What does the Gospel of Grace mean and who is it primarily for?
The Gospel of Grace means that nothing of law or legalism can be associated with it, and it is primarily, not exclusively, to the Gentiles. After Israel rejected the Gospel of the Kingdom and crucified the King, God turned to Paul to proclaim it, with Jews not left out but not the primary focus.
Les explains that the Gospel of the Kingdom was the good news that Christ was the King in Israel’s midst, ready to fulfill all the Old Testament promises concerning Israel and His Messiahship. It was for Jew only, with nothing in it for the Gentile. When Israel rejected the Gospel of the Kingdom and the King, and crucified Him, God turned to Saul of Tarsus, the Apostle Paul, who began to proclaim the Gospel of Grace. Les teaches that this Gospel of Grace means nothing of law or legalism can be associated with it, and it is primarily, not exclusively, to the Gentiles. Jews are not left out, but the message of salvation is now primarily given to the Gentiles. Through the preaching of the Gospel of Grace, instead of calling out a covenant people such as Israel, God is calling out what Paul refers to as the Body of Christ. Les also notes that Jesus or the Twelve never use the term “the Body of Christ”; Jesus knew about it but never revealed it.