Compare and Contrast (part 3)

Comparing and contrasting verses is the method of study that turned the lights on in my thinking when I was first discovering the importance of rightly dividing the word of truth. The verse in 2ND Timothy that explains how study should operate is not optional but necessary in having the correct understanding of the Bible. The next two verses in comparison should jump off the page when you read them in that one person was speaking about what everybody knew, and the other speaking about what nobody knew. Pay close attention to the last four words in each verse beginning with Peter in Acts 3 compared to Paul in Romans 16. Both Apostles were on the scene at the same time and yet had entirely different messages.

• Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

COMPARE TO:

• Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Since the world began. See it? How many times did you read these verses and not see the difference? It was quite a few for me. Peter was preaching according to what was spoken by all the holy prophets SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN. On the other hand, Paul was preaching Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, which was KEPT SECRET.....SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN. Now it isn't difficult to understand that if something was kept secret since the world began, it would not be the same as that which was spoken by all the holy prophets since the world began. What Paul was preaching was entirely new information never before revealed to anyone prior to the Apostle Paul. What was known and what was kept secret are mutually exclusive.

The Lord Jesus while in His earthly ministry confirming the promises made unto the fathers said in John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Paul, on the other hand said that what he is preaching is unsearchable in 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;

The scriptures are progressive in revelation. What was correct doctrine in times past would not be correct in the "but now" dispensation of the grace of God. If your belief system has not progressed past the red letters of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John and the early part of the book of Acts, you need to get up to speed operating where God is operating today.

• 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.

Paul preached Christ according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began. Paul did not preach baptism in water, tithing, enduring unto the end to be saved, commandment keeping, Sabbath observing, and so on. Paul preached only what was revealed unto him from the risen Christ, Acts 9 and after. What is your preacher preaching? Does your preacher preach Christ according to the revelation of the mystery? or does he preach the "any other gospel" as stated in Galatians 1:8? This is serious business and deserves to be respected as such.