The Secret Gospel

One of the great freedoms I found was timing. Understanding the Lords timing and the different ways He’s dealt with mankind since the foundation of the world, and the ways He’ll deal with mankind in the future.

Understanding timing, or context, blows away all the seaming contradictions of the Word.

The teaching and preaching that says we’re saved by grace and then goes on to list all that we must and must not do always made me have a sense of mistrust in the bible even though I was convinced it was God’s Word. How could God say one thing here and then an almost opposite thing there.

I put it down to man’s interpretation but Romans made me realise that the bible’s not open to man’s interpretation. It says what is says and means what it says.

 

I found that an overwhelming amount of teaching and preaching in modern day churches, especially on social media channels and Christian television, comes from a stockpile of bible verses that’s almost like a preacher’s toolbox.

Selected verses are pulled out of the box and often used out of context as a basis for sermons that’re often some sort of feel good, life enhancing speech. Very seldom are these toolbox verses used within the context they’re part of.

An example would be the word “therefore”. It’s used 105 times in Pauls epistles from Romans to Philemon and 27 times in Romans alone and every time it’s used it’s telling us that we can’t understand what follows the “therefore” if we don’t know what the “therefore” relates to in the previous passages. So often the context makes what follows the “therefore” a completely different message than what’s being preached.

 

Another good example of context is Philippians 4:13 where Paul says,

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

 

If we isolate that verse we can easily see where a motivational preacher can use it to urge his audience to be positive because we can do all things through Christ because He gives us the strength to do all things. A new car? No problem! A new house? Good as done! Overweight? Just pray and you’ll be slim.

But when we see the verse in context we see it differently.

The previous two verses must be read to understand exactly what Paul’s saying. Philippians 4:11-13,

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

This happens in so many places throughout the bible, and in any other book or writing for that matter, where context absolutely matters and is critical to understand what’s being said.

 

Almost all scripture, and almost every verse, is a puzzle piece, a part of the whole picture of God’s dealings with mankind.

The biggest objection to this comes from those who don’t believe that the Bible is the infallible, inspired Word of God.

The challenge for every one of those folk is to first settle for themselves what the Bible actually is.

Once the evidence is looked at honestly anyone can prove that the Bible is a supernatural, living Word.

Of course one step before that is to first be convinced that God actually exists and that He really is the omnipotent almighty Creator of the universe.

Again the evidence for that is overwhelming and everywhere and only those who willingly blind themselves to that evidence can reject it.

Remember “proof” is the result of convincing evidence.

 

So, the discovery of God’s timing, the ages, the dispensations by which God deals with man in different ways is vital in understanding the Word of God.

And, within God’s timing, perhaps the most important piece of timing is the section we could call Paul’s secret gospel, especially for the Body of Christ today.

One of the most valuable tools we can have in this respect is a timeline chart and we have a very basic timeline chart available below this recording.

 

Paul’s secret gospel really starts in Luke chapter nine, in the middle of Jesus earthly ministry where He’s surrounded by the disciples.

Let’s read Luke 9:1-6,

Then he (Jesus) called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 

And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 

And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 

And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 

And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

 

So we see that they preached the gospel.

So what exactly does the word “gospel” mean?

The word in our concordance is basically described as meaning “Good News” or “Glad or Good Tidings”.

The actual word “gospel” only appears in the New Testament section of the Bible although the concept of “good news” absolutely does appear in the Old Testament, especially in Isaiah 40:9, Isaiah 52:7 and Isaiah 61:1. Jesus used these verses in His earthly ministry.

 

The word gospel is used in three different but connected meanings:

Firstly, the “Gospel” as the account of Jesus’ life in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books are called “Gospels” because they tell the good news about Jesus. The word is like a title or genre here, such as “The Gospel according to Matthew.”

 

Secondly, The “Gospel” as the good news of the long prophesied Kingdom of God that Jesus, who was God, came to earth in human flesh to usher in.

We know that Jesus, when He came to the earth came to Israel, the chosen nation. He was the Jews long prophesied Messiah,

We see that all through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and early Acts.

In Matthew 15:24 this is specifically stated but the entire context of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John displays this. It’s about Israel.

In Matthew 3:1 at the beginning of Jesus’s earthly ministry we see this,

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

 

Thirdly, The “gospel” as the message of salvation — the good news preached by Paul.

Paul uses the terms gospel of God, gospel of his (God’s) Son, gospel of Christ, my gospel, gospel of peace, Christ’s gospel, gospel of your salvation, gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, gospel of the blessed God, gospel according to the power of God, gospel of the uncircumcision, gospel of the circumcision and many times simply The gospel. There’s a list of references to Pauls terms below this recording.

 

These 3 groups do not contradict each other. One is the story, one is the heralding in of the earthly Kingdom (they kingdom come), the other is the salvation message that was revealed to Paul.

 

1 Timothy 2:4  reveals God’s will,

Who (God) will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

To undertake this will of God we need to know the gospel.

In Luke 9:1-6 here we have Jesus sending out the twelve and they’re preaching the gospel.

Christians believe that’s what we’re doing, or should be doing today, going out to the towns and preaching the gospel. And if they don’t receive us, if we think they’re not receiving the gospel, we’re going to shake the dust off of our feet.

 

But one of the basics of the timings, the dispensations we’re talking about here is that Jesus revealed a secret to Paul.

Paul explains it in Romans 16:25 like this,

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, 

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: 

 

What does this mean and how does this “my gospel” as Paul puts it differ from the gospel we just read about in Luke 9?

Is there a difference? Why was it a mystery and only revealed to Paul?

 

Paul preaches, Jesus Christ according to the revelation of this mystery. So Christ revealed a mystery, a secret to Paul. And it includes information about the gospel, the gospel Paul calls my gospel.

It’s about Jesus Christ, but it’s about Jesus Christ according to the revelation of this mystery which Paul says was kept secret since the world began.

Look at 1 Corinthians 2:7,

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 

 

In verse 8 (1 Corinthians 2:8) reads,

Which (this mystery wisdom of God) none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 

 

Did these quote “princes of this world” crucify Christ? Yes they did.

Did they know this mystery then? No. Because Paul says if they had known it, they wouldn’t have crucified him and that needed to happen to bring salvation and righteousness into the world.

 

Let’s go to Ephesians 3:3-9,

How that by revelation he (God) made known unto me (Paul) the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 

Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 

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; 

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 

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. 

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; 

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:

 

This mystery was preached by Paul.

So here’s Paul saying he’s teaching a mystery that’s been revealed. And it includes information about the Gentiles. And the gospel and God’s grace. And this was kept secret since before the beginning of the world and it was revealed to him by Jesus.

 

Look then at Colossians 1:25-27 where Paul again talks about this mystery,

Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 

Whereunto I (Paul) also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. 

 

Paul says that this mystery gospel is not just for the Gentiles, but it’s to every man. Obviously, when we talk about men in the Bible, we’re talking about mankind there.

So every man means every man and woman.

 

What happened when Jesus revealed this mystery to Paul.

Let’s go to Acts 9 and see what happened there that was so special.

Acts 9:3-5. and remember that Paul is called Saul here. His name was changed later.

We read,

And as he (Saul – Paul) journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 

Now to Act 9:6,

And he (Saul) trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

 

So here’s Paul. He’s on the road to Damascus when Jesus the Lord comes to him. He tells he’s going to tell him what to do in response to Paul asking the Lord what do you want me to do?

The Lord tells Paul to go into Damascus where there’s a man called Ananias. At this stage Paul has lost his eyesight.

 

At the same time Jesus is dealing directly with Ananias and in Acts 9:11-12 we read,

And the Lord said unto him (Ananias), Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 

 

Ananias questions the Lord because of the evil reputation Paul has of persecution to those who believe in Jesus as the Messiah.

Jesus explains to situation to Ananias in Acts 9:15,

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

 

In Acts chapter 22:12-15 Paul explains the events that occurred in detail to an audience in Jerusalem and he says Ananias told him that “the God of our fathers hath chosen thee” to know God’s will, and to see “that Just One,” and hear the voice of His mouth, and be a witness “unto all men.”

 

Paul repeats it again in Acts 26:14–18, where Jesus

says He appeared to Paul “for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness,” and that He is sending Paul to the Gentiles “to open their eyes… that they may receive forgiveness of sins.”

 

So in Acts 9, Christ Himself gives Paul a ministry and begins revealing His will to him. This is the same thing Paul talks about in Romans 16, 1 Corinthians 2, Ephesians 3, and Colossians 1. Christ reveals the mystery that was kept secret since the world began. It includes a gospel committed to him by Christ.

 

In Galatians 1:11-12 Pauls says to the Galatians,

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 

For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

 

Paul didn’t get this gospel that he’s preaching from anyone other than Christ.

Paul reminds them how he once persecuted the church, was zealous in the Jews’ religion, but God called him by grace “to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen.” He didn’t go to the apostles to learn anything—he went into Arabia and back to Damascus. His gospel came straight from Christ.

 

So here’s where this one thing, the gospel, gets confused and it’s only by understanding the changes in dispensation, the timing that we can erase the confusion.

Paul says, I preach the gospel. It was a mystery kept secret. It was given to me directly by Jesus Christ. And yet in Luke 9 Jesus is sending twelve people, and they’re going out through all the cities and they’re preaching the gospel.

So how can they preach the gospel when it was unknown before it was revealed to Paul?

Paul’s preaching the gospel and says it was a mystery until revealed to him. How could it be if the disciples were preaching it long before Paul was even converted?

Paul’s preaching a gospel that was kept secret, given to him directly by Jesus. The disciples are given a gospel from Jesus to preach that was not a secret.

 

This is where so many controversies and arguments are birthed and it’s such a shame because it’s so simple when we let the Bible speak and stay out of its way.

 

1 Corinthians 9:16 gives a bit more context about Paul and the the gospel that he’s preaching and, and the ministry that he was given of the Lord,

For though I (Paul) preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 

 

Why does Paul have to preach the gospel?

Next verse 1 Corinthians 9:17,

For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 

Paul says, a dispensation of the gospel, is committed to him, and that’s what he’s testifying of.

Christ gave him information, revealed a mystery, wisdom that had been kept secret, and committed it to Paul to minister.

This gospel Paul calls  “the gospel of the grace of God” is unique because it offers salvation to God’s enemies by grace through faith, and Paul himself is the pattern.

In Act 20:24 Paul talks about his ministry to the Ephesian elders and he says,

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

 

Paul calls it the gospel of the grace of God.

What’s unique about his gospel, in part, is that it talks about salvation for God’s enemies by grace through faith. And Paul is a pattern as we see in 1 Timothy 1:15-16,

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  

Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Paul is a pattern of an enemy of God being saved by His grace, and we too are enemies of God, and we too need God’s grace to save us.

Colossian 1:21-22,

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 

In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 

This ministry that Paul had was regarding in part the gospel, and that gospel was a gospel of God’s grace that was offered to his enemies.

Let’s look into a little bit more about what that gospel included and how that worked in Galatians 1:8-9

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. 

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 

Something about this gospel is so important that Paul says if any other gospel is preached unto you, let that person be accursed.

However, we have this conflict between the gospel that was revealed to Paul, which any man who preaches otherwise is cursed, and the gospel Jesus Himself gave to the twelve apostles to preach.

Let’s get a bit more detail about the gospel that Paul preached before we look at the gospel during Jesus earthly ministry.

Paul says that we’re sinful enemies of God and will face God’s judgment, and we deserve death.

Romans, which Paul wrote and is the foundational book of doctrine for the Body of Christ, includes information about his gospel and salvation.

In Romans 3:23, which we’ve studied in our verse by verse study of the book of Romans Paul concludes this,

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 

Paul concludes this after painstakingly building the picture in the previous chapters of Romans.

And in Romans 1:18-32, Paul talks about the judgment that’s coming to sinners and he describes what a sinner looks like and if we’re honest with ourselves we can all recognise ourselves in that awful description.

The end of that passage should send chills up our spine. Romans 1:32,

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 

The passage continues in Romans 2:1-3 with one of those “therefores” we talked about,

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 

But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

 

There’s no one that’s going to escape that judgment. We’re all sinners. God’s going to judge that sin, and the result is going to be death.

But Paul also says God offers a gift—eternal life through Jesus Christ. And that gift comes through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for sinful, ungodly enemies of God. Those who receive this free gift will escape judgement because there’s nothing to judge. Their sin has been paid for by death even the death of God Himself in the flesh.

In 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, Paul declares the gospel he received from Christ. Here it is,

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 

 

Paul says in Romans 16:25 that this gospel includes things that were not revealed before. In Romans 5:6–10, Paul says Christ died for the ungodly, for sinners, for enemies, who we all were, and that we’re “justified by his blood” and “reconciled to God by the death of his Son.”

Colossians 1:14 and Ephesians 1:7 say His blood brings redemption and forgiveness.

Paul also teaches that believers have eternal life because we are joined to Christ. In Romans 6:6–11 we’re told that our “old man with its body of sin is crucified with him,” and we’re to reckon ourselves “dead unto sin, but alive unto God.”

In Romans 8:11, the same Spirit that raised Jesus will “quicken our mortal bodies.”

In 1 Corinthians 15:20–22, Christ is the “firstfruits,” and all in Christ “shall be made alive.”

So how do we get into Christ?

We become “in Christ” the moment we believe the gospel, when the Holy Spirit places us into Christ’s body, uniting us with His death, burial, and resurrection. That’s it. Paul never commands to “Become in Christ” or “Get into Christ” or “Try to be in Christ”.

Instead, he declares it as a completed fact for every believer:

No ritual.

No process.

No striving.

Just faith in the finished work of Christ.

Paul says salvation is by grace through faith, not by works or the law. In Romans 3:24–28, we are “justified freely by his grace,” and God is the “justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Paul concludes that a man is “justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” In Romans 4:4–5, he says if you work for it, it’s not grace—but to the one “that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Because Christ’s blood justifies, redeems, and gives eternal life, we’re complete in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 says we have all spiritual blessings in Him.

Colossians 2:10 says we’re complete in Him. No law‑keeping can add to what Christ already finished.

 

So Paul’s gospel is this:

We’re all sinners and enemies of God whether Jew or Gentile and we’re all facing judgment and death.

Christ died, was buried, and rose again for our sins.

His blood brings forgiveness, redemption, and reconciliation.

Eternal life is given to all who believe.

And this salvation is a free gift of grace, not of works.

This gospel that was revealed to Paul is part of the mystery, kept secret until Christ made it known and it includes something new: “one new man”, the body of Christ.

In Ephesians 2:14–16, Christ broke down the wall between Jew and Gentile and made “of twain one new man,” reconciling both to God in one body by the cross.

In Ephesians 3:6, Paul says Gentiles are now “fellow heirs… of the same body.”

This is part of the hidden wisdom Christ revealed to him.

 

Now, let’s skip back to the four gospels.

There were twelve people that Jesus sent out and they were preaching a gospel and Paul wasn’t even around then. Paul came on the scene in Acts 8 and then Acts 9 is when Jesus reveals the mystery to Paul.

So what did Jesus actually send the twelve disciples to preach?

In Matthew 10:5–6, Jesus commands them and we read,

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

That’s already different from Paul, who is sent to all men, especially Gentiles.

In Mark 6:12, the twelve preach that men should repent or change their mind about breaking the covenant, because the kingdom was coming. Their message was about Israel’s promised kingdom, not the body of Christ. The term “The Body of Christ” is only found in Paul’s writings.

And if the kingdom was “coming,” then it obviously wasn’t here yet.

Paul, on the other hand, preaches forgiveness now, reconciliation now, and one new man made of Jew and Gentile now.

Another difference is in Luke 18:31–34, where Jesus tells the twelve He will die and rise again, but they quote “understood none of these things.”

Yet Paul’s gospel centres on Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The twelve who preached in Luke 9 didn’t even know about it and when they were told of it by Jesus they didn’t understand. Peter even began to rebuke Jesus. That alone shows the two messages, the two gospels cannot be the same.

In Luke 18:31–34, Jesus takes the same twelve men He sent out in Luke 9 and tells them plainly that everything written by the prophets about the Son of Man will now happen—He’ll be handed to the Gentiles, mocked, beaten, killed, and rise again the third day. That’s the death, burial, and resurrection, the same truth Paul later preaches in 1 Corinthians 15:1–4. But, again, the twelve “understood none of these things.”

It was “hid from them.”

That’s a big problem if the gospel they preached in Luke 9 was the same as Paul’s. How can you preach a gospel that you don’t even understand?

Just a few verses earlier in Luke 18:18–25, a rich ruler asks Jesus how to get eternal life. Jesus does not tell him what Paul tells us. He doesn’t say, “Believe my death and shed blood, it’s a free gift by grace.”

Instead Jesus points him to the commandments, and then tells him to sell all, give to the poor, and follow Him into the coming kingdom.

That’s the gospel of the kingdom, not the gospel of the grace of God.

Rich or poor doesn’t matter for us today, but in that kingdom message, refusing to give up riches meant he could not enter.

So what gospel were the twelve preaching in Luke 9 and Luke 18? It clearly wasn’t Paul’s gospel, because they didn’t even understand the cross or resurrection. Their hope of eternal life was tied to doing the law and following Christ into the earthly kingdom.

 

Then Jesus dies in Luke 23 and rises in Luke 24 and none of the disciples believed it at first—not just Thomas, but all eleven of them, minus Judas, and we see this in Luke 24:9–11 and 36–41.

After He appears to them, Jesus spends forty days teaching them, opening their understanding to the law, prophets, and psalms as we read in Luke 24:44–45.

He explains that it was written that Christ must suffer and rise again, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached “beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46–47). He blesses them and ascends into heaven.

Luke also wrote the book of Acts and Acts 1 continues the same story. Jesus shows Himself alive for forty days and gives commandments to the apostles (Acts 1:1–3). Surely now they understand the Scriptures He taught them.

Then in Acts 2, Peter finally preaches—but notice who he preaches to in Acts 2:22: “Ye men of Israel”.

Not Gentiles. Not all men. Israel.

And what does he preach? That they crucified their Messiah. He doesn’t preach the one new man, the body of Christ, or salvation by grace through faith without the law. He preaches the kingdom message to Israel, but now with the added fact that Jesus rose from the dead.

So even after the resurrection and forty days of teaching, the message the twelve preach in Acts 2 is still Israel‑focused, still kingdom‑focused, and still not the gospel Paul later calls “my gospel,” revealed to him as part of the mystery.

Paul says that if the mystery had been known, the rulers would not have crucified Christ.

That means God planned the cross before the world began as the way to deal with sin.

But Peter says in Acts 2 that Israel wickedly crucified Christ.

Why? Because under the gospel of the kingdom, Israel was supposed to recognize Jesus as their Messiah and believe who He said He was. That would be the key to usher in the long prophesied glorious kingdom. Instead, they rejected Him and crucified Him, going against God’s revealed will for them.

Peter preaches in Acts 2:24 that God raised Jesus from the dead and in Acts 2:36 he says, “God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

The people are pricked in their hearts and ask, “What shall we do?”

Peter does not preach Paul’s gospel of grace.

Instead he says, “Repent and be baptized… for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). This promise is to Israel and their children.

In Acts 3:13–15, Peter again preaches to Israel. He says they denied the Holy One and killed “the Prince of life”.

He says the lame man was healed by faith in His name, not faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross. There’s a big difference. Then Peter says something very important Acts 3:19: their sins will be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come. That’s future—when Christ returns. That’s not the same as Paul’s teaching that we have forgiveness now through Christ’s blood.

Peter also says in Acts 3:21 that what he’s preaching was spoken “by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began”. This is diametrically opposite to what Paul says, that his gospel was a mystery kept secret since the world began (Romans 16:25). Those two things simply cannot be the same.

Peter’s message was prophesied. Paul’s message was hidden.

Peter’s preaching to Israel only, offering the kingdom, calling them to repent so the kingdom can come.

Paul preaches to all men, Jew and Gentile alike, about a new man, the body of Christ, created by the cross (Ephesians 2:14–16).

Paul’s gospel requires Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for the ungodly (1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Romans 5:6–10).

Peter’s gospel in Acts 2–3 does not preach the cross as good news for salvation; he preaches it as Israel’s crime.

So we see clear differences:

– Peter’s gospel was prophesied while Paul’s was a mystery.

– Peter preached to Israel while Paul to all men.

– Peter preached repent and be baptized while Paul preached grace through faith.

– Peter preached future blotting out of sins while Paul preached present forgiveness, forgiveness now.

– Peter preached faith in Jesus name while Paul preached faith in His finished work on the cross.

It’s not the similarities that matter—it’s the differences.

And even one difference means they cannot be the same gospel.

So the gospel in Luke 9 and Acts 2–3 is not the same as the gospel Christ later revealed to Paul.

This is one of the basic truths of the bible and can only be fully understood when we divide the word of God correctly into it’s past, present and future dispensations as 2 Timothy 2:15 says.

Paul’s gospel is the secret gospel Jesus gave to him, and it’s different from the kingdom gospel preached before.

Both are correct in their right context and dispensation. Jesus is the Author of both and we need to understand both.