Many readers of the New Testament encounter what appear to be confusing contradictions. The teachings of Jesus in the Gospels can seem at odds with the teachings of the Apostle Paul in his epistles. This confusion often leads to theological uncertainty and debate. The solution, however, is not a complex scholarly exercise but a straightforward biblical principle: "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). This essential key unlocks scriptural clarity by helping us understand that God has two distinct, divinely-ordained programs operating in the New Testament: a prophetic program for the nation of Israel and a "mystery" program for the Church. Recognizing this division resolves the apparent difficulties and allows the Bible to be understood in its intended context.
All Church Doctrine Comes From the Apostle Paul
The unique and foundational role of the Apostle Paul for the Church cannot be overstated. After His resurrection and ascension, the Lord Jesus Christ revealed all Church doctrine exclusively to Paul. In God's plan, Paul is to the Church what Abraham and Moses were to the nation of Israel. He is the "wise master builder" who laid the foundation upon which the Church is built (1 Corinthians 3:10), and he is the "pattern" (Greek: ὑποτύπωσις) for all who would believe in this age (1 Timothy 1:16).
This is why his writings contain "secrets" (Greek: μυστήριον) and "revelations" that are not found in the Old Testament, the Gospels, or the writings of the Twelve apostles. Paul himself testified that he did not receive his message from men, but directly from the glorified Lord Jesus. He wrote to the Galatians that his gospel was "not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:11-12, cf. 1:1). Understanding Paul's unique, divinely-appointed apostleship is the primary key to understanding the New Testament and the specific doctrines for believers today.
"ALL Church doctrine comes from Paul."
The Bible Contains More Than One Gospel
Much of the confusion in modern theology stems from the failure to recognize that the Bible presents more than one gospel, each intended for a specific people during a specific time. Mixing these distinct gospels invariably leads to contradiction. The New Testament clearly delineates between the "Gospel of the Kingdom," proclaimed before and in the early part of Acts, and the "Gospel of the Grace of God," which was revealed through Paul.
The differences are stark and fundamental:
| Gospel of the Kingdom | Gospel of Grace |
|---|---|
| Proclaimed By: John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Twelve apostles. (Matthew 4:17, Matthew 9:35, Mark 1:15) | Proclaimed By: The Apostle Paul exclusively. (Acts 20:24, Romans 2:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) |
| Audience: Primarily the nation of Israel. (Matthew 10:5-7, Acts 2:36) | Audience: All people, both Jew and Gentile. (Galatians 3:28) |
| Content of Faith: Belief in Jesus' identity as the Messiah, the Son of God. (Matthew 16:16, John 11:27) | Content of Faith: Belief in Jesus' work—His death for our sins and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) |
| Requirements: Faith, repentance, water baptism, and keeping the Mosaic Law. (Mark 1:15, Acts 2:38) | Requirements: Faith alone. (Romans 4:5, Ephesians 2:8) |
| Status: No longer valid for salvation after the Council of Jerusalem. (Acts 15:11) | Status: The only valid gospel for salvation today. (Galatians 1:8-9) |
Israel and the Church Are Two Distinct Programs
At the heart of "rightly dividing" is understanding that God has two separate programs: one for the nation of Israel and one for the Church, the body of Christ.
Israel is God's earthly people. His promises to them are tied to covenants, prophecy, and the establishment of a physical, earthly kingdom where Israel will be preeminent among the nations (Deuteronomy 28:1, 13).
The Church, by contrast, is God's heavenly people. It is a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17) in which the distinctions between Jew and Gentile are completely erased (Galatians 3:28). The Church was a "secret," or "mystery," that was completely unrevealed in the Old Testament prophecies. It was made known for the first time through the revelations given to the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 3:3-7). The source of most theological confusion is the mixing of Israel's prophetic program with the Church's mystery program.
Jesus' Earthly Ministry Was Not to the Church
The four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—record the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. This ministry was conducted entirely under the Mosaic Law and was directed exclusively to the nation of Israel. As Paul states, "Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers" (Romans 15:8). Jesus Himself commanded His twelve disciples, "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand'" (Matthew 10:5-7).
During Jesus' time on earth, the Church, the body of Christ, did not yet exist.
The doctrine for the Church comes from the resurrected, glorified Christ in His heavenly ministry, as revealed to the Apostle Paul. While the accounts of Jesus' life are absolutely for our learning and benefit (Romans 15:4), their specific commands were directed at Israel under the Law, not the Church, which is under grace.
To follow Jesus in His earthly ministry means obeying the Mosaic Law.
Recognizing the distinction between Israel's prophetic program and the Church's mystery program, revealed through Paul, is the key that unlocks biblical clarity. It resolves apparent contradictions, harmonizes scripture, and allows the student of the Bible to understand God's magnificent plan for the ages without confusion. Now that you hold this Pauline key, what scriptural "contradictions" might finally unlock and make perfect sense?
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