IS THE GOSPEL STILL MYSTERIOUS?
A “mystery” is a secret, or something that is not fully revealed or able to be understood. The Bible often speaks of “the mystery of the gospel.” Does this mean the gospel truth isn’t understandable? Does this mean that the gospel cannot be accepted and believed? Let’s look at a passage where this term “mystery” is used in reference to the gospel:
“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.” – Romans 16:25-27
What we must understand is that the truth claims of the gospel WERE a mystery BEFORE they were “manifested” or revealed through the divine inspiration of scripture. These truths are no longer a mystery or a secret being hidden in riddles, or behind a veil, or a spirit of stupor (Mark 4, Matt 13, 1 Cor 2:7-8; Eph 3:1-8; Rom 11:7).
THE RIDDLES HAVE BEEN SOLVED, THE VEIL HAS BEEN TORN, AND THE SPIRIT OF STUPOR HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT SENT TO BRING CONVICTION TO THE WORLD!
These glorious truths were once hidden for a good redemptive purpose, but now they are clear for anyone and everyone to know and accept! No one can say, “I could not understand the truth of the gospel due to some innate moral inability beyond my control.” No! We each will be judged by the very words of Christ (Jhn 12:48) because they are clear, understandable and able to be accepted or suppressed.
If you suppress the truth you will eventually grow calloused to it (Heb 3:7-8; Acts 28:27-28). But no one is born morally incapable of seeing, hearing, understanding and turning to God for healing in response to the gospel revelation.
The gospel is the means God chose to make otherwise mysterious truths fully known! These deep mysteries were once hidden in the mind of God and not attainable by man, but praise be to God that He gave the apostles discernment by inspiring them to proclaim these deep truths clearly for all to know and accept them (1 Cor 2:6-14; Eph 3:1-8).
The theological concept that the gospel isn’t believable to most of humanity due to circumstances and decisions beyond their control is unbiblical and can even be dangerous when taken too far. We must proclaim the truth that may set man free because we actually believe truth has this ability for anyone and everyone who hears it!
Will you join me in declaring this truth!?
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Amen! Let freedom ring! The vail is gone! The way is made clear! Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! No more darkness! The Light has come! Whosoever will let him come and take of the water of life freely! God bless Bro. Flowers
I think the use of the word “mystery” is less helpful in translation. It makes us think of “mysterious” but we should just be thinking “secret”. A secret that is now known.
Very good post Leighton! My dissertation emphasized the objective clarity of necessary Scriptural truth for the gospel and sound doctrine that results in understanding that even an unbeliever using normal rules of grammar and context can have. That understanding may then be rejected… but it is there in the text, none the less.
The Calvinist tries to suggest that Romans 1 and 2 proves the statements of chapter 3 that none seek after God, and that creation and conscience are insufficient to get any one to seek. But they miss, as usual, the point of Paul’s discussion in those chapters. Chapter 3 is about none of the wicked seek God on their own accord.
In chapters 1 & 2, Paul is confirming that God’s revelation is sufficient to get people to seek, but for those that suppress His truth, which He personally makes plain in them, there is judgment whether they are Jews, with His revealed law, or Gentiles without it.
Thise who suppress the truth by not humbly accepting it and glorifying God for it are not given more light but temporal judgment that hopefully will lead to repentance. In their unrighteousness they truly are unable to seek without God first granting them mercy and light to enable them… but nowhere does Rom 1 suggest that “all” suppress the truth in unrighteousness when they hear it. The passage just tells what happens to those who do suppress it.