Knowledge Hidden

Man was dead in trespasses and sins and could not be changed because the knowledge that would produce faith and or educate man's faith was still hidden from mankind. Man needed quickening, not regeneration. Even in Christ's ministry on earth knowledge would be given to a select few until the time for the open preaching to all the world.

1. The disciples, during Christ's ministry, were to teach only that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. Knowledge was hidden from the rest in carefully worded parables.

Mar 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

Mar 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

This was a temporary arrangement, meant to blind the Jews until the Gentiles would be converted. It was not arbitrary predestination but God made the decision not to forgive those particular Baal worshippers from David's era to the present period of Christ's ministry..

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

This was temporary and limited, Calvinists who believe in the election of a few today fail to see this was limited to the Jews, and would end with the fullness of the Gentiles.

Paul clarifies it was a judgment upon the Jews for idolatry.

Even with temporary blindness, the core of the Jewish population being left in blindness, God was just in cutting them off.

Rom 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

The criteria God used for saving the remnant and not saving the rest of the Jews was the practice of idolatry prior to Christ's ministry. Those practicing idolatry were cut off. It wasn't arbitrary election, since it was based upon their unbelief and was based upon their actions.

Rom 11:3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

Rom 11:4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

David was being chased by those turning to Baal in his day.

Only those Jews remaining faithful to God and not worshipping Baal would be given grace to believe the Gospel, grace wasn't given because works were perfect, but grace was withheld because of the sin of Baal worship among the Jews passed down from David's era.

Baal worship hardened their hearts so they would not believe through the parables. It also produced in the Jews blasphemy of the Spirit.

Mat 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

By killing the prophets the Jews had to make the judgment the Spirit in the prophets was of Satan and false.

2. The main point in this article is that God hid the knowledge that could produce faith from blasphemers as a judgment, but also withheld knowledge until he was ready for the Gospel to be openly preached.

Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

People could not have educated faith until the Gospel was openly preached and revealed. This was started by giving gifts to men.

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

This is seen being carried out in Acts 2 when the Gospel was openly preached.

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Act 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

Act 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The Holy Spirit provided faith through the preaching of knowledge of the Gospel.

God did not have to empower each individual, they could not believe prior because the knowledge was hidden, once revealed they simply chose to believe or not.