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Which Gospel Was Preached And When?

The Romans to whom Paul wrote the Roman letter had a faith, in something. But they were not established and so Paul was eager to preach THE GOSPEL to them that are at Rome also. We know that they did have faith, in something, because Paul thanks God for it:

Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

So we saw that they had a faith, but it was not a mutual faith. In other words the faith of the Romans must not have been the same as that of Paul, because of what he said.

Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Romans 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

The Romans obviously believe THE GOSPEL OF GOD but they have never heard Paul's gospel, THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. Paul identifies the gospel of God in the first four verses as the testimony of God pertaining to His Son, Jesus Christ, that can be found in old testament scriptures. Paul, never having preached to the Romans before, and they never having heard Paul’s gospel could not have had faith in it. Therefore their faith must undoubtedly have been in what could have been known before the revelations given to Paul. Keep in mind that the GOSPEL OF CHRIST is Paul’s gospel. Nobody else in the bible refers to or claims to preach the gospel of Christ.

Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

So by way of the Roman letter, Paul puts things in their minds which will establih them in the gospel of Christ, which is Paul's gospel.

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.

So, it's clear then, that the gospel of God is not the same thing as the gospel of Christ. Well, if the gospel of God is not the same thing as the gospel of Christ, then what is it? And just HOW MANY gospels are there in the bible anyway? It's commonly taught that there is only one gospel in the bible. That is to say, one message. The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are sometimes called the FOUR gospels but we all know that they are basically four different accounts of the same thing, the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.

But contrary to popular opinion, and contrary to the teaching of the majority of fundamental Christianity, all news is not the same news. And that's what the word gospel means, good news. So let's just take the terms as they appear in a King James Bible, and get a BIBLE definition of each of the terms. We are not going to try to fit the definitions to somebody's theological system. And if it happens that the bible is contradictory to the major doctrine books, or the major "schools" and so on, we will use the bible as the authority.

So, in this study we want to look, and find, what the bible says specifically, about several different terms. Not that this will be an alll inclusive list of all the good news you can find in the bible, but that the terms we are going to look at are all used, not once, but on numerous occasions in the bible. Here are those terms we want to look at:

1. The gospel of the Kingdom

2. The gospel of God

3. The gospel of Christ

4. The gospel of the grace of God

5. The everlasting gospel

But before we look at those terms, we want to look at two more terms: The gospel of the uncircumcision and the gospel of the circumcision. The reason we want to look at these two first is because these two terms stand for a division in DOCTRINE. In other words, it's all God's church, but there is more than one church in the bible. The bible shows that there are, not one, but THREE churches. And the DOCTRINE to each of those three churches is different. For instance, Moses had a church in the wilderness: Look at what Stephen said about Moses:

Acts 7:37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

So we know that there was a church in the wilderness, as in the book of Exodus, and that Moses was the head of that church. Now look what Jesus says in Matthew 16:

Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Matthew 16:17 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.

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Now when the Lord says "I WILL BUILD my church," I know that the church he is GOING to build cannot be the SAME church that was with Moses in the wilderness. Do you see that?

He says I will build my church, and we find that it also has a name:

Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Now the church which Moses was the leader of, the church in the wilderness, is no longer in existence, and the Lord said I will build my church, and the only church in existence since Matthew sixteen up until the time Stephen is stoned to death in Acts chapter eight is the CHURCH WHICH WAS AT JERUSALEM. It began with 12 men, the founding fathers, so to speak, and it grew by 3,000 in Acts chapter two and by five thousand in Acts chapter four.

Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

So the church is AT JERUSALEM. Notice also that it doesn't say that 8,000 people got saved and JOINED the church. It says the Lord added to the church daily, such as SHOULD BE saved. And that SHOULD BE is the operative phrase, because according to Peter, their sins would not be blotted out until the second coming of Christ, as he says here:

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 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

Now that stands in contrast to what Paul said when Paul reminded the Corinthians of the gospel he preached, and this is important, because it's the difference between the gospel of the UNCIRCUMCISION and the gospel of the CIRCUMCISION. Paul says

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

People who believe THIS gospel, the gospel Paul preached, are members of the THIRD church in the bible. The church, which is THE BODY OF CHRIST.

Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

So you see, a CERTAIN doctrine was committed to Peter and a certain DOCTRINE was committed to Paul:

Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

So by comparing what Peter said with what Paul said, you can see the difference in the doctrine, and by Galatians 2:7, you can see that one DOCTRINE was committed to Peter and another to Paul. Paul calls it the "FORM of sound words." He tells Timothy:

2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Notice that Paul says, "that thou hast heard of.." Who? Of me. Not the form of sound words that thou hast heard of Peter, because there is no indication in the bible that Timothy every heard Peter. So in Galatians 2:7 we see two DIFFERENT DOCTRINES pertaining to salvation.

Now let's just totally demolish the idea that there is only one gospel in the bible. I am going to show you just a few verses here that clearly demonstrate AT LEAST FOUR gospels. Four different messages that are not the same. Things that are different, in the bible, are not the same. You should NEVER consider them to be the same.

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

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.

Now in those three verses alone, there are THREE gospels. Three totally different messages. Notice that Paul says "the gospel that we preached unto you." Well what did Paul preach to the Galatians? The gospel of Christ. He says they are being removed to ANOTHER GOSPEL. What is that other gospel? Well, it turns out to be the gospel Peter preached, sins blotted out at the second coming of Christ. That's not the same as "Christ died for our sins, and was raised again for our justification, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." But do you see anything else there? What about ANY OTHER gospel. What about an angel from Heaven, preaching any other gospel? Look at the book of Revelation:

Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Revelation 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Well, that's not the gospel that Paul preached, that Christ was JUDGED in our behalf, that God made him to be sin for us, and there is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus. It's also not the gospel that Peter preached, "men of Israel repent that your sins may be blotted out when Christ comes again."

So in Galatians chapter one, alone, you see not one, but THREE GOSPELS. The gospel Paul preached, the gospel Peter preached, and the gospel the Angel preached. There is also a FOURTH gospel in the book of Galatians:

Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

So, the gospel to Abraham was that through him, that is, his seed, that all nations would be blessed. So, once again, just because you see the word GOSPEL in the bible, it doesn't mean that all gospels are the same gospel. Like we have said before, that is a TERRIBLE BLUNDER by the religious system, one of the worst mistakes they ever made.

Now, let's take the GOSPELS in the order they appear in the bible. We have already looked at the everlasting gospel in the book of Revelation. It's about the judgment of God and it's preached by an angel from Heaven. No man even preaches that gospel, but only the angel in the book of Revelation. So I think it's pretty clear that that message is not a message for today. But in Matthew, is the first time you see the phrase, the gospel of the Kingdom.

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 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

So what is the gospel of the Kingdom? It's the good news that the nation of Israel was promised the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth, Jesus Christ has come on the scene, and the good news is that the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

So Jesus Christ preached, and he sent the 12 Apostles out to preach, the message of the Kingdom:

Matthew 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:

Matthew 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The message of the Kingdom continues through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, but the nation of Israel rejects both their King and the Kingdom, and Christ is crucified, buried and is raised from the dead. And in Acts chapter two, Peter begins to preach the message that Paul identifies in Romans chapter one as THE GOSPEL OF GOD. Let's refresh our memory for just a second:

Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Romans 1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

Romans 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

So Paul identifies this message, or this information shown in these four verses, as the GOSPEL OF GOD. It is the testimony of God about His son, Jesus Christ. It was testified by the prophets in the scriptures. It testifies that Jesus IS God's son, and that according to the flesh, in other words, the virgin birth, he is of the seed of David, but he is PROVEN to be the son of God by the resurrection from the dead. The gospel of God.

Now let me show you where Peter preaches the gospel of God:

Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Acts 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

Acts 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

Acts 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Now if I stop there, and don't go any further, what do I have? I have the same information Paul has identifed in Romans chapter one as THE GOSPEL OF GOD. It is the testimony from scriptures, and here Peter is quoting from the book of Psalms, and referring to David's prophecy. In other words what God promised before in the holy scriptures.

But Peter doesn't stop there:

Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

Acts 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

When Peter says those last four words SIT ON HIS THRONE, what do we have? We are back to KINGDOM information right? In other words Jesus of Nazareth, is the heir to the throne of David, the King of Israel.

Acts 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, THE LORD SAID UNTO MY LORD, SIT THOU ON MY RIGHT HAND,

Acts 2:35 UNTIL I MAKE THY FOES THY FOOTSTOOL.

Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

So as Peter preaches to a town full of devout Jews, he is telling them that they have murdered their Messiah, but that God has raised him from the dead. The prophets prophesied of this, and they need to repent, identify with their Messiah in water baptism, looking for the day when Christ will come again, sit on the throne of David, and rule over Israel and all the earth. But he has FIRST preached what? The gospel of God. In other words he first IDENTIFIED the Son of God and the fact that he was proven to be the Son of God by resurrection from the dead.

So the KINGDOM INFORMATION is added to that basic truth. The gospel of God. Now that Peter preached the gospel of God, look here:

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Now Paul preaches a VERY SIMILAR message to a bunch of ignorant idolaters in Athens in Acts chapter seventeen:

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

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.

Now let me say this. You only find the phrase, the gospel of the Kingdom, in the Four Gospels. Peter is preaching basically the same information as you find in the gospel of the Kingdom but it's not called that. Peter's message is not called the gospel of the Kingdom. Instead it's called what? The gospel of the circumcision.

Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

So basiclly, the only difference in the gospel of the Kingdom and the gospel of the circumcision is that there is NO DATE INVOVLED. Peter never says "repent for the Kingdom is at hand." He says repent, and your sins will be blotted out when Christ comes again. Remember in Acts chapter one that they had asked the Lord if He was going to restore the Kingdom to Israel AT THIS TIME. And he told them it is not for you to know THE TIMES or the seasons. So the gospel of the circumcison is basically the same as the message of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the gospel of the Kingdom, without a date.

But you see that the GOSPEL OF GOD is something that came AFTER the gospel of the Kingdom, because the gospel of God includes the resurrection of Christ and in the gospel of the Kingdom, in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John they didn't know anything at all about the DEATH of Christ. As a matter of fact they were not even sure about the resurrection until Christ appeared to them. So Peter's message is called the gospel of the CIRCUMCISON and it's related to the Kingdom and the King ruling and reigning on the THRONE OF DAVID. But, guess what? Paul NEVER mentions the THRONE OF DAVID.

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Notice he says according to MY gospel. He doesn't say according to OUR gospel, or according to THE gospel. So there is a DISTINCTION in the two messages. There is a DIVISION to be made. And that distinction is made clear and unmistakable when the Lord sends Paul, by revelation, TO COMMUNICATE to the men in Jerusalem:

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.

So Paul says he COMMUNICATED unto them THAT GOSPEL that I preach. But yet, we see where BOTH Peter and Paul preach what Paul refers to as the gospel of God. It shows that scripture is FACTUAL and TRUSTWORTHY, because God PROMISED IT in the scriptures. It identifies the Saviour, PROVES that prophecy in scripture is correct and can be trusted, and that there IS such a thing as resurrection from the dead, because Christ has been PROVEN to be the Son of God BY RESURRECTION.

So it's truth that ANYBODY must clearly understand BEFORE they can trust in or believe in any further information. In other words, if you don't know WHO God is, how can you understand WHO Christ is or what it is he has done, or is going to do? Now here are some ignorant idolaters we need to look at:

Acts 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

Acts 17:17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

Acts 17:18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

Acts 17:19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

So these idol worshippers have come upon Paul where he is preaching to some people who MEET WITH HIM. Notice that he doesn't go TO the idol worshippers, but instead they come to him, they hear him and he is preaching Jesus and the resurrection.

Now I suggest that you take the time to read the whole passage in Acts chapter seventeen. It says that Paul preached Jesus and the resurrection. They think it's about strange Gods. That should tell you what they might have been in a position to understand about what Paul said. But Paul takes their devotions, and an alter they have TO THE UNKNOWN GOD and preaches to them about God that made the world and all things and that he doesn't dwell in temples made with hands, and that he is also not worshipped with men's hands.

Now if that tells me anything it tells me that there is no such thing as fruits of the flesh. It tells me that you cannot worship God by your physical activities or the things you build, or the things you bring, or with AIDS to worship. Things that men build or can do with their hands is not the worship of God.

So he tells them that God made of ONE BLOOD all nations of men and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation. In other words, no man has ascended into Heaven, but Jesus Christ, and your habitation is limited to the earth you walk on and the air you breath. And he says that men should seek the Lord:

Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

Well, WHAT WAS IT that was not far from these Athenians? Not far from them was the synagogue of the Jews and in there they COULD HAVE found out about the God who made heaven and earth and all things. But they were not in the synagogue, where Paul had just come from, and you DON'T find Paul preaching a salvation message to these ignorant idolaters. Instead he preaches a resurrection and a judgment that you never find in the books of Romans through Philemon.

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.

So basically, what you have in Acts 17 is that these Athenians are PUT ON NOTICE. What you have basically is what? Not the gospel of Christ. Paul has preached Jesus and the resurrection, and God the creator. So this might qualify as the gospel of God. In other words Paul gave them something to think about and he warned them of a future judgment.

Acts 17:34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

So Paul got some peoples attention in Acts 17. What happened AFTER verse 34 we are not told. Anything OTHER THAN what you can read in the passage you will have to READ INTO it. So the point is, WHAT DID Paul preach, and when? You could say that Paul preached the gospel of God here, but there is no way you could say he preached the gospel of Christ. Now let's go back to Acts chapter 14.

Acts 14:8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

Acts 14:9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

Acts 14:10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

Now Paul has found a crippled man at Lystra. Paul perceived that he had faith to be healed. What does that mean? It means that the man had faith in the God of Abraham, and Paul healed him.

Acts 14:11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

Acts 14:12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

Acts 14:13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

And Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes and run in among the people and they cry out, we are men just like you and so on. They say, we preach that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God which made heaven and earth and the sea and all things, and so on.

Acts 14:18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

In Acts chapter fourteen, in this passage, you CAN'T EVEN find the gospel of God. These people are in no position to be told ANYTHING about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, raised from the dead. They are just not in a position to hear it. They don't even know WHO God is, much less WHO the promised seed of David is. These people don't even hear the gospel of God. If anything at all, it would be what Paul called the "knowledge of God in their heart."

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Romans 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

So those idolaters in Acts 14 didn't even know enough about God to be told anything. And the next thing that happens is the Jews show up and stone Paul and drag him out of the city for dead.

So back to the Gentiles at Rome, to whom the Roman letter was written, Paul says they have a faith. He recognizes it and thanks God for it, but he says he is ready to PREACH the gospel to them also. The point is, they have a faith, but it is not a mutual faith, they are not established and it is Paul's gospel, the GOSPEL OF CHRIST that will establish them.

Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

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.

So that's what Paul delivers to them, THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, in the form of the Roman letter. Now let's go back to Acts chapter 17 because I want to show you a parallel situation. In other words some people who have believed the GOSPEL OF GOD, but who are not established until they can be taught the GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

Acts 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Now let's remember WHERE it is that the GOSPEL OF GOD can be found:

Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Romans 1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

So Paul goes to Thessalonica, he goes into the synagogue of the Jews, and he reasons with them OUT OF THE SCRIPTURES for three Sabbath days. The Jews, and the God-fearing Gentiles would meet, on Saturday, on the Sabbath, in the Synagogue. So Paul, using the Hebrew scriptures, the old testament, reasoned with them:

Acts 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

So there you see THE GOSPEL OF GOD, the identity of the Son of God, that it IS Jesus, and that God has raised Him from the dead. Now let's read on:

Acts 17:4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

Acts 17:5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

So the unbelieving Jews started an assault, they set the whole city into an uproar, and Paul has to flee for his life. They send Paul to Berea, and he preaches in the synagogue, but the Jews follow him:

Acts 17:13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

Acts 17:14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

So this is where we were at earlier, with Paul in Athens. But notice that he left Silas and Timotheus there. Now from Athens Paul goes on down to Corinth, which is in Greece, and Silas and Timothy join him. And from Corinth he writes the Thessalonian letters.

1 Thessalonians 2:1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

1 Thessalonians 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

So Paul says that he preached THE GOSPEL OF GOD to the Thessalonians, and we saw that clearly in the verses in Acts 17. But Paul is worried about them. Remember he preached to them for three Sabbath days, but then he had to flee for his life and he had not had time to ESTABLISH THEM. What is it that will establish them? The GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

1 Thessalonians 3:1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

1 Thessalonians 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

So Paul sent Timothy back to establish them in THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. Now let's go back to the book of Romans:

Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Romans 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

So the Romans have a faith, but it is not a MUTUAL faith, that is they are not established in THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

Romans 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

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.

So we have seen that the angel in the book of Revelation will preach the EVERLASTING GOSPEL. We saw that the gospel preached in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John was a Jewish message, it was for Israel, and it was called THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM. We saw that Peter preached basically the same message in the book of Acts that had been preached in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Peter has new information. Christ has been crucified, buried and raised from the dead and Peter says it was TO SIT ON DAVID'S THRONE.

So Peter's message and doctrine pertains to a specific group of people. It is called the GOSPEL OF THE CIRCUMCISION. When Paul was saved and given a different DOCTRINE, there had to be a distinction made. Peter's message had to be identified as ANOTHER GOSPEL, and Paul's gospel then was referred to, in a private meeting in Jerusalem with Peter, James and John, as the GOSPEL OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION.

Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

But before ANY salvation message can be preached, FIRST the identity of the Saviour has to be made clear, hence THE GOSPEL OF GOD, which as we saw was preached by both Peter and Paul. Then after it is clear that Jesus is the one spoken of in prophecy, he is the Lord, he is the Son of God, proven to be by resurrection from the dead. Once those facts are understood, then a salvation message BASED ON those facts can be preached.

So, the Romans believed the gospel of God, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that God raised him from the dead. (The Gentiles to whom Romans was written have probably also previously believed in some type of Messianic message, as they are said to be “graffed in” to the Olive Tree in Romans 11) The Thessalonians had not heard ANY message before Paul arrived. But neither the Romans nor the Thessalonians are ESTABLISHED in their faith with just that information. So with that information Paul preached to the Romans and established them in THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. Silas and Timotheous ESTABLISHED the Thessalonians in the GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

1 Thessalonians 3:6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

1 Thessalonians 3:7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

So Paul's gospel, THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, is preached, all the way through the book of Acts. It is the power of God unto salvation, to TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

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.

Two groups of people, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. All the way through the book of Acts you see Paul preaching and he is preaching the gospel of Christ TO THEM THAT ARE CALLED, he says.

1 Corinthians 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

1 Corinthians 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

All the way through the book of Acts you see both Jews and Gentiles being saved and becoming members of the body of Christ by the preaching of Paul. The Gentiles who are being saved turn out to be God-fearing Gentiles who have associated themselves with Israel in the past. The whole book of Acts is the record of the blinding and the casting away of the nation of Israel. The whole thing culminates in Acts 28 and it says THE JEWS DEPARTED.

So there are Jews and Gentiles being saved during the book of Acts. The Gentles turn out to be Greeks. They are called Greeks in a King James Bible. Paul preached to the Jew first and also to the Greek, and his message is called THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. But then there is a TURN of events. After spending three years in Ephesus, Paul leaves.

2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

2 Corinthians 2:13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

So Paul left Asia and went over into Europe, into Macedonia. There is little record written by Luke in the book of Acts of what Paul did. Luke merely says:

Acts 20:1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

Acts 20:2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

So Paul went over those parts, gave them much exhortation and came into Greece. it was from Greece that Paul wrote the Roman letter.

Acts 20:3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

So the Jews are hounding Paul again. He was going to sail into Syria, but instead he goes back north through Macedonia.

Acts 20:6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

And then he continues on his way until he comes to Miletus, a seaport not far from Ephesus. He send for the elders of the church at Ephesus, and talks to them there by the seashore.

Acts 20:18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

Acts 20:19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

Acts 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

Acts 20:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

So Paul tells them that he has received a ministry of the Lord Jesus and he tells them what it is, to testify the GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.

So Paul goes on to Jerusalem, the Jews from Asia catch him in the temple and try to kill him. He is rescued by the Romans, and he asks to speak to the people. He speaks to them in the Hebrew tongue and tells them of a vision he had from the Lord:

Acts 22:17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

Acts 22:18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

Acts 22:21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

So Paul becomes a prisoner in Rome FOR YOU GENTILES:

Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

So we have the GOSPEL OF GOD, THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, AND THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. The gospel of the grace of God pertains to the dispensation of the grace of God, and Paul says it was a mystery that you couldn't prove by the Old Testament scriptures. There was no way. He said that it was unsearchable.

Ephesians 3:8 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;

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

So these Gentlles to whom Paul wrote the Ephesian letter didn't come to Christ through the Law, and they didn't come to Christ by blessing Israel. They didn't hear Paul preach in all those synagogues of the Jews. These people were ALIENS from the commonwealth of Israel, STRANGERS from the covenants of promise, and without God and without hope in the world. So the gospel of the GRACE OF GOD in the dispensation of the grace of God had a beginning:

Philippians 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

Nobody was helping Paul or supporting Paul, only these Phillipians did. All that were in Asia, those people Paul had met with on the seashore in Acts 20, all those people Paul had preached to for three years in Ephesus and Asia had left Paul, they had turned away:

2 Timothy 1:15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

Paul said that only Luke is with me. Everyone had deserted Paul. But he had said that none of these things move me. I don't even count my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy. And he did:

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

So all gospels are not the same gospel. We have looked at several gospels. And we have went into some detail about the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM, THE GOSPEL OF GOD, THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, AND THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. I hope this helps you to see WHAT gospel was preached WHEN. Now we will close the study with this next verse. but I want you to think about WHICH appearing Paul MIGHT be talking about here:

2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

We know that those who are saved by grace through faith are looking for that BLESSED HOPE, and the glorious APPEARING of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. But could Paul also have had in mind the appearing of the Lord in Acts chapter nine, on the road to Damascus? Could he have had in mind the “abundance of visions and revelations” he received from the Lord? Could he have in mind what the Lord had said to him, that he would be a witness of THESE THINGS (Acts chapter nine) and of THOSE THINGS “in the which WILL APPEAR unto thee?” I am thinking that he probably did.