John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him (i.e. Jesus), Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

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1 1. Who is the King of Israel? Jesus Christ is the King of Israel. John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him (i.e. Jesus), Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. 2. What did John the Baptist preach? The kingdom of Heaven is here. Repent and be baptized. Matthew 3:2 Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 3. What gospel did Jesus preach? Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom. Matthew 4:17 Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Mark 1:14-15 Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Luke 8:1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him. (glad tidings = gospel) The New Testament books of Mark, Luke, and John do not present a gospel different from the one found in Matthew. The gospel of the kingdom was the only gospel being preached at that time. 4. Did Jesus preach the same thing John the Baptist preached? Yes. John - Matthew 3:2 Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus - Matthew 4:17 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 5. What was Peter s (and Martha s) statement of faith? Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. Matthew 16:16 Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Peter talking to Jesus) John 11:27...I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God... (Martha talking to Jesus) Jesus did not rebuke Peter or Martha so their statements were correct. Neither Peter nor Martha spoke of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection. They had their salvation because they believed Jesus to be the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. They believed the gospel of the kingdom message. 6. What is the gospel of the kingdom? Believe Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God and the King of Israel. Repent and be baptized.

2 The answer is based on Peter s statement of faith in Matthew 16:16, Nathanael s answer to Jesus in John 1:49, and what John the Baptist preached in Mark 1:4. Note: Scripture does not indicate Jesus preached or taught a gospel other than the gospel of the kingdom. 7. Jesus sent forth the twelve apostles and an additional seventy men to go before him to the places and cities he would soon visit. What gospel were those men to preach? Those men were to preach the gospel of the kingdom. Matthew 10:5-7 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: [6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [7] And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Luke 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. The gospel of the kingdom or good news of the kingdom was that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. There was no other gospel being preached at that time. The good news was for the Jews only. 8. To whom was Jesus sent? Jesus was sent to the House of Israel, which consists of Jews only, no Gentiles. Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel Jesus was a Jew and he came to fulfill prophecy by offering Israel the kingdom and himself as the king. John the Baptist said in John 1:31 there was no other reason for him to know Jesus except that Jesus should be revealed to Israel. John never mentions anything about Jesus being revealed to Gentiles. 9. Did the Apostles understand Jesus would be crucified and resurrected? No. Mark 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him. Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. Since the Apostles knew not of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no way they could have preached a gospel of death, burial, and resurrection for salvation. They preached the gospel of the kingdom. There was no other gospel being preached at that time. 10. What gospel will be preached during the Tribulation? The gospel of the kingdom will be preached during the Tribulation. Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

3 11. What was the last command Jesus gave his Apostles before he ascended to the Father? Preach the gospel of the kingdom. Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. This is where Jesus specifically instructed the Apostles their great commission. Scripture does not indicate that Jesus told the Apostles of a new gospel whereby one is saved by believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. The lack of a new gospel having been presented would indicate that the Apostles were to continue preaching the gospel of the kingdom. There was no other gospel being preached at that time. 12. After Pentecost what gospel did Peter preach? Peter preached the gospel of the kingdom. Acts 2:36 & 38 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.. [38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Believe Jesus is both Lord and Christ. Repent and be baptized and then receive the Holy Ghost. Jesus as Lord makes him the Son of God and Jesus as Christ makes him the king of Israel. Remember, Jesus never told Peter and the other apostles during his ministry or just before his ascension to stop preaching the gospel of the kingdom. There was no other gospel being preached at that time. After Pentecost, the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost became part of the gospel of the kingdom. 13. Did Peter preach about death, burial, and resurrection? Yes, but not as a means unto salvation. 1. Acts 2:23-24 ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: [24] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 2. Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 3. Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 4. Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead 5. Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 6. Acts 10:39-40 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: [40] Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Peter told his Jewish audiences that they killed and crucified and slew and hanged on a tree Jesus of Nazareth. However, God made Jesus both Lord and Christ and raised him from the dead. Peter never told anyone they could be saved if they believed Jesus died for their sins, was buried, and rose from the dead. Instead, Peter referred to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ as factual and he

4 spoke of the crucifixion as a horrible thing. Peter preached the gospel of the kingdom message. There was no other gospel being preached at that time. 14. Did the Apostles preach outside of Jerusalem before the stoning of Stephen had occurred? No. Acts 8:1 And at that time there was a great persecution against the congregation which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. The scattering of believing Jews by Saul occurred after the stoning of Stephen, which was some time after Pentecost. However, the Apostles were not scattered. During Jesus ministry, he told his disciples (Apostles) they would sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel in the kingdom to come. The Apostles stay in Jerusalem because they believe Christ would soon return and set up his kingdom and Jerusalem is where he would return to. They wanted to be in Jerusalem when Christ returned. 15. What was Philip preaching several years after Pentecost? Philip was preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:37...I (the Ethiopian eunuch) believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Philip did not preach a gospel whereby one must believe Christ died for their sins, that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day and by believing they would be saved. Instead, Philip preached a message, which emphasized the name of Jesus Christ. When speaking of someone s name or in the name of someone it refers to who that someone is. Jesus Christ is the King of Israel. Philip also baptized those who believed. The Ethiopian eunuch did not say he believed Jesus died for his sins, was buried and rose again for his salvation but that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. 16. Where was Saul when he was converted? Saul was on the road to Damascus when he met the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 9:5-6 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest [6] And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do Saul asked the Lord who are you and the Lord said I am Jesus. If Saul had not believed it was Jesus and that Jesus was the Christ then he would not have asked him what wilt thou have me to do. Saul was saved by the grace of God and by grace alone. 17. Did Saul Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom? Saul preached the gospel of the kingdom after his conversion and before his training. Acts 9:20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

5 Saul was in Damascus shortly after his conversion and he preached to Jews only (Gentiles are not allowed in the synagogues). His preaching of Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God sounds very similar to Peter s statement of faith. The Lord had not yet revealed to Saul any details of exactly what he was to preach to the Gentiles. 18. Was Peter still a Jew after Pentecost? Yes. Acts 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation Peter, a Jew, reminds Cornelius, a Gentile, that normally the Law would not allow him to associate with one of another nation (someone not a Jew); but God has shown him, at least in this instance, it was alright to do so. 19. What astonished Peter and his fellow brethren at Cornelius house? They witnessed a Gentile receiving salvation and the gift of the Holy Ghost, which was something they had never seen before. Acts 10:44-45 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. [45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. Cornelius and his household were saved while Peter was still preaching to them. Peter and the other believing Jews who came with him witnessed the newly saved Gentiles not having been baptized before they received the Holy Ghost. After they were saved, Peter thought it would be appropriate for the Gentiles to be baptized, but it had absolutely nothing to do with their salvation. 20. Did Peter begin his Great Commission after leaving the house of Cornelius and go to both Jew and Gentile? No. Scripture does not indicate Peter ever went to a Gentile other than Cornelius. After seeing Cornelius being saved Peter should have been excited about going to Gentiles, for they too could now receive salvation. He could have begun his commission to preach his gospel to the entire world as Jesus had instructed him to do just before he ascended to the Father. Instead, Peter goes back to Jerusalem and there the brethren scolded him for going into a gentile home and eating with them, which was contrary to the Law. Acts 11:2-3 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, [3] Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 21. Why add a 13 th Apostle? A new apostle was needed to take a new gospel to a new audience. There were twelve apostles preaching the gospel of the kingdom message after Christ ascended to the Father. In addition to the twelve apostles there were nearly five thousand men (see Acts 4:4) in the Jerusalem congregation who believed Jesus to be the Christ and they too could have ministered the gospel. Simply adding one more apostle would not make much difference. Was an additional apostle needed to be the one sent to a different audience, such as Gentiles, and continue with the gospel of the kingdom message? No, because Peter had already proven that he could go to Gentiles and by his

6 preaching they could be saved. Gentiles far outnumbered the Jews so adding one apostle for the many (Gentiles) and keeping twelve apostles plus five thousand disciples for the few (Jews) would not make much sense. A new apostle was needed to take a new gospel to a new audience. 22. If Peter and Paul were to preach the same gospel then why didn t Peter instruct Paul? Peter and the other apostles would have been the logical choice to teach Paul about the gospel of the kingdom. They spent nearly three years with Jesus as he went about his ministry and performed miracles, signs, and wonders. Paul could have learned so much from Peter and the other apostles in Jerusalem but Jesus sent him to Arabia instead. For nearly three years after Paul s conversion he was in the desert of Arabia and this is most likely when he was trained one on one by the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12, But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. [12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ [16] To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: [17] Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Paul s gospel was not something he learned from other men or by going to Jerusalem and conferring with Peter and the other Apostles. The resurrected Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul what Paul referred to as my gospel. Romans 16:25 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. God keeps some things secret until he chooses to reveal them. Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever. The secret, or mystery as Paul referred to it, was the gospel he preached. 23. What Gospel did Paul preach? Paul preached the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:7 but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Paul s gospel of Christ or the gospel of the uncircumcision was simply believe that Jesus was crucified for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. There was no other requirement such as baptism or join a church or give money to charity or be a good person etc. Do nothing except believe Paul s gospel and you would be saved! It s really quite simple. Peter, on the other hand, preached the gospel of the kingdom or the gospel of the circumcision, which can be summarized as: Believe Jesus is both Lord and Christ, repent and be baptized. Note: Being baptized is a work. Paul s gospel was then and still is now faith (i.e. believe) plus nothing. There are no works involved whatsoever. Paul s gospel - the gospel of Christ: First Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

7 24. What agreement came out of the Jerusalem Council? James, Peter, and John agree that they should take their gospel of the circumcision to the Jews and Paul was to continue taking his gospel of the uncircumcision to the Gentiles. Galatians 2:1-2, 7-9 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. [2] And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles [7] But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; [8] (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) [9] And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Verse 1 Fourteen years after his conversion Paul goes to Jerusalem. Verse 2 The Holy Spirit revealed to Paul he should go to Jerusalem and speak with the apostles. Paul explained (communicated) to the apostles (them) the (that) gospel which he preached among the Gentiles. There are two notable points of interest in verse 2. First, Paul explained to them his gospel. Second, he told them he preached it among the Gentiles. If Peter and Paul preached the same gospel, then Paul would not have communicated that gospel (explained his gospel) to them. Why explain a gospel they already knew? If Peter and Paul preached the same gospel then Paul would have said something like and communicated unto them I preach the gospel among the Gentiles. The emphasis there being the audience and not the gospel preached. His gospel was different, so he had to explain it! Verse 7 James, Peter, and John saw that the gospel of Christ (uncircumcision) was committed to Paul, as the gospel of the kingdom (circumcision) was committed to Peter. Verse 8 Same Jesus taught both Peter his apostleship of the Jews (circumcision) and Paul his apostleship of the Gentiles (uncircumcision). Verse 9 James, Peter, and John agreed with Paul, and shook right hands as a sign of agreement that Paul should go to the Gentiles (heathen) and they would go to the Jews (circumcision). This was more than twenty years after Pentecost.