****Furthermore, Paul states, CERTIFIES, that the gospel he preached was NOT preached before.****
“But I certify you, brethren, that THE GOSPEL PREACHED OF ME IS NOT AFTER MAN. For I neither RECEIVED IT OF MAN, neither was I TAUGHT IT, but BY THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.” Gal. 1:11,12.
Ah, but that is not what the passage says, is it? Paul does not say that the gospel he received was NOT preached before.
He says that he did not receive it from man but by a revelation of Jesus.
Quite simply, despite the near desperate need of some, Paul was aware that there were those who had serious doubts and suspicions about him and it was paramount that he be shown to be called by Jesus.
It was also important that the twelve accept him and they did when he presented them with what he had learned from the Lord and they knew that he was speaking the truth.
****Instead of letting God’s Word plainly say what it says, you seem to be attempting to make it say something it clearly does not****
It is not I that is guilty of wresting from Scripture something it plainly DOES NOT SAY.
****The Scriptures you gave were about the Mystery, hid in God, from the foundation of the world. That we would be fellowheirs with Israel through the gospel. But you did not give us what that gospel is.*****
The mystery revealed is that through the cross of Jesus, all would be united, joined, coheirs to the promises of God. THAT is the mystery not revealed until God revealed it to the Apostles through Jesus.
"It is sometimes argued from Eph. 3:5 that Paul was only one of many "apostles and prophets" to whom the mystery was revealed. The words "by the Spirit" are significant in this connection. Paul first revealed the truth of the mystery "by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. 1:12, Eph. 3:3, etc). He then "went up by revelation" and communicated it to the leaders at Jerusalem (Gal. 2:2) and they "saw" and "perceived" it and gave Paul and Barnabas, his companion, "the right hands of fellowship" (Gal. 2:7,9). It was "by the SPIRIT" of course, that they "saw" and "perceived" these truths, but not until Paul had communicated them to them."
Now on to Prophecy v. Mystery:
Prophecy mainly concerns NATIONS as such (Isa. 2:4, Ezek. 37:21,22). The Mystery concerns INDIVIDUALS (Rom. 10:12,13, 2 Cor. 5:14-17).
Prophecy concerns blessings, both material and spiritual, ON EARTH (Isa. 2:3,4, 11:1-9). The Mystery concerns "all spiritual blessings IN THE HEAVENLIES" (Eph. 1:20-23, Col. 3:1-3.
Prophecy concerns Christ's COMING TO THE EARTH (Isa. 59:20, Zech. 14:4). The mystery explains Christ's present ABSENCE FROM THE EARTH ( Eph. 1:20-23, Col. 3:1-3).
In Prophecy salvation by grace through faith ALONE is not contemplated. Salvation by grace through faith ALONE lies at the very heart of the mystery (Rom. 3:21-26, 3:5, Eph. 2:8,9).
The proclamation of the prophetic program was committed particularly to the twelve (Matt. 10:5-7, Acts 1:6-8, 3:19-26). The proclamation of the mystery was commited particularly to Paul (Eph. 3:1-3,8,9, Col. 1:24-27).
The prophpetic program revealed through MANY of God's servants (Luke 1:70, 2 Pet. 1:21). The mystery revealed through ONE man: Paul.(Gal. 1:11,12, 2:2,7,9, Eph. 3:23).
Old Testament writers frequently did NOT UNDERSTAND THE PROPHECIES MADE KNOWN THROUGH THEM (Dan. 12:8-10, 1 Pet. 1:10-12. Paul both understood and longed that others might understand the mystery revealed through him. (Eph. 1:15-23, 3:14-21, Col. 1:9-10, 2:1-3). - C.R. Stam, "Things That Differ", Prophecy and the Mystery, chapter 2, pp.65,66.
The Gospel of the Grace of God:
Committed to Paul (1 Cor. 15:1-4. It contains the gospel of the grace of God, but it also contains more than that. (Rom. 16:25,26, 1 Cor. 15:1, 3,4, Eph. 3:2,3,5,6,9.
It tells us for the first time that Christ died FOR OUR SINS, was buried, and rose again the third day. Read Peter's great first sermon on the day of Pentecost. He preaches that Christ had died, was buried, and rose from the dead the third day to sit on his throne. But NOWHERE does Peter say that Christ's death was FOR OUR SINS. THAT'S THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION. Nor did Peter preach that "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8,9). THAT'S the GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. That Christ died FOR OUR SINS, was buried, and rose again the third day. AND that if we believe He died for OUR SINS, we are saved, by GRACE through faith, not of works, but by the GRACE OF GOD, through the finished work of Christ.
Peter did not preach this Gospel on the day of Pentecost, nor did he KNOW it until HE HEARD IT from Paul (Gal. Chapter 2). They were NOT preaching the same gospel. Read Acts 1 and 2 and find ONE passage that shows Peter sharing the GOOD NEWS that Christ died for OUR SINS. He was preaching the BAD NEWS that the Jews had killed their Messiah, but that he was risen and sitting on his throne, and COMING BACK AFTER THE WRATH OF GOD IS POURED OUT. Hardly a sermon of reconciliation. But if you believe they preached the same gospel, please show me in Scripture where they were. Just as I have shown you in Scripture where they were NOT.