Posted on 09/01/2010 9:01:12 AM PDT by John Leland 1789
THE RIGHT DIVIDER’S POCKET STARTER
This begins a series, in outline form, of basic dispensational themes. It was developed for teaching a young local assembly of Christians in the Philippines in the 1990’s.
We published this in 2002 in the form of a pocket guide, and used it widely in the Philippines.
This is in outline form. I look forward to reading any comments that properly contribute to the outline.
Here is Part One
Ages (see also Dispensations)
1. Age of Gentiles (Genesis chs. 1-11; Romans 1:18-32)
a. Times of Positive Volition see Innocence Genesis chs 1 & 2.
b. Times of Negative Volition see Conscience Genesis chs. 3-10.
c. Times of Nationalism see Human Government Genesis ch. 11
2. Age of Israel (Genesis 12 through Malachi. Includes the Gospels, minus John chs. 13-17. Includes The Revelation through ch. 20. Prophetically may also include Hebrews through Jude.)
a. Times of the Patriarchs: Abraham to Moses see Promise
b. Times of the Law: Moses to Christ see Law
c. Times of Trouble/Tribulation: From the Rapture of the Church to the Second Advent of Christ see Kingdom
d. The Kingdom: From the Second Advent and for the following One Thousand Years. (Isaiah ch. 11; Zechariah 14:4-11; Matthew 13:39-43,49,50; 19:28; 24:3, 29-35; 25:31-46; Revelation ch. 11; 19:11 through 20:7; etc.)
3. Age of the Church--The Body of Christ (Romans through Philemon; John chs. 13-17; John's Epistles)
a. Times of Transition (Childhood): Acts Period (Romans; 1 & 2 Corinthians; Galatians; 1 & 2 Thessalonians; Hebrews)
b. Times of Full Age: Post Acts (Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; 1 & 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon)
4. Age of Christ---Ages to Come (Ephesians 2:7; 3:11, 21; 1 Corinthians 15:28; 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 21 & 22; etc.
Note: This arrangement does not necessarily deal with the "times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24; Isaiah 59:20; Daniel 2:31-45 and see Acts 15:14-17 and Romans 11:25).
Apostles (see also Gospel---Doctrine or Message)
1. Apostles of the Lamb (Circumcision) Matthew 10:1-(vv.1-15)-42; 19:28; 26:14,47 Luke 9:1-6; 22:3; John 6:70; Acts 1:15-26; 2:14; 1 Corinthians 15:5; Galatians 2:7-10; Revelation 21:14; etc.
2. Apostles to the Gentiles (Uncircumcision) Acts 14:4,14; Romans 11:13; Romans 16:7; Galatians 1:15-19; Galatians 2:7-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:6; etc.
Authorities, Earthly Spheres of
1. Home or Family. Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:7-9; Psalm 78; Psalm 144; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:22 through 6:9; etc.
2. Civil Government. Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17; etc.
3. Church (local assembly). Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:12ff; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy chapter 3; Titus ch. 1; Hebrews 3:12,13; 10:25; 13:7,17,24; etc.
I maybe interested in your teaching if first you would define from the Word what rightly dividing the word of truth means, book, chapter and verse please.
The basis is 2 Timothy 2:15.
The first mathematical principle in the Scriptures is DIVISION (Genesis ch. 1).
Further, the concept of SEPARATION is dealt with in Scripture, before the concept of UNITY.
The Three groupings of humans in history that must be divided and separated in order to understand God’s prophetic purposes are: (1) THE JEW, (2) THE GENTILE, AND (3) THE CHURCH OF GOD. (1 Corinthians 10:32).
The outline provided in this study will help illustrate what more must be studied by dividing things, and separating things.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
My question was define, from the Word, what is rightly dividing the word of truth. It is clearly defined in scripture.
It is essential to know what is being rightly divided. So if one is to study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, what is to be rightly divided...it is not about jews and gentiles...it is not about dividing books in the bible...it is not about many words...it is quite simply defined.
If one is to teach, he must understand this key to the gospel. Please do not be offended I refer to myself as a right divider, and I test those who also claim to know right division. Which is why I was somewhat excited to read the title to your post.
I have found that many believe to rightly divide the word of truth means to rightly divide the Word...but it is the (word of truth)that is to be divided...so what is the word of truth as defined simply, in essentially one verse of scripture. I think any further discussion would be better done in private reply...freepmail...but either way is fine.
We also know that God has revealed Himself to man in a twofold manner: 1) Through Christ, the living Word, and 2) Through the Bible, the written Word.
At its most simple, Ephesian gives us a clue as to how God has divided His word of truth.
"Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands:" ((Eph. 2:11).
"That at that time (Time Past), ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:" (Eph. 2:11).
"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." (Eph. 2:13).
"That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Eph. 2:7).
We know there is a TIME PAST, BUT NOW, and AGES TO COME in God's Word. If we can identify one period, the other two should be easy to find. BUT NOW is the most obvious, since it deals with present time.
Of course rightly dividing deals with much more, but this is a simple place to begin.
Understanding that God’s Word, instead of being divided OT from NT is more rightly divided into prophecy, things prophesied concerning a nation and a kingdom, from mystery, things never prophesied but kept secret since the foundation of the world, until revealed to the Apostle Paul is also key. The former concerns a kingdom of believers, the latter concerns a body of believers.
Actually, I am hoping you will openly contribute so that it doesn’t all come from me.
YES...I’m smiling...you are exactly correct in your study. As you stated there is more. I was refering to dividing the word of truth as stated in 2Tim2:15.
Where we find the word of truth defined, is in... Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, (the gospel of your salvation): in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
The word of truth is (the gospel of your salvation). The gospel of your salvation was given to Paul...1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
This word of truth is to be divided from the gospel preached by Peter which was essentially: repent, be baptised and endure until the end. For salvation today you do not need to go anywhere, do anything, say anything, or pray anything, only believe the word of truth preached by Paul as stated above in ICor15:3,4.
Remember All, this is only part one. The main topics of the outline are in alphabetical order. There’s a lot more to come.
Ooops, that's three questions!
Amen! I am smiling, too..:) As God opens His word of truth to all who would seek His approval as workmen who need not be ashamed.
It’s late for me but I will give you the short version to your questions.
1) Why would God divide His dealings with mankind into dispensations?
It has to do with the definition of dispensations (look it up, it is economy related)
2)Why not just reveal everything all at once?
For us today in the dispensation of grace, everything has been revealed Gen-Rev KJB 1611/1769 the preserved Word of God.
3) Does one dispensation end before another begins?
Yes...although man may not recognize the end from the beginning for quite some time.
For instance Time past began in Gen 11 with Abraham.
Time past ended with the stoning of Steven.
But now... started with Paul on the road to Damascus and will end when the church the body of Christ is caught up to be with the Lord.
Time to come... will start after we are caught up, but it will take some time, I think, for Israel to be reconstituted and the tribulation to begin.
Don’t trust me as to these things...STUDY... like the bereans...wether these things be true. Romans thru Philemon are the scriptures written specifically to us and for us in this the dispensation of grace. Paul said: 2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
I agree. It’s about progressive revelation in God’s dealing with mankind. And I also agree that one dispensation ends before another begins. The Book of Acts is a beautiful example of changing dispensations. ANd the Dispensation of the Grace of God began with the raising up of Paul. He was not saved until Acts, chapter nine, so the Dispensation of Grace could not have begun before then. Thanks for your post. This is going to be a most enjoyable series, John. God Bless!
But Peter came to realize that only preaching to Jews was not what God intended and Acts 4:10-12 sounds very much like The Gospel of Grace given to Paul by Jesus.
Also, Acts 2:38 does not seem that far off. Repentance is recognizing your error and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
I think the differences between Peter and Paul were not as great as we might think. The difference was to whom The Gospel of Grace was taken. Peter was focused on this as exclusively Jewish and did not have the full understanding that was given to Paul. Peter was looking for the imminent return of the warrior Messiah, but I think both were preaching Faith Alone in Jesus Christ Alone to be saved.
The commission of Matthew 28 was not a revelation to go to Gentiles.
The commission of Mark 16 was not a revelation to go to Gentiles.
The commission of Luke 24 was not a revealtion to go to Gentiles.
The commission of Acts 1:8 was not a revelation to go to Gentiles.
The “commission,” if you will, to Peter to go to Cornelius’ house was consistant with Old Testmanet prophesy that as Israel is blessed, the Gentiles too would be brought in under that blessing, but was not a revelation to go to Gentiles in general. Peter still later agreed with Paul to confine his ministry to the circumcision (Galatians 2).
OOPS! I forgot that that time line was captioned in Chinese! I’ll have to hunt for the English one.
Prior to the Cross everything was directed to Israel. The Jewish perspective was based on their Tanak(?) our OT. They were looking for a warrior Messiah who would establish His Kingdom on Earth. No one understood that a spiritual kingdom bringing in Gentiles was going to be done first.
What we are talking about in Acts is the difference in The Gospel between Peter and Paul. I'm saying that on close review they aren't different. Peter is talking to a Jewish only audience and Paul was led to the Gentiles, but both are preaching salvation by Faith Alone in Christ Alone.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Repentance for the Jews would be recognizing Jesus Christ for who He is and believing in Him. How would this differ from recognizing that Jesus died for our sins and by believing in Him we are saved?
Also, the word Repent stands alone. It is to be done before baptism. The baptism is following an act of Faith Alone and the baptism is declaring it is Jesus Christ who has remitted your sins not the water.
Read verses10-12 very carefully. And look for the Gospel, that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, in those verses. They won't appear until after Paul is saved. Because that message of the good news of the Cross was given to him.
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