The Apostle Paul refers to the gospel as a mystery in Ephesians 6:19, “That I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.” He also states in Romans 16:25-26, “Now to Him (Jesus) that is of power to establish you according to my gospel (given to me, Galatians 1:15-18), and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.” How does Paul indicate that the gospel is made known? “By the Scriptures of the prophets,” being the Old Testament Scriptures, “according to the commandment of the everlasting God.”
Why was the gospel still a mystery when it was made known by the prophets and the command of God? And is it still a mystery to many today? What was the gospel given in the Old Testament? First of all the word “gospel” is not used in the Old Testament, but the gospel is there. Jeremiah expresses his hope in Lamentations 3:20-27 because of the things that God has done since creation for our good to meet our every need. In humility he states, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not ...
