The Secret of the Lord Part 4: Understanding the Gospel of Grace

Based on the Bible Study Lesson The Secret of the Lord Part 4: Insight into Paul’s Divine Calling

The rise of anti-Pauline rhetoric and the growing rejection of biblical authority signal a spiritual climate that mirrors the very warnings found in Scripture. Much of the confusion stems from a failure to recognize the gospel of grace, the message entrusted to the Apostle Paul after Israel’s national program was set aside for a season. Psalm 25:14 reminds us that “the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him,” and one of the most significant secrets revealed in Scripture is the shift God made when He called Paul and opened salvation to all nations through faith alone.

Understanding this transition is essential for those who seek to be established in the truth during a time of increasing deception.

The Secret of the Lord and the Change in God’s Program

God’s dealings with humanity unfold according to His sovereign timing. The Old Testament anticipated a kingdom offered to Israel, and Christ confirmed this when He sent the twelve apostles only to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:5–7). That message—the gospel of the kingdom—was tied directly to Israel’s repentance and the rise of a restored nation under their Messiah, i.e. the kingdom of heaven.

Yet after the resurrection, the kingdom of heaven did not come. Instead, God revealed a mystery long kept hidden, beginning with the unexpected conversion of Saul of Tarsus. This marked the beginning of a new calling, a new message, and a new apostle appointed to deliver the gospel of grace to the world.

Paul’s Calling to Preach the Gospel of Grace

A Divine Appointment

Acts 9 records Saul’s encounter with the risen Lord. The persecutor became a preacher, appointed as a “chosen vessel” to bear Christ’s name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. This heavenly commission was not an extension of the kingdom program—it was the start of something new. Through Paul, God began revealing truths not previously made known.

A Message Verified by Scripture

Paul did not receive his gospel from the twelve, nor was he taught it by men (Galatians 1:11–12). His doctrine came directly from Christ. When he later met with Peter, James, and John, they acknowledged his calling and extended the right hand of fellowship (Galatians 2:9). This moment affirmed that God had indeed set Paul apart to preach the gospel of grace, while the others continued with their ministry to Israel.

Two Distinct Ministries in Scripture

The Gospel of the Kingdom

The gospel of the kingdom was rooted in prophecy. It promised Israel national restoration, earthly blessing, and the reign of Messiah. It required repentance and water baptism, functioning within the framework of the covenants God made with the Jewish people.

The Gospel of Grace

The gospel of grace, however, was not prophetic. It was a mystery—hidden, then revealed. This gospel announces salvation by grace through faith apart from the works of the law. It opens the door for Gentiles and establishes one body in Christ, not a nation under covenant.

The confusion that persists today arises when these two gospels are blended together. Scripture must be rightly divided if we are to understand the Lord’s secret.

The Early Church and the Battle for Truth

Paul faced constant resistance. False brethren insisted that Gentiles must follow the law of Moses to be saved (Acts 15; Galatians 2). Others attempted to undermine Paul’s authority or diminish the message he received from Christ. These early challenges mirror the doctrinal battles of our own time.

The Warning Against False Teachers

Paul exposed those who masqueraded as apostles but were “deceitful workers” (2 Corinthians 11:13–15). Their teachings corrupted the simplicity that is in Christ and sought to re-establish the law where God had introduced grace.

This same counterfeit work continues today. It is essential to stand firm in the truth revealed through Paul’s ministry, the truth of God’s gospel of grace.

Israel Set Aside and God’s Plan for the Nations

The book of Acts shows a gradual but deliberate shift. Israel rejected the kingdom, resisted the message, and eventually experienced spiritual blindness. While God will restore them in due time according to His promises, the present dispensation centers on all nations being reconciled through faith in Christ alone.

This transition is not a detour—it is the outworking of God’s eternal purpose.

Walking in the Light of the Secret of the Lord

Those who fear the Lord and trust in His Word gain understanding that the world cannot receive. The gospel of grace stands as God’s answer to the confusion, corruption, and false doctrine spreading in our day. It offers salvation without ritual, forgiveness without a temple, and righteousness without the law.

To know Christ according to this revelation is to stand securely in God’s truth during unstable times.

Standing Firm in God’s Revealed Truth

The first-century church witnessed a remarkable transition as God set aside Israel’s national program and ushered in a new dispensation centered on grace. Paul’s calling, message, and authority were affirmed by Scripture and acknowledged by the apostles in Jerusalem.

This same message is urgently needed today.

As anti-Pauline rhetoric rises and Scripture continues to be attacked, believers must anchor themselves in the mysteries God has revealed—truths designed to establish us in the faith and guard us from deception. The gospel of grace remains God’s invitation to all who will believe, and it continues to reveal the depth of His mercy in Christ Jesus.