So then, what is the Gospel of the Kingdom, the Gospel of the Circumcision, the Gospel of the Uncircumcision, Paul's "my gospel," etc...? I think that it's important to understand that "gospel" means "good news," and the good news for man has changed throughout time.
Secondly, can you show me where Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc... believed that a Savior would destroy satan and overcome death? If what you say is true, then we should have a consistent record of the nation of Israel continually preaching this message throughout her history, right? You continue,
This is the most accurate statement you make...
Can you cite an instance where Peter, or even Jesus Himself, preaches "the gospel of Grace?"
Can you cite Scripture to show that Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc... believed that a future Son of the God of Israel would live a sinless life, dies on a cross for their salvation and be raised from the dead? In fact, can you show me where any of the Prophets or Apostles (other than Paul) preached this message?
Bravo! This is definitely the message of salvation for the body of Christ! If this is the universal message for salvation that runs the corridor of all time, can you cite anything outside Paul's epistles showing belief in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ for salvation?
Ahhhh... You're a covenant theologian. Makes sense. I will continue to put your feet to the fire and demand answers to your claims!
A couple things here... I hope you don't accept my description of the Tribulation. You must deal with Peter's own words at Pentecost:
Peter identifies that "this event" is a fulfillment of Joel's tribulation setting prophecy (Joel 2:28-32). In fact, the Holy Spirit inspires Peter to change the wording of the prophecy for clarity. Joel's original prophecy said:
However, the Holy Spirit inspires Peter to change the prophecy to:
If there was any question as to whether Peter was quoting an "end-times, tribluation, last days" prophecy, now we know... Peter was telling his audience that the Tribulation was starting. In fact, the pouring out of the indwelling Holy Spirit after water baptism was a partial fulfillment of Joel's prophecy... More on that later if necessary.
I showed you earlier that your 2 Peter passage showed that Peter was confused. Secondly, can you cite a few examples of anyone other than Paul preaching a Grace message?
God bless,
Jeremy
Peter was not confused. Peter honored the authority of the leaders of the Jerusalem church. In other words, he let James overrule him. Don't you recall how Peter was scolded for the episode with Cornelius? Consider this:
Act 10:34
So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,
Act 10:35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Act 10:36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),
Act 10:37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:
Act 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Act 10:39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,
Act 10:40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,
Act 10:41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
Act 10:42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
Act 10:43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
Act 10:44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.
Act 10:45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
Act 10:46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,
Act 10:47 "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
Act 11:1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
Act 11:2
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying,
Act 11:3
"You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them."
Peter later admits his failing, but it was not due to his being confused. Let's not have a re-write of what happened. It is recorded quite plainly in the Book of Acts.
Acts 15:1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
Acts 15:2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
Acts 15:3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.
Acts 15:4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
Acts 15:5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses."
Acts 15:6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.
Acts 15:7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
Acts 15:8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,
Acts 15:9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.
Acts 15:10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
Acts 15:11
But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."