“Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
‘Give us this day our daily bread.
‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil
[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’] 1
The prayer above is known as the Lord’s Prayer and is the most widely known prayer in Christendom. Almost everyone who has attended a church has recited it. It is commonly taught that this prayer is the central prayer in Christianity and the model for how Christians should pray. But is it? And as long as we are going along this path we must ask an even more provocative question. Is it Christian? At first blush such a question may seem outrageous. But is it? The answer is more involved than one might think. That is what this article is about.
The Texts
The Gospels provide two accounts of the prayer. One, quoted above, is from Matthew 6.9-13. The other is found in Luke 11.1-4.
In Matthew’s gospel, the Lord gave this prayer in response to His observation of two categories of people: 1) Jewish hypocrites (most likely religious professionals) and 2) Gentiles. In the first case, Jesus warned His followers against the self-righteous exhibitionism of religious Jews who wished to advertise their devotion to God. Such behavior is typical of religious people. Jesus’ assessment of these was, “Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full” (Matthew 6.2). From the gospels we learn that Jesus despised religion. The only categorical criticism He ever gave was to religious people. In the second case, Jesus warned against praying as the heathen, i.e., Gentiles, prayed. Their practice was to recite long-winded, repetitive prayers. His point was that God did not need to hear requests over and over. God is not stupid.
With these two things in mind, Jesus offered a succinct prayer which has come to be known as the Lord’s Prayer.
| The Lord’s Prayer | Comment | |
| v. 9 | Our Father who is in heaven | Recognition of God and that He resides in heaven above all |
| v. 9 | Hallowed be Your name (ἁγιασθήτω, aorist imperative) | Recognition that God is holy |
| v. 10 | Your kingdom come (ἐλθάτω, aorist imperative) | Request that God’s kingdom be established on the earth |
| v. 10 | Your will be done (γενηθήτω, aorist imperative) | Request for God’s will in recognition of His sovereignty |
| v. 10 | On earth as it is in heaven | Request for God’s kingdom to be established on earth just as it is in heaven |
| v. 11 | Give us this day our daily bread (δὸς, aorist imperative) | Request for God to provide daily provision |
| v. 12 | And forgive us our debts, (ἄφες, aorist imperative) as we also have forgiven our debtors (ἀφήκαμεν, aorist indicative) | Request that God forgive sin on the basis of forgiving others |
| v. 13 | And do not lead us into temptation, (εἰσενέγκῃς, aorist subjunctive) but deliver us from evil (ῥῦσαι, aorist imperative) | Request that God deliver us from evil and temptation to sin |
| v. 13 | [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’] | Acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty forever |
Luke’s version of the prayer (Luke 11.2-4) is more brief than Matthew’s. Jesus gave this version in response to a request from His disciples. Luke recorded the occasion:
It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.”
| The Lord’s Prayer | Comment | |
| v. 2 | Father, hallowed be Your name. | Recognition of God’s holiness–no mention of His heavenly position |
| v. 2 | Your kingdom come. | Request for God’s kingdom to come to earth |
| v. 3 | Give us each day our daily bread. | Request for daily provision |
| v. 4 | And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. | Request for God to forgive based up forgiving others |
| v. 4 | And lead us not into temptation. | Request that God not lead us into temptation |
Is the Lord’s Prayer a Christian Prayer?
The answer to this question is in three parts. The first is definitional. The second and third are theological.
1. Definition
To understand the first answer to this question requires that we define the term “Christian.” Were Jesus’ disciples “Christian?” Did Jesus proclaim Christianity? A careful reading of the Bible will reveal that Jesus’ disciples were not Christians. The first usage of the term “Christian” was in Antioch Syria (Acts 11.26). Antioch Syria lies outside the borders of Israel and the term was coined years after Jesus’ earthly ministry and after the Apostle Paul’s conversion. Therefore, Jesus’ prayer was not Christian for the term “Christian” was not in existence. If the disciples were not Christians, what were they? The Scriptures provide no specific term for those who believed Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. In God’s sight they were true Jews, racially and spiritually (cf. Romans 9.6). They were identified as followers of “The Way,” (Acts 9.2, 19.9, 23, 24.14, 22). This designation may have come from Jesus’ proclamation that He was “the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14.6).
2. Theological: Jesus’ Ministry
The theological answer to the question is somewhat involved. Jesus, in His earthly ministry, proclaimed the nearness of the kingdom of God (Matthew 4.17). Paul wrote that the purpose of Jesus’ earthly ministry was “to confirm the promises to the fathers” (Romans 15.8). What were these promises? They were God’s covenants to the nation of Israel. They included the Abrahamic, Palestinian (Land), Mosaic, Sabbatic, Davidic, and New covenants. In addition to the covenants themselves, the prophets had provided additional details about how these covenants would be fulfilled–especially about the nature of God’s kingdom on earth and how it would be established. The central tenants of this kingdom were that Israel would be the supreme nation among the nations of the earth (Deuteronomy 28.1, 13) and that it would be characterized by peace and righteousness (Isaiah 11.1-10).
John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the Messiah, the King of Israel. Many fail to realize that Jesus’ ministry was wholly Jewish. Jesus had no ministry to Gentiles and specifically commanded His disciples not to go to Gentiles (Matthew 10.5-6). Jesus Himself made two exceptions: a Canaanite woman (Matthew 15.21-28 and a Roman centurion (Matthew 8.5-13). According to Luke, His meeting with the centurion was proxied, not face to face (Luke 7.1-10). When Gentiles came to Jesus’ disciples before the Passover and requested to see Him the disciples were flummoxed (John 12.20-26). Why? Because Jesus had commanded them not the have dealings with Gentiles. We have no record that He saw them.
Jesus’ audience was, therefore, entirely Jewish. The purpose of His earthly ministry was not to found Christianity but to “confirm the promises to the fathers.” He came to fulfill God’s covenantal promises with Israel and establish a Jewish kingdom on earth. In this kingdom He would reign as David’s greater Son (Luke 1.30-33, 67-79). Jesus’ ancestry qualified Him to be King. He was from the royal line of Judah and His royal title was “Son of David” (Matthew 1.1, 9.27, 15.22, 20.30-31, 21.9, 15, 22.42; Mark 10.47-48, 12.35; Luke 18.38-39, 20.41 cf. 2 Samuel 7.8-17). He was the King who had come to His nation to establish His kingdom and rule with a nation of priests, i.e., the Jewish people (Exodus 19.5-6) over Israel and over the entire earth (Zechariah 14.9).
3. Theological: Jesus and Paul
The differences between Jesus’ earthly ministry and Paul’s ministry are striking. Saul of Tarsus was a Jew’s Jew. But he was also a complete enemy of Jesus of Nazareth. Not content to arrest Jews who were believing that Jesus was the Messiah within the borders of Israel, Saul obtained permission from the chief priests to extend his authority beyond Israel. On the way to Damascus, the resurrected, ascended Lord stopped him dead in his tracks. From heaven came a voice asking Saul why he was persecuting Him (Acts 9.3-4). Falling to the ground, Saul asked, “Who are You, Lord?” The response, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9.5) shook him to the core. No response was more unexpected or shocking than this. Speaking with him was God Almighty–Jesus of Nazareth. He was never the same.
Unlike the Twelve, who were commissioned during Jesus earthly ministry within the borders of Israel, the heavenly Lord commissioned Saul outside the borders of Israel. Unlike what Jesus had told the Twelve, that they were not to go to Gentiles (Matthew 10.5-6), the ascended Lord told Saul to go toGentiles (Acts 9.15, 22.21). These facts reveal that Saul, who became Paul, had an entirely different commission and ministry than that of Jesus and His commission to the Twelve.
Theological Differences of the Earthly Jesus and the Heavenly Jesus (Paul’s Ministry)
The doctrines the glorified Lord revealed to Paul were vastly different from those He had taught to the Twelve while on earth. With regard to our subject at hand we will examine two key doctrinal differences we find in the Lord’s Prayer. These are Jesus’ instruction about the kingdom and about forgiveness.
1. Kingdom
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus instructed His disciples to pray for the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth. This kingdom was a kingdom in which Israel would be supreme among the nations (Deuteronomy 28.1, 13). Hundreds of verses speak of this kingdom in the Old Testament. One will search the Scriptures in vain to find any record that Jews had a hope of heaven. Their hope was wholly earthly.
Paul’s teaching on the kingdom of God bears little resemblance to the kingdom proclaimed by the prophets or by Jesus (Romans 14.17; 1 Corinthians 4.20, 6.9-10, 15.24, 50; Galatians 5.21; Ephesians 5.5; Colossians 1.13, 4.11; 1 Thessalonians 2.12; 2 Thessalonians 1.5; 2 Timothy 4.1, 18). The kingdom of the prophets and of Jesus was earthly. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus called for the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth (Matthew 6.10). Paul emphasized God’s heavenly kingdom. Right before his martyrdom Paul declared, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4.18). Paul taught that members of the body of Christ, the Church (Ephesians 1.22-23; Colossians 1.18), i.e., Christians, had heavenly citizenship (Ephesians 1.3; Philippians 3.20) in God’s kingdom, not earthly citizenship. This was entirely different from God’s revelation prior to Paul.
2. Forgiveness
The second teaching from Paul which is different from the Lord’s Prayer is the matter of forgiveness. In the Lord’s Prayer, divine forgiveness was conditional and depended upon human forgiveness. Some, in an attempt to homogenize the teachings of the Gospels with the teachings of Paul, argue that Jesus was talking about forgiveness of one believer for another, not divine forgiveness. While it is true that believers are to forgive one another, this was not the point of Jesus’ teaching. Jesus stated God would forgive based upon human forgiveness. To ensure no misunderstanding, He restated His point in Matthew 6.14-15, saying, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Jesus also stated in Luke 6.37:
Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
Could words be more plain?
Nothing could be further from Paul’s teaching on forgiveness than Jesus’ words in the Lord’s Prayer. Paul taught no conditions exist to receive God’s forgiveness other than believing the gospel (1 Corinthians 15.1-4). Paul taught that when one believed the gospel one received God’s forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1.7; Colossians 1.13-14, 2.13). Paul declared believers “have” (ἔχομεν), present, active, indicative of ἔχω, “to have or hold,” forgiveness of sins. For the believer of Paul’s gospel, forgiveness is a present possession, based, not upon forgiving others, but upon believing the gospel.
In Ephesians 4.32 Paul wrote,
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
A similar passage is Colossians 3.12-13 where Paul wrote:
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
These passages are vastly different from what the Lord taught the Twelve in His prayer. Paul exhorted believers to forgive one another–not as a condition for divine forgiveness–but as a result of divine forgiveness. This is grace not Law (Romans 6.14).
Conclusion
Notable theological differences exist between what Jesus taught and what Paul taught. To the nation of Israel, Jesus ministered on earth. To the body of Christ, the Church, Christians, as it were, Jesus ministers from heaven. Paul taught doctrines he received from the risen, ascended, glorified, heavenly Christ. Jesus was a minister to Israel to fulfill the covenants and the prophetic kingdom program. Jesus ministered under the Law of Moses. The risen Lord commissioned Paul as a minister of grace. The Law of Moses said, “Do.” When one “did” he received God’s blessing. Paul declared that the Law was “holy, righteous, and good” (Romans 7.12) but that believers of his gospel were under a new administration which he received from the Lord.2 That new administration was governance of the Holy Spirit under grace. God commissioned Paul as the minister of the “gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20.24). Under Law, one forgave in order to be forgiven. Under grace we forgive because we have been forgiven. What a difference!
1 The bracketed text is not found in the oldest manuscripts.
2 See the study, Paul and the Law.
©2011 Don Samdahl. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold.
So many things are beginning to make sense except that I don’t understand what the bible means by heavenly citizenship. What is our part in the Messianic age? Is there an article you have that goes more into detail?
Linda,
No article because we know nothing about these areas for God has kept them secret. We do not know if we will have a role in the Messianic age or what heaven will be like. All we can know is that it will be glorious and beyond comprehension (1 Corinthians 2.9).
Don,
What application does the Sermon On The Mount as a whole present for Christians today? Should we as Christians seek to live by the commands of Matthew 5-7 or was it a message only for a Jewish audience? Thanks Don for your teaching.
Ron G.
Ron,
The Sermon on the Mount was for Jews and describes how Jews should live in the Messianic kingdom. There are principles that Christians can take from it for ethical behavior is true for Jew, Gentile, or Christian. But for believers of Paul’s gospel our doctrine and behavior should be based upon Paul. This is why Paul commanded believers to “imitate” him. For more, see my article, “Follow Paul?”
Don,
We have a new person attending our men’s Bible Study. He brought up the Lord’s Prayer.
I will be using some of this article to help him see it’s not for us. Rightly dividing the Word is essential in it’s understanding. Thanks for all your hard work in providing this website.
Bob,
Thank you. May God bless your study.
I had a better explanation of why you are wrong but it seemed more to the point to say RUBBISH !
It is hard enough for Biblical scholars to interpret the Bible from Hebrew and
Greek let alone have someone like you try to take what is written in the English language and add your own interpretation.
It is no wonder people turn away from the Bible and the Lord’s teachings when someone like you comes along and espouses some concocted idea that is not God inspired.
By the way, if Jesus’s teachings are just for the Jews, why isn’t the Bible edited and published so that there is just one for Gentiles?
Charlie,
If it will make you feel any better, I read Greek and Hebrew. If you read your Bible you will find that the Lord only ministered to Jews (with 2 exceptions) and commanded His apostles not to go to Gentiles but only to Jews (Matthew 10.5-6). The Gospels are Old Testament for Jesus ministered under the Mosaic Law. All Scripture is FOR us but all Scripture is not TO us. My challenge to you is to read your Bible and confirm what others have written or said.
Hi Charlie, in case you are still reading here, I thought about your last question. Could it be that ultimately (though not solely) the bible is put together the way that it is for those who will go through the great tribulation, specifically, the Jews, for the time when their blindness is lifted? Charlie, give Paul a chance. Paul said to to follow him as he follows Christ; do you do that? Before being angry at others, you need to decide whether or not Paul was taught directly by Jesus. Honestly, Charlie, do you personally know someone who was a true student of the bible who has fallen away from it? Or are you the person you speak of who fell away from the bible by following someone who did not rightly divide the word of truth? The only people who “fall away” are those who do not prove all things for themselves and just feed off everything they hear from someone else (I speak from past experience). You speak of the Lord’s teachings – are not Paul’s teachings the Lord’s teachings? I hope something I’ve said helps you, sincerely.
Beautifully and provocatively articulated comments, Becky. Thank you.
What would be an example of a Christian prayer be then? Something that kids can start studying/reciting at an early age before being able to say their own prayer.
Cig,
Great question. Any doctrinal passage can be turned into a prayer. For example, Romans 8.35-39; Ephesians 1.3-7, 3.14-21, 4.4-6; Philippians 4.4-8; Colossians 1.12-14; 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24. You can find many more.
Reading your book and now on Paul and Prayer. I wrote your list of things Paul prayed for a came up with one that children could use.
Father in Heaven, guide us to meet and strengthen one another in Your love. Sanctify our hearts, make us blameless in holiness. May our love overflow and our spirits, souls, and bodies be preserved blameless for Jesus’ coming.
Grant us strength to fulfill every good resolve and work of faith. Let us walk worthily of You, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in Your knowledge. Strengthen us with Your might for endurance, patience, and joy.
Enlighten the eyes of our hearts; may we grasp the breadth of Christ’s love, and be filled with Your fullness. Help our love abound with knowledge and discernment, keeping us pure and blameless.
In rejoicing, may Your peace guard our hearts and minds. Give us clarity and boldness in sharing Your gospel, being watchful and thankful in prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Is this missing anything?
Cig,
Great job!
Though Jesus did instruct His disciples not to go to the Gentiles on a specific ministry trip (Matthew 10:5-6), He was rather clear in sending them directly to the Gentiles in the great commission. Matthew 28:18-20 says, “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of ALL NATIONS…'” That word would be ethnos, translated both nations and Gentiles. If you need further evidence that the Lord meant His followers to go to the Gentiles see Mark 16;15-18.
Mrs. H.,
You are correct. Jesus did instruct the Eleven to go to all nations. When were they supposed to do this? Do you find any Biblical record they did? If not, why not?
Something just hit me about the great commission from Mrs. H’s comment because I was confused on the great commission and who this was exactly for. I had been focused on who it was for instead of what that gospel actually was. It all makes sense now. Correct me if I’m wrong Don but it sounds like the gospel they were to take to all nations was the kingdom gospel, that Jesus was the Messiah. Baptism, repentance belief in Jesus as Messiah as you have talked about. This is different than Paul’s gospel of grace. Then later the nation of Israel rejected the kingdom gospel and this is when Paul comes on the scene. I’ve been extremely blessed by your site. Thank you.
Jasen,
Thank you. You got it.
Hi Don, Paul says to pray without ceasing. I’ve never understood this or grasped it. Can you give some insight? Thanks so much.
Becky,
Paul meant we can pray about anything, anytime. We don’t have to be at a church. It can be washing dishes, mopping a floor, cleaning the gutters, etc. God is ever accessible and delights in our talking with Him. He desires our thanks and thanksgiving is the secret of happiness.
I have read your article on “The Lord’s Prayer.” What you wrote makes sense to me. It is not easy to rightly divide the word of truth but you did a fine job. Thank you and God bless.
Kim,
Thank you!
I am using this lesson as an outline for my SS class. I noticed that you stated Jesus never had a ministry to the Gentiles except the woman at the well and the Roman centurion. I believe that to be true, however, in my daily Bible reading I came across John 4:39-42. There it states that many of the Samaritans believed because of the woman’s testimony and that Jesus stayed with them for 2 days causing many more to believe. Am I to assume that these Gentiles believed that Jesus was the Messiah, were baptized and then began following Jewish law?
Sid,
The Samaritans were half-breed Jews. They came from the tribes of Ephriam and Manasseh who married Gentiles. Thus, in terms of origin, they were Jews.
So they were already following the Law?
Sid,
Probably they were following parts of the Law. But those saved under the gospel of the kingdom came under the administration of the Law. See http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-samaritans.htm for helpful information about Samaritans.
How can the Lord’s Prayer use “earth” since no one knew about planets back then?
Butch,
I don’t understand the point of your comment. Why do you say no one knew about planets back then? Planets such as Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn are visible without telescopes and have been known about every since men began to look into the sky.
From a Berean site I read this:
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil [Gr. noun: evil one]. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. The sense here is, “Lord lead us not into the Great Tribulation, but deliver us from Satan, who brings death and destruction in his wake” (Rev. 6:7-11; 12:12; 13:1-10).
My question: Is the word ‘evil’ as presented above a correct rendering?
thanks
Joe,
The word πονηρός is an adjective. It could refer to an evil time or person. The great temptation for Israel will be to accept the Beast as the Messiah. According to the prophetic timeline, the Day of the Lord was right in front of Israel. Thus, the best interpretive sense is to be delivered from the temptation of deception to accept the Antichrist as the Messiah.
Thank you for this verse by verse testing of the Word. This is one of the best most helpful explanations I’ve read yet regarding the so called Lord’s Prayer. I do not understand why when seeking a model of our Lord’s actual prayer churches disregard John 17 where we can witness our Lord praying as our Advocate and as a model for His role as Great High Priest which He assumed after His ascension and holds until this very moment. For years I was confused as to how to reconcile the teachings of our Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry (Gospel of the Kingdom) with the teachings of Paul (Gospel of Grace). Only when I was instructed and understood the entire plan and purpose for national Israel, past present and future, distinct from the present church age composed of both Jewish and gentile believers, did Word become one beautiful revealed plan that made sense. This was exciting but also sad because most churches today have departed so far from this truth and are very confused as to the days we are in and the purposes of the church. Thank you brother for is right teaching.
Kitty,
Thank you. I encourage you to look at Paul’s prayers. They are wonderful examples of how we should pray. Paul instructed members of the Church, the body of Christ, to imitate him—in doctrine, prayer, and Christian living. See my article, Follow Paul?
God bless your heart kitty B. This is s very good site with a knowledgeable teacher.
You said, “In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus instructed His disciples to pray for the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth…This kingdom was a kingdom in which Israel would be supreme among the nations … Their hope was wholly earthly.” I’m confused. Can someone clarify. Didn’t Jesus know and therefore wouldn’t He be teaching about the heavenly kingdom, the forgiveness of sin and salvation by faith. (salvation to anyone in the old testament was ‘by faith’. I don’t understand why Jesus would be speaking the way you describe, to His, then, disciples. Really just trying to figure it out. Please help me. Thanks
John,
Where does the idea of a heavenly kingdom come from? There is no mention of it in the Old Testament nor in the Gospels. Jesus never taught it. He taught what the prophets taught–an earthly kingdom. The Jews looked forward to reigning on earth as a kingdom of kings and priests (Exodus 19.5-6; Revelation 1.6, 5.10). The heavenly kingdom was a later revelation which God had kept hidden. The risen Lord revealed it to Paul. Before then, it was unknown. The idea of salvation by faith alone was also unknown. You won’t find it in the OT and Jesus did not teach it in His earthly ministry. It too was a revelation the risen Lord gave to Paul.
How were people brought into right relationship with God before Christ’s gospel? Wasn’t’t it by believing God and acting therefore; but not solely on the basis of the law. Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness and that was before the law.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He taught during His ministry about how to be forgiven and receive eternal life through faith in Him. Thats what a mean about Jesus talking about heaven and how to be saved in order to go there. So if He knew all about getting people right with God why in Matthews gospel when speaking to disciples did He say in His prayer that God would only forgive them IF they forgive people (suggesting that was the way people got right with God) Im not arguing Im wanting to learn.
John,
The gospels reveal that salvation under the gospel of the kingdom required keeping the Mosaic Law (Mark 10), water baptism (Mark 1.4, 16.16; Acts 2.36-38), forgiving others (Matthew 6), and faith. The particular faith required was to believe Jesus was the Christ (John 1, 11; Matthew 16). The Lord did not reveal salvation by faith alone until He revealed it to Paul (Abraham was an exception). Throughout the OT, faith and works were required for salvation, e.g., Levitical sacrifices. Salvation is based upon obeying what God had revealed. Paul called this the obedience of faith (Romans 1.5, 16.26). If God said you could have eternal life by doing 10 jumping jacks, faith would obey and do 10 jumping jacks.
Thanks for ‘some more’ clarification. Again, I’m just trying to learn and solidify my understanding. 1. What do you mean “saved in the OT by ‘faith and works'” It’s always just faith, right? “Abraham believed and it was credited as righteousness” Keeping the laws and rules couldn’t make people right with God. The Jews and their 600 so laws – they werent right with God, were they. Some? What would their heart have to be like or do, in order to be in right relationship with God..
2. Why did Jesus only minister mainly to Jews about an earthy kingdom and so teach His disciples a gospel that was different than Paul’s? Jesus knew He had come to testify to the truth and seek and save the lost – that He would die for sins that forgiveness could be received and heaven could be their home. Didnt Jesus tell His 12 disciples all about His mission, that He would die and rise again. That wasn’t different than Paul’s message – its the same. Im confused.
John,
1. We do not find any evidence of salvation by faith alone in the OT (with the exception of Abraham). The evidence we do find is that salvation required faith and works. And this is exactly what we find in the gospels. We have explicit passages that declare that salvation required keeping the Mosaic Law, water baptism, forgiving others, and faith.
2. Read Romans 15.8. The faith component during Jesus’ earthly ministry was to believe in His identity, who He was, the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus did not reveal the significance of His death and resurrection with regard to sin until He revealed it to Paul. Read Acts 2-3. Peter doesn’t tell the Jews to believe Jesus died for their sins and rose from the dead to be save. For Peter, Jesus death was a crime for which they had to repent. His resurrection meant He was alive and could return if the repented. See also Luke 18.31-34; John 20.8-9.
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
John,
Yes, not a word about Christ dying for their sins or rising from the dead.
Dan, you said, “We have explicit passages that declare that salvation required keeping the Mosaic Law, water baptism, forgiving others, and faith.” I always thought and read everywhere that old testament people were saved by faith as we are and NOT by the law. The law was given and isn’t ever able to be kept. Thats the point. ?
John,
That may be what you were taught but the Biblical record is expressly against this. The reason this is taught is that Paul is read back into the gospels and Old Testament. Salvation in the OT and gospels required faith and works. This is why the Jewish leaders at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) taught that Paul’s converts were not saved. See my article, The Great Hinge.
John,
What many people miss is the over all big picture… God’s Kingdom has 2 realms that are visible in the Bible.
Genesis 1:1 KJV — In the beginning God created the HEAVEN and the EARTH.
God has a Glory Plan… both realms have been corrupted. Heaven is not mentioned much in the OT, except God did say a few things about it…
Read Ps.82 and…
Job 4:18 KJV — Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his ANGELS he charged with folly:
Job 15:15 KJV — Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the HEAVENS are not clean in his sight.
The way they would be reclaimed and made new is not made known until the Revelation of the mystery given to Paul. The fullness of Paul’s Revelation is, I believe in Ephesians. and Col… but begins with his ministry in Acts 9.
IT WAS A SECRET… Paul says it was a secret because…
1 Cor.2:
6. ¶Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
If the “princes” of this world knew what would happen” by the cross”, they would not have crucified him!
The Body of Christ is for God’s heavenly purpose. Eph.1:10,11, 3:8-…
Jesus, Paul tells us, came in the flesh to confirm the promises and covenants made to the fathers…
Romans 15:8 KJV — 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:
Israel is his people for his kingdom on earth… they are to be his holy nation!…:) to them he is Messiah…
Paul tells us…
2 Corinthians 5:16 KJV — Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
We know Christ Jesus, the risen Lord of Glory. …
To us He is Saviour of the whole world!!
Grace and Peace….
Your quote, “The kingdom of the prophets and of Jesus was earthly. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus called for the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth”
Question: Why was Jesus (who knew He would be dying and rising) speak of an ‘earthly’ kingdom when His mission was to bring in the New Covenant through Paul? Jews listening to Jesus needed spiritual forgiveness so I’m confused why, so close to the Gospel of Grace being preached, He would be teaching radically different before the Cross, to what avail…
I’ll likely have more questions. I am trying to learn – never vindictive. Bought your Programs book, waiting for it.
John,
The prophets revealed an earthly kingdom in which Israel would be preeminent among the nations and the Messiah would rule as King (Zechariah 14.9). God made the New Covenant with Israel and it would have come to fulfillment had the nation repented. Then Gentiles would have been blessed through them according to Zechariah 8.20-23 and Micah 4.2. Because they didn’t repent God had no revealed way to bless Gentiles. But instead of continuing with the prophetic program and having the Tribulation occur, God saved Paul to became proxy Israel and gave him a new, unrevealed way to bless Gentiles. Had Israel repented, the Church would not have come into existence. Jesus could not reveal any of this because he had to let the Jews make their choice. He knew what would happen on the basis of His foreknowledge but the Jews had a free-will choice (Matthew 23.37-39).
Don, if Israel had repented there would be no Church. Does this mean that Gentiles would have been saved through Jews preaching to them the Gospel of the Kingdom? Would this also mean we would not be heavenly people either?
Craig,
Yes. We as Gentiles would have been blessed on the earth through Israel. But all this is hypothetical. It was possible but God in His foreknowledge knew it would not happen. Yet there is free will.
That helps. Thank you. I remember as a new believer 20 years ago, I asked people why it was called ‘Passover’ and for the life of me, I could never get a clear answer. Then 1 person, simply said, “because the angle of death ‘passed over’ the houses with the blood. That cleared it up. I LOVE when stuff get’s clear in my mind but it takes some back and forth communication until happens. Thanks for your prompt replies – I appreciate it.
The old testament people lived by faith in the coming messiah. I don’t see how faith and works were required as we all know the works of the law are not able to be kept. So we’d be back to asking how many laws did we keep, how many did we not. Was the faith in God demonstrated in the bringing of the lamb to the temple whereby then their sins were atoned for ‘temporarily’. I get that.
John,
The Levitical sacrifices covered sin and propitiate God. Offering a sacrifice was a work. But one had to believe the offering propitiate sin. Thus, faith and works were required.
Another thought/question:
In Acts, the people heard Peter say, “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.: THEN When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Really, Isn’t that clear that the Jews knew about the death of Christ for the forgiveness of sin?
John,
No. No one understood this. Read the text. Peter does not say this and the reason he doesn’t say it is because he doesn’t know it. You can’t read later Pauline revelation back into the OT, gospels, or early Acts. Because people have is the reason for the massive confusion in Christendom. You have to allow the Scriptures to lay out and say what they say. You might want to get my book, God’s Programs, where this is explained.
“Peter does not say this and the reason he doesn’t say it is because he doesn’t know it.” Peter DOES know it, because He spoke to the people, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Acts 2:38 He spoke of the death and resurrection of Christ in verse 2:24 and for forgiveness in verse 2:38. What are we missing?
John,
Read Acts 2 again. When you find where Peter tells the Jews to believe Christ died for their sins and rose from the dead to be saved let me know. Peter recited all this to tell the Jews they had killed the Christ and to repent. He did not utter a word that He had died for their sins. He told them they had killed Him.
Do you mean, they were to repent for the crime. And, that they believed He was the Messiah (to be ruler of the earthly kingdom) BUT that the teaching of Jesus being the sacrificial lamb that they needed ultimately, that their levitical system pointed to, was not yet proclaimed until later in acts through Paul – am I understanding this more correctly now?
John,
Yes, repentance was key in the gospel of the kingdom before the murder of the Messiah. Afterwards, it was even more so. They had no understanding that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Levitical sacrifices until much later—through Paul.
Acts 8:34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
Could we say the eunuch became a Christian? Or that he simply came to believe Jesus was the Messiah? And when he had forgiveness, was that forgiveness what allowed him to be ready for heaven, or, during this time, would he still be in position to going to the temple annually with a lamb.
John,
The faith component under the gospel of the kingdom was to believe Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. That is what the eunuch believed. We find nothing in Acts where Jewish believers were told not to continue to go to the Temple, offer sacrifices, or keep the Law. Paul wrote Hebrews, early I think, about 53 A.D., and there he told the Jews of the all sufficient sacrifice of Christ.
Has St. Paul ever taught the Lord’s Prayer to gentiles
IP Lee,
Jesus gave the “Lord’s Prayer” to Jews, not to Gentiles or the Church. So no, Paul never taught this. He taught that because Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead we have forgiveness.
Hello Don,
I have read through many of your articles over the last couple months and have realized the answer to a lot of confusion in the church and in my own thinking over dividing just what is written to us but not for us, especially in the Gospels.
A question that keeps coming up that I have is this: Are we as the Body of Christ wrong to claim the great old testament promises like 2 Chronicles 7:14, Proverbs 3:5-6 etc. Since they were written after Abraham and before Paul.
Forgive me if you have addressed this already.
Dave,
This is an interpretive principle question. There is one interpretation for a passage but one or more possible applications. In 2 Chronicles 7.14, the Lord spoke to Solomon after he had completed the Temple. He told him, “My people, called by My name.” This was Israel. That is the interpretation. But the application is God will bless those who obey Him. Same thing with Proverbs 3.5-6. Trusting in the Lord was different for David than for us. But the general principle of trust applies. David was under the Mosaic Law, we are under grace, to live by the truths Paul has revealed. Both, however, involve trusting the Lord.
Thank you for the quick response Don. Whenever a crisis comes up in our country well known pastors immediately start quoting passages like 2 Chronicles. 7:14 it seems to reassure believers that we can avoid suffering if we just get right with God.
I of course hope for the best in this pandemic/ economic crisis we are in now but I don’t believe God makes any guarantee for material blessings. The blessings God promises are for peace and comfort spiritually through suffering. Many professing Christians will abandon the faith when this becomes a reality in their life.
Am I wrong?
Dave,
We have the guarantee of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the joy of salvation, and eternal life. We do not know what troubles we will face in this life. We only know that God is with us. We are on display before the angelic host to see how we respond. God is using us to resolve the problem of evil and the angelic conflict. Whatever we endure in this life, our hope is far greater (2 Corinthians 4.16-18).
Yes, I agree whole heartedly!
Do you think God makes any specific promise to grace believers to provide for our physical needs?
And could you tell me what you mean by saying “God is using us to resolve the problem of evil and the angelic conflict. Thank you for your time.
Dave,
I cannot think of any specific promise. Paul’s life is an example of hardship and God’s provision. See my article on Job.
Thanks again for all the clear rightly divided Word of God you have on line…All God’s grace and comfort to you
Don, I found this a fascinating discussion. I’m particularly blessed to see the loving and long exchange between you and John above…. I like him have so many questions also I do not want to be cynical or unbelieving yet am intrigued by what you say. I need to read more of what the OT prophets said of messiah (Jesus) as maybe they pointed to his heavenly kingdom and salvation of all who believe…then the Jews and disciples would have known?
Duncan,
The prophets foretold an earthly kingdom, not a heavenly one. The only kingdom the Jews looked for was earthly. There are literally hundreds of verses in the OT about this kingdom. It was the land promise God first gave to Abraham. The two great themes of the prophets were the earthly kingdom and God’s judgment of the earth. The heavenly kingdom was a Pauline revelation. It is the destiny of the Church, not for OT believing Jews or for Jews who believed the gospel of the kingdom.
Thank you. What did Jesus mean when he said the Kingdom is within you..? He must have been referring to something other than a physical land.?
Duncan,
Please read my article, The Kingdom of God.
Many thanks! I shall read with interest. I am also reading N T Wright … so curious how you both compare.
Hi Don,
Recently bought your book Apostle of Secrets, thoroughly enjoying it! Quick question. Should I pray to God the Father, or Jesus, or both interchangeably? I don’t want to neglect either one.
thanks,
Russell
Russell,
Thank you. Please read/reread the chapter Paul on Prayer. Paul commanded that we are to imitate him. This applies to prayer. That should answer your question.
Hello,
Stumbled on this article when looking for someone addressing the “forgive and you shall be forgiven’ of the Lord’s prayer. I must say never heard this line of thinking about salvation in the OT.
Question, you said in one of the comments :
“We have explicit passages that declare that salvation required keeping the Mosaic Law, water baptism, forgiving others, and faith.”
It seems you’re saying there was a time when people were brought into right standing with God through a combination of faith and works, specifically works of the Law.
Does this idea stand in conflict with Romans 3:20 ?
“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”
Thanks for your time
Stephen,
Yes, it definitely conflicts with Romans 3.20. That is because there was no salvation by faith alone before Paul. The risen Lord began a whole new program with Paul and this included salvation by faith alone in His death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15.1-4). Please see my article, Faith vs. Works in James: Resolving the Problem. This may shed more light on this subject.
Nice article.. The Lord’s table is an instruction Christ initially gave as an indication of the new covenant..1. Though hypothetical, if Paul didn’t mention it that one time in 1st Corinthians, we wouldn’t have been been doing it right?
Again, normally, we don’t establish Christian doctrine unless there are more than one witnesses?? Are we to include the account in the gospels as part of the witnesses?
2. Does the Lord’s table also signify that we are partakers of the new covenant? If so to what extent?
3. Do you think there may be other things in Christian doctrine that he didn’t write in any of his letters but just spoke to them at one or two of his visits?
Tomi,
Thank you. 1. Paul could not not mention it for the Lord’s death was central to His mission to pay for our sins. Indeed, this and His resurrection are the focus of Paul’s gospel, as opposed to the gospel of the kingdom, which focused on Christ’s identity. 2. Paul wrote that he was a minister of the New Covenant. We are brought into the blessings of the New Covenant, the forgiveness of sins and indwelling Holy Spirit, through Paul’s ministry as proxy Israel, on the basis of the Abrahamic Covenant. 3. No.
Thank you.. So in that particular sense, we are spiritual Israelites? Are we??
Tomi,
No. Israel is distinct from the Church. The Church is neither Jew or Gentile. See 1 Corinthians 10.32.
I’m glad you don’t get tired of answering questions because I don’t get tired of asking..
1. What did the writer of Hebrews mean when he referred to the law as ” word spoken by Angels”?.
2. In vs 3 in Hebrew 2. He says ” first spoken by the Lord”.. At first glance, it seems to mean his earthly ministry and the gospel he preached ..
2. What was the difference between that leper that gave thanks and the rest?
What did “whole” mean?
4..Why exactly did the Lord smite Uzzah?. I don’t get it
Much respect
Tomi,
1. “The word spoken by angels” was the Mosaic Law. While Exodus 19 does not mention angelic participation in giving the Mosaic Law, this idea was widely held by Jews based on Deuteronomy 33.2 (LXX) and Psalm 68.17. Stephen proclaimed it to the Sanhedrin (Acts 7.53), Paul wrote about it in Galatians 3.19, and Josephus mentioned it in Antiquities of the Jews 15.5.3.
2. This is the gospel of the kingdom, Matthew 4.17.
3. The leper who was healed and returned to Jesus was a Samaritan, who were half-breed Jews, looked down on by full-blooded Jews. Jesus was pointing out to the Jews that it was a Samaritan who returned to worship Him and give thanks, not a pure bred Jew. “Whole” means “well.”
4. Uzzah touched the Ark, which represented the throne of God. God is holy and unapproachable due to mankind’s sin. To show this, Uzzah died.
Don, a lot of Christians pray very general prayers without naming people. For example, they might say: “I pray for the homeless people in this area that you meet their needs tonight.” Or they ask for prayers, but do not say what the need is. They just say “God knows.” Is this an appropriate way to pray or must we be specific and name the person we are praying for and the reason why we are asking others to pray for us?
Craig,
It’s fine. See Paul’s prayers as guides of how we should pray.
When rightly dividing the Word it is clear that the Lord’s Prayer is for the Kingdom Gospel believers. Thank you so much for this clear understanding of this. Would you say Paul’s prayer in Eph 3 is the best example of the way Grace Gospel believers should pray? I cannot find where Paul was asked specifically as Jesus was as how we should pray, though I believe through his prayers we find how we, as redeemed Grace Gospel believers, should pray.
William,
Paul has several prayers which are models for us. I have a chapter on this in my book, Paul: Apostle of Secrets.
Personally, I like Paul’s prayer at the end of Ephesians. “That I might open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.”
You mention that the Apostles were not Christians because the term had not yet been coined. That’s a terrible argument. They certainly were Christians, definitionally they were followers of Christ! A rose by any other name. . .
Ted,
I am reporting what the Scriptures state. Your quarrel is with them, not me.
Verily, I say unto you, that there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power” (Mark 9:1)
What Kingdom is Jesus referring to here? Was Jesus wrong, did He lie to the people?
Of course He did not, He was referring to the Church, not the kingdom in Israel.
Also when He spoke in Matthew 16:18 (ASV): And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church;
Which church is that?
Ted,
Jesus never mentioned the Church. Why? The Church was a secret, unrevealed. Had Jesus mentioned it, Paul would be wrong. See Ephesians 3. Jesus ministered to Israel, under the Law. The Church is not under the Law, and is certainly not Israel. See Romans 15.8. Had the Jews repented the kingdom would have come. They did not but Jesus left the opportunity open to them. The assumption was they would. You do not destroy a whole theological system to explain a verse. The “church” of which Jesus spoke to Peter was the Jewish congregation who believed in Him. The word “church” simply means a group of people. See how Luke used it in Acts 19.