Salvation First, the Mystery Follows

As far as doctrine, one of the greatest errors today is confusing the gospel that saves with the fellowship of the mystery. Both were revealed to Paul and both are vital, yet they are not the same. The gospel of salvation answers how a sinner is justified now. The mystery answers what God is doing with the saved now. Salvation is the foundation and the mystery is the house that stands on that foundation. The saving gospel declares that Christ died for our sins, that His blood was shed, that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day. All who believe this are instantly saved, sealed, and secure in Christ. The fellowship of the mystery is then learned as a matter of edification and growth. Many teachers reverse the order or mix the two, pressing the mystery on the lost or demanding comprehension of the mystery as proof of salvation. Salvation is always first. Believe the gospel of the grace of God and be saved. Then learn the fellowship of the mystery so you can walk in what God is doing today.

(1 Corinthians 15:1 to 4, Romans 3:24 to 26, Romans 4:25, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 1:13, Acts 20:24)

THE GOSPEL OF GRACE THAT SAVES

Paul states the gospel plainly. Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the scriptures. This is received by faith without works. This gospel centers on the blood of Christ for the remission of sins, not on law keeping, ordinances, or religious performance. The moment a person trusts this good news, God saves them, justifies them, seals them with the Holy Spirit, and identifies them in Christ.

(1 Corinthians 15:1 to 4, Romans 3:24 to 26, Romans 5:9, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:8 to 9, Ephesians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 12:13)

WHY THE MYSTERY IS NOT THE SAME AS THE GOSPEL

Gentile blessing is found in prophecy, yet always through Israel’s rise and kingdom glory. That was known since the world began. The mystery reveals something never spoken by the prophets. Now Jew and Gentile are made one new man in one Body, on equal standing, without Israel’s covenants, without the law, and with a heavenly calling in Christ. This purpose was hid in God until revealed to Paul. Therefore the saving gospel is what God did at the cross to justify the ungodly, while the mystery is what God is doing now with the justified, forming the Body of Christ and dispensing grace apart from Israel’s program.

(Genesis 12:3, Isaiah 49:6, Isaiah 60:3, Zechariah 8:22 to 23, Ephesians 2:11 to 16, Ephesians 3:3 to 9, Colossians 1:25 to 27, Romans 16:25, Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 2:6, Galatians 3:28, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

WHAT THE MYSTERY IS

1. Jew and Gentile in one Body with Christ as Head. No middle wall, no temple ordinances, no covenantal priesthood over the nations.

(Ephesians 2:13 to 16, Ephesians 1:22 to 23, 1 Corinthians 12:13)

2. A new creature with a heavenly position and blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

(2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 2:6, Philippians 3:20)

3. Salvation and growth apart from Israel’s covenants and law, by the cross alone and the revelation given to Paul for this dispensation.

(Colossians 2:13 to 14, Ephesians 3:1 to 9, Colossians 1:25 to 27)

SALVATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN SIGHT

A soul that believes the gospel of Christ’s blood, death, burial, and resurrection is saved at once. Peace with God is theirs whether they ever learn the mystery or not. The fellowship of the mystery does not save. It explains identity, calling, and the present purpose of God for the Body of Christ. Many saints are saved yet confused, because tradition kept them from Paul’s distinct apostleship. They are heaven bound, but their walk is hindered until they come to the knowledge of the truth for this present dispensation.

(Romans 5:1, 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Timothy 2:7)

WHY MANY SAVED PEOPLE DO NOT SEE THE MYSTERY

1. Tradition. Many are taught they stand under Israel’s covenants, the Sermon on the Mount, or Pentecost doctrine. Tradition makes the word of God of none effect.

(Mark 7:13)

2. Pride. The mystery removes ground for boasting. We glory only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Galatians 6:14)

3. Spiritual immaturity. Babes in Christ cannot bear strong meat. The mystery is strong meat that requires growth.

(1 Corinthians 3:1 to 2)

4. Satanic opposition. The adversary corrupts minds, spoils saints by philosophy and tradition, and resists the edification that comes from Paul’s doctrine.

(2 Corinthians 11:3, Colossians 2:8, 1 Thessalonians 2:18, Ephesians 6:12)

THE ORDER OF DOCTRINE MUST BE PRESERVED

Paul preached Christ crucified first, then taught identity and edification. The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit. Even believers learn by the Lord giving understanding in all things. We must present the gospel clearly to the lost, then build saints up in the fellowship of the mystery. If we reverse the order, we confuse justification. If we require comprehension of the mystery as proof of salvation, we add a condition God did not make.

(1 Corinthians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 2:14, 2 Timothy 2:7, Acts 20:24 to 32)

WHY THE MYSTERY REMAINS VITAL AFTER SALVATION

The fellowship of the mystery explains God’s will now. It guards saints from mixing law with grace, prophecy with mystery, and Israel with the Body. It clarifies our hope, walk, ministry, and unity in Christ. Paul labored to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, because sound walk requires sound doctrine that matches this dispensation of grace.

(Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 2:6 to 8, Ephesians 4:12 to 16)

CONCLUSION

Keep the order clear. Salvation first by the gospel of Christ’s blood, death, burial, and resurrection. Then the mystery for growth, identity, and service in the Body of Christ. Do not press the mystery on the lost. Press the gospel of grace for salvation. Once saved, teach the fellowship of the mystery so that saints can walk in the truth of what God is doing today and give all glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Corinthians 15:1 to 4, Ephesians 1:7, Acts 20:24, Ephesians 3:9)