By Ken Blue
This is the second article on the Misunderstood Transition of the ministry of John the Baptist to the Apostle Paul. Hopefully it will help others to understand the difference in the purpose of their ministries and the difference in their messages. The first paragraph is selected from the first article.
For example, the word “gospel” in our text means “good news.” But, the question is, what is the message of that good news? We are going to settle forever the fact that the good news preached in the four gospels, and that preached by Paul, are light years apart.
- THE DEATH OF CHRIST IS NOT PART OF THE KINGDOM GOSPEL-
“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee” Matthew 16:21-22.
a. Notice that Jesus began to teach His disciples that He must die. “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples…” This proves that Jesus had not taught it prior to that point in His ministry. It was not part of the gospel He gave to them.
b. Notice that Peter sees this teaching incompatible with the gospel they preached. “Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”
c. Notice also that they did not understand Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah’s death. “Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death” Luke 18:31-33.
d. Peter’s denial shows their ignorance of His upcoming death. “But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew” Mark 14:68.
So, we know John the Baptist, Jesus and the Twelve preached a gospel; we also know that it did not contain one word concerning His dying for man’s sin. That ought to be evident, but most Christians never understand its implication.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.