I am trying to understand but until I can resolve the problems I see in the reasoning, I will appear to be deaf to you.
I hope that you get to the point that you can see and hear.
This is one of the problems. I'm told Paul was the first and the pattern. Then I'm told we can't look at his practice of baptizing believers because he didn't get the truth of the gospel all at once. Acts 19 is on his LAST missionary journey. When did he learn baptism isn't necessary? After he had finished traveling the known world teaching a gospel that included baptizing believers? The evidence isn't backing up the claim.
Firstly, Paul is the first and a pattern for the NEW revelation that God gave to him. This does NOT mean (as many falsely claim of MAD) that Paul dumped everything that God had taught before this.
Paul was NOT saved like others. Paul was an enemy of God and not a friend. Paul was not like the twelve in this respect.
Secondly, even though Paul traveled and preached, he was not a missionary. He was a traveling apostle. The apostle of the Gentiles to be exact.
I do understand. Apollos taught souls Jesus, NKJV says accurately taught Jesus. Is Jesus not the gospel? He taught Jesus except for one detail, baptism.
(25) This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
If baptism isn't part of the gospel, why did Paul baptize them again "in the name of Jesus"?
Once again, you missed the point. These people in Act 18-19 were Jews what believed in Christ per God's previous revelations regarding Israel, their Christ and their kingdom.
BINGO, unbelieving. It doesn't matter Jew or Greek, only the believers are true Israel. 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.
Man, you are just so indoctrinated..... Believing Israel is believing Israel. Believing Gentiles in the dispensation of the grace of God do NOT become Israel. That's just nonsense.
When Paul said that "not all Israel is Israel" he was NOT including others but EXCLUDING UNBELIEVING ISRAEL.
God didn't reject the Jews.
Rom. 11:1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew...... 5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice.
They rejected salvation.
Acts 13:46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
Again, those in Christ are true Israel, not Israel of the flesh.
Phil. 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
I didn't say that God rejected Israel, simply that THEY are FALLEN temporarily, Just like Paul said.
Rom 11:11-12 KJV I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. (12) Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
"How much more their fullness" is THEIR restoration!
Act 1:6 KJV When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Christ did NOT correct their understanding! They were CORRECT.
Yes, Paul continued to work with Jews. Did he preach something different to them than he did the Gentiles?
Look what he says to them.
Act 28:23-31 KJV And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
DUDE!!!!!
I showed you that this was JEWS that he was talking to here!
Act 28:29 KJV And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
Paul was STILL trying to "save some" of his kinsmen.
With unbelieving Jews, Paul STARTS with preaching Jesus as the CHRIST, the SON OF GOD. If you can't get an unbelieving Jew PAST that, you cannot move on the dispensation of the grace of God through Jesus.
Paul continued to preach the kingdom and he uses kingdom interchangeably with the church just as Jesus did.
Acts 20:25 "And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face.....28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Matt. 16:18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
You are wrong on this as well.
The "church of God" was in Jerusalem and guess who was there.
Paul NEVER EVER refers to the gentiles churches in this manner. He never calls US sheep, NEVER EVER refers to gentiles as "priests" or the body of Christ a "priesthood".
You need to rightly divide, but you willfully refuse.
