“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace…” – Ephesians 1:7
The redeeming gospel that saves humanity today is found in the cross of Christ. Paul calls it the preaching of the cross. (1 Cor 1:18)
Those who do not understand the saving truth of the blood of Christ today remain without hope and in bondage to their sin.
They will face a judgment before God without a defense or sufficient payment. They will have to pay the eternal penalty.
Surprisingly we find that the disciples were also ignorant of the cross years into the ministry of Jesus to Israel.
“And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.” – Luke 18:34
Not only were they ignorant of the blood of Jesus, they were afraid to ask the Lord about it!
“But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.” – Mark 9:32
In this dispensation these verses could be written about the unbelieving who have not trusted in the cross.
But how could they describe the twelve disciples of which the Lord chose to be the leaders of his ministry? Especially since they had already been preaching a gospel for years! (Matt 10:1-6)
Understanding that the preaching of the cross was revealed first to Paul eliminates our confusion.
The disciples were preaching the gospel of the kingdom and put their faith in Jesus as the Son of God and their rightful king.
This faith was what was blessed in Peter in Matthew 16. It was this faith that made the blind to see and the lame to walk. No illness or disease would enter the kingdom.
Meanwhile, it was not until later that the Lord from heaven revealed the mystery of the cross to Paul and offered free justification to all men on the merits of his blood on the cross.
Today we cannot be afraid to ask or remain ignorant of the cross, for it alone is the power of God unto salvation. (Romans 1:16)
Article Index Published: July 22, 2008
Last Modified: May 31, 2016