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limits of the inspired testimony of Moses and the Prophets and
have revealed truth that was exclusive to the dispensation of the
Mystery. It is this that makes the apostle's claim so important to
all who would appreciate the distinctive nature of the Mystery.
The heavenly calling, with its city the New Jerusalem, is not
related to the Mystery, and rightly falls within the limits set by
the apostle.
The mention of the Mystery may perhaps cause some reader to
remember that, long before the prison epistles were written, Paul
spoke of several `mysteries' (secrets). Can these mysteries
possibly fall within the limits of `Moses and the prophets', or
will their investigation prove that the apostle was, after all,
wrong in claiming that he had said `none other things than those
which the prophets and Moses did say should come'?
No. 7
The Mysteries (Secrets).
The mystery of Israel's blindness (Rom. 11:25) and the mystery that was
silenced (Rom. 16:25) considered in the light of our title.
We have already seen that the gospel, the inclusion of the
Gentile, the hope entertained by the early church, and the
possession of spiritual gifts, all fall within the testimony of the
Law and the Prophets. There remains, however, one other
subject which at first sight may seem to upset all our previous
arguments - the subject of the `mysteries' of which Paul was a
steward long before the `mystery' of the prison epistles was
made manifest.