As summarized in the Les Feldick Ministries Oct-Dec 2009 newsletter, Laura Thomas, along with a couple of friends, compiled the following groupings of verses as a handy reference for understanding the kingdom message taught by Jesus and his disciples as compared to the grace message taught by Paul.
[Les and Iris Feldick's daughter, Laura Thomas, went home to be with the Lord in 2017. She
had worked in the ministry's office for years. Laura became quadriplegic following a horse riding
accident in 2004, and after many years she passed on due to complications of the accident.
She suffered so much, but her faith never wavered, and she would often write a section of the
quarterly newsletter called "Note from Laura".]
Note from Laura: Compilation of Kingdom / Grace verses
The following are some (there are more) references from Matthew
through Philemon (and one from II Peter) that hopefully will help the reader
distinguish between the message of Jesus and those he taught (Jews) as compared
to the message of Paul and those who he taught (primarily Gentiles). Jesus and the disciples taught the message of the kingdom [repent
and be baptized and believe on His name-- that he was the Messiah and the
kingdom was at hand]. This message was primarily to the Jew. On the other hand, Paul's message was to everyone but primarily
Gentiles (non-Jews) and was that salvation is obtained by believing that Jesus
died and was resurrected. Nothing else is required. The disciples baptized and taught the kingdom message and did not
even understand that Jesus had to die and rise again even though the Old
Testament foretold it and Jesus himself told them it had to happen. They
definitely did not preach the grace message. Even after his resurrection, the
12 disciples continued to preach that Jews needed to repent and be baptized and
recognize that Jesus was the Messiah before the kingdom could be ushered in.
Because the Jews rejected this message just as they rejected Jesus's earthly
ministry, God then took his message to the Gentiles--via Paul. Bible verses supporting the message of Jesus
and the disciples: Matthew 3:1-2. In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the
wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand. Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he
that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:
he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Matthew 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of
thee, and comest thou to me? Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent:
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of
sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching
in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every
sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 16:13-17 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he
asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they
said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others,
Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I
am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon
Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father
which is in heaven. Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he
that believeth not shall be damned. Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching
the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; Luke 8:1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout
every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom
of God: and the twelve were with him, Luke 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal
the sick. Luke 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he
received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that
had need of healing Luke 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go
thou and preach the kingdom of God. Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The
kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all
likewise perish Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be
preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to
become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: John 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast
[day], many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life. John 3:22-23 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the
land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was
baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they
came, and were baptized. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of
the only begotten Son of God. John 4:1-2 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard
that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself
baptized not, but his disciples,) John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of
God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word,
and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come
into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one
which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I
will raise him up at the last day. John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me
hath everlasting life. John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out
of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever
liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved
me, and have believed that I came out from God. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every
one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may
be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of
the Lord; Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince
and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Acts 8:12-13 But when they believed Philip preaching the things
concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he
was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles
and signs which were done. Acts 8:36-37 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain
water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be
baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.
And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his
name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the
Lord.
The following verses support that Jesus and
his disciples kept their message primarily to the Jews. Note that synagogues
are always Jewish.
Matthew
4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and
healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching
in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every
sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 10:5-6 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:But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of
commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in
their cities. Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost
sheep of the house of Israel Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching
the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; Luke 4:43-44 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to
other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues
of Galilee. John 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the
land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince
and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel,
preaching peace by Jesus Christ.
The following verses support the fact that
the disciples had no idea that Jesus was going to die and rise again. They even
had problem accepting this after His resurrection.
Mark 9:31-32 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son
of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after
that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood not that
saying, and were afraid to ask him. Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat,
and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they
believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. Luke 9:44-45 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of
man shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they understood not this
saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared
to ask him of that saying. Luke 18:33-34 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the
third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and
this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. Luke 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a
parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the
kingdom of God should immediately appear. Luke 24:10-11 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of
James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the
apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them
not. [concerning his resurrection] Luke 24:44-46 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake
unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which
were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms,
concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand
the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved
Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: [Comment: Although they finally understand
the resurrection, the disciples continued to teach what they always had--and
that was repent, be baptized, believe that Jesus was the messiah and that the
kingdom was close. Of course we know the Jews (as a whole) rejected this.] John 12:16 These things understood
not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered
they that these things were written of him, and [that] they had done these
things unto him. John 20:9 For
as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
The following verses support the contrast of
Paul's message. His message was primarily to the Gentiles [although he always
attempted to reach his fellow Jew] and it was so simple compared to the message
of Jesus and disciples. Paul tells us clearly over and over that all we have
to do is believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus for our salvation. Nothing
else.
Acts 13:37-39 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it
known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached
unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified
from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 17:18b Because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will
judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he
hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is
the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first,
and also to the Greek. Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith
without the deeds of the law. Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that
justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 4:24-25 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we
believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered
for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this
grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:21 So as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace
reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not
under the law, but under grace Romans 10:9 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. I Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ
sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words,
lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of
the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is
the power of God. I Corinthians
1:23a But we preach Christ crucified, I Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover,
brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also
ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep
in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I
delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ
died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that
he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Galatians
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. Ephesians 2:5-9 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,
(by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit
together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might
shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ
Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Galatians 3:22-26 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise
by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith
came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should
afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto
Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we
are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith
in Christ Jesus. Titus 3:5-7 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; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ
our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs
according to the hope of eternal life.
This next set of verses support that Paul's
message was primarily to the Gentiles:
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen
vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the
children of Israel: Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was
necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing
ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we
turn to the Gentiles. Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church
together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened
the door of faith unto the Gentiles Acts 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to
Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among
the Gentiles by them. Acts 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook
his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean:
from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. Acts 22:21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far
hence unto the Gentiles. Acts 26:17
Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send
thee Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first
that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to
the Gentiles. Acts 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God
is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel
to you that are at Rome also.
[All of Paul's writings (with the exception of Hebrews) to were little
churches established outside of Israel. Although they had converts who were
Jewish, they must have been primarily made up of Gentile believers.] Romans
11:13-14 For I speak to you Gentiles,
inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any
means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the
Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles
might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which
Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them
that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were
of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. Galatians 2:7-9 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the
uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was
unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the
circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James,
Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given
unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we
should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Ephesians 3:1-2 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you
Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is
given me to you-ward: Romans 3:6-8 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same
body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made
a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual
working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is
this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable
riches of Christ; I Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I
speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and
verity. II Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a
teacher of the Gentiles II Timothy
4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with
me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and
that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the
lion.
Then there are a few extra verses supporting that Peter
taught one message while Paul taught another, but in the end, as the dispensation
of law gave way to the dispensation of grace, God--through Peter--told the Jews to
go to what Paul teaches.
Galatians 2:7-9 But contrariwise,
when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as
the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually
in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me
toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be
pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and
Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and
they unto the circumcision. II Peter 3:15-18 And account that
the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul
also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all
his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard
to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do
also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved,
seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with
the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace,
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Acts 18:24-26 And a certain Jew
named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures,
came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being
fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord,
knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the
synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them,
and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. [Here we see a believer who knew the message of baptism but was then taught the message of grace which was more perfect.]