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Who were the people hearing Peter's message at Pentecost and in Acts?

Acts 2:5 (AMP) - 5 Now there were then residing in Jerusalem Jews, devout and God-fearing men from every country under heaven.

Acts 2:8-11 (AMP) - 8 Then how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own (particular) dialect to which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and [the province of] Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and the transient residents from Rome, both Jews and the proselytes [to Judaism from other religions], 11 Cretans and Arabians too—we all hear them speaking in our own native tongues [and telling of] the mighty works of God!

Acts 2:14 (AMP) - 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: You Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be [explained] to you so that you will know and understand; listen closely to what I have to say.

Acts 2:22 (AMP) - 22 You men of Israel, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man accredited and pointed out and shown forth and commended and attested to you by God by the mighty works and [the power of performing] wonders and signs which God worked through Him [right] in your midst, as you yourselves know—

Acts 2:36 (AMP) - 36 Therefore let the whole house of Israel recognize beyond all doubt and acknowledge assuredly that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (the Messiah)—this Jesus Whom you crucified.

Note carefully to WHOM was the message preached in Acts 2, and also what was preached during the time of Acts. Compare it to Paul's prison letters written after he received the Revelation from God - see especially Ephesians through Colossians.

The entire Bible is a revelation of Jesus Christ, who reveals the Father. The vast majority is written TO and ABOUT His chosen people Israel. They were to be the Light to the world. From the call of Abraham (more precisely Jacob/Israel) until the revelation of the Mystery, there were only two groups on Earth - Israel and the Gentiles (or nations). Jesus came to Israel ready to fulfill every prophecy, shadow, and type as their Messiah. He was rejected and crucified. He sent his apostles, empowered by the HS to preach to Israel once again for 40 years, and the nation still did not repent. Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the Jews were dispersed. The prophetic timeline regarding Israel was now postponed. Note that Stephen was teaching Jews and saw Jesus "standing" at God's right hand. (Acts 7:55) Jesus was ready to return, not sitting as he is in this age of grace. But Israel was "stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears" and resisting the Holy Ghost. (Acts 7:51)

Note the changing times...

Acts 13:44-48 (AMP) - 44 The next Sabbath almost the entire city gathered together to hear the Word of God [concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God]. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, filled with envy and jealousy they contradicted what was said by Paul and talked abusively [reviling and slandering him]. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out plainly and boldly, saying, It was necessary that God's message [concerning salvation through Christ] should be spoken to you first. But since you thrust it from you, you pass this judgment on yourselves that you are unworthy of eternal life and out of your own mouth you will be judged. [Now] behold, we turn to the Gentiles (the heathen). 47 For so the Lord has charged us, saying, I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles (the heathen), that you may bring [eternal] salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth. 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified (praised and gave thanks for) the Word of God; and as many as were destined (appointed and ordained) to eternal life believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus as the Christ and their Savior).

Also in Acts 28, a final pronouncement in Rome to the Jewish leaders. Key verses quoted, read the entire passage for full context.

Acts 28:16-17 (AMP) - 16 When we arrived at Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was permitted to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him. 17 Three days after [our arrival], he called together the leading local Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, Brethren, though I have done nothing against the people or against the customs of our forefathers, yet I was turned over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

Acts 28:25-29 (AMP) - 25 And as they disagreed among themselves, they began to leave, [but not before] Paul had added one statement [more]: The Holy Spirit was right in saying through Isaiah the prophet to your forefathers: 26 Go to this people and say to them, You will indeed hear and hear with your ears but will not understand, and you will indeed look and look with your eyes but will not see [not perceive, have knowledge of or become acquainted with what you look at, at all]. 27 For the heart (the understanding, the soul) of this people has grown dull (stupid, hardened, and calloused), and their ears are heavy and hard of hearing and they have shut tight their eyes, so that they may not perceive and have knowledge and become acquainted with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their souls and turn [to Me and be converted], that I may heal them. 28 So let it be understood by you then that [this message of] the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen [to it]! 29 And when he had said these things, the Jews went away, arguing and disputing among themselves.

The religious divisions of the past have no place in the Body of Christ, which is a spiritual Body. There is neither Jew or Gentile, but one Body with Jesus as the Head.

Also please reference 1 Corinthians 15 where Paul clearly states he, Peter and the other apostles preached the same gospel.

At the time the letter from Corinthians was written, they were preaching the resurrection. And even then, like now, there was disagreement - see Acts 11, 15, Galatians 2. Believers can have unity in Spirit, and still have differences in doctrine. However, God's Truth must ultimately prevail.

But something changes about the time of the Acts 28 announcement to the Jews in Rome. God gave Paul a Revelation that was HIDDEN IN GOD until revealed by Paul. The Blessing to Israel was always earthly, and was promised to be extended to Gentiles. (Genesis 12:3, Galatians 3:8) Now Paul was teaching something even better - a spiritual Blessing, and a Heavenly relationship IN CHRIST. Believers in this dispensation are neither Jews or Gentiles. They are called out from the world, made alive in Christ, seated in Heavenly places, blessed with every Spiritual Blessing, and incorporated into the Body of Christ with Jesus as the Head. ALL religious division has ended. All outward religion - priesthood, sacrifices, Temple, ordinances are unnecessary, as Believers are COMPLETE IN CHRIST.

The Body of Christ did not replace Israel. Every promise will be fulfilled in its proper time. The BOC was a Mystery, HIDDEN in God until revealed by Paul. Once this Truth is revealed to your spirit, you will understand why what was taught in the Gospels, and during the time of Acts, differs from the revelation Paul teaches in his later Prison letters.

If words have any meaning, Paul is clearly teaching something new. And for those of us who are not Jews, or Jews who are now Believers in the BOC, it is a wonderful revelation.

Ephesians 3:1-7 (AMP) - 1 FOR THIS reason [because I preached that you are thus built up together], I, Paul, [am] the prisoner of Jesus the Christ for the sake and on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace (His unmerited favor) that was entrusted to me [to dispense to you] for your benefit, 3 [And] that the mystery (secret) was made known to me and I was allowed to comprehend it by direct revelation, as I already briefly wrote you. 4 When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. 5 [This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers) and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit. 6 [It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to be fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing] in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance of] the glad tidings (the Gospel). 7 Of this [Gospel] I was made a minister according to the gift of God's free grace (undeserved favor) which was bestowed on me by the exercise (the working in all its effectiveness) of His power.

Was Paul lying when he said this revelation came directly from God and had never been revealed before? Does this in anyway sound like what Peter, James, and John, the apostles to the circumcision, taught in Acts?

Ephesians 3:8-10 (AMP) - 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God's consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out], 9 Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things by Christ Jesus. 10 [The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.

This was a Hidden Plan to restore Man to the status of Adam before the fall, who died spiritually when they sinned. Now that the Last Adam has come, Believers now can be led by the Spirit, and once again be one with God in Christ, not servants, or even just children, but one Body. There is Spiritual unity in the Body, even if the religious divide us by doctrine and the reasoning and traditions of men.

Ephesians 1:4-5 (AMP) - 4 Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. 5 For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]—

Ephesians 1:9-12 (AMP) - 9 Making known to us the mystery (secret) of His will (of His plan, of His purpose). [And it is this:] In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intention) which He had previously purposed and set forth in Him, 10 [He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth. 11 In Him we also were made [God's] heritage (portion) and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose, Who works out everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His [own] will, 12 So that we who first hoped in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him have been destined and appointed to] live for the praise of His glory!

Colossians 1:25-29 (AMP) - 25 In it I became a minister in accordance with the divine stewardship which was entrusted to me for you [as its object and for your benefit], to make the Word of God fully known [among you]— 26 The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints), 27 To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory.

With Jesus resurrected, the Holy Spirit available to all, and now the Hidden Mystery revealed, God could truly enjoy fellowship with His New Creations IN Christ, and they could worship Him in Spirit and Truth.

Colossians 2:19-23 (KJV) - 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Religious hooey does nothing for you. Its all about what you believe, or even better, IN WHOM you believe. The outward show amuses the senses, but does little for the spirit.

The veil was torn in the Temple when Christ died. But throughout Acts, sacrifices continued, and many Jewish Believers remained "zealous of the Law". They even attempted to force the Law on Gentile converts. But now, all the ordinances are gone. The priesthood and Temple are both gone and unnecessary because Believers are the Temple of God, and made alive in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:1 (KJV) - 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Note the position of Christ compared to what Stephen witnessed in Acts. Throughout the time of Acts, the emphasis is on the Earth and the promised Messianic Kingdom. Now, Believers look to Heaven, where we are seated in Heavenly places IN CHRIST. This is further confirmed when you compare the number of OT references in Paul's earlier books (Thessalonians, Galatians, Corinthians, Romans, Hebrews), to his later letters (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, Titus, Timothy). In the former, there are almost 200 OT references. The latter, there are less than 10. Paul was unveiling a New Hope available to the Gentiles during this parenthetical time between Israel's rejection, and the coming Day of the Lord, when everything promised to Israel will be fulfilled.

Colossians 2:8-10 (AMP) - 8 See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men's ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah). 9 For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]. 10 And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].

If theologians would ever actually study this passage, they would be done with religion. Believers are COMPLETE IN CHRIST. We've got people in churches working overtime attempting by their own efforts to become what God has already made them to be! For 2,000 years, the religious have been led astray by intellectualism and philosophy, never willing to simply believe God's word and say, "Thank You Father!"

The Judaizers and pagans are still actively working to put people in religious bondage, unwilling to Believe God's Word. The religious think Jesus' death and resurrection is insufficient. Instead, they want to perform some religious task, or in some fashion earn what was freely given to us by God. It takes humility, and a revelation of the profound Love God has for His children, to finally admit that you can do NOTHING except thank Him and praise Him for His Grace and Mercy.

I have heard hundreds of sermons, read theological opinions, and even sat through a few college lectures, where well meaning theologians twisted themselves into pretzels trying to prove your point. It simply can't be done. Only the Truth of God's Word will bring Light to the darkness. I encourage you not to take my opinion, or that of anyone else. Read Ephesians through Colossians slowly and prayerfully. Then turn to Acts, and Paul's earlier books written in that time, and do the same. You will note some differences between what was taught to Israel and the Gentiles at that time, versus what now belongs to the Body of Christ.

John the Baptist preached repentance and water baptism. He also said something better was coming - Jesus and a spiritual baptism. The time of Acts gave us, as Gentiles outside of Israel and the Covenant, a taste of what was to come. Paul would be called by God to reveal a higher Truth for us, a Revelation that was Hidden in God until revealed to the BOC of this dispensation. I will never be a Jew, and I am no longer a Gentile. I am a Believer, a child of God, made alive in Christ, blessed with every Spiritual Blessing and seated in Heavenly places in Christ. I am called out from the world to be part of the Body of Christ with Jesus as the Head. (see Ephesians 1-3) That is a very different position than where I would have been during the time of Acts. Its even superior to being simply "grafted into the olive tree" as explained in Romans 11, where it was a means to make Israel jealous. When the Holy Spirit unveils this Truth to your spirit, you will never be the same. And if you are like me, you will kick yourself for wasting so much time with religion, when you should be enjoying your place in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1:17-23 (AMP) - 17 [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, 18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), 19 And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, 20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], 21 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. 22 And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church], 23 Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].