A COMPARISON OF ACTS 1:6, MATTHEW 2:2 AND ACTS 28:28 - Pastor J. C. O’Hair
Let us compare the first question in the Book of Acts with the question asked more than thirty years before, and a statement made about thirty years after the “Acts” question.
In Acts 1:6 is recorded the question of the eleven apostles (Judas not with them) between the resurrection and the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ
“When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”
Now the first question in Matthew at the time Jesus was born in Bethlehem,
“Where is He that is born King of the Jews?”
Now the statement in Acts 28:28:
“Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.” Acts 28:28.
“LORD WILT THOU AT THIS TIME RESTORE AGAIN THE KINGDOM TO ISRAEL?”
“WHERE IS HE THAT IS BORN KING OF THE JEWS?”
“THE SALVATION OF GOD IS SENT TO THE GENTILES.”
Note that the apostles addressed the risen Christ as “Lord” and they knew He was Divine and omnipotent, that He could restore the kingdom to Israel.
We note that. this Divine Lord was born King of the Jews. In this connection let us note Matthew 1:1 Romans 15:8—Acts 13:23—and Matthew 15:24:
“The Book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham.” Matthew 1:1.
“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” Romans 15:8.
“Of this man’s seed hath God, according to His promise, raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus.” Acts 13:23.
“But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24.
Jesus Christ was born King of the Jews. He came unto His own and his own received Him not. Because His own received Him not the Gentiles obtained mercy.
Let us note in Romans 11:11, 15 and 30 why salvation was sent to the Gentiles.
“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.” Romans 11:11.
“For if the casting away of them (the Jews) be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?” Romans 11:13.
“For as ye (Gentiles) in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained merry through their unbelief.” Romans 11:30.
Thus we see that Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews, was the Son of David, the Son of Abraham; that He was a minister of the circumcision to confirm God’s promises to Israel, that God raised up from David a Saviour for Israel, and that this Saviour dogmatically and emphatically affirmed that He was sent only to Israel.
Then we see that because of Israel’s unbelief, mercy was extended to the Gentiles, that reconciliation was sent to Gentiles when and because Israel was cast away, that salvation was sent to the Gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy.
But let us not assume or presume, that Israel had fallen when Peter and the Eleven stood up in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. Salvation was not then preached to Gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy or for any other reason.
THE KINGDOM RESTORED TO ISRAEL
When the apostles asked, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel,” note the Lord’s answer: “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power. “Acts 1:7.
There are many, many Divine prophecies which guarantee this restoration of the kingdom and the kingdom nation. Note how it is stated in Acts 3:21 and 24:
“Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began:”
“Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days:”
All of God’s holy prophets since the world began foretold the glorious rein of Israel’s King on earth and the wonderful kingdom blessings that Israel will enjoy in that kingdom age. Note Hebrews 8:10 and 11 and Romans 11:26:
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man has neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest.” Hebrews 8:10 and 17.
“And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” Romans 11:26.
Yea, Moses, Samuel, and those that follow after, as many as have spoken have likewise foretold of these days. Because of Revelation 20:1 to 9 Christians speak of “these days,” these coining kingdom days, as the millennium. Some refer to the coming “golden age.”
WHAT THE TWELVE DID NOT KNOW
Now carefully note the words of Christ to His apostles in John 16:12 and 13:
“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now, Howbeit, when the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.”
There were many things they could not bear.
There were many things they did not know. They could have known and should have known the truth of I Peter 1:11
“Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”
They could have known, and should have known, that Jesus, the promised Messiah, was to suffer and die on the tree and that He was also to sit on David’s throne; that is, that Jesus Christ was to be the Lamb of God, and the Prince of Peace. “The sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow.” They did not know, and were not expected to know, at the time that the Twelve stood up on the day of Pentecost, that there would be generations and centuries between the suffering and the glory of the Messiah; for God’s “grace” program, between the crucifixion of the King of the Jews and His return to the earth, was hid from ages and from generations. Colossians 1:26. Therefore we speak with full Scriptural authority when we refer to this present, dispensation and age as a parenthetical period, an unprophesied period and program.
So when we perceive that Peter and the Eleven did not know that the Lord would postpone His prophesied kingdom until He had built His unprophesied Body (Ephesians 4:9 to 14) we understand why they asked the question, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”
They had the right to be intensely interested in the kingdom. Note the words spoken to them by Jesus of Nazareth, King of Israel:
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
“Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupt. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:32 and 33.
“And as ye go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of heaven is as hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, freely ye have received, freely give.” “But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: For verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” Matthew 10:7, 8 and 23.
“Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee, what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:27 and 28.
“When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall he sit upon the throne of His glory.” “Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:31 and 34.
As you carefully and prayerfully consider these statements, imagine yourself to be one of those apostles who had received John the Baptist’s baptism several years before Christ died. They had heard John say, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” “Christ shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Then they were told to preach to the Jews “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” They left all to follow the King. They sold their earthly possessions. The Son of man was to come as a King and sit on His throne on earth. The twelve apostles were to remain in the cities of Israel until the Son of man came and then they were to sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Remember, there are very many things that you and I know, or should know, concerning the Body of Christ and the dispensation of the grace of God (Ephesians 3:1 to 3), that was wholly unknown to the twelve apostles of the King who had received their specific orders, “go not into the way of the Gentiles.” Matthew 10:5. The Spirit of Truth had not come to lead them into all truth. Read John 7:38 and 39 and John 16:12.
Note carefully Luke 18:31 and 34; that the twelve apostles did not understand the words of the King when He told them He would be rejected, crucified and raised from the dead. Then the King made the general statement to Israel:
“Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, the Stone which the builders rejected, the Same is become the Head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Matthew 21:42 and 43.
Note in Acts 4:11 that Peter declared to Israel that the Stone had been set at naught and had become the Head of the corner. But little did Peter understand what Christ meant when He declared that He would take the kingdom of God from Israel and give it to a nation bringing forth fruit; for, several years later Peter declared that it was not lawful for him to associate with Gentiles. Acts 10:28. Still later he refused to eat with even Gentile Christians. Galatians 2:17 to 14. Paul and Peter decided that Peter and his associates should go to the Jews years after Christ died on the cross. Galatians 2:9. Surely there was some reason why Peter and the Eleven remained in Jerusalem. Acts 8:1 and Acts 15:1 to 13.
ISRAEL’S KINGDOM—GENTILES’ SALVATION
Again compare Acts 1:6 with Acts 28:28:
“When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”
“Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.”
All through the Old Testament Scriptures there is much prophecy concerning the two facts, namely, that the kingdom would be restored to Israel and that, salvation would be sent to the Gentiles. But of course in this order, first, the kingdom to Israel and then, salvation to the Gentiles. But nothing of the mystery of Romans 11:25, 26 and 30:
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” “For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have not obtained mercy through their unbelief.”
So when the judgment of God was pronounced upon Israel, in Acts 28:25 to 27, and then the statement was made that salvation would be sent to Gentiles, that meant that salvation would be sent to the Gentiles in a way not foretold or mentioned in the Old Testament Scriptures It was after this pronouncement that Paul wrote those significant words of Ephesians 3:8, although the same Divine truth is suggested in Romans 16:25 and Acts 20:24. We quote the three verses:
“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.” Ephesians 3:8.
“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.” Romans 16:25.
“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.” Acts 20:24.
God’s message preached to Gentiles in connection with the kingdom presented to Israel is called “the gospel of the kingdom.” God’s message preached to Gentiles when, and because the kingdom nation was set aside, is called “the ministry of reconciliation” “the gospel of the grace of God.” Read II Corinthians 5:18 to 21. We should of course know the difference between grace in a dispensation, and “the dispensation of grace.”
Then as we study the Book of Acts, let us keep in mind two different kingdoms, the one which is Christ’s “political-spiritual” kingdom and Christ’s spiritual kingdom. Note Colossians 1:13 and Matthew 25:31:
“Who hath delivered us front the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.”
“When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.”
Member’s of Christ Body are in the spiritual kingdom of Christ mentioned in Colossians 1:13. But Christ’s is certainly making no attempt to establish His politicalspiritual kingdom of Matthew 25:31 at this time. And He will not until the culmination of this age of grace mentioned in Ephesians 4:12 and 13:
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a Perfect Man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
Christ is the Head of the spiritual kingdom while the Church Which is His Body, is in the making. His throne is far above in the heavenlies. In fact, He is on His Father’s throne in heaven. But Christ, as the Son of man and King, will sit on the throne of His glory here on this earth and be the King of His “politicalspiritual” kingdom. Read Isaiah 9:6 and 7—Luke 1:27 to 33. Also the thirtysixth and thirtyseventh chapters of Ezekiel.
Now let us also keep in mind that the Old Testament prophets knew about the “politicalspiritual” kingdom of Christ to be set up on this earth and spoke about it, and wrote about it. All of them spoke of “these days.” Acts 3:24. Not one of them spoke of the spiritual kingdom or Body, of Christ, which is to be the fulness of Him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:19 to 23.
ACTS—THE BOOK BETWEEN
Let us think of the Book of Acts as the “Book Between.” By this we mean that it is the Book between the proclamation of Israel’s Messianic kingdom and the clear written revelation of God’s eternal purpose, or the dispensation of the mystery. Ephesians 3:9. It is after God set aside His kingdom nation that we find the clear written revelation in the Divine Record of God’s reign of grace, unmixed with religion and religions ceremonies. As an illustration let us compare Matthew 10:5 to 8 with Titus 2:11—I Timothy 5:23 and II Timothy 4:20:
“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded then, 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, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:5 to 8.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11.
“Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” I Timothy 5:23.
“Erastus abode at Corinth; but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.” II Timothy 4:20.
At a glance we note the difference between the kingdom at hand for Israel with miraculous healing and signs and the grace of God at hand for Gentiles as well as for Jews and the absence of miraculous healings and signs.
This present age of grace has been called a signless and timeless and a religionless age. But throughout the period covered by the Book of Acts there were visions, miraculous jail deliverances, angelic visitations and the signgifts of I Corinthians 12:8 to 11.
With Divine authority today we can preach that the grace of God that bringeth salvation is at hand for all, and for all believers the elective healing of Philippians 2:20 to 23. But we have no Scriptural right to preach that the same kingdom of heaven is at hand that was at hand when the Lord Jesus Christ was on earth as the minister of the circumcision.
Note Acts 2:22—Galatians 4:4—Acts 5:30 to 32:
“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.” Acts 2:22.
“But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Galatians 4:4.
“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.”
“Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, Whom God hath given to them that obey Him.” Acts 5:30 to 32.
Jesus of Nazareth was put on display in the land of the Jews for Israel by miracles and signs. He was made under the law. Christ was presented to Israel to be their Prince and Saviour, both in incarnation and in resurrection. What a difference between Acts 5:30 and 31, Christ raised from the dead to be Israel’s Prince and Saviour, and Christ, seated far above in Ephesians 1:19 to 23, as Head of the Church composed of Gentiles and Jews. Read Ephesians 1:19 to 23 as to the present heavenly Headship of Christ. Then note in the second chapter:
“And that He might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you that were afar off and to them that were nigh.” Ephesians 2:16 and 17.
After the revelation and proclamation of the gospel of grace, even in the Book of Acts, we find religion, signs, signgifts and religious ceremonies, but with the close of the Book, they waned and passed away Read I Corinthians 13:8 to 11.
THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM
Note carefully Mark 7:27 and Matthew 8:12:
“But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled; for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.”
“But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Here we observe that, the Lord Jesus referred to the Jews as “the children,” as “the children of the kingdom.” Here we have the records of Christ’s dealings with two Gentiles of great faith. Read Luke 7:1 to 12 and Matthew 15:21 to 27.
To the Gentile woman the lord Jesus declared that the children (the Jews) were first to be filled. To the Gentile man Christ said that the Jews would be cast out. Note how this order is carried out during the “Acts” period:
“Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first, God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” Acts 3:25 and 26.
” Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word to none but unto the Jews only.” Acts 11 :19.
“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, LO, WE TURN TO THE GENTILES.” Acts 13:46.
“And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto then, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.” Acts 18:6.
“What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.” Romans 11:7 and 8.
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” Romans 11:25.
“And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word. Well spake the Holy Spirit by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers. Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and be converted, and I should heal them.” Acts 28:25 to 28.
Thus we learn that, in the ministry of Christ to the two Gentiles while He was on earth, we have the Divine order or the Book of Acts presented. First, the children being filled. Second the children being cast out; blinded by God. That blindness and unbelief brought mercy and salvation and reconciliation to Gentiles. Romans 11:11 to 30. But certainly not until Paul received his new commission of Acts 13:2 and obeyed that commission. Then he Said in Acts 13:46, “Lo we turn to the Gentiles.” “Then God hath opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” Acts 14:21. These statements mark a very definite turningpoint in God’s dealings with the Gentiles.
Tags: Bible Studies, Dispensational, Grace for You, J. C. O'Hair, O'Hair, Salvation, Truth-For-Today
