m00200

Concerning how to tell between the mysteries of the kingdom and the mystery that is now the church.

Mysteries of the kingdom are contained in Matt 13. Since Matt 12 records the rejection of the Messiah (12:24), I would think that the following chapter is concerning things to come. The fact that the Jews were not to understand these things would indicate this. (casual listeners - I'm sure the disciples had some idea of what Christ was speaking of {matt 13:51 states this} - at least as the church began to develop)

The church actually is not a new deal for God - it is in fact an extension of the kingdom - an unseen unknown part of the kingdom. The church is a portion of the eternal time line called God's plan. It is not a deviation from that line - it is an integrated part of it.

God is dealing through all of time with the kingdom in one form or another. The church is the Kingdom in mystery form - unknown till it came about.

The gospels are hard to interpret properly. Basically if you hold that Matt. 1-12 is for the Millennial kingdom that Christ was offering and 13 to the end as the church age you probably will do well.

A good harmony of the gospels then will let you see where the other gospels fall within this guideline.

Another good guide to what is kingdom and what is church is the fact that the Epistles and later Acts are definitely church so if something in these books is mentioned in the gospels, you can be sure that it is for the church age.

In interpreting the gospels you need to not interpret if you don't understand where it fits. Time, further study and commentaries may help. Many people take all of the gospels for today - dangerous. All are for application but not all are for today.

Topic 07900 of my systematic theology has more on interpretation of the gospels.