SHARING THE MYSTERY
Apostle Paul went up to Jerusalem again fourteen years later to communicate the Gospel he preached among the Gentiles to those who were there. But when he got there, he did not share it with all, but with only those who are of reputation among them. (1) We may question the decision of Paul not to share his preaching with them all, since they are all brethren in Christ. The nature of the ministry into which Apostle Paul was called into accounts for the decision he made.
The Gospel of salvation for the Gentiles through the faith of Christ is a mystery. (2) Apostle Paul understood this truth very well. At that time in Jerusalem, the church had become the gathering of a mixed multitude. The Judaizers had found their way into the church. Those people were yet to be persuaded that the law has been crucified with Christ, and that it justifies no man. They believe salvation through the Messiah is of the Jews and for the Jews alone. Apostle Paul understood that sharing this mystery with such people would do them more harm than good.
Those who are of reputation here do not mean those who are famous like great men of God who are well known in the world. Rather, it refers to those who have their testimony upright among the people. Such are the people who can hear and understand the mystery of the kingdom; people who always keep their ears attentive to the Holy Spirit. (3)They wear no religious costume to make them appear righteous. Many a time such are not found in the pulpit, but in the pew.
It takes those who have been with Jesus to hear and understand the mystery of the kingdom. He expounded it in the scriptures when He was down here. The Holy Spirit is here to teach and to remind us of the same as the Teacher has taught us. (4)
It is of an extreme danger to share the mystery of the kingdom with those who are not humble enough to learn at the feet of Christ, no matter the number of years such have been professing the faith. The things of God can only be understood by those who have the mind of Christ. (5) Such people will not understand, no matter how hard you try to persuade them simply because they are not able to understand it. Since they do not understand it, like brute beasts they will speak against it. (6)
Jesus warned us not to cast our pearls before swine. He sternly charged us not to give holy things to dogs. Apostle Paul knew those Judaizers are dogs (7). All the dogs will do to the mystery of the kingdom is to trample it under foot. But they will not stop there. (8) They will turn and tear us to pieces. May God save our souls! Considering Christian testimony will help us a lot as we journey up the faithway home. Walking by the discernment of the Holy Spirit, we will learn how to relate with the dogs of this world who have found their ways into the church. Of a truth we are all brethren, but the “brethren” of some is qualified by the adjective “false”. Therefore, beware of the great epidemic called “False Brethren!” (9)
References:
(1)Galatians 2:1-2; (2) Colossians 1:27; (3) Matthew 13:11; (4) John 14:26; (5) I Corinthians 2:14-16 (6) Jude 10 (7) Philippians 3:2; (8) Matthew 7:6; (9) Philippians 3:2.
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