CONCERNING
DISPENSATIONAL
BIBLE STUDY
JUST WHY NOT?
HEART TO HEART QUESTIONS
DISPENSATIONALISM AND ULTRADISPENSATIONALISM
During the last few years Christians have been warned time and again against Ultradispensationalism’ . . . ‘Hyperdispensationalism’ . . . ‘Extreme Dispensationalism.’ Some ignorant, spiritual leaders have warned their followers against any and all ‘Dispensationalism.’ The word ‘Dispensation’ is used in Ephesians 1:10 . . . 3:2 and 3 . . . 3:9 . . . Colossians 1:24 to 26 and I Corinthians 9:17. The Greek word is ‘OIKONOMIA . . . ‘Oiko’ is ‘House’ . . . ‘Nomia’ is ‘Law.’ This word ‘OIKONOMIA’ is translated ‘Stewardship’ in Luke 16:2, 3 and 4. We get from this Greek word our word ‘Economy.’ You see the word has the meaning of ‘The ADMINISTRATION of a HOUSE or ‘HOUSE HOLD.’ You have heard of ‘The Roosevelt ADMINISTRATION.’
In Ephesians 4:12 we read that God is ‘EDIFYING THE BODY OF CHRIST.’ ‘EDIFY,’ in the Greek, ‘OIKODOMEO’ . . . ‘OIKO’ . . . ‘House’ . . . ‘DONIEO’ . . . ‘Build.’ The House of God, which God is building in this age and DISPENSATION OF GRACE (Ephesians 3:1 to 4), is called ‘THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD; Without controversy a GREAT MYSTERY. (I Timothy 3:15 and 16 . . . Ephesians 5:31 and 32). This HOUSE OF GOD, in Ephesians 3:6, is called ‘SUSSOMOS’ ‘SUS’ . . . ‘Joint’ . . . ‘SOMA’ . . . ‘Body’ . . . God is building a ‘JOINT BODY.’ In the building of this ‘CHURCH OF THE MYSTERY’ (Colossians 1:24 to 26) unto Paul was committed ‘THE DISPENSATION OF GOD’ (Colossians 1:24 to 26), and he was ordered by the risen Christ to ‘MAKE ALL SEE WHAT IS THE DISPENSATION (not fellowship) OF THE MYSTERY’ (Ephesians 3:9). So Paul declared himself to be the Lord’s ‘WISE MASTERBUILDER’ (Architect) who had laid the foundation. (I Corinthians 3:10).
Surely then you must see that no Christian can obey Ephesians 3:9 and make others see ‘WHAT IS THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY,’ or obey Paul, in I Corinthians 3:10, and build together on the foundation that he laid, without being a ‘DISPENSATIONALIST.’ Surely no intelligent, spiritual student of the Scriptures, led by the Holy Spirit, after reading I Corinthians 3:10, Colossians 1:24 to 26 and Ephesians 3:1 to 4, would or could believe that the foundation that Paul laid was the same as the foundation that Peter and the Eleven (Acts 2:14) laid on the day of Pentecost.
SOME IMPORTANT DISPENSATIONAL OBSERVATIONS
In Romans 5:12 to 14 the Holy Spirit mentions a period ‘FROM ADAM TO MOSES’ when God’s people were not under the law. The law was given by Moses. (John 1:17). By Adam sin entered and the law of sin and death resulted. (Romans 8:2). Moses wrote Genesis after the law was given; but God’s people mentioned in Genesis were not under the law that God gave by Moses. So during the 2500 years ‘FROM ADAM TO MOSES’ God’s people had neither God’s ‘HOLY SCRIPTURES’ nor God’s ‘HOLY LAW.’ Included in the period designated ‘FROM ADAM TO MOSES’ was the period ‘FROM THE SIN OF ADAM UNTIL NOAH AND THE FLOOD,’ 1656 years. During that period of 1656 years lived Adam, Abel, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Ham, Shem, Japheth and many others. Not one of these men was an Israelite or a Jew or an Old Testament (Covenant) character.
When we read that the law was given by Moses, we know that means that when Moses was on Mt. Sinai, about 1500 years before Christ came down from heaven and about 2500 years after Adam left Eden, Moses received from Jehovah ‘THE LAW COVENANT’ to deliver to Israel. That ‘LAW COVENANT’ (TESTAMENT) later became ‘OLD,’ after Christ died on the cross. (Hebrews 8:7 to 13). It was not ‘OLD,’ but ‘NEW,’ when Moses, at the age of 80, received it, as recorded in Exodus, chapter 20. Thus it is easy to see why the people before the flood were not regulated by THE TEN COMMANDMENTS given years after they died, or by the divers washings, meats and drinks and carnal ordinances (Hebrews 9:10) given in connection with the OLD TESTAMENT. They had no Sabbath to keep. Circumcision was not required as it was after Abraham was 99 years old (Genesis 17). The people before the flood did not have the ‘MEAT’ prohibitions of Exodus 14:5 to 8, or the ‘MEAT’ liberties of I Timothy 4:3 and 4, for the people before the flood ate herbs and not MEAT. The people before the flood did not have Israel’s Tabernacle or Temple ritual, offerings and ceremonies. They did not have Israel’s early or latter rain, because they had no rain. Were God’s antediluvian saints baptized by one Spirit into one Body? (I Corinthians 12:13). All say ‘NO.’
Therefore this simple question, “do you think any spiritual leader should ridicule another spiritual leader who teaches that God’s people before the flood and God’s people after God gave the Law and His religious program to Israel lived under entirely different ‘DISPENSATIONS’?” “Is this not ‘DISPENSATIONAL’ Bible study, an intelligent Divine principle in harmony with II Timothy 2:15, rightly dividing the Word of Truth?”
ISRAEL BEFORE AND AFTER THE LAW WAS GIVEN
The period from the FLOOD to the CALL OF ABRAM (Genesis 12:1 to 6) covered a little more than 400 years. The period from the CALL OF ABRAM to the GIVING OF THE LAW covered a period of 430 years (Galatians 3:16 to 19). When God called Abram, He made Abram some PROMISES, thereby preaching the GOSPEL to Abram BEFORE THE LAW was given (Galatians 3:8). Then the LAW WAS ADDED TO THE GOSPEL IN THE PROMISES. (Galatians 3:19.) According to Genesis 32:28, Jacob, who was Abraham’s grandson, became ‘ISRAEL’ about l00 years after Abraham was circumcised at the age of 99. God gave Abraham ‘THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION.’ (Acts 7:8). JACOB (ISRAEL) lived and died under ‘THE COVENANT OF PROMISE’ and ‘THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION,’ but not under ‘THE LAW COVENANT (OLD TESTAMENT)’. Judah was Israel’s fourth son. There were no JEWS until after Judah was born. There were no RELIGIOUS JEWS OR ISRAELITES before Sinai as there were after God imposed upon them, ‘CARNAL ORDINANCES, MEATS AND DRINKS and DIVERS BAPTISMS’ (Hebrews 9:10). Although Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and Judah and Levi and Joseph and others were CIRCUMCISED they had no ‘WATER’ ceremonies, no lamp lights, no shewbread table, no holy place and most holy place, no blood sprinkled mercy seat, no annual feasts, no Levitical priests, no sabbaths, no passover, no scapegoat, no Levites to stone to death law breakers, all of which was a part of Israel’s religious program under the law, which was given by Moses.
Surely a babe in Christ should know that if Moses was 8o years old (Exodus 7:7) when Israel received the LAW, to be their schoolmaster to bring them to Christ to be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24 and 25), the LAW that was added until Christ came (Galatians 3:19), then Moses spent the last 40 years of his 120 years on earth under a DISPENSATION (LAW) different from the DISPENSATION (PROMISE) under which he spent his first 80 years. The seed of Abraham, the children of Israel, who left Egypt 430 years after God met and blessed uncircumcised Abram (Genesis 12:1 to 5 . . . 15:13 . . . Romans 4:8 to 11), certainly passed under a new ‘ADMINISTRATION’ several months after they left Egypt and received the LAW from MOSES (ordained through angels by the hands of a mediator . . . Galatians 3:19 and 20).
How long will God’s servants, who are supposed to be stewards of the mysteries of God (I Corinthians 4:1 to 4), continue to read the Old Testament into the Book of Genesis or have it begin before Israel left Egypt? (Jeremiah 31:31 to 34). An entirely new ‘DISPENSATION’ began at Sinai, when Israel received the spirit of bondage unto fear (Romans 8:15), that which they could not endure (Hebrews 12:20 and Colossians 2:14).
Just how long did that DISPENSATION last? When did it end?
CHRIST WAS MADE UNDER THE LAW
God’s Son (Christ) was made under the Law; and came to fulfill that Law (Galatians 4:4 and Matthew 5:17 and 18): and then He became the end of that LAW (Romans 10:4) when God took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross (Colossians 2:14) and abolished it (II Corinthians 3:10 to 14).
So Israel on earth, during the years of Christ in the flesh, was under the LAW; and they were governed by GRACE mixed with the LAW. (Matthew 8:2 to 4 . . . 23:1 to 3). But unto no apostle did Christ commit ‘THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD,’ for Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1 to 4) while He was in the midst of Israel, as Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 2:22). A new DISPENSATION given calls for “DISPENSATIONAL” Bible study. Christ, on earth, would not have told the Jews, saved or unsaved, what He instructed Paul to write to Gentiles, in Romans 6:14; “Ye are not under LAW, but under GRACE.” GRACE was manifested under LAW. But there is a great difference between GRACE in a DISPENSATION and ‘THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE,’ which began after Israel was set aside. (Romans 11:11 to 15).
By the LAW, God’s people did not receive the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 3:1 to 3). They did not receive Divine sonship. They were a race of servants and not a race of sons, as God’s people are in this age and DISPENSATION. (Galatians 4:1 to 7 . . . Romans 8:15 and 16).
If an apostle of Christ had preached while Christ was on earth against physical circumcision, or the handwriting of ordinances, as Paul preached in Galatians 5:3 and 6 and 6:12 to 17 and Colossians 2:16, he would have received something more than a severe rebuke from Christ.
CHRIST WAS NOT THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH, WHICH IS HIS BODY, WHILE HE WAS HERE ON EARTH. Members of Christ’s Body do not live under the same DISPENSATION that Christ and His disciples lived under while Christ was here on earth. Such Bible teaching is DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE TEACHING. Do you believe that some of the Bible, given for the obedience and practice of the Jews, is not for Gentiles and Body members?
A HEART TO HEART TALK CONCERNING DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY
Every Christian should know the simple truth that in the Bible some of God’s messages were given for Gentiles before the nation Israel was born. Then later on some of God’s messages and religious programs were given to the Jews and not to the Gentiles. Then later on God revealed the fact that in Christ there was neither Jew nor Gentile “and God gave instructions to, for and about members of the Body of Christ, never before given to either Jew or Gentile. Aside from two or three recorded conversations that Christ on earth had with Gentiles, Christ, during those years of His earthly ministry, spoke to saved and unsaved Jews. It is important, even essential, to know which messages of Christ, recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, were directed to saved Jews and which to unsaved Jews. Some of the orders, instructions and religious ceremonies, which Christ, on earth, gave for the obedience and practice of His disciples, have no place in this present DISPENSATION and age of GRACE. Some of those who were disciples of Christ, while He was on earth, later passed under the new ADMINISTRATION or DISPENSATION and became members of the Body of Christ. After that they were not to be governed by some of the truths related to that KINGDOM OF HEAVEN that was postponed after God ushered in ‘THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD.’
It is by no means an easy task to apply II Timothy 2:15 in selecting for the obedience and practice of members of the Body of Christ, in grace, all of the religious program and spiritual instructions which Christ gave to Israel that should be brought over to this age. However it seems that even the babe in Christ should know that the so called spiritual leaders who boast that they accept all of the Bible for the obedience and practice of members of the Body of Christ, do not give some to the Jews, some to the Gentiles, and some to the Body of Christ, are either woefully ignorant or intentionally dishonest.
JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number One
Some years after Christ died on the cross the apostle Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was in the temple at Jerusalem and he heard the Lord Jesus Christ say to him: “Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem . . . . I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” (Acts 22:17 to 21). Two or three years before Christ died on the cross He said to Peter and eleven other apostles: “Go not into the way of the Gentiles.” (Matthew 10:5). While Christ was on earth, as Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God in the midst of Israel by miracles (Acts 2:22), He said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of Israel.” (Matthew 15:24). And as we read Peter’s own words, some seven years after the death of Christ, “It is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation” (Acts 10:28), we know the TWELVE APOSTLES did not go to Gentiles while Christ was on earth. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Two
More than 30 years after the death of Christ the apostle Paul, who wrote that grace was given him to preach THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST to Gentiles (Ephesians 3:8), wrote to Christian Gentiles: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19). Several years before Paul wrote these words he wrote: “For by one Spirit were we all baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles.” (I Corinthians 12:13). During the years that Christ was on earth believing Gentiles were not baptized with believing Jews into the ONE BODY OF CHRIST, and they were not fellow citizens in the household of God. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Three
More than 30 years after the death of Christ the apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians: “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or the SABBATH.” (Colossians 2:16). No such instructions were given to God’s people while Christ was here on earth as Jesus of Nazareth. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Four
In Matthew 8:4 and 5 we read that Christ on earth gave the following instructions . . “Show thyself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded as a testimony unto them.” That order was right and proper at the time it was given, but it is not the will of God that any Christian should obey such an order today. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Five
While Jesus of Nazareth was here on earth He WAS a Minister of the Jews confirming promises which God made unto Israel by the prophets (Romans 15:8). At the present time Christ IS NOT a Minister of the Jews; for Israel has been cast away (Romans 11:15), and Christ is far above all heavens on His Father’s throne (Ephesians 4:8 to 11) and is there HEAD over all things to the Church, Which is His Body (Ephesians 1:19 to 23). While on earth Christ was confirming (fulfilling) promises God made to Israel years and centuries before Christ came down from heaven. Christ will return to this earth and again confirm (fulfill) promises God made to Israel. Christ now in heaven is not confirming (fulfilling) promises made to Israel. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Six
Immediately after the death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ His disciples sold their houses, lots and other earthly possessions and brought the money thus obtained and put it in the common treasury (Acts 2:44 and 45 and 4:34 and 35). “Neither was there any among them that lacked.” “Distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” (Acts 4:34 and 35). Ananias and Sapphira turned in a false report as to the amount of money obtained from sale of their property and they miraculously received a death judgment (Acts 5:1 to 11). Today God’s Word is, “If any man provide not for his own, and specially those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (I Timothy 5:8). Therefore, members of the Body of Christ are not now required to sell their earthly possessions. And from what we see all about us, we know that those members, who are sometimes guilty of falsifying, do not meet with sudden, miraculous death. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Seven
In I Corinthians 11:27 to 33 we learn that members of the Body of Christ, who partook of the Lord’s Supper unworthily, received miraculous judgments from God, sickness, or some other physical affliction, or death. Similar Divine judgments are not now miraculously visited upon the unworthy partakers of the Lord’s Supper. If they are, it is exceptional and not general. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Eight
In Acts 28:5 to 9, at the very close of the period marked by the Book of Acts, the apostle Paul who had healed people miraculously with handkerchiefs and aprons (Acts 19:11 and 12) miraculously healed many heathen of divers diseases. (God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul . . . Acts 19:11). In II Timothy, Paul’s farewell message to saints on earth, a faithful, fruitful servant of the Lord was sick. He was left at Miletum sick. (II Timothy 4:20). Wicked, unconverted heathen were healed: but a faithful saint was not. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Nine
In Matthew 6:14 and 15 and Matthew 18:35 we learn that if any person’s sins are to be forgiven by God, that person must first forgive any other person who has sinned against him. Human forgiveness is there a requisite for Divine forgiveness. In Colossians 2:13 and Ephesians 4:32 we learn that, because of God’s grace, all of the sins of any and every believing sinner are forgiven, FOR CHRIST’S SAKE; and not because the believer forgives his fellow man, or because he does one commendable good deed. The saved believer’s forgiveness of his fellow man is the evidence or fruit that he has been forgiven all of his sins, for Christ’s sake, and not a condition of, or requirement for, Divine forgiveness. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Ten
In I Corinthians 3:3 and 5:5 and 6:5 to 9 and 8:10 and 11:30 we learn that the saints at Corinth were carnal, and had many faults (sins), some of them quite serious. They were perhaps the least spiritual and faithful of the saints of Paul’s day. But they exercised various gifts (I Corinthians 12:7 to 11): they spoke with tongues, healed the sick, discerned spirits, performed miracles. So the least spiritual saints in the days of the apostles exercised the special gifts, whereas today they are not exercised by the most spiritual saints. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Eleven
In Acts 10:34 to 36 we read that the apostle Peter preached to Gentiles, “In every nation he that feareth God and WORKETH RIGHTEOUSNESS is accepted of God.” In Romans 4:4 and 5 the apostle Paul preached to Gentiles: “To him that WORKETH is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that WORKETH NOT, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for RIGHTEOUSNESS.” So Paul, in this respect, did not preach to Gentiles what Peter preached. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Twelve
In Acts 3:26 Peter preached to Jews, ‘UNTO YOU FIRST,’ God having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” And in Acts 10:28 it was unlawful for the Jews to go to Gentiles. Peter went to special Gentiles; and for that he was condemned by his fellowapostles and fellow disciples. (Acts 11:1 to 5). Paul declared that, in his ministry, the Jews were to obtain God’s mercy through the mercy of the Gentiles (Romans 11:31); that he was preaching reconciliation to the Gentiles because God had cast away Israel (Romans 11:15); that he was sent to the Gentiles by the Lord to provoke the Jews to jealousy (Romans 11:11). As we study carefully the ministry of the TWELVE APOSTLES (Peter and the Eleven), as recorded in the first eleven chapters of the Book of Acts, we learn that they did not preach salvation to the Gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy or because of Israel’s unbelief (Romans 11:30) or because Israel had been cast away (Romans 11:15). JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Thirteen
In the so called great commission of Matthew 28:19 and 20 the TWELVE (ELEVEN) were sent to disciple all nations and to baptize. “He that believeth and IS BAPTIZED shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16). Years later Paul declared that he received his ‘GRACE of CHRIST’ message by revelation and not from man (Galatians 1:11 and 12); and that he turned to Gentiles when and because Israel would not believe that God raised Christ from the dead to give Israel the sure mercies of David. (Acts 13:46 . . . 13:30 to 38).
Then later Paul declared that the Gentiles obtained God’s mercy, because of the Jews’ unbelief (Romans 11:30); that reconciliation was sent to Gentiles when and because of the casting away of the Jews (Israel) (Romans 11:15); that unto us is COMMITTED THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION. (II Corinthians 5:18 to 20). The COMMISSION of II Corinthians 5:19, reconciliation to Gentiles when and because Israel was cast away, was not contemplated in the so called great commission of Matthew 28:19 and 20. Moreover inasmuch as the commission of Matthew 28:19 and 20 included water baptism, and Paul was sent NOT TO BAPTIZE (I Corinthians 1:17), when Paul declared that the gospel had been preached in all the world to every creature (Colossians 1:5 and 6 and 1:23) he was not referring to the gospel of the kingdom that was to be preached as a witness in all the world before the ‘END’ (Matthew 24:14) or the kingdom gospel preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Fourteen
We often hear that a Christian is a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. When the Lord Jesus was eight days old He was circumcised (Luke 2:21). The Lord Jesus was made UNDER THE LAW (Galatians 4:4) and came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17 and 18). The Lord Jesus recognized the authority of those who were in the LAW SEAT while He was on earth (Matthew 23:1 to 3). When the Lord Jesus was thirty years old, AS HIS CUSTOM WAS, He attended the Jewish ‘LAW’ services in the Jewish synagogue on the SEVENTH DAY JEWISH SABBATH (Luke 4:16). In Luke 12:33 the Lord Jesus said, “Sell that ye have and give alms.” In Matthew 10:8 He said, “raise the dead and cleanse lepers.” In Luke 6:30 the Lord Jesus said: “Give to every one that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” He said, in Matthew 6:17, “when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and WASH thy face.” Then in Hebrews 9:10 we are told that WASHINGS were imposed on the Jews until THE TIME OF REFORMATION. In I Corinthians 11:1 Christians are told to follow Paul as he followed Christ. (Read also Philippians 3:17). Christ was speaking in Paul (II Corinthians 13:3). Members of the Body of Christ today are not in the will of God in following Jesus of Nazareth in much that He did and said while on earth. They cannot intelligently follow Christ except as they follow Christ by studying the Divine Truth revealed by Christ to and through Paul. JUST WHY NOT’
Statement Number Fifteen
In Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Numbers are recorded scores of ceremonies, offerings, religious days and feasts which God, in His inspired Word, gave for His people Israel. They were to be regulated by everything in that complicated religious system. They were rewarded for faithfully obeying and practicing all that God commanded. They were worshipping God in a portable tabernacle in their pilgrimage from Egypt to Canaan. It was not optional with them whether they observed all that God commanded in His religious program: it was mandatory. We, as members of the Body of Christ, are seated in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:5 and 6): we are not under priests and high priests and Levites: we are not under the LAW, but under grace (Romans 6:14). We are not to be governed by Israel’s LAW or religion, or rewarded for doing the many things that God instructed Israel to do. For obedience to God’s program, under the LAW dispensation and during the LAW age, God’s people were well rewarded and blessed, whereas even the most faithful obedience to the same Divine program, in this dispensation and age of grace, brings to God’s people condemnation and rebuke; but no reward. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Sixteen
In Acts 7:8 we read that God gave Abram (Abraham) ‘THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION.’ The covenant of circumcision is explained in detail in Genesis 17:9 to 27. “This is MY covenant . . . Every man child among you shall be circumcised.” (Genesis 17:10). “The UNCIRCUMCISED shall be CUT OFF from his people.” (Genesis 17:14). Abram was 99 years old when he was CIRCUMCISED, and became ABRAHAM. (Genesis 17:24 and 5). CIRCUMCISION was instituted about 1900 B.C. Therefore, all of God’s people from Adam to Abram (about 2100 years) were not governed by the COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION. About 20 years after the death of Christ the apostles held a COUNCIL at Jerusalem and unanimously agreed that God wanted no Christian Gentile circumcised. (Acts 15:24). Then Paul wrote that CIRCUMCISION DID NOT AVAIL ANYTHING; and, in no uncertain language, Paul condemned those who tried to enforce circumcision. (Galatians 6:12 to 15 . . . 5:3). In Galatians 5:6 Paul wrote of the ‘worthlessness’ of CIRCUMCISION and then added: “I would they were even CUT OFF which trouble you.” (Galatians 5:12). In Genesis 17:14 those not CIRCUMCISED, ‘CUT OFF’ . . . In Galatians 5 those demanding CIRCUMCISION, ‘CUT OFF.’ A great difference. Christ was CIRCUMCISED. (Luke 2:21). Christ, on earth, WAS a Minister of the CIRCUMCISION. (Romans 15:8). Neither Christ nor His apostles would have preached, while Christ was on earth, that CIRCUMCISION was unprofitable. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Seventeen
When God instituted CIRCUMCISION (Genesis 17) He confirmed His guarantee of the land of Canaan (Palestine) to Israel. (Genesis 17:8). God is going to plant Israel in that land, never to be plucked up. (Amos 9:11 to 15). This will be when Christ comes back to BUILD AGAIN THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID. (Amos 9:11 and Acts 15:15 to 18). Therefore, when Peter preached to ‘THE JEWS FIRST’ (Acts 3:26); “Repent and be baptized and ye shall receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38) he also preached, “Repent and God will send Christ back from heaven for the restitution of all things.” (Acts 3:19 to 27). Therefore, when we read that ‘THE GOSPEL OF THE CIRCUMCISION’ was committed unto Peter (Galatians 2:7), we know that THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION and the promise of CANAAN were included. Peter preached to Israel; “Repent and God will send Christ down where you are.” (Acts 3:19 to 21). Paul preached ‘THE GOSPEL OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION’ (Galatians 2:7), the gospel of the grace of God, to Gentiles; “Believe, be saved by grace; and God will raise you up where Christ is.” (Ephesians 2:5 and 6). This message of Paul was not preached while Christ was on earth or during the first years after the death of Christ. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Eighteen
In the gospel of the grace of God Paul did not preach to Gentiles the ‘COMMUNISM’ of Acts 2:44 and 45 and 4:34 and 35. He did not preach unto them, “Repent, be baptized for the remission of sins and thereby receive the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38). Paul did not preach unto them, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:18). JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Nineteen
In John 1:71 we read concerning Christ, “He came unto HIS OWN and HIS OWN received Him not.” “As many as received Him.” (John 1:12). In John 4:22 Christ identified Himself as a JEW. He was saluted as ‘THE KING OF ISRAEL.” (John 1:49). So in the flesh Christ was an Israelite. (Romans 9:4 to 6). He was of the tribe of Judah. He was also a Jew by religion; made under the law; sent only to Israel; the Seed of Abraham. (Galatians 4:4 . . . Matthew 15:24 . . . Hebrews 2:14 to 18). Christ was born to take the throne of David. (Luke 1:27 to 33). Christ was raised from the dead to take the throne of David. (Acts 2:27 to 33). Christ will return to earth to take the throne of David. (Isaiah 9:6 and 7). Many individual Jews received Christ as Saviour. (John 2:23 . . . 7:31 . . . 8:30 and 31 . . . 10:42 . . . 11:45 . . . 12:11 and 42 . . . Acts 2:42 . . . 4:4 (5000) . . . 9:42 . . . 11:21 (a great number) . . . 14:1 . . . Acts 6:7 (a great company of priests).
We know one Gentile man who received Christ, or believed on Him, while Christ was on earth. He built a synagogue for the Jews whom he loved, and he reached Christ through a Jew. (Luke 7:1 to 10.) When the TWELVE had the opportunity to preach to a Gentile before Pentecost they said, “send her away.” (Matthew 15:23). Because Christ told them, “go not in the way of Gentiles.” (Matthew 10:5). Christ told that Gentile woman that the Jews had to be filled FIRST before God would bless the Gentiles. (Mark 7:27 . . . Matthew 15:23 to 30). Years later Paul said the same thing. (Acts 13:46). Then Paul added that the great blessing came to Gentiles because Christ’s OWN received Him not. (Romans 11:30 . . . 11:15). While we read these solemn words in Romans 11:21, “if God spared not the Jews, take heed lest He spare not the Gentiles,” we know that God is not dealing with Gentiles as nations, under grace, as He dealt with Israel as a NATION under a KINGDOM COVENANT. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Twenty
In John 1:31 John the Baptist declared that his WATER BAPTISM was that Christ might be made manifest unto Israel John the Baptist showing was unto Israel. (Luke 1:80 . . . 1:16 . . . Acts 13:24 . . . Acts 19:4). At the time John was baptizing with water Jesus also was baptized with water, and then with the Holy Spirit. This we read in Luke 3:21 and 22. Then some months thereafter Christ foretold His death on the cross in this language: “I have a BAPTISM to be BAPTIZED with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished.” (Luke 12:50). This was followed by “FROM HENCEFORTH.” (Luke 12:51 to 53). The same break in the earthly ministry of Christ is mentioned in these words in Matthew 16:21, “FROM THAT TIME FORTH.” From the time that Christ mentioned His THIRD BAPTISM (Luke 12:50), ‘FROM THAT TIME FORTH’ (Matthew 16:21) (Luke 12:52), until the time of Christ’s ‘DEATH BAPTISM,’ we find no further record of a WATER BAPTIZING until after the death of Christ. Why? Because water baptism was that Christ might be made manifest unto Israel. And in Matthew 16:20 Christ clearly instructed His apostles in this language, “THAT THEY SHOULD TELL NO MAN THAT HE WAS JESUS, THE MESSIAH.” This order was binding until Christ prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
Once again they testified to Israel that Jesus was the MESSIAH (Acts 2:36): and once again the apostles called Israel to repentance and WATER BAPTISM, as John had called Israel. (Acts 2:38).
The risen Christ did not instruct the apostle Paul to preach unto Gentiles ‘BAPTISM UNTO REPENTANCE FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.’ JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Twenty one
We have just observed that after Christ said that He was going to Calvary for His THIRD BAPTISM (Luke 12:50 . . . Matthew 16:21 to 25) there is no record in Matthew, Mark, Luke or John of any WATER BAPTIZING. Because Christ instructed His apostles to tell no one that He was Christ or Messiah. (Matthew 16:20). Now note in Acts 2:38, Acts 17:3, 18:5, and other Scriptures that the apostles did the very thing Christ told them not to do; namely, they testified that Jesus was Christ. Until and unless we see that Christ’s prayer on the cross (Luke 23:43) rescinded or canceled Christ’s command of Matthew 16:20, we must say that the apostles were out of the will of God when they testified that Jesus was Christ: and we will not understand the place of water baptism, which was that Christ might be manifested unto Israel. (John 1:31). When Peter began to testify that Jesus was Christ, on the day of Pentecost, water baptism was again in order. As it was in order before Pentecost until Christ’s DEATH BAPTISM was announced, so it was again in order from Pentecost until the DEATH BAPTISM of Romans 6:3 and 4 was made known. There is no record in the Bible of any one receiving WATER BAPTISM after the statement in Romans 6:3 and 4. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Twenty two
When the Lord Jesus Christ shall come back to earth, as the Son of Man, (Luke 21:27 and 18:8), He will sit on the throne of His glory with rewards and judgments in THE KINGDOM PREPARED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. In the OVER ALL KINGDOM OF GOD in the Bible we learn of the KINGDOM PREPARED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD and the CHURCH (BODY) PURPOSED FROM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD (Ephesians 1:4 and 5 . . . Titus 1:1 to 3 . . . II Timothy 1:9 . . . Romans 8:28 to 31).
The ‘FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD’ Kingdom was spoken by all of God’s holy prophets SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN (Acts 3:21 . . . 3:24); and is therefore, ‘THE PROPHESIED KINGDOM OF GOD.’ The ‘FROM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD’ Kingdom (Body) was not made known to the sons of men in other ages (Romans 16:25 and Colossians 1:24 to 26); and it is therefore, ‘THE UNPROPHESIED KINGDOM.’ (Compare the expression ‘SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN’ in Acts 3:21 and in Romans 16:25). Therefore, we can say that the BODY of CHRIST is ‘THE KINGDOM OF GOD,’ but ‘THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT NECESSARILY THE BODY OF CHRIST.’ THE KINGDOM OF GOD that is to be at hand, according to Luke 21:27 to 33, will be the KINGDOM of Mark 1:14 and 15 (postponed until the King comes to earth); but it will not be ‘THE BODY OF CHRIST.’ JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Twenty three
Any reference made to the PROPHESIED KINGDOM OF GOD or to Truth foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures, might be called ‘SEARCHABLE,’ as the DIVINE TRUTH, not made known to or by God’s Old Testament prophets, concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, is called ‘THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST.’ (Ephesians 3:8). The root word in ‘UNSEARCHABLE’ means ‘STEP’ or ‘TRACK.’ The word means ‘PAST TRACING OUT.’ (In Romans 11:33 it is translated in the authorized edition, ‘PAST FINDING OUT’ . . . in the revised edition ‘PAST TRACING OUT.’) The apostle Paul received ‘THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST’ by special revelation from Christ in heaven. (Ephesians 3:1 to 3 . . . Colossians 1:23 to 27 . . . II Corinthians 12:1 to 11). This TRUTH is called ‘THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL’ (Ephesians 1:9) . . . ‘THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST,’ ‘THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL,’ ‘GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE’ . . . (Ephesians 3:2 and 3, 6:19 and 20 . . . Colossians 4:3 and 4 . . . Ephesians 3:9). Christ’s CONFIRMATION ministry (Romans 15:8) was not ‘THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST.’ JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Twenty four
In Mark 1:14 and 5 we read that the Lord Jesus declared the KINGDOM OF GOD at hand, because the time was fulfilled. He did not declare that the BODY OF CHRIST was at hand, because the time was fulfilled. When the TWELVE were instructed to preach, “The KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is at hand,” it was for Israel; not for Gentiles. (Matthew 10:5 to 8). Years later, after He had gone back to heaven, Christ instructed Paul to preach, “the GRACE OF GOD that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL MEN.” (Titus 2:11). Then Paul said, that Christ had committed unto him, “A DISPENSATION.” (I Corinthians 9:17). After that Paul reached Rome and at the time he was in jail in Rome for preaching Divine Truth that had never before been revealed by God to man (THE MYSTERY OR SECRET) he wrote that he was the Lord’s prisoner for Gentiles, and that the DISPENSATION that was committed unto him was for Gentiles, ‘THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD.’ (Ephesians 3:1 to 4). In Ephesians 3:9 Paul called it, ‘THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY.’ The word translated ‘fellowship’ in 3:9 should be ‘DISPENSATION.’ So Paul wrote that Christians should be established by PAUL’S GOSPEL, the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the SECRET kept secret since the world began. (Romans 16:25). This preaching had nothing to do with ‘THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AT HAND’ because the time was fulfilled. The members of Christ’s Body cannot be established, in grace, by the preaching of Jesus Christ by Peter and the Eleven while Christ was on earth or during the first eleven chapters of Acts. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Twenty five
In Matthew 15:23 to 30 and Mark 7:23 to 30 we read of Christ’s conversation with a Gentile woman. The words Christ spoke to her before he granted her request seem quite cruel. Then Christ gave a blessing to the woman at the well in Samaria. (John 4). Aside from these two women and the Roman, who built a synagogue for the Jews (and Christ’s conversation with Pilate), Christ directed his messages and gave His orders to two classes of Jews, saved and unsaved Jews, and NOT TO MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST (I Corinthians 12:13). If we are to understand the Bible, surely we must know which of Christ’s messages were directed to saved Jews and which to unsaved Jews; also which of His messages were for all His disciples and which for His apostles only. We must also know that at the time Christ was sent to Israel only (Matthew 15:24), the Gentiles were aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2:11 and 12), alienated from the life of God (Ephesians 4:18 . . . Colossians 1:21), ‘far off strangers and foreigners’ (Ephesians 2:19), ‘atheists, without God and having no hope’ (Ephesians 2:12). In Ephesians 3:6 the Body of Christ is called ‘THE JOINT BODY.’ (Sussomos does not mean ‘SAME BODY.’) So while Christ was on earth, or during the first eleven chapters of Acts, the TWELVE could not have said to Gentiles, what Paul said to them in I Corinthians 12:27: “NOW ye are the Body of Christ and members in particular.” JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Twenty six
The apostle Paul was in jail for telling a SECRET. (Colossians 4:3 and 4 . . . Ephesians 6:19 and 20). Peter was not in jail for telling that SECRET. Not one of the TWELVE was, so far as there is any record. In that SECRET made known to Paul and by Paul, according to Peter, were some things hard to be understood. (II Peter 3:14 to 16). Paul called himself ‘THE WISE MASTERBUILDER,’ who laid the foundation. (I Corinthians 3:10). The TWELVE did not lay that same foundation. Paul did not get his message from the TWELVE, but right from Christ in heaven. (Galatians 1:11 to 23 . . . 2:1 to 7). “How that by revelation He made known to me.” (Ephesians 3:3 and 4). In II Timothy 1:12 (in the Greek) Paul calls the DISPENSATION (SECRET) committed unto him, ‘MY DEPOSIT.’ Paul writes of ‘MY GOSPEL.’ (Romans 16:25 . . . II Timothy 2:7 and 8). Paul was in jail for ‘THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL.’ (Ephesians 6:19 and 20). Paul and all of the apostles preached the GOSPEL, by which sinners were saved. (I Corinthians 15:1 to 4). There is a difference between the GOSPEL, according to the Scriptures, and ‘THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL,’ not according to the Scriptures (in fulfillment of Prophecy), but ‘ACCORDING TO THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD.’ (Ephesians 3:9 . . . 1:11 . . . Romans 8:28 to 31 . . . II Timothy 1:9). There is a difference between the gospel for sinners and the gospel for saints. Peter and the Eleven did not preach ‘THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL,’ or refer to the CHURCH as ‘THE BODY,’ so far as we have any record in the Bible. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Twenty seven
One of the hardest of Paul’s statements to be understood is recorded in Colossians 1:23 to 26, in connection with the CHURCH (Body) as God’s unrevealed SECRET until made known to and through Paul and by the Holy Spirit. This, Paul in those verses, calls ‘THE DISPENSATION OF GOD,’ committed to him. The word ‘DISPENSATION’ is used by Paul in Ephesians 1:10 . . . I Corinthians 9:17 . . . Ephesians 3:1 and 2, 3:9 and in Colossians 1:24 to 26. DISPENSATION, in the Greek, ‘OIKONOMIA’ . . . . ‘OIKO’ is ‘HOUSE’ . . . ‘NOMIA’ is ‘LAW.’ ‘HOUSE LAW’ or ‘ADMINISTRATION OF A HOUSEHOLD’ . . . translated ‘STEWARDSHIP’ in Luke.
A ‘DISPENSATION,’ therefore, does not mean ‘A PERIOD OF TIME: The risen Christ did not deposit with Paul a period of time, but a DISPENSATION to extend through a period of time. The DISPENSATION, which the risen Christ committed unto Paul, was altogether different from ‘THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN’ committed unto Peter (Matthew 16:19) or the so called ‘GREAT COMMISSION’ given the TWELVE in Matthew 28:19 and 20. Some of the message and program which the risen Lord revealed to the apostle Paul was to supplement what He had given to Peter and Eleven, but very much was to supersede it. In Acts 3:19 to 21 Peter, in the Name of the Lord, presented a new KINGDOM PROPOSITION to Israel and did not speak of ‘THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD’ for Gentiles.
Because much in the DISPENSATION which Christ committed to the apostle Paul superseded His previous messages, the only Scriptural, intelligent Bible study for members of Christ’s Body to pursue is ‘DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY.’ Among other things this means the principle of progressive revelation (confined to the limits of the Bible), and interpreting, appropriating, applying all Divine Truth mentioned in former DISPENSATIONS in the light of ‘THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY’ COMMITTED UNTO PAUL. Of course, this means that all inspired Truth in the Bible is FOR THE CHURCH (BODY), but not all ABOUT THE BODY. Therefore, if we do not diligently, prayerfully and spiritually study the writings of the apostle Paul, for God’s blueprints and specifications for this present dispensation and age, we will not rightly divide the Word of truth, but rather be ashamed workmen (II Timothy 2:15). We can never understand God’s ‘GRACE’ program, if we have ‘THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERY’ begin with Peter and Pentecost. JUST WHY NOT?
Statement Number Twenty eight
If the TWELVE were to carry out the so called GREAT COMMISSION of Matthew 28:19 and 20, and DISCIPLE ALL NATIONS, why did they remain in Jerusalem when the other disciples were driven out by persecution? (Acts 8:1). Why did they still have their headquarters in Jerusalem some years later? (Acts 15:1 to 19). Why is there no record in the Book of Acts of any of the missionary journeys of the TWELVE outside the land of Israel? If Peter and his fellow apostles would not eat with saved Gentiles, are we to believe that, during the Acts period, they preached to unsaved Gentiles? (Galatians 2:10 to 12). (Peter preached to Cornelius’ household). How could the TWELVE disciple all nations when they agreed to preach to Jews years after Pentecost? (Galatians 2:9). If members of the Body of Christ are discipling nations, should they not complete the work and do the baptizing and not say, ‘laymen disciple and clergymen baptize’? If all of the apostles, prophets and evangelists went right on after Pentecost working under the so called GREAT COMMISSION without a special revelation from Christ, why was such a revelation necessary for Paul’s preaching? (Galatians 1:11 and 12). Why the message of Acts 13:46, and why did Paul say, a conference with the TWELVE added nothing to him, but the very opposite? Peter and his fellow apostles learned something from Paul. (Galatians 2:1 to 7). Why the revelation of Ephesians 3:1 to 4 and why was Paul the only apostle to go to prison for THE MYSTERY? (Ephesians 6:19 and 29 . . . II Timothy 2:7 to 9 . . . Colossians 4:3 and 4). Members of the Body of Christ cannot be established by the preaching of Jesus Christ ACCORDING TO THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY, unless established by PAUL’S GOSPEL. (Romans 16:25). JUST WHY NOT?
Rightly Dividing The Word (Chart)
http://paulsgracemessage.org/rightly.htm
