MID-ACTS  VIEW : THE BEGINNING OF GOD'S NEW PLAN IN THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE

By: Brother Albert Gran

The ulterior objective of this study is to simply avoid classifications or distinctions of grace believers in our times. History made us recalled how RD dispensationalists were divided into several segments when they identified themselves as Acts 2, Acts 9, Acts 11, Acts 13 and Acts 28. Recently, few proponents identified themselves as Acts 20 with citations how the "testifying of the gospel of the grace of God" marked the beginning of the dispensation of grace when Paul had came through the church at Philippi.


My observation calls for a fact that when grace believers are fighting which particular period is the beginning of the body of Christ, this went through the label Paul had met in his time as he wrote to the church at Corinth when it reads:

1 Corinthians 1:10-11King James Version (KJV)

10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 

1 Corinthians 3:3-4King James Version (KJV)

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

1 Corinthians 11:18-19King James Version (KJV)

18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

The issue here is how can grace believers be of the same mind when they themselves are putting labels to each other. Debating the issues repeatedly which part in the book of Acts marks the beginning of the dispensation of grace is nonsensical, thereby a mere show of fleshly glory. Paul reiterated that when doctrinal issues caused division in the church in our time, spiritual believers would bear the principle of "avoidance of division" and possess maturity to handle things to be of one mind in Christ.

I thought it necessary to consider the things in this issue however, that when believers attempted to prove the beginning of the dispensation of grace in the book of Acts itself is partially correct. However, the most concrete proof to solidify the fundamental basis in the beginning of the body of Christ is when God acted upon and showed his first attempt in the time (dispensation) through which his grace has been delineated to Paul. We all got to compare God's firsthand demonstration when we set the beginning of grace in a particular time to qualify the term "dispensation" in it's sense. 

Dispensation is literally meant "God's action in time". The giving of God's word about the mystery of Christ in this dispensation of grace is something which I also greatly acknowledged as "transitional" in it's sense and thus, it meant no definite section in Acts when it began except the fact Paul was separated in his mother's womb and called him by his grace.   

DISPENSATION OF GRACE BEGAN WITH PAUL  

We knew that when Christ stood up in his heavenly throne after the stoning of Stephen, it's an indication of the outpouring of God's wrath. To our surprise, what was expected did not happen. Instead, the significance of GOD'S LONG SUFFERING was extended by calling the apostle in the dispensation of grace.

Galatians 1:15King James Version (KJV)

15 But when IT PLEASED GOD, who SEPARATED ME FROM MY MOTHER'S WOMB, and CALLED ME BY HIS GRACE,   

It is a remarkable event in the history of times when one WHO KICKED AGAINST THE PRICKS was called BY GOD'S GRACE. Through God's forbearance, it pleased Him to call Paul by His grace along the way to the road of Damascus. It is a "calling" for God had set a particular purpose by which his ministry is so essential in the propagation of the gospel of Christ or the gospel of the grace of God. Could we not therefore distinguish this fact as a remarkable act of God's forbearance through out time how an injurious and persecutor was personally called by God in their firsthand encounter in order to bear his name towards the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel?

Acts 9
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.    

In God's plan, I did not thought of having in mind when God called to preach first the Jews then later to the Gentiles as similar instance during Christ's earthly ministry. Indeed, it's so plain how God's plan to Paul's apostleship to PUT NO RACIAL DISTINCTIONS as per appeared first in Acts 9.   

WHAT ABOUT THE "JEW FIRST" IN THE BOOK OF ROMANS?   

Romans 1:16King James Version (KJV)

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; TO THE JEW FIRST, and also to the Greek. 

Romans 2:10King James Version (KJV)

10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, TO THE JEW FIRST, and also to the Gentile:       

Perhaps, many preachers and students had not across this point aside from clinging to the principle which they thought there's such what is called JEW FIRST in God's plan under the dispensation of grace.

When I read it over repeatedly, I did notice there's a sense of NO RACIAL DISTINCTIONS to mean being one is of primary importance in these verses of Romans 1 and 2. The phrases "to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" and "to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile" gave me  a significant meaning it has only one equal sense. If you say to the Jew first, and also to the Greek/ Gentile, the phrase "and also" gives idea it could also be to the Greek or Gentiles first. It didn't say to the Jew first, then to the Greek/Gentile through which there's a time barrier between them or a sequence of order between the two. My understanding is this: "If it's to the Jew first, it's also the Gentile first". To the Jew first, "AND ALSO" to the Greek/ Gentile. What is true to the Jew first, it's also the same to the Gentile.

Therefore, I found no distinctions between Jew and Greek/ Gentile when Paul preached the gospel of the grace of God. Thus, when a student of God's word put labels and distinctions between Jews and Gentiles during the early account of Paul's conversion when the dispensation of grace began, it distorts God's plan to put Jews and Gentiles in the body of Christ as no difference.  Take a look at the example what sense we understood in this account in Acts 20 as it reads:

Acts 20
21 Testifying BOTH TO THE JEWS, AND ALSO TO THE GREEKS, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Indeed, it's great significance that Paul's preaching was aired to two groups of people without distinctions. If once we thought and believed there's a difference between Jews and Gentiles as to how God's word shall be delivered to people, now is the time to acknowledge there's no difference at all. If we thought God is planning a Body of Christ in the apostleship ministry of Paul, then think that there's no distinction of race, social status, and gender which you can prove therein.

Galatians 3:28King James Version (KJV)

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:11-12King James Version (KJV)

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

These things clearly avoided any dissension among grace believers in our time by which God had not divided the body of Christ by making a policy that the gospel must be preached first to the Jews. Below is my proof how in the ministry of Paul after his conversion those who were saved were no longer classified as Jews or Gentiles but the CHURCH OF GOD( the body of Christ).

1 Corinthians 10:32King James Version (KJV)

32 Give none offence, neither to the JEWS, nor to the GENTILES, nor to the CHURCH OF GOD:

Corinth is categorized as one of the earliest epistle of Paul, however the believers there ( Jews or Gentiles) were placed and being identified  as members in the CHURCH OF GOD. It's a fact when they were in that church, their racial identity is gone in the spiritual sense. The church of God is the church the body of Christ with God's citizens, members in particular called saints and sons of God.

Those who were being preached by Paul after his conversation all the way to his Acts journey were members of the church the body of Christ. In fact many proselytes who gave audience to Paul when he preached the grace of God. 

Acts 13:43King James Version (KJV)

43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and RELIGIOUS PROSELYTES FOLLOWED PAUL Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the GRACE OF GOD.  

These religious proselytes were avid followers of Jewish religion and avid doers and observers of the law. It's a clear fact however, that in the early conversion of Paul, he knew something different in his preaching of grace compared to the law and thus made him reasoned in the synagogue. 

SPEAKING OF PAUL'S MANNER: DID HE LIVE A COMPROMISED LIFE?

This is the reason why many grace preachers and teachers fall prey to the fact and stressed why the beginning of the dispensation of grace was misunderstood. They thought when Paul was converted all through his missionary journey, he still observed the customs of the Jews as the basis by which the dispensation of grace had not yet began.

Basically, Paul entered to the synagogue to preach the grace of God and reasoned. In fact he went to the temple in Acts 22 during the days of purification and being accused as someone who violated the customs of Moses, in other words the Mosaic Law in general.

Acts 22

18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the GENTILES by his ministry.

20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of JEWS there are which believe; and they are all ZEALOUS OF THE LAW:

21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, NEITHER TO WALK AFTER THE CUSTOMS.

When Paul started his preaching after his conversion, although he entered into the synagogue as his manner, he never compromised the doctrine of grace which he received from Jesus Christ. His ministry is always contrary to the law and always a mere violation of the religious Jewish customs. Those grace teachers who succumb to the idea that Paul is compromising his grace doctrine in the early period of the dispensation of grace by living a manner under the Jewish custom had not considered the essence why it's essential for Paul to reason in the synagogues. If his doctrines and his ministry was in complete consonance under the law, then he will not be accused as a violator of the law.What we saw contrarily is the accusation why such he preached a DIFFERENT GOSPEL and delivered a DISTINCT MESSAGE. Take a brief site in the accounts below:

Acts 21

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day PURIFYING HIMSELF WITH THEM ENTERED INTO THE TEMPLE, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where AGAINST THE PEOPLE, and THE LAW, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and HATH POLLUTED THIS HOLY PLACE.

29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

You can see that even in Acts 21 Paul still entered in the temple and yet his life remained doctrinally uncompromising. Although Luke described him as someone who purified himself with the Jews in the temple, however you noticed what made that  so called purification observance supported a solid proof of accusation how Paul lived contrarily to the Jewish customs and laws.  He was grossly accused with the violations which I believed he committed against Jewish religion including its observances. He had his life uncompromising and consistent for the sake of THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. 

SO, WHY PAUL SETS THE BEGINNING OF THIS DISPENSATION OF GRACE?

As stated beforehand, the term "dispensation" corresponds God's denouement of grace in a period distinct from that of the law. This is God's heavenly act to call the chiefest of all sinners by his grace. Many had conjectured over the fact that it's the same grace he gave to Noah. Will that grace of God to Paul void of the presentation of the cross? I don't think so.

Acts 9

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why PERSECUTEST THOU ME?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.   

While I didn't have clear proof that Saul is one among belonged to the council who partook approval of Christ's resurrection based on his influence to persecute the Christians prior Acts 9, remarkably his persecution scheme in the Stephen account  is relative to say he then became the enemy of the cross of Christ. I believed that it's the same cross made the reverse of his life that gives him suffering for the sake of Jesus after his conversion.

Acts 9
16 For I will shew him how great things HE MUST SUFFER for my name's sake.

It's true at the onset how he suffered in the presence of his kinsmen, from the bands of Roman soldiers even against the Gentiles in order to preach the cross of Christ. Reasonably, even in one the earliest account of his missionary journey, he attested the PREACHING OF THE CROSS which for fools foolishness but to those who were saved it is the  POWER OF GOD.

The truth of the reason why Paul in the dispensation of grace is the fact God chose him first as pattern in the truth of eternal life towards those who believe hereafter.

1 Timothy 1:16King James Version (KJV)

16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.   

Christ's character nature of LONG SUFFERING colored His nature in the dispensation of grace who waved his wrath against sinners or ungodly. God first demonstrated his long suffering when Paul obtained God's mercy ( coined with grace) for a pattern others to life everlasting (salvation by grace through faith alone).

This characterized firsthand act of God in a period special WHEN AN ENEMY BECAME GOD'S FRIEND. Needless for God's friends today who will fight among each other in the issue marking where in Acts period marks the beginning of the body of Christ. 

Remember that if you are saved by grace in the dispensation of grace:

PAUL IS YOUR PATTERN!

Grace and Peace     

  

               

BY FAITH AND THROUGH FAITH: A DISPENSATIONAL DISTINCTIONS
By: Brother Albert Gran 

Romans 3:28-30King James Version (KJV)

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Introduction:

There were many citations in the Holy Scriptures of which "by faith" and "through faith" are slightly taken as majority thought these had not differ in its sense and application. This simple study somehow will shed light to show distinctions between these phrases as Paul stated above.    

As it reads, Paul concluded that "man" is justified by faith. He spoke this before the time under the dispensation of grace. It means that our justification still is in view "by faith" however by faith without the DEEDS OF THE LAW which I considered "through faith" under this dispensation of grace for the uncircumcision. Is there a truth of which God had dealt certain group of people by faith with inclusions of the deeds of the law? 

CIRCUMCISION BY FAITH : BY THE DEEDS OF THE LAW

31 Do we then make void THE LAW  THROUGH FAITH? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

It's so plain however that Paul sensed something with dispensational connotation what time and operation in matters of God's dealing is involved prior the "through faith" as Paul referred to. It's crystal clear, it's THE LAW before "THROUGH FAITH". How did Paul established the law in the "through faith" which I referred to as under the period of grace? Let's consider this matter:

Romans 13:8-9

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

While those circumcision who had been given the law stressed out its details, the uncircumcision through Paul's revelation established all those details by LOVE. Under grace, we believers fulfilled all those moral applications under the law  and its moral value as long as our present walk are governed and motivated by LOVE. 

Let's consider these facts below how the circumcision UNDER THE LAW stressed out the deeds of the law in order to attain justification by faith. We will start from Abraham when God set him as a pattern being justified by faith plus his works when the promise was first declared to him as a father of the circumcision.

BY FAITH AND WORKS OPERATES TO THE CIRCUMCISION: FROM ABRAHAM TO MOSES

Hebrews 11:17King James Version (KJV)

17 BY FAITH Abraham, when he was tried, OFFERED UP Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Hebrews 11:20King James Version (KJV)

20 BY FAITH Isaac BLESSED Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.  

Hebrews 11:21King James Version (KJV)

21 BY FAITH Jacob, when he was a dying, BLESSED both the sons of Joseph; and WORSHIPPED, leaning upon the top of his staff.

Hebrews 11:22King James Version (KJV)

22 BY FAITH Joseph, when he died, MADE MENTION of the departing of the children of Israel; and GAVE COMMANDMENT concerning his bones. 

Hebrews 11:24-31King James Version (KJV)

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 

These are all accounts and citations by which the "by faith" starting from the given promise of Abraham and his lineage incorporate "WORKS" for  their justification.    
   

BY FAITH AND WORKS OPERATES TO THE CIRCUMCISION: FROM MOSES TO CHRIST

When the law was added to the promise through Moses, God used it for His people to keep so that by faith they may also obtain justification in doing so. Let's consider the following below.

Exodus 16:27-28King James Version (KJV)

27 And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none.

28 And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?

Exodus 20:5-6King James Version (KJV)

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Leviticus 22:30-31King James Version (KJV)

30 On the same day it shall be eaten up; ye shall leave none of it until the morrow: I am the Lord.

31 Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 26:2-3King James Version (KJV)

2 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.

3 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;

Deuteronomy 5:10King James Version (KJV)

10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

Deuteronomy 5:29King James Version (KJV)

29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

1 Kings 3:14King James Version (KJV)

14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. 

1 Kings 6:12King James Version (KJV)

12 Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:

1 Kings 9:6King James Version (KJV)

6 But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:

1 Chronicles 29:19King James Version (KJV)

19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.

Nehemiah 1:9King James Version (KJV)

9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

When the LAW OF GOD was given to Moses at Mt. Sinai, really it accounts for the circumcision to observe as were those being given the LAW. Paul attested the truthfulness of it who were those specific group of people through which the law had been given. Reading the whole chapter of Romans 9, you would notice how Paul desired for his kinsmen to be saved through His message of grace even though at time they were once people ever been blessed by God.

Romans 9 King James Version (KJV)

9 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 

Clearly you would noticed in Paul's epistle how Christ came to the circumcision in the flesh. Paul even remarked that Christ is the minister of the circumcision to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.

Romans 15:8King James Version (KJV)

8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

As a minister to the circumcision, he clearly points out how the law was still in view during His earthly ministry account. Christ's teaching clearly emphasized in view of keeping the law.

Matthew 5 King James Version (KJV)

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 WHOSOEVERY  THEREFORE SHALL BREAK ONE OF THESE LEAST COMMANDMENTS, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

James 2:10King James Version (KJV)

10 For whosoever shall KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, and yet OFFEND IN ONE POINT, he is guilty of all.

John 14:14-15King James Version (KJV)

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

15 If ye love me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.

John 14:20-21King James Version (KJV)

20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

21 He that HATH MY COMMANDMENTS, and KEEPETH THEM, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 15:10King James Version (KJV)

10 If ye KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

These accounts held us convicted that CIRCUMCISION clearly were justified "by faith" along with the PERFORMANCE for their justification. We can't integrate all these accounts in the "through faith" under the dispensation of grace wherein PERFORMANCE basis or works are not counted for our justification. Many are still confused as they recognized all accounts in time past including the  account of whom Christ was a minister to the circumcision to seek the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Christ's doctrines and teachings when he was manifested in the flesh is clearly in view of the prophetic promise concerning him for the circumcision's hope of the kingdom as the kingdom of priests and in view of Israel as His children above all nations.

CIRCUMCISION THROUGH FAITH: BY THE GRACE OF GOD     

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

It's not the issue here who will justify the person since we all know THERE'S ONLY ONE GOD who can do it. However, it sees fit for every person how God operates in the justification process of man through out times. We must dispense the truth of God's plan and wisdom as this is how he dispensed men in the history of human kind past, present, and future. His blue print over the ages had already set into completion even though our times have not yet ended. 

Accounts which shall come hereafter in the Holy Scriptures were already set by God and it will never be changed. Our direction as avid students of Gods words who longed to understand the finest counsels of God based on His wisdom and prudence adhered the principle of rightly dividing the word of truth ( 2 Tim. 2:15) and COMPARING SPIRITUAL THINGS with spiritual (1 Cor. 2:13).

"Uncircumcision through faith" indeed has its significant change in view how our justification in this present dispensation of grace is singled out WITHOUT WORKS OR APART FROM HUMAN WORKS. Consider these things:

Ephesians 2:8-9King James Version (KJV)

8 For by grace are ye SAVED THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the gift of God:

9 NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.   

Galatians 3:8King James Version (KJV)

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would JUSTIFY THE HEATHEN THROUGH FAITH, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Galatians 3:14King James Version (KJV)

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might RECEIVE THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH FAITH.

These all are what I viewed something we need to decipher in matters of considering God's operation "through faith" or "by faith" without the deeds of the law. I clearly singled out God's operations in both ways in matters of God's plan for the Gentiles today as recipient of Abraham's promise with the seed who is Christ. In the "through faith" operation of God our blessedness of justification today was clearly defined as NOT BY FAITH IN OPERATION UNDER THE LAW but THROUGH FAITH "BY THE GRACE OF GOD".

Romans 4:13King James Version (KJV)

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, WAS NOT to Abraham, or to his seed, THROUGH THE LAW, but THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH. 

Lastly, may we all be reminded how God operates our sin problem BY HIS GRACE as we are under GRACE.

Romans 6:14King James Version (KJV)

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Grace and peace!