Much  needs saying, and still I must keep this tract brief enough so what I write will be considered. One hardly knows where to begin on such a huge task?!  I suppose we could not go wrong if we begin at the beginning.

When God created man and placed him in the beautiful garden called Eden, He “walked and talked “ with them. They had dialogue with God.  This beautiful relationship was soon shattered and interrupted by man himself, because mother Eve listened to Satan who I believe convinced Eve that she would actually benefit by disobeying God and doing as he suggested instead. She ate the forbidden fruit, gave it to her husband with her and he ate of that which they both knew full well they were not to touch or to taste (Genesis 1:1-3:24).

Bible students know this first age when God spoke directly to the fathers of each household, as the “Patriarchal period.” This simply means “father rule age.” So far as we know, there was no written law as we see in other  ages as God revealed Himself to mankind.  He simply spoke to the fathers of families or tribes and told them what He desired of them.  We aren’t told specifically when man was first commanded to offer animal sacrifices to temporarily atone for his sins, but we know he was so commanded, and that God was specific in telling them what to offer. We learn this as two of Adam and Eve’s sons each attempted to worship God. The story is related in (Genesis 4:1-7). One of Adam’s sons, Cain, got in real trouble with the Lord just as had his father and mother when he, being a farmer, substituted the “fruit of the ground which God commanded not.” His worship was rejected. Abel offered a blood offering and God accepted his offering. We learn why Abel’s worship was acceptable and Cain’s wasn’t in the context, as well as reading about it in the “faith chapter,” the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4).

Since “faith comes by hearing...”(Romans 10:17), nothing can be an act of faith unless one has some information as to its acceptability. Abel acted “by faith,” we are told clearly. Meaning simply that he did what God commanded and was blessed. His brother therefore did not act “by faith” and his worship was rejected. This lesson alone should teach us not to act presumptuously as we attempt to worship and serve our heavenly Father. Many would be worshippers to this day do things in worship with no authority from God’s word for their actions. All need to remember Cain’s experience. (See Col. 3:17).

Regardless of the age in which one lives, one must follow God’s will for those of that age.  It should not seem strange that some things God desires of us in our Gospel age are identical to that which He has asked of those in other ages. This doesn’t mean that He has brought over into the New Testament anything from other ages. If it is in the New, it is there because He wanted it there. Some principles are eternal and can be found commanded of His people in each of the three dispensations.

Not everyone will agree with this method of assigning time to the three ages, but I believe if one will think for a moment this can be seen. When God called Abraham and began building the nation through whom the Messiah would eventually come, He did not cease dealing with other nations (Gentiles). Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law was called a “Priest of Midian” (Exodus 2:16-18).

After leaving Egypt and going back to Midian, Moses’ father-in-law (a man not under the agreement made between Abraham and his children) along with Moses, offered “a burnt offering and sacrifices for God..” (Exodus 18:12).  After Moses, Aaron and Jethro offered sacrifices to God along with the elders of Israel, Moses “sat down to judge the people: and the  people stood by Moses from the morning until the evening” (V-13). Jethro asked Moses about this great task of telling the people what God’s will was in these matters brought before him, then Jethro gave advice to Moses about this matter. He knew such a monumental task would wear Moses out. He advised him in the following language; “Harken unto my voice, I will give thee council, and God shall be with thee:..”(V-19). His advice was to set up men to be rulers in these matters who were men of truth, hating covetousness; and place them to be rulers of thousands and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee...”(VS-20-22). “So Moses harkened unto the voice of his father in law, and did all that he said.” (V-24).

His mission was to call this Gentile city to repentance (Jonah 1:1-2). God continued to look favorably upon the Gentiles who desired to do right. He said they were a “law unto themselves” when they did by nature what was contained in the law (Romans 1:2-6, 26-29). Obviously no one lived up to what light he did possess in those days, neither Jew or Gentile and so all were condemned and in need of the Messiah whom God promised when He called Abraham (Genesis 12:1-4; Romans 3:9-10,23). We know him as Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16-19).

This promise to bless Abraham and his offspring was a twofold promise involving the land promise, realized when  Israel went in and possessed all the land of Canaan. Joshua said that God had completely fulfilled that promise and not one thing failed (Joshua 23:14-16). The spiritual part of the promise was for all men of all time through Christ under His new Testament. It is realized when men obey the gospel and are added among the saved in the church of Christ (Acts 2:22-39, 40-41,47; Ephesians 2:10-17).

A continual problem in the first century which still persists today, is the mixing of two laws, the Old Testament and the New. Never mind the fact that Paul had written, the law was to last “till the seed should come to whom the promise was made” (Galatians 3:19).  There was sufficient problem with this among first century saints that the apostles and elders met in Jerusalem to discuss it and formulated a letter and sent it to all local congregations of Christ’s followers. You may read about this in (Acts 15:1-30). Several New Testament letters were devoted in part at least to this knotty problem. Those letters are Romans, Galatians and Hebrews. Also one entire chapter 2 Corinthians 3, is devoted to clearly  teaching the abolition of the decalogue (the ten commandment law) in its entirety. They were told plainly that to seek justification by the law was to “fall from grace,” and that “Christ would profit them nothing” in (Galatians 5:2,4).
 

Because of so much special attention God had given Israel over the years (because this was how He would bless us all eventually-ket), they began to think more highly of themselves than they should have. They often looked down their spiritual noses at others not so blessed with  God’s personal attention. Remember Jesus’ confrontation with them in John chapter eight? While claiming Abraham as well as God to be their Father; Jesus told them they were of their “father the devil” (John 8:38-47). For Jesus to be one’s Savior, and for God to be one’s Father to this day, is to be among those who honor their word (Luke 6:46; John 12:48-50).

As the Prophets prophesied of things of which we are potential recipients today in Christ, they, and even the angels and other principalities and powers in heavenly places, wondered how God was to bring this all about? The prophets were told in part at least. “Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.  To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-things which angels desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:10-12).

Premillennialist claim that all of the Jews will return to Palestine after the second coming of Christ. This theory has three insurmountable problems: (1). The Land promises were based on keeping the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Nehemiah 1:7-10). The law of Moses (as we have seen) has been abolished (Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:14).  (2). The inheritance was only through the family estate (Leviticus 25:13-28; 1 Chronicles 3:16,17). Genealogies are now forbidden (Titus 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:4). (3). The earthly throne of David ended with Coniah (Jeremiah 22:24-30; 1 Chronicles 3:16,17). Christ is a descendant of Coniah (Matthew 1:12). It was prophesied in more than one place that Israel would never again be the mighty nation under God’s system, due to their rejection of Him and his will. They would be “broken off” so we Gentiles could be “grafted in” (Romans 11:8-36; Joshua 23:16; Deuteronomy 28:14-64; Jeremiah 19:10-11; 22:29-30). This section could become a book all by itself. Please read the passages cited showing why Israel will never again be restored.

The very first gospel sermon preached by inspiration (Acts 2:4), placed Jesus at “God’s right hand on David’s throne exalted (Acts 2:30-36). He is now king Jesus not a crown prince (Daniel 7:13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:23-24). When Christ returns for His bride the church, it will be the last day not the beginning of a thousand year reign (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Ephesians 5:22-33).

The fact is if one is “in Christ” one is spiritually complete and a recipient of every spiritual blessing God intends (Colossians 2:8-10; Ephesians 1:3). Paul wrote the following by divine inspiration. “For you are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you be Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29). This takes us full circle right back to (Genesis 12:1-4) when God promised to bless the whole world through Abraham’s seed. This seed is Christ as we saw in (Galatians 3:16). To be in Christ is to be in the blood bought church of Christ. The Jewish system lasted some 1500 years. Ours has been in force now for over 1900 years and will last until the Lord comes to receive His church unto Himself and present it unto the Father (Ephesians 5:22-27).

 Will you be among that blood washed number? Youwill not, if you have yet to “obey the gospel” of Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 1 Peter 1:22-25; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38,40-41,47).

What Christ's Word Teaches About Conversion {Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:45-47}

Pentecost-{Acts 2:22-38, 40,41,47}          Hear
Samaria-{Acts 8:12}                                  Believe
An Ethiopian-{Acts 8:36-39}                     Repent
Saul of Tarsus-(Acts 9:6; 22:16}               Confess Jesus
Cornelius-{Acts 10:1-2; 43,47,48}            Be Immersed into Christ for remissionof sins
Lydia-{Acts 16:14}                                   Added to the church of Christ
Philippian Jailer-{Acts 16:30-33}

Email me for more study on these matters at   kethomas@dpc.net   Call me at either of the following numbers to set up a FREE Bible study class. 1 (309) 347-3582 or 347-5645