Posted on 04/09/2014 1:55:12 PM PDT by wmfights
"Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things." 2 Timothy 2:7
Did you ever wonder why there is so much confusion in religion today? Why is it that you can hear so many people teaching contradicting doctrines when they all use the Bible? There is an answer.
Most of the confusion and contradicting doctrine that you hear today is a result of failing to obey God’s command in II Timothy 2:15, to “Rightly Divide the Word of truth”. Most people do not distinguish between the KINGDOM MESSAGE of Christ and his apostles found in Matthew through John and Hebrews through Revelation and that of THE MESSAGE OF GRACE given to and through the apostle Paul in ROMANS through PHILEMON.
We are told to RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH, and to follow PAUL, and failure to do so results in confusion.
WE ASK THAT YOU EXAMINE PRAYERFULLY SOME SCRIPTURAL FACTS KEEPING IN MIND WHAT PAUL SAID IN 1 Corinthians 14:37:
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
ALL REFERENCES ARE FROM THE KING JAMES BIBLE.
1. PAUL IS THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES.
Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
2. PAUL RECEIVED HIS MESSAGE BY DIRECT REVELATION AND HIS WORDS ARE THE WORDS OF CHRIST FOR TODAY.
Gal 1:11-12 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
3. PAUL LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR THE CHURCH, CHRIST’S BODY.
1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth there upon.
4. PAUL WAS THE FIRST MAN EVER SAVED TOTALLY BY GRACE.
1 Tim 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
5. PAUL WAS GIVEN THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD.
Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
6. PAUL'S MESSAGE WAS A MYSTERY N0T MADE KNOWN UNTIL REVEALED TO HIM.
Eph 3:3-5 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
7. PAUL PREACHED A DIFFERENT GOSPEL FROM PETER AND WAS SENT TO A DIFFERENT PEOPLE. THE APOSTLES ACKNOWLEGED PAUL’S MINISRTY AND WERE IN AGREEMENT WITH IT.
Gal 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Gal 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
WHILE WE DO NOT WORSHIP PAUL, WE DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE WAS GOD'S CHOSEN VESSEL TO MAKE THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION BY GRACE KNOWN IN THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE AND WE ARE TOLD TO FOLLOW HIM. (1 COR 11:1)
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It seems to me that a lot of people don't understand that after The Cross a different era/dispensation began.
IOW, there is a difference between the Kingdom Message of Christ and The Gospel of Grace.
A very BIG difference...
Jesus converted Paul to take The Gospel of Grace to the gentiles.
Also, after The Cross the opportunity for Israel to see the Messianic Kingdom ended, until "the fullness of the gentiles will be brought in". IOW, in this dispensation the only way to be saved is through faith in The Gospel.
You’re so right.
Just because a different era began doesn’t mean that God’s covenant with Israel is ended, it’s just delayed. Once I started studying Revelation with the understanding that this is the process where God brings Israel home it made sense. We aren’t there and it’s not about us.
One of the things that has always bewildered me is the statement that Paul’s mission was to the gentles, and Peter’s to the Jews. How then came Peter to be “head” of the entire non-Jewish church if his mission was so circumscribed? It seems more logical to me that Paul (and his successors) would have that post.
Do you also post Mozilla/Firefox CEO “fire the guy now” reviews?
If anyone had become the 'head' of the church it most certainly would have been Paul...
I could kick myself for all the contortions I went through knowing that I was a child of God, seated in heavenly places, and a part of the Body of Christ, and then trying to force the Church (myself) into the Tribulation.
Religious tradition is truly bondage.
HaHa...Usually dispensationalists aren't anti-dispensationalist...I don't believe this thread is for you...
I get it. I could never make sense of Revelation until I realized it's not about us.
I think the book of Acts shows there were a multitude of independent churches united by a common faith. Even the Jerusalem Council where Peter and Paul discussed taking the Gospel to the Gentiles and whether converts would have to assume Jewish customs illustrates the congregational system of church govt. rather than a hierarchy.
Paul and Peter made their arguments and then the elders and Apostles considered the matter and after reflecting on Scripture realized that Paul and Peter were correct. (See Acts 15:6-17).
I think this passage is also great at illustrating how decisions should be made. They seek the answer in Scripture, no arbitrary human autocrat decides and everyone follows.
The writer seems to believe "rightly dividing" means dividing Israels truth from our truth, or their gospel from our gospel in this dispensation, if this is what he believes and teaches, then he is adding confusion to confusion, is that what you believe also, if so what is the biblical reproof in scripture?
He gives no reproof from the word as to this being the meaning, well because there is none, unless you take vs out of their context, you may ask, then what does the bible say rightly dividing means...study to show thyself approved, this does not mean study to show thyself approved of Steve Atwood's wisdom of man, good words and fair speeches, BTW I'm not saying Steve's intentions are not good, they are just wrong.
I have heard these teachings on rightly dividing before, some teach as Atwood others teach, dividing their dispensation from ours, others time "past" from "but now", and more, they can't all be right, but they all can be wrong, trusting any man with the word, God has given you is not wise, the words in Rom-Phil were given to Paul to give to us, trust those words only.
To know the meaning of "rightly dividing" I would direct you to the CONTEXT of 2Tim 2:15 the whole chapter, clear your mind of mans teaching and let the Holy Ghost teacheth, if you can do this the meaning will jump out at you.
The problem with most folks, as with me in the past is they bring mans wisdom into the reading of the word, nine times out of ten, the meaning of the verses, are within the immediate context, no need to jump all over the scriptures.
Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)...Paul is emphasizing READING scripture not mans words with some scripture thrown in.
Please don't take this as an attack on you or Atwood, that would be the reaction of folks who follow men.
Before getting into the back and forth you are looking for, let me ask are you a dispensationalist?
I thought I was clear in my first sentence, I am, have you read my profile? Have you read my tag line?
I am not looking for an argument, I do enjoy reasoning of scripture but no debates, they are foolishness.
1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
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