“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” (Rom. 16:25).
The phrase, “the preaching of Jesus Christ,” is not referring to what Christ taught or preached while He was on this earth. It is not even about what He had preached to and through the Apostle Paul when He gave Paul the revelation of the Mystery from Heaven. But, rather, it is what Paul preached about Jesus Christ. It is a proclamation about the living, glorified, ascended and enthroned Christ – the purpose being, that believers will have a proper understanding and orientation to Him in this Dispensation of Grace.
Who is Jesus Christ?
Christology, or the doctrine of the person of Christ, is the most important doctrine in the Bible. The Bible identifies Christ as the God/Man – the perfect Mediator between God and humanity because He partakes fully of both natures – “Son of God/Son of Man” (Jn. 1:34; 5:27; 20:28; 1 Tim. 2:5). Since Christ partakes of the nature of both God and man, He represents God to humanity, and He also represents humanity to God.
It is in His incarnation (Acts 8:32-35) that we best see Him as the “Son of Man.” (Note: He is never called this in the Pauline Epistles.) He is, thus, a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3). The “Son of Man” is identified with mankind (Heb. 2:14), the earth and the prophesied earthly kingdom (Lk. 3:38; 1 Cor. 15:45).
The information that comes to us about the Lord Jesus Christ, from the Old Testament and the Gospels, is all according to “the flesh” (Rom. 9:5), “prophecy” (Acts 2:29-32; Rom. 1:3-4), and “promise” (Acts 13:22-23). It is, therefore, safe and fair to call this information, “The Preaching of Jesus Christ According to the Flesh, Prophecy, and Promise.” By way of contrast, the Apostle Paul, based on the information that came to him by way of Heaven, calls this information, “The Preaching of Jesus Christ According to the Revelation of the Mystery.” Because of what Paul learned about the glorified Christ and His relationship to the Body, he could say, “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh: yet now henceforth know we Him no more” (2 Cor. 5:16).
I believe this contrast represents the most important division in the Bible. A failure to perceive and apply this to the interpretation of the Bible has worked great havoc and has contributed greatly to sectarianism which has made such a mockery of Christian unity.
The preaching of Jesus Christ according to the flesh –
This means that Jesus Christ was:
- A member of the Royal Family: the “seed of Abraham” – a Jew (Heb. 2:16), the “Branch of Jesse” (Isa. 11:1, 10; Rom. 15:12), “seed of David” (Lk. 2:11; Jn. 7:42; 2 Tim. 2:8), and the “beloved Son” (Lk. 3:22).
- The announced Redeemer of Israel. See Zacharias’ prophecy (Lk. 1:68- 75).
- Come to do the “Father’s business” (Mt. 26:42; Lk. 2:41).
- “Manifest to Israel” by being baptized by John the Baptist (Jn. 1:33).
- Sent to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt. 15:24).
- To preach “the Gospel of the Kingdom of God” and saying, “The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe the gospel” (Mk. 1:14-15; cf., Acts 13:24). Christ is both the preacher and the subject of His preaching (Ps. 40:7; Heb. 10:7). And His teachings are all in the context of Israel’s promised earthly/Theocratic Kingdom (Mt. 4:17; 10:5-7; 15:24).
- To fulfill the Law – not to destroy it (Mt. 5:17; 22:40). He outlined the principles by which the Kingdom would be governed (Mt. 5-7).
- A minister to Israel: “A minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers; and that Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy” (Rom. 15:8-9).
The Lord Jesus Christ ministered to the nation of Israel in a very special and unique way:
- As Israel’s Messiah – “elect,” “anointed” (Isa. 42:1-4; Mk. 14:62).
- As Israel’s Savior – (Mt. 1:21; Lk. 2:11; Acts 13:23). He came in a particular and specific way to “His own” (Mt. 15:24; Lk. 19:9-10; Jn. 1:11). We are reminded that while Christ came to be the Savior of the world (Jn. 1:29; 3:16-17; 1 Jn. 4:14), Gentile salvation was not to be divorced and independent of Israel. Salvation was “of the Jews” (Jn. 4:22) and to the “Jews first” ((Rom. 1:16), and then into the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8).
- As Israel’s King – (Mic. 4:1-7; Mt. 27:37; Mk. 15:26; Jn. 19:19-22). His subjects, as citizens of the Kingdom, were to “inherit the earth” (Mt. 5:5). His Apostles were to be seated with Him (Lk. 22:29-30), and to head up all civil authority in the Kingdom (Mt. 19:28; Lk. 22:30).
Christ was perfectly qualified for this role! His pedigree was impeccable. However, because of unbelief, the throne of Israel and the promised Kingdom has been held in abeyance until “He come whose right it is” (Ezek. 21:25-27).
The Preaching of Jesus Christ according to the Mystery
This is what the Apostle Paul calls the “Mystery of Christ” (Eph. 2:13-16; 3:4-6; Col. 4:3). This is Christ as no one ever knew Him or saw Him before – a Mystical Christ!
This is Christ with a new identity. “Though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more” (2 Cor. 5:17). Paul is saying that his knowledge and relationship to Christ has changed. Some have related to Him with a head knowledge, knowing only about Him. Still others related to Him as a citizen in His Kingdom, and He as their King. But, according to the revelation of the Mystery, believers today know Him as being inseparably united to Him. He is the Head and believers are the Body – “so also is the Christ” (2 Cor. 12:12). Christ’s identity and our relationship to Him is not after the flesh, or the earthly Kingdom. The person of Christ cannot be described without including the Body! It is like being married: a new relationship demands a new identity for both parties – “bone of His bone” (Gen. 2:23; Eph. 5:30-31). This is indeed “a great Mystery; I speak concerning Christ and the Church” (Eph. 5:32).
No Old Testament saint or those who believed on Him during His earthly ministry, ever anticipated this kind of relationship; for, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man…” (1 Cor. 2:9). They never dreamed that a sinless, glorified member of the human race/Man would sit on the throne of God in Heaven. Nor did any Jew ever anticipate the “middle wall of partition” being removed (Eph. 2:14), and that those – both the “near” and the “far” (Eph. 2:17) would be saved and formed into “one new man” (Eph. 2:15) in Christ – “But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit” (1 Cor. 2:10)!
Note: God has brought peace and reconciliation in a way possible only to God. Read and enter into the full enjoyment of His great love: 1 Cor. 12:12-13; 2 Cor. 5:14-21; Gal. 3:21-28; Eph. 1:3-23; 2:11-22; 5:23-32; Col. 1:18-29; 3:1-16.
This is Christ glorified (2 Cor. 3:18). He is now enthroned in Heaven, where He demonstrated His mighty power to us-ward (Eph. 1:20; 2:6; Col. 3:1-4); having “blessed us with all spiritual blessings” (Eph. 1:3) – independent of rituals, Law, ceremonies, or works of any kind.
Note: Compare the revealed information with the secret information.
– Prophecy –
Luke 1:70; 16:29-31; 24:25-27, 41; John 1:45; 5:39, 46; 6:45; Acts 3:21-24; 10:43; 26:22-23; 28:23
– Mystery –
Romans 16:25-26; 1 Corinthians 2:7-10; Ephesians 3:5-9; Colossians 1:26
Take special note of how long information about the Christ of Prophecy has been revealed, i.e., “spoken by all the prophets since the world began.” And, how long information about the Christ of Mystery has been kept secret, i.e., “kept secret since the world began.”
MARANATHA!