Romans 16 (KJV)
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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,
²⁶ But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Ephesians 3 (KJV)
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¹ For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
² If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
³ How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
⁴ Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
⁵ Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
⁶ That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
⁷ 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.
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;
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:
Since the World Began
That which was Spoken vs. That which was Kept Secret
“…which God hath spoken…since the world began.” – Acts 3:21
“…the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.” – Romans 16:25
1. Zacharias Prophesies That Which Had Been Spoken – Luke 1:67-79
a. Context: Zach is a law-abiding Jewish priest prophesying about Israel – Luk 1:5-6, 8-9
b. God’s people is Israel – John 1:11, Psa 135:4 (“God of Israel” > 200x’s in the bible)
c. Salvation from what? Oppression, enemies – Luk 1:74; Ps 106:10,47; Deu 26:18-19
d. God’s mercy to the fathers is that he will do what he promised – Deut 4:31, Neh 1:5
e. To Abe (Gen 12:3, 17:7-8), Ike (Gen 26:4), Jake (Gen 28:14), Moses et al. (Exo 19:3-6)
i. Israel as a nation above the nations – Deut 14:12, 28:1
ii. Israel in their promised land – Deu 30:20, 11:9
iii. The world blessed through Israel – Gen 12:3, 22:18
iv. Peculiar people, holiness/righteousness – Ex 19:5-6, Lev 26:40-42, Deu 6:25
2. Peter Preaches That Which Had Been Spoken – Acts 3:12-26
a. Context: Pete is Holy Ghost-filled Jew healing & preaching in the temple – Acts 3:8
b. Peter’s audience is Israel (Acts 3:12, 3:25); he’s talking about Israel (Acts 3:13)
c. Preaching Jesus’s death as a bad thing – Acts 3:15, 19, 23; Acts 2:36-37
d. Proclaiming the fulfillment of Israel’s covenants (land, blessing, rise)– Acts 3:25
e. They must turn from their sin in order to serve God & be in his covenant – Acts 3:26
3. Paul Explains That Which Was Kept Secret – Rom 16:25
a. The Mystery of Christ not revealed until Paul– Eph 3:3-5, 8-9; Col 1:25-26
b. Hid in God before the world began – 2Tim 1:9-10, Titus 1:2-3, 1Cor 2:7
c. What is the mystery of Christ?
i. Israel is fallen before God – Rom 11:11, 11:25-32, 3:22-23; Gal 3:28
ii. A new creature/ body of Christ… – Eph 5:32; 1Cor 12:13; 2Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15
iii. …to fulfill God’s heavenly purpose – Eph 1:3, 2:6, 3:10; 1Thes 4:17
iv. Salvation freely to all… – Rom 3:24, 4:5, 5:8; Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7
v. …apart from Israel, their law/covenants – Ro 3:21, 6:14; Eph 2:12-15; Col 2:14
vi. The good news of Christ’s cross… – Eph 6:19; 1Cor 2:8; Gal 6:14; 1Cor 9:17
vii. …for present possession of salvation by grace – Rom 5:1-2, 11; Col 2:13; 2Cor
5:21
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