on up to the Cross of CHRIST. This was when the LORD MESSIAH fulfilled the LAW that HE HIMSELF had instituted many centuries before as JEHOVAH GOD, WHO now, in the New Testament, is the same GOD as all believers know as JESUS CHRIST!
( 10 )= Since John was six months older than JESUS, both of them were born during the old Law Dispensation three or four years before the year we call A.D. began. Thus so, even though John started the Transition period at his birth, it overlapped the GOSPEL of MESSIAH'S Kingdom teachings, which ended with the LORD'S death.
( 11 )= Although, the overlapping of the Transition period did not end as yet, not as long as signs and miracles were being practiced and/or performed through the Acts Period up to {Acts 28:28}, this proves this to be so. Read on...
( 12 )= {Luke 16:16} "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the Kingdom of GOD is preached, and every man presses into it."
( 13 )= {V. 16} Above paraphrased in commentary form: "The law and the elder prophets prognostic proclamations for the future, were until John the Baptist, since that time the good news, of the GOSPEL OF THE MILLENNIAL Kingdom of GOD is preached, and every man presses, i.e., strives violently to go and force his way into it by his own endeavors, rather than by GOD's way." The Apostle states...
( 14 )= {V. 12} "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven (has endured and) suffers violence, and the violent (people try to seize and) take it by force.
( 15 )= {V. 13} "For all the prophets and the law prophesied 'UNTIL' John." {Matthew 11:12- 13}
*Are You Thinking Deep?*
( 16 )= {V. 35} "And the angel GABRIEL answered and said to her (Mary), "The HOLY SPIRIT (God) shall come upon you, and the power of GOD the FATHER, the HIGHEST God, shall overshadow you. Therefore also that HOLY THING (i.e., speaking of JESUS' earthly fleshly body and HIS DEITY' within it,) which shall be born of you, shall be called the SON OF GOD."
( 17 )= {V. 36} "And behold, your cousin Elisabeth (the mother of John the Baptist), she has also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month (pregnancy) with her, who was called barren. (Read this whole chapter).
( 18 )= {V. 37} "For with GOD nothing shall be impossible" {Luke 1:35 -37}
( 19 )= Commentary - These above verses in {Luke 16:16 and Matthew 11:12 } both really allude to the same thing. Therefore, we will again, paraphrase those above two verses.
( 20 )= {v. 12} Above in commentary form - "And from the days of John the Baptist until now, MESSIAH'S earthly Millennial Administration which is called the "Kingdom of Heaven" has endured and suffers violence, and many violent Jewish men try to seize and take it by force.
( 21 )= These men tried to bring in the perfect Millennium as a prize out of its rightful place in the future, and add it to their own time, merit, zeal and intense exertions, without GOD, because of their own greed for power, (i.e., Pharisaism, Apostasy and Satanism! )
( 22 )= {V. 13} Above, in commentary form, "For all the O.T. prophets right up untill John the Baptiser was born, into the beginning of a perfect Millennial Administration." John at the age of 30 began his teaching as the forerunner in introducing JESUS and teaching that which concerned the LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO, would in HIS OWN time, bring in HIS PERSONAL Millennial reign as Israel's KING and MESSIAH.
( 23 )= Commentary - Since John being a half year older than JESUS, perhaps he had began his prophetic teachings six months before he baptized JESUS at HIS 30th year of age? (Supposition only). But JESUS being born six months after John, that would make JESUS 331/2 years old at the time of HIS death, in A.D. 30.
( 24 )= In those days, a Hebrew was not considered a full grown man until he had reached the age of 30. During the Mosaic Law period, the prophets of old had taught a great deal about the future earthly Kingdom, the coming MESSIAH, and their prophecies continued right up to the time John came on the scene to later begin his own prophetic ministry. This is prophesied from {Malachi 3:1-6}.
( 25 )= A point we wish to make here, is that the Mosaic Law had been in force for some 1500 years, right up to the beginning of the ministry of John the Baptist. Now, since John being called as a prophet by JEHOVAH GOD, was now obeying his MESSIAH in beginning a new Gospel message of a future Kingdom that had been prophesied in the past many times and was now at hand."
( 26 )= And this new earthly Kingdom, with Israel's MESSIAH as the long ago promised KING OF KING'S, would be completely in charge as a dictatorial leader and MONARCH FOREVER. This would leave the old Mosaic Law, with all it's commandments and ordinances behind, be the beginning of a new type of Grace Dispensation for Israel, should Israel accept CHRIST JESUS AS THEIR KING. (All who are saved to GOD are saved by HIS GRACE! )
( 27 )= The above verses illustrate to us the fact that the 'MOSAIC LAW' was now ended with the appearing of the prophet John, and a Kingdom Administration was just beginning, or actually at hand to begin, that is, as we have stated, if the Jewish people would accept CHRIST as their MESSIAH and KING.
( 28 )= This, as we have said, teaches us that even though the Law ended when John the Baptist came on the scene and later began his prophetic ministry, and was at hand to take place, but, was set aside for two more MILLENNIUMS, which would fulfill more prophecies, such as, {Isaiah 66:8}, that was fulfilled May 14, 1948, with the nation of Israel becoming a new sovereign nation out from the old, in just one day.
( 29 )= Therefore, we had an approximate thirty four year transition period overlapping of LAW and the KINGDOM, from the time of John's birth, at approximately 4-B.C. and JESUS' birth six month later and ministry until the 'MOSAIC LAW' was completely fulfilled on the Cross at Calvary. (Calvary refers to Golgotha, the place where CHRIST was crucified). {Luke 23:33.}
( 30 )= The Kingdom mentioned above, is actually referring to a Kingdom that is given from GOD the FATHER to GOD the SON, to set up on this literal earth, that JESUS, the long looked for MESSIAH, might reign over the entire earth as KING OF KINGS. Read {1st Timothy 6:14-15 }.
( 31 )= Thus so, MESSIAH'S appearing at HIS Second Advent, will be manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only SOVEREIGN. In other words, the return of CHRIST, {V. 14}, will occur at the time ordered and appointed by ALMIGHTY GOD."
( 32 )= We have already spoken of the Kingdom GOSPEL that began with John and how this Gospel was to be taught to the Hebrews. JESUS as the CHRIST, took over from John the work of teaching and preaching in the city of Galilee. Please remember that there was more than one GOSPEL during the Transition Periods, that of the future earthly Kingdom of Heaven, {Matthew 8:11}, and that of the Gospel of the MYSTERY of the GRACE OF GOD for today!
*Please read the message concerning the different Gospels on our web page*
( 33 )= It was then becoming increasingly evident that Israel was not going to repent and accept the offered Kingdom. The rejection was consummated in {Matthew Ch. 12}.
( 34 )= Therefore, John proclaimed the Kingdom but CHRIST WILL possess it. JESUS, being GOD the MESSIAH, was far greater than John and all the other prophets put together, although HE has, to this very day, been esteemed "LESS" by Israel.
( 35 )= The question has been asked, "Were those who were saved under the Kingdom Gospel Administration, and its teaching program, taught by CHRIST, the twelve Apostles and John the Baptist later added to the BODY OF CHRIST? "
( 36 )= There were thousands of Hebrew SAINTS who were alive at the time that GOD began the BODY OF CHRIST through the Apostle Paul's MYSTERY GOSPEL ministry.
( 37 )= Another question naturally arises: "What happened to these people who were not members of The BODY and who lived on into the new Grace Dispensation of today? Did they became members of the BODY at the time of salvation or did they remain attached to Israel under the future Kingdom promises?"
( 38 )= These are all good questions! We must understand that things were in a state of mis-understanding during the Kingdom and Acts, Transition Period, and that it is therefore difficult to determine accurately everything that was transpiring.
( 39 )= For that reason, there is a difference of understanding among Dispensationalists who hold that all of those who were saved before the BODY OF CHRIST began and who lived on into the new Grace Dispensation never became members of the BODY OF CHRIST but remained in what might be called the Kingdom: (Ekklesia - Greek, - Congregation). There are a number of facts which might possibly lead some to this conclusion .
*Now the reader should be thinking very deeply! *
( 40 )= {Number 1} CHRIST promised the twelve Apostles that they would sit on twelve thrones as Judges over the twelve tribes in Israel's Kingdom to come {Matthew 19:28}. Since the basic understanding of Dispensationism is the distinction between Israel and the BODY OF CHRIST, this distinction would be obliterated by having members of the BODY as a part of Israel's Kingdom. Therefore, some maintain that it is seemingly impossible to have the former Twelve Apostles in the BODY OF CHRIST and at the same time, have them in Israel's Kingdom. Could this be true?
( 41 )= { No. 2 } It is argued, that the principles stated in {Romans 11: 29}, forbids the placing of the Twelve Apostles and other Hebrew Believers in the BODY OF CHRIST. The gifts and calling of GOD are without repentance.
( 42 )= The word, "Calling", is interpreted to mean the Dispensational group to which one is called when he is saved, such as "Kingdom calling or ONE BODY calling". Thus, the passage is made to mean that GOD cannot repent or change HIS mind concerning the calling of one after he is saved.
( 43 )= Since all those who were saved before the BODY OF CHRIST began were saved during the Kingdom calling, some believe that it is impossible for GOD to change their calling to that in the BODY OF CHRIST.
( 44 )= {No. 3} It is evident from {Acts 15:19-21 and Acts 21:25} that the Hebrew Believers at Jerusalem carried on a different religious program from that practiced by the Christian Believers later on.
( 45 )= The Hebrew Believers during the Acts period continued with circumcision and other Mosaic customs concerning the 'OLD LAW and the Temple', whereas Paul taught the Gentiles that CHRIST would profit them nothing if they engaged in such practices. Therefore, these differences were evidences of a difference in calling between those two groups.
( 46 )= {No. 4}: Paul stated that he had been entrusted with the "GOSPEL of the Uncircumcision Gentiles", whereas Peter and obviously the previous other Apostles had been given the "GOSPEL of the "Circumcision (Jews), {Galatians 2:7-9}. The wrong interpretation has been, and this writer among many other ministers, have in the distant past been guilty of that wrong conclusion himself, that . . .
( 47 )= Since the Gospel of the 'Circumcision (Jews') was the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM for Israel and has similar characteristics with the present GOSPEL of the MYSTERY. This is further evidence that Peter and Paul were now called to teach two different Dispensational doctrines, (A Dispensation here, refers to an Administrative time period.)
( 48 )= {No. 5} Paul stated that members of the BODY OF CHRIST have "One Hope" {Ephesians 4:4} but our hope is construed to mean the Rapture, as distinct from the Second Coming of CHRIST which is the hope of Israel.
*Start thinking very deeply now*
( 49 )= Since the Twelve Apostles were given the hope of reigning with CHRIST in the 'Millennial Kingdom' and members of the BODY has a different hope, the twelve would have two hopes if they were also members of the BODY OF CHRIST.
( 50 )= {No. 6}: A final argument is the fact that none of the other Apostles in their writings ever mention the BODY OF CHRIST or the Dispensation of the MYSTERY! Instead, their Epistles are addressed to the 12 Tribes scattered abroad {James 1:1}, and the subject matter concerns the prophetic program of Israel.
( 51 )= It is therefore argued that "IF" the 12 Apostles became members of the BODY OF CHRIST they would surely have mentioned specific truth which concerns the BODY in their Epistles.
( 52 )= {N0. 7} It is also generally held that many of Paul's fellow workers, such as Barnabas, Silas, and Apollos, men who were saved before the BODY of CHRIST began, never became members of the BODY even though they preached and practiced BODY truth.
( 53 )= On the other hand, there are those who feel that the weight of evidence is in favor of the view that all Believers during the latter half of the Acts Period, became members of the BODY OF CHRIST.
( 54 )= They believe that when GOD began forming the BODY OF CHRIST, all believers who were alive at that time, no matter if they had been believers before the death of CHRIST or not, were SPIRIT Baptized into the BODY OF CHRIST, when the BODY first began. How then, are the above objections answered?
( 55 )= {A}: The promise of CHRIST to HIS Twelve Apostles that they would "Sit upon 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel" in the Millennial Kingdom was not a part of Israel's Covenant promises, but rather a personal reward which CHRIST gave to HIS Apostles for having forsaken all and having followed HIM.
( 56 )= This reward has nothing to do with either Israel's hope or the ONE BODY'S hope. MEMBERS of the BODY OF CHRIST are going to reign with CHRIST {2- Timothy 2:12}, apparently as a reward for faithfulness. We are not told what particular position we shall hold in reigning with CHRIST, but the Twelve Apostles were told what position they would have.
( 57 )= There is considerable difference between the position of ruler or judge and that of what they are to rule over. The fact of the twelve reigning with CHRIST poses no more of a problem than other members of the BODY reigning with HIM, no matter what office HE places them in, in the future.
( 58 )= {B}: It is very doubtful that Paul used the word "Calling" in {Romans 11:29} in the sense of being called to a particular Dispensational group. In the context, Paul was not raising the question of whether GOD can put an Israelite into the, "BODY OF CHRIST."
( 59 )= Rather, he was showing that GOD's promises to Israel cannot fail its fulfillment. Israel has fallen and has become an enemy of the present GOSPEL OF GRACE, and yet GOD has not repented HIS calling of that nation.
( 60 )= The DELIVERER WILL yet return to Zion and turn away ungodliness from the Hebrew nation. Had GOD changed HIS mind, HE would have cast off Israel permanently.
( 61 )= {C}: It is true that there were two orders of religious programs for Hebrew Believers, and new converts into Christianity, who were saved out from the Gentile heathen during the Transition Period. But this does not mean that Hebrews and non-Hebrew Christians were in two separate and distinct bodies of CHRIST. SAINTS of GOD are saved out of all races of people! {Romans 10:13}
( 62 )= As long as Jerusalem and the Temple stood after MESSIAH'S death, the GOSPEL was to always go to THE JEW FIRST, and then to the UNSAVED GENTILE during the TRANSITION of the ACTS PERIOD. At that time, the Hebrews must have observed religious rites which had never been imposed upon the Christian Believers.
( 63 )= Thus, during the Transition period, the preaching of GOD'S Grace to receive salvation, was first to be taught to the Jews, before teaching about it to the Gentiles. Paul turned from the stiff-necked Jews three times, 1. {Acts 13:46}, 2. {Acts 18:6} and last (Acts 3:28}. Read also, {Romans 1:16 and 2:9-10}.
( 64 )= Even after this, Paul taught about the Kingdom of GOD {Acts 28:31}. It seems as long as Israel's Temple was standing, the Transition Period was still in force, but when the Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70, it ended.
( 65 )= On the other hand, from the very beginning of the BODY OF CHRIST, every Christian's body became a temple of the HOLY SPIRIT individually! And "IF" we haven't the HOLY SPIRIT in us , we do not belong to CHRIST. Read {Romans 8:9}.
( 66 )= {D}: Concerning Paul at that time, when he returned back to Jerusalem, he placed himself under the Mosaic requirements {Acts 21:24-26}, because he took Hebrew vows, observed ordinances of the Temple, circumcised Timothy, and practiced other Hebrew customs. But this does not prove that he was not a member of the BODY OF CHRIST. Paul went partly according to some of the former customs in order to get more Jewish people to listen to his teachings, and become Believers in CHRIST JESUS. In {V. 24}, he explains this. Read also: {Romans 2:16, Romans 16:25 and 2nd Timothy 2:8}.
( 67 )= It is true that Peter had been entrusted with The "GOSPEL of the Circumcision, (of the Jewish Kingdom), but this was before the BODY OF CHRIST Dispensation began. {Matthew 16:19}
( 68 )= The Kingdom GOSPEL had been that, "GOD'S good news to Israel", was not only of personal salvation, but of the fulfilling of all the promises of the Covenant of circumcision, etc., to that nation. But now, after the Kingdom promise and it's Dispensation had been set aside until the last days, i.e., 'after the Rapture of the BODY OF CHRIST'.
( 69 )= Now in this "New Grace Dispensation", Paul never states that Peter and the first 12 Apostles should continue preaching the Kingdom Gospel after the Gospel of the MYSTERY had been established and taught in the new Dispensation, but simply, that it had been committed to himself to be the "Instigator ( Leader" ) of it! Nevertheless ...
*Are You Still Thinking Deeply?*
( 70 )= It naturally stands to reason that the 12 Apostles still taught the Kingdom Gospel until the Apostle Paul revealed to them that, which the LORD had revealed to him, the NEW GOSPEL OF THE MYSTERY, {Galatians 2:11-12, 1st Corinthians 15:1-8, and Ephesians 3:1-9}. Paul, after being saved, instead of going to Jerusalem to reveal the contents of his Gospel to the first 12 Apostles, "he went away" and departed unto Arabia.
( 71 )= The context implies that the place from which he departed was Damascus. Paul's statement "AND 'AGAIN' - I RETURNED unto Damascus in {Galatians 1:17}," and this contains two words which suggests that his Arabian journey originated at Damascus.
( 72 )= The word "AGAIN", conveys the idea of returning back again. The word "RETURNED", speaks of one returning to the place from which he had gone forth. Thus so, we see that Paul's visit to Arabia, both began and ended at Damascus. In order to better understand Paul's going into Arabia, we need to grasp how extensive Arabia was at that time.
( 73 )= It was a vast desert area which reached almost as far north and west as the City of Damascus. Paul uses the strong adversative to emphasize that instead of receiving his GOSPEL of pure GRACE from the twelve Apostles in Jerusalem, he received it in Arabia, from the risen CHRIST.
( 74 )= In contrast to those who were Apostles before Paul in Jerusalem, who made absolutely no contribution to his GOSPEL, Paul apparently received the fundamental truths of his Gospel directly from JESUS CHRIST in Arabia, {Galatians 1:12}. We can only speculate as to where in Arabia Paul received his "DIVINE REVELATION." It may have been any place outside of Damascus to as far southwest as Sinai?
( 75 )= Scripture: "Then 'after three years' I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and I abode with him fifteen days." {Galatians 1:18}
( 76 )= Commentary - Paul was converted on the Damascus road. According to the account in {Acts 9:26-30}, Paul went to Jerusalem shortly after he was converted, and as the result of a plot by the Hellenistic (Grecian Jews, "Hebrews") he was ushered to the Seaport City of Caesare'a.
( 77 )= From there "they sent him to Tarsus"
{ Acts
9:30 },
a trip which he could have made either overland or by sea. It is
interesting that from this time on we have no specific record of Paul until
Barnabas goes to Tarsus and searches him out
{ Acts
11:25-26 }.
( 78 )= Paul affirms that 'three years' after his conversion he went up to
Jerusalem to visit Peter. The word translated "VISIT" is used only here in
the New Testament, and it has the sense of inquiring or visiting in
order to come to know better. The language Paul uses here suggests that his
sole purpose in going to Jerusalem on this occasion was to visit Peter.
( 79 )= Other then Peter, James was the only one of the Apostles he saw.
Furthermore, on Paul's first visit to Jerusalem, after he was saved, all the
Disciples were afraid of him, which apparently also included Peter, but now
it appears that there began a growing friendship between them
{ Acts
9:26-28; - & - 2-Peter 3:15-16 }.
Perhaps we should briefly consider some of the reasons why Paul may have
wanted to visit Peter. . . .
( 80 )= First: as a Believing Apostle himself even though he was called out of due season to reinstitute into operation, a new entirely different GOSPEL DISPENSATION, he was still one of MESSIAH'S Apostles. And thus so, now Paul undoubtedly craved for fellowship with other "like-minded Believers i.e, CHRIST'S disciples.' . . . Again I repeat: disciple means follower.
( 81 )= Second . . . Paul had revealed to Peter the principle of "Justification
By FAITH THROUGH GRACE," which in "germinal firm ( i.e., as in the
earliest stage of development ) in the Old Testament. And no doubt Paul,
wanted to share this truth concerning the new
MYSTERY
GOSPEL
of pure faith - with Peter
{ Galatians
1:12; - Romans 1:17; - 3:21-25; - Hebrews 10:38 - & - Habakkuk 2:4 }.
( 82 )= Third: Paul likely had a desire to know what Peter's relation was to the Law of Moses, and more particularly, why James was so legalistic.
( 83 )= It seems "unlikely that Paul had as yet taught Peter about the
MYSTERY
GOSPEL"
because Peter, as late as the
{ "10th Chapter of Acts," }
had not understood that legalism of the old Law system had been completely
replaced by the Dispensation of the
MYSTERY
and its GOSPEL,
thus the LORD HIMSELF taught Peter a lesson with the
conversion of Cornelius.