farouk
Well-Known Member
It has to be all of grace. Galatians contains strong warnings against the idea of going back to the law. Paul preached mainly to the Gentiles and Peter mainly to Jews, but it was the same gospel.The Holy Spirit was given to the general church population on the day of Pentecost, thus forming the body of Christ; which I would identify as those who are indwelt by Him/ His Holy Spirit.
On another issue in this thread I find the following scripture quite interesting:
Gal 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;
Are there two gospels?
In this passage, the gospel of the circumcision was committed to Peter, I assume that it was committed to him by the Lord.
So then, Peter's gospel, to the circumcision, was not a gospel of condemnation for those who would receive it.
It (Peter's gospel) does entail more understanding to be able to wrap your mind around how the law and grace fit together; whereas Paul's gospel (to the uncircumcision) focused on grace alone and I think that Paul trusted the Lord to produce the fruit by which the behaviour of the Galatians would not be in violation of any law (Galatians 5:22-23).
I belong, by grace alone, with the carcasses of the discarded sacrifices which were burnt without the camp of organized religion and the Old Testament Jewish system.
"For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Hebrews 13.11-15)
The law was changed.
What we now have is better than the law.
(Hebrews 7.12; Hebrews 7.19)