The Historic Gospel

Every believer a torchbearer & fellow heir

Paul starts off Ephesians 3 with:

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

CENTRAL TRUTH

I am a fellow heir and torchbearer of the historical Gospel.

REFLECTIONS

We assume the Gospel of Christ began in the New Testament, but in reality it began at the foundation of the world. There is a redemptive core to the heart of the Gospel, wherein we find all of mankind fallen and in desperate need of a savior. This concept echoes all throughout the scriptures from Genesis through Revelation.

From the dawn of creation, God chose for Himself a nation to be the torchbearers of His truth, justice, mercy, grace, and ultimately the redemption story. That nation was Israel, whose history is filled with divine intervention in the midst of war and prophets who boldly spoke His truths as the Holy Spirit revealed God’s deepest mysteries. Paul, himself, identifies with Israel, because he too was a devout Jew, upholding the law with an almost flawless execution.

Yet, while the Gospel began with Israel, it did not end there. Paul recognizes this movement in His letter to Ephesus. If you were not part of Israel, then you were considered a Gentile whose blessings where forfeit. Yet, Christ revolutionized the Gospel story on the Cross, because that mystery once reserved for Israel is now being made known to the Gentiles, so much in fact that the Gentiles are considered fellow heirs in the promises of God.

This concept has radical implications on the life of the believer. As Paul recognized, through God’s grace, we now bear the weight of the Historical Gospel, as we are now the torchbearers, carrying the same responsibilities as those from the dawn of Creation.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. How does having an historical lens of the Gospel, affect your walk with Christ today?
2. Have you ever considered that the same Spirit that spoke through the prophets & apostles is the same one speaking through you?

Note: This is part of a devotional series that I had the privilege of helping write with my local church. To catch the entire series on Ephesians, check out the Crestview Connection Blog.